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NanoMech will triple its operations with the addition of a 25,000-square-foot building and the purchase of a its current factory at the Springdale Technology Park, according to a news release from the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. The facility will also serve as the company's headquarters.
The expansion will add 25 to 50 jobs for scientists and support staff.
"The space will also allow us to meet current demand for our products while advancing ongoing research and development efforts," NanoMech CEO Jim Phillips said in the news release. "This state-of-the-art, smart manufacturing facility and laboratories will further position our products and scientists as some of the best and most innovative in the world."
The facility will include laboratories and assembly lines, along with security, environmental and safety systems for advanced manufacturing and military projects, according to the news release.


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SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge is asking an additional six potential jurors for George Zimmerman's trial to return next week for further questioning, raising the total asked back so far to 29.
Judge Debra Nelson on Friday asked the potential jurors to return Tuesday. She told them not to discuss the case or selection process with anyone.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys need to find six jurors and four alternates to sit on the jury for Zimmerman's trial.
Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin. He is pleading not guilty, claiming self-defense.

subset: commoncrawl


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Honey Creek State Natural Area
Things to Do
Entry into Honey Creek is by guided tours only. The diverse geology, flora and fauna make Honey Creek a special place for all visitors using two miles of nature/interpretive trails. No pets are allowed in this State Natural Area.
The adjacent Guadalupe River State Park is located in the middle of a nine-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including canoeing, fishing, swimming, tubing, picnicking, hiking, nature watching, horseback riding, mountain biking, and camping.
Educational Programs
The Saturday morning walking tour of Honey Creek begins at 9 a.m. Please call in advance to confirm that the tour will be given on the particular Saturday you wish to visit. Check the calendar for other upcoming events and programs.
The website maintained by The Friends of Guadalupe River / Honey Creek organization offers more information about this area and on volunteer opportunities at this park. Read information about other volunteer opportunities at state parks.
Area Attractions
Nearby attractions include Guadalupe River State Park, Blanco State Park and, in San Antonio, the Casa Navarro State Historic Site and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park which includes the Missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion.


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ATLANTA (AP) — Jurors awarded the former director of Georgia's ethics commission $700,000 on Friday, ruling in her favor in a lawsuit in which she said her salary was cut and a deputy removed for investigating complaints against Gov. Nathan Deal.
The jury sided with Stacey Kalberman after more than two hours of deliberations, also deciding she would receive attorney's fees and back pay.
"I'm relieved. I've honestly and truly believed what happened to me was wrong," Kalberman said after the verdict. "I'm very thankful that our justice system permits this."
Kalberman claimed in her suit against the commission and its current director that commissioners had slashed her salary and eliminated her deputy's post after the two sought approval to issue subpoenas as part of the agency's investigation into Deal's 2010 campaign reports and financial disclosures.
The state argued that the personnel actions were motivated by budget concerns.
Deal, a Republican bidding for another term, was later cleared of major violations in the ethics probe and agreed to pay $3,350 in administrative fees. His political opponents seized on Friday's verdict to raise questions about Deal as he seeks re-election this year.
Deal's spokesman Brian Robinson said after the verdict that the ethics commission operates independently of elected officials and that the lawsuit involved "an internal dispute between former employees and former commissioners."
Separately, the attorney general's office declined to comment, citing other pending lawsuits filed by Kalberman's former deputy, Sherilyn Streicker, and a former information technology specialist for the commission.
Kalberman's attorneys argued throughout the trial that the commissioners began moving to push their client out after a May 3, 2011, commission meeting because she had presented them with draft subpoenas in the Deal investigation. Kalberman was told during a meeting just over a month later that her salary would be cut by about a third and her deputy's position eliminated, the jury heard.
In her closing argument, Kalberman attorney Kim Worth argued that her client faced direct retaliation for zealously pursuing an investigation into the complaints against Deal's campaign.
Assistant Attorney General Bryan Webb countered that dire budget problems facing the agency were the motivation behind the personnel actions.
Former commissioners who testified at the trial said they were concerned about the state of the agency's budget after the May 2011 meeting and were taken aback when she asked for a raise for herself and some members of her staff in the executive session that followed it.
Holly LaBerge, who succeeded Kalberman as director of the commission and still holds that post, testified during the trial. She said she was contacted by someone in the governor's office in mid-May 2011 asking if she'd be interested in the commission director job and was later contacted by commissioners. All of that happened before Kalberman had been told about her salary cut and before the job was publicly posted, jurors were told.
After the verdict, members of the jury met Kalberman in the courthouse hallway and hugged her.


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How to CookToast
Thinking Beyond Toast: The Best Uses for Jam
There are so many great conversations on the Hotline -- it's hard to choose a favorite. But we'll be doing it, once a week, to spread the wealth of our community's knowledge -- and to keep the conversation going.
Today: Jam is for so much more than just toast.
Maybe all of this fresh summer fruit has led to a canning frenzy, or maybe we simply overstocked at the grocery store. Whatever the case may be, there comes a time each year when we find ourselves staring at extra jars of jam, eager to use the sticky, sweet stuff, yet unable to imagine eating yet another piece of toast. What's one to do with all of those preserves?
Luckily, our community has some great ideas for using jam that don't involve slathering it on bread. Here are some of the best tips from the Hotline so far:
- Bake, bake, bake! Jam is the ideal filling for thumbprint cookies and linzer tarts. It also makes a great addition to coffee or crumb cakes.
- For an easy treat, whip up some raspberry squares following RespectThePastry's tried-and-true instructions: make an easy shortbread dough, top with a layer of preserves, sprinkle some more dough over top, and then bake until golden brown.
- Use jam between the layers of a cake.
- Mix 1 cup of jam with 1 1/2 cups of butter to make a spread, as JanetFL suggests.
What's your favorite way to use jam? Add your two cents to the question on the Hotline here or continue the conversation in the comments below!


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Classic Christmas: Clear Glass Ornaments
Clear glass ornaments are a timeless touch on a Christmas tree, whether used alone or mixed in with other colorful ornaments. On a tree with all white lights, glass ornaments can look classic and understated. Or, mixed in with other colorful ornaments and lights, clear glass adds additional sparkle to the tree. And, really, isn't holiday decorating all about sparkle?
• Sputnik Clear Ornament from CB2 $4.95
• Mini 3D Stained Glass Moravian Star from katiediditglass $28
• Waterford "Times Square Ball" Christmas Ornament from Horchow $95
• Set of 20 Iridescent Glass Balls from Macy's $30
• Elaborate Chandelier Ornament from West Elm $12
• Crystal Lace Ornament from Artful Home $110
• Small Clear Balls Ornament Set from MoMA Store $20
• Loopy Glass Orb from Anthropologie $38
• How To: Make Quick & Cute Christmas Ornaments
• Make 20 Salt Dough Ornaments For Less Than 10 Cents
• 10 Holiday Ornaments To Keep Up After The Holidays
(Images: As credited above.)


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Nakia T. Ngwala is the 2012 Mom Congress Delegate for Maryland. She is a public-interest consultant for education and organizational change. She also writes newspaper articles, volunteers in the classroom and on class trips, negotiates business-school partnerships, and continues to advocate for universal prekindergarten in Maryland public schools. Nakia resides in Springdale, Maryland with her husband and their two sons.
What book is currently on your nightstand? Bella Abzug.
One thing that is going great in education in your state: This year in 2012 Maryland public schools ranked #1 in the nation for the fourth year in a row.
One thing you wish could be improved in education in your state: That children would have the option of going to public prekindergarten regardless of their socio-economic background
Your favorite teacher (and why): My high school Russian teacher Ms. Julia Steimel. Ms. Steimel was my Russian teacher at Bowie High School in Bowie, Maryland. I remember Ms. Steimel because whenever you came into her classroom she was always pleasant and gave you a smile. She was one of those teachers who did not teach behind the desk, showed enthusiasm in what she was teaching and cared about her students. I remember her taking us out of the classroom and taking us on field trips that exposed us to the language and the culture of Russian people. Ms. Steimel not only exposed us to another language, she exposed us to another side of the world! And as a result of her great teaching, I decided to study Russian in college and now I have a degree in Russian Language and Literature.
Secret indulgence: Warm homemade apple pie a la mode.
Your hero: President Barack Obama.
Favorite quote: "Unless you know the road you've come down, you cannot know where you are going." - Temne proverb, Sierra Leone
Biggest wish for your kids: To be happy, spiritually at peace, successful, well-rounded individuals and financially independent.
Most rewarding/challenging stage of parenthood thus far (and why): My most rewarding stage of parenthood so far is seeing my 8 year old and 5 year old boys grow up before my eyes. They went from being babies who couldn't talk and walk to becoming active boys who are now running (that's right, they skipped walking!), inquisitive, having opinions of their own, playing with friends, learning so much from what my husband and I have taught them since birth and from what school has taught them, being helpful around the house, and giving me all the hugs, kisses, and love in the world.
Favorite family activities: Going out to dinner, visiting museums, vacationing at the beach and having family movie nights at home in the living room.


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The quality of the Moncler Down Jacket Women is trustworth.We supply free shipping for all orders,usually we send out the package within 24 hours after the payment by air,and give you the tracking number,and you will get the package in about 4-6 days.100% satisfaction,100% positive feedback and 100% brand new.As the payment,we accept credit card and paypal,very safe for you.Any quality problem,we accept 15-day exchange or refund,welcome your order,any question during the order,please feel free to contact our customer service.


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The Intalink Partnership
c/o Transport Access and Safety Unit
Hertfordshire County Council
County Hall, CHN101
Hertford SG13 8TJ
Telephone: 0300 123 4050
Welcome to the Hertfordshire Travel Information website provided by the Intalink Partnership.
Providing the latest bus travel information in Hertfordshire. You will be able to find timetables and maps, how to plan your journey and a lot more. For train information please click on the National Rail Enquiries button.


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The term "Aerospace & Defense" is a generic term that encompasses several different industries: The major companies as seen on the right which manufactures both commercial and military aircrafts. Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. The company operates in over 90 countries and claims the title of America's largest aerospace manufacturing company. It consist of three divisions: commercial airplanes, Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), and Boeing Capital Corporation[1] Of the three divisions, the most prominent is the commercial airplane section. This division faces intense competition from EADS NV (EADSY) and its Airbus line of planes.
The Aerospace & Defense industry portal delivers latest information to professionals working in government, businesses and private companies involved in research, development, production, and service to commercial and military equipments and facilities. Our content target the following audience such as:
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Boeing was originally founded in the 1910s in Seattle, Washington. After a series of mergers and splits (in which today's United Airlines was spun out, among others), Boeing emerged in the fifties as the premier US aircraft manufacturer, participating heavily in government air defense projects. It was not until 1958 that Boeing began delivery of its first commercial airplanes, the segment for which it is most commonly recognized today.
Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) is an industrial conglomerate that makes airplane controls and engines, turbo chargers for car engines, industrial automation and controls systems and heating and air conditioning systems. Honeywell's $31 billion revenue[2] places it amongst the largest companies in the world. Sales in the US constitute 61% of revenue, but Honeywell's international business has been growing rapidly.
The rising price of oil has affected many of Honeywell's clients in the transportation industry. Auto-makers such as Ford and GM have been forced to close some of their plants, lowering their demand for Honeywell's products. Meanwhile, struggles in the U.S. Housing Market related to the subprime lending crisis have hurt demand in the construction industry. Demand for new heating and air conditioning systems depends upon construction levels, leaving Honeywell exposed to the downturn.
Lockheed Martin is one of the world's largest defense contractor by revenue.[3] As a manufacturer of primarily electronic, information, aeronautic, and space systems, LMT has benefited from the increased defense spending that has accompanied the Afghan and Iraq War.
United States government spending typically represents about 85% of Lockheed Martin's revenue.[4] As a result, the company is sensitive to political changes that impact federal government spending priorities. Historically, Republican political victories have benefited Lockheed Martin through increases in defense spending.
Aeronautics is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, sustainment, support, and upgrade of advanced military aircraft, including combat and air mobility aircraft, unmanned air vehicles, and related technologies.
In 2010, net sales at Aeronautics of $13.2 billion represented 29% of our total net sales. Aeronautics has three principal lines of business, and the percentage that each contributed to its 2010 net sales was:
General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) is one of the top defense contractors in the U.S. GD offers products and services to domestic and international governments and militaries. It is also the leading manufacturer of corporate jets, with its Gulfstream fleet accounting for one fourth of all business jet sales. The needs of the U.S. military have shifted greatly since the Cold War era, with an increased focus on a more responsive and versatile military. GD aims to fulfill those needs with its offerings such as Stryker combat vehicles, Virginia class submarines, DDG-1000 destroyers, and its information systems and technology solutions.[5] The company earned $32 billion in revenue and $2.4 billion in net income in 2009.[2]
The United States government is Raytheon's principal customer, accounting for nearly 80% of total sales. Such heavy reliance on one source for income is softened by the company's strong diversification in small contracts; the loss of one program would not significantly affect the company's business.
This segment manufactures and produces flight controls, helicopter's main and tail rotors, complete landing gear systems (including wheels and brakes), fuel controls, electrical systems, surveillance systems, and provide maintenance and repair services associated with aircraft engines and aircraft interior products.
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is the world's third largest defense contractor; it manufactures aircraft carriers, submarines, space craft systems, mission-critical computer systems, and wireless communications infrastructure; about 90% of its revenue comes from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The company is currently based out of Los Angeles, CA, but is scheduled to move to Falls Church, VA.[6]
Boeing Corporation is set to continue rolling out most of it's Carolina dreamliner productions due to positive revenue of 135.6% from 2010 annual reading compared to most competitors. This will in turn generate profitable net income through 2013.
|FY2010 Net Profit Margin
|FY2010 Operating Margin
|FY2010 EBITDA Margin
|Return on Average Equity
|Biggest Division
|Boeing Company(BA)
|Civilian Aircraft
|Honeywell International(HON)
|Electronic Systems on Aircraft
|Lockheed Martin(LMT)
|Electronic Systems
|General Dynamics (GD)
|Information Systems and Technology
|Raytheon Company (RTN)
|Space and Airborne Systems
|Goodrich Corporation (GR)
|Actuation and Landing Systems
|Northrop Grumman (NOC)
|Electronic Systems


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Monthly Safety Tip
Pest Control
Spring has arrived. With warmer weather, windows come open, more time is spent outside, and pest activity increases. Ants, beetles, bees, wasps and all other kinds of insects are beginning to emerge from hibernation in search food. Now is the recommended time to begin preparing your residency for their assault.
When cleaning your residency, do not just apply a topical solution. You will need to move furniture and clean underneath and behind. This applies to appliances as well. You need to discard items that have not been used for several weeks or months such as plastic shopping bags or empty beverage containers. In the kitchen, there are times when food items fall to the ground from cooking and moving items around on the countertops. This is normal. However, if you forget to address this and not clean around these areas, a pest problem will develop. I also recommend using a vacuum with a hose attachment to reach smaller areas. Keep in mind, ants are small. Just because a visual area appears to be free of debris, does not mean something is not hiding in small areas. This means cleaning underneath and behind furniture and appliances will be important.
Food – Food should be placed in sealed containers to prevent the smell or aroma from traveling throughout the apartment. Even though as humans we may not smell something, the senses of an ant are different than our own. Items such as chips, rice, cereal and other snacks should be secured in a "locking", covered or sealed container. Ziploc, Rubbermaid and Glad all make some affordable options. Do not just simply use the plastic bag rolled up and closed in a box or place a rubber band around a chip bag. Ants can work their way through all of these quick storage methods. A sealed container is the best defense and barrier. Furthermore, when you are done cooking, do not leave food out on the stove or counter. Place food you are saving for later in a container and refrigerate or properly store.
Dishes, Countertops, Tabletops, Cabinets – Dishes should cleaned daily to prevent a buildup of food waste and odor. Furthermore, the cleaning of the countertops and tabletops by removing crumbs, food and spillage is encouraged after every meal. The sink offers one of the easiest, fastest and more convenient locations for pests to thrive. Cabinetry should be wiped out or vacuumed out regularly to remove crumbs and debris. This includes the tops of the cabinets (where possible).
Trash and Recycling – Removing the trash on a regular basis will always help to reduce . If you practice recycling, you will also want to rinse your recyclable materials before placing them in your recycle containers. The food residue left behind in drinking cans, canned foods or plastic containers all provide a food source for ants. You will also want to clean and rinse your waste cans once a month to eliminate all spillage residue and odors.
Remember, ants and other insects are searching for three things: 1)food, 2) shelter and 3)water. No matter where you live, your residency offers all of these. To remove the pests, there must be a "break" in one of these items. The food item can easily be addressed by following the recommendations of securing your food, removing your trash regularly and handling recyclables responsibly. Sheltering and water will be the most difficult to address as this is readily available in many forms. Ants do not need fresh clean water such as humans. Pests can live off the condensation from pipes or rain water tracked in from the outside. To reduce these sources, remove plastic shopping bags and any other clutter from cabinets as these items aid in providing sheltering options for pests. Place a mat or walking carpet where you can wipe your feet as you are entering your home.
The key to success is to create an environment which is unwelcoming to pests. You can do this by letting pests know you have nothing there for them. Once they determine this, they will move on and search somewhere else.


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PARIS (AP) — Between 2,000 and 4,000 freight trucks closed off major French highways and slowed traffic to a crawl on nine roadways to protest a proposed environmental tax on heavy loads.
France's Socialist government in late October suspended the tax, which initially was the focus of sometimes violent demonstrations in the region of Brittany, where opponents donned red caps and torched the still-unused payment kiosks.
France's Interior Ministry estimated 2,100 trucks took part in Saturday's "snail operation"; the protest's organizer, OTRE, which represents truckers, counted 4,000. The group pledged not to attack the kiosks but said it wants the tax canceled entirely. The protest ended with no reports of violence.
At a Friday night demonstration in Arles, hundreds of famers tried to reach a kiosk but were blocked by police.


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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Judges at the International Criminal Court have ordered Libyan authorities to immediately surrender slain dictator Moammar Gadhafi's former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi.
The written order published Thursday set up the latest legal showdown between the Hague-based court and Libyan authorities who say they plan to put Al-Senoussi on trial themselves.
The ICC has indicted Al-Senoussi on crimes against humanity charges for the murder and persecution of protesters in the early days of the uprising that eventually toppled Gadhafi in 2011.
Libyan authorities also are holding Gadhafi's son and one-time heir-apparent, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, who also is wanted by the court.
Lawyers for Libya are challenging the ICC's right to try both men, saying that they are preparing them for trial on similar charges and other alleged offenses.
The ICC is a court of last resort, meaning it has jurisdiction in cases where a country is unable or unwilling to launch prosecutions.
The court also ordered officials to allow Al-Senoussi's lawyers to visit him in jail.
Defense lawyers for Al-Senoussi argue there is no way he can get a fair hearing in Libya and that he should be put on trial in The Hague.
They appealed to the court last month to speed up proceedings, claiming that Al-Senoussi's family had heard he was to be tried before a military tribunal and executed. Libya denied that claim.
The ICC first called on Libya to arrest and surrender Al-Senoussi in 2011.
If Libya refuses to extradite him, the court could report the country to the United Nations Security Council, which first ordered the ICC to launch an investigation in Libya.
Libya told the court last month it is preparing to file details by March 29 of its legal challenge to the ICC's right to try Al-Senoussi.
It added that, "In view of Libya's imminent supplemental submissions, there can be no justification for the immediate surrender of Mr. Al-Senoussi, given the lengthy legal proceedings and security arrangements that it would entail."
Separate from the ICC case, Al-Senoussi is accused of complicity in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people, as well as the Abu Salim prison massacre of more than 1,200 inmates by Gadhafi's regime in 1996.
France has also lobbied for custody of Al-Senoussi. He was one of six Libyans convicted in absentia and sentenced to life in prison in France for the 1989 bombing of a passenger jet over Niger that killed all 170 people on board, including 54 French citizens.
Al-Senoussi was arrested in March 2012 at Mauritania's international airport disguised as a Tuareg chieftain in flowing robes and a turban. He was extradited to Libya last September.


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Blade Runner: Complete Collector's Edition (US - BD)
Gabe (gasp)... can't watch any more (gasp)... Blade Runner... send help...
Ridley Scott's first shot at the science fiction genre quickly became one of the most influential and successful of all time. It's a testament to the director's unblinking and impossibly keen eye that Alien changed science fiction and horror forever more. It wasn't long before Scott took a second shot at the genre, mixing it this time with the grit of classic film noir, creating Blade Runner.
The film was loosely based on Philip K. Dick's novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'. Like all Dick's novels the book was relatively unfilmable, but was filled with magnificent ideas, and was a perfect fit for Scott's powerful visual flair. Blade Runner is a perfect sampling of the director's greatest strengths and weaknesses. Based on the visual strengths alone the film has earned its place in the annals of the most praised motion pictures of all time.
The problems arise when one stops to consider the nature of the film's plot, which is razor thin on the surface, and dreamy, occasionally nightmarish in execution. It's a detective story without any logical detection, as Harrison Ford has complained on more than one occasion. Deckard's detective work almost always reeks of convenience, and a lot of the facts simply don't add up under scrutiny. Some fans, including myself at one time, take the plot's flimsy nature to have a deeper meaning, but consecutive viewings, and Scott's continuous tinker have led me to the conclusion that the director's vision was consistently unclear. Notorious tales of on set mayhem add fuel to that particular fire. These weak story elements Blade Runner has always remained controversial in critical circles. But simply dismissing the film as an exercise in form over function doesn't account for the years of obsessive analysis.
There is an intellectualism to Scott's images. Subtle decorations and repeating visual themes become the film's real narration. Without the focus on eyes, the unicorn dreams, the origami, the dead city streets, and so on and so forth, Blade Runner would be a one-note joke. Scott's vision was original, and though not quite as pulpy or flowery as his inspirational images may have dictated, Blade Runner has a beautiful ambiguity, which just added insult to injury for viewers that didn't appreciate the threadbare narrative in the first place. Luc Besson's Fifth Element actually captures the look of '70s and '80s Heavy Metal magazine (most specifically the art of Moebius) better than Scott's film, but doesn't capture the raw feel. The real deal is somewhere between the two films, but Blade Runner's interpretation is in the end its own look, more of noir in neon.
I had almost forgotten about the use of classic noir motifs in the years I waited for what ended up being the 'Final Cut'. The dishevelled ex-cop, brought back against his will for one last collar, the one that may break him. The high-class dame the dishevelled ex-cop falls for against his better judgement. The colourful villains, the femme fatales, the dark alleys and rainy streets, etcetera and so forth. All that's missing is a hard boiled narration, well, from this cut at least. The mixing of sci-fi and noir wasn't new in literature (obviously, Blade Runner was based on a book), but at the time it was a revelation on film, and one that's stuck with us for decades now. In fact, even after the success of the Star Wars series and Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, science fiction was still viewed largely as a B property - in terms of themes above allegory. Had Blade Runner been a success off the bat we may have seen an Oscar winning sci-fi drama by now ( The Matrix is the closest we've got).
So years after the release of a rushed and unsatisfactory 'Director's Cut', Scott has taken one last shot at perfecting what could very well be his masterpiece. It's been so long since I've watched the film in its entirety that I found the 'Final Cut' differences eluded me for the most part. Scott's final stab is more or less the same as his first. The new cut does flow a little more evenly than the other cuts, but the narrative issues are still there. This just leaves us to enjoy the film for what it is and what it was. It's still one of the most influential and impressive cinematic visions of all times.
Going from the lumpy and distorted scrap heap that was the original Blade Runner 'Directors Cut' DVD to full on, high-definition clarity is quite jarring. The 2.40:1 widescreen image is not without its flaws, but it more or less pushes the source material to the limit. There are volumes of detail in frame that haven't been seen since the original release, maybe ever. The film's age prevents positive perfection in skin and clothing textures, but the bits and pieces of various models and special effects, not to mention various incidental props, are on full display, and a joy to behold here.
Sometimes the special effects suffer from the enhanced image definition, especially the miniature work, which appears more miniature than they did the first time around. The film's deep and dark nature, mixed with constant layers of smoke make for some heavy grain in parts, but fine grain definitely.
The 'Theatrical', 'International' and 'Director's' cuts are all on the set's third disc. The differences are filled in by seamless branching and alternate audio tracks, so quality wise all these cuts are identical. I also didn't notice any major differences in video quality between these and the 'Final Cut', though the new version has been remastered, so some shots, effects shots especially, have had their contrast and brightness levels fiddled with a bit.
The 'Work Print' looks about what a work print should look like. The overall image is closer to the original 'Director's Cut' DVD release, very, very dark, obscuring many, many details. Any light is filtered roughly through layers of grain, and the blacks often absorb the surrounding colours. As is common for a work in progressing printing, the image quality varies throughout, sometimes appearing quite sharp, other times noisy. The one constant is the darkness, which thanks to the high definition is solid, and accented with very sharp edges.
From 2.0 Dolby Surround to 5.1 TrueHD, the jump in sound from previous DVD releases is just as spectacular as the jump in video. 'Final Cut' has been reworked to get the most out of a decent surround sound system, with deep and throbbing bass and fully immersive surround channels. Often 5.1 remixes produce very artificial results, and the redesigned audio can depend on too many new and obviously 'canned' elements. The sound effects here blend naturally into the mix, and are discretely placed in the most effective places.
Vangelis' beloved soundtrack is crisp and clear, and often cleverly divided among the channels. The electronic keyboards are warm and full, but don't overlap important sound effects during dialogue-less moments. The dialogue is the only thing on the track that doesn't seem to have been reworked (for the most part, there are some 'Final Cut' changes), and it does show, unfortunately. Often the centre channel is overwhelming during dialogue, and the dialogue itself has a slightly tinny and flat sound to it. Had the rest of the track been more 'average' overall this might have gone unnoticed, but the wonderful clarity of the rest of the track makes for some iffy moments.
The 'Work Print' is, again, the weakest of all five versions when it comes to the emulation of current technological heights (the disc three cuts of the film are very similar to 'Final Cut', though perhaps slightly flatter overall). It has been mixed into a 5.1 Dolby Digital track, but it's quieter then the other tracks and features far more simple surround effects. In fact, besides the music, some thunder, and a few flying cars I noticed very little from the rear speakers. Everything is still quite clear and overall comparable to the other releases.
I'm afraid the addition of four alternate cuts of the film is sort of lost on me. It's wonderful that they are included here, for an affordable price to boot, but I'm not a big enough fanatic to studiously watch all five versions while taking notes. In a way I suppose this release is the anti- Star Wars release, with Warner Bros. insuring that nobody's favourite version of the film is left on the cutting room floor. It's overkill for me, but I know that the real fans appreciate the effort.
The disappointing thing about the inclusion of the variant cuts is how similar they are to each other. Usually varying cuts feature quite a bit more or less information, but these changes are minute. The two biggest differences are the original theatrical release's narration and happy ending, which is the way I remember the film in my mind, considering I first saw it on television. I like the idea of the narration, it adds to the pulp and circumstance of the film's noir elements, but I also overall agree with the general consensus that it's not very well executed. I suppose, without putting too much thought into it, that the new cut is my favourite, but it really doesn't matter all that much.
There are a total of four commentary tracks on the set—three on the first disc to compliment the 'Final Cut', and one on the fifth disc to compliment the 'Work Print'. Scott's solo track is undoubtedly the best on the first disc, and most 'important' of all four, but it's a might sight drier than I'm use to from the director. Scott has proven himself on several occasions to be one of the best solo commentators in the film business. Here he's no less honest or forthright with the information; he's just a little 'haggard', for lack of a better word. Perhaps working on the same film on and off for two decades plus took its toll on him.
Track two is an amalgamation of producer/writer Hampton Fancher, writer David Peoples, producer Michael Deeley, and production executive Kathrine Haber. The writers and producers appear to have been recorded on separate tracks. We learn during the making of documentary that Fancher was basically fired from the film as writer under not so nice circumstances. There is a tinge of discomfort between him and Peoples (who rewrote the script later), but overall Fancher seems to have accepted the film for what it is. The writers both hint at a whole load of alternate versions of the script, and are far more interesting then the producers who mostly just recall how hard the film was to make.
The third 'Final Cut' commentary features visual futurist Syd Mead, production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David Snyder, and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer. I admittedly didn't listen to this or the writer/producer track in their entirety for time and sanity's sake, but when given the flip option I found this track the duller. The people involved are very technically minded, as one might expect, and I had a hell of a time telling them all apart, but the track is still important to the set as part of the film's history.
On the 'Work Print' disc is Paul M. Sammon, author of 'Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner'. Sammon is a total nerd, and occasionally pretty goofy, but his wealth of knowledge is greater than even Scott's. Many of his factoids are a bit repetitive if you've watched the making of doc, but he acts as a great place marker for the differences in the 'Work Print' cut and the other cuts by description.
Disc two is a DVD presentation of 'Dangerous Days: The Making of Blade Runner'. Overall the doc doesn't out impress the volumes of documentary footage that dawned the Lord of the Rings extended editions, but it is entirely exhaustive, from inception to post-release, and features plenty of enticing outtake footage. The three and a half hour doc is split into eight chapters. 'Incept Date – 1980' starts the ball rolling with the scriptwriting process, which should've been smoothest part of the filmmaking process. After years of development a solid script eluded Scott and his producers, which speaks volumes about the final film's flimsy narrative. The utter frustration seen during the scriptwriting period is almost painful to watch. Even at this really early phase in the doc the developing drama is delicious and addicting.
'Blush Response: Assembling the Cast' features the smallest degree of conflict and drama, with the obvious exception of Sean Young, who no one but Scott seemed to like, due mostly to her inexperience. The big coup of the cast was Rutger Hauer, who was more or less unknown in the States until Blade Runner, and with the possible exceptions of Turkish Delight or The Hitcher, Batty has become his signature role. The rest of the cast simply makes sense, and before the filming started things looked pretty shiny. My only complaint here is that only the principal cast is covered.
'A Good Start: Designing the Future' revitalizes the drama of this mortifying story, and is the most technically fascinating part of the doc. This is the part in the story where the laces really begin to unravel, and the cast and crew is swept up in the Ridley Scott tidal wave of unrelenting focus. Scott's obsession with the design and detail is mind blowing. As with the script, a lot of the stuff they didn't use is more interesting and cool then the stuff that made it on screen.
'Eye of the Storm: Production Begins' and 'Living in Fear: Tension on the Set' are the drama at its exhausting height. The final film's finished state is a testament to the material and everyone's shaky faith in Scott's vision. The focus during the doc is placed on the trouble, but even when keeping that in mind one wonders if anything good happened on set. I actually knew most of this stuff, including the T-shirt wars bit, from reading sections of Paul M. Sammon's book, and a similarly named article in Hot Dog magazine, but hearing the duelling facts from the mouths of the drama's participants is better then reading them in print.
'Beyond the Window' covers the special effects processes. Personally, I find the effects process a bit tedious to watch, but the pre-digital age will always hold more mystery in its special effects. There are plenty of hyperbolic claims to the effects' previously unseen ingenuity (there always are), but it's hard to argue with the results. This section of the doc is exceedingly technical and dampens the flow a bit.
'In Need of Magic' and 'To Hades and Back' is the story of the post-production issues that plagued the project until its release. The many alternate cuts of the film arose from bad audience testing and angry studio execs. At one point most of the principle crew was actually fired, and some editing was done without the director's knowledge. The ill-fated Deckard narration track and the sappy happy ending both represent Scott's attempts at pleasing the people that didn't understand his product. This final part of the story is especially satisfying because it holds the happy ending, where the film eventually found its audience (it was a flop at the box offices and with critics when it was first released).
Disc four, the 'Enhancement Archive', is another DVD, and is brimming with more featurettes about the behind the scenes process of the film which run a total of around two and a half hours. Under 'Inception' are three featurettes concerning author Philip K. Dick, and the original novel, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'. 'The Electric Dreamer' covers the basics of Dick's career without putting much emphasis on the other successful adaptation of his stories ( Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly). 'Sacrificial Sheep' is all about the differences between the original story and the film. I still haven't gotten around to reading the book (I swear I'll do it some day), but the differences are interesting. This comparison spotlights the film's narrative problems rather brightly, though had the book been faithfully adapted it would've been even more densely layered and likely even more poorly received upon release.
The 'Fabrication' section of the disc is about the minute details. 'Signs of the Times' covers the graphic design of Blade Runner's future world, including various props (like security cards) and signage. I found the process interesting as a guy that went to school for and currently works in graphics. This leads into 'Fashion Forward', which is about the film's bizarre and bizarrely prophetic wardrobe design. Admittedly, some of the costumes are too wild (the snake dancer's street clothes, for example), but if you overlook the giant shoulder pads you can see inspiration taken from the film throughout recent film and music video history.
This brings us to the screen tests of Nina Axelrod (who everyone but the director preferred to Sean Young for Rachel) and Stacey Nelken (who lost out Pris to Darryl Hannah). Both screen tests are preceded by short interviews with the actresses themselves. Nelken was actually hired to play the fifth replicant, but her part was cut just before filming commenced. These are followed by a lengthy tribute to cinematographer Jordon Cronenweth, whose contributions to the film are immeasurable.
Only a set this comprehensively obsessive could feature a strong and lengthy featurette about the production of the original poster art, with interviews with artists Drew Struzan (whose art more or less defined '80s film poster art) and John Alvin. Alvin's poster image is the most common and popular poster art (I've always been dissatisfied with his representation of Sean Young), which has come to define the film. Stuzan's art wasn't used until the release of the 'Final Cut' DVD. Both artists, especially Alvin, make specific note of the relative death of the painted film poster, and resent the advent of Photoshop. I agree to a certain extent, but I'm also bored with the 'good ole' days' complaints of so many older craftsmen and artists.
'Deck-a-Rep' examines the ever-popular controversy behind Deckard's possible replicant identity. The facts are there to back up both sides of the argument, but Scott's definitive P.O.V is that the character is, in fact, a replicant. On the other hand, Harrison Ford entirely rejects the idea. I find it particularly interesting that director's Frank Darabont and Guillermo del Toro take opposite intellectual stances on the subject. I also find it interesting that my other two favourite Dick adapted movies have similar controversies behind them. Is the ending of Minority Report and the bulk of Total Recall just a dream?
'Nexus Generation' is the disc's final featurette. This section concerns the stories of various filmmakers and other persons of note, and their personal experiences with the film. The interview choices are quite varied, from Del Toro and Darabont to the directors of Kim Possible and Torque, and CHUDcom's Devin Faraci.
The seemingly never ending extras continue with deleted and alternate scenes. These total twenty-six and include: an alternate credit sequence featuring slow motion water drops, a longer search around Leon's apartment, more hockey masked strippers, Deckard talking to a bar tender, the before and after of Batty's patricide, a sexier sex scene, and two slightly alternate endings. In most cases the difference is in the narration, which Scott didn't like in the first place, and/or general length, so it's understandable not to include them in the 'Final Cut'. The most intriguing are two scenes between Deckard and the downed Blade Runner, Holden, who sits on some kind of futuristic life support. In the second scene it is revealed that Bryant and Gaff have been watching the two Blade Runners speak, and the pair discuss Deckard's possible replicant affair.
Disc four finishes with two1982 promos, an outtakes reel, a collection of five trailers for the various releases of the film, and one trailer for the Dangerous Days documentary.
'All Our Variant Futures' covers the process of developing Scott's Final Cut. The thirty-minute featurette covers all aspects of the seven-year spanning process, from preliminary meetings in 2000 to actual production in 2007. As seems to be the norm, the original footage was almost destroyed, chunks were missing, and everything that could go wrong nearly did. The commentators never name names, but when speaking about the digital compositing and ADR recording they're sure to point out the minute scale of their efforts, as well as the errors they've left in the film for charm. These guys are being rather clear about their anti-Lucas approach to the material.
This critical view of the film is not representative of my gut feelings, but we all know what's right about Blade Runner. As a fan I had to force myself not simply gush. This is most likely the most exhaustive collection ever devoted to a single film. I am exhausted having seen it. My only complaints are with the set's five discs. I'm not entirely clear on the space limitations of Blu-ray, but I reasonably sure they could've fit all this stuff onto two discs, especially considering that two of the five discs are standard DVDs. But the price is fair, so it's a minor complaint. Now if you'll excuse me, I don't want to think about Blade Runner anymore for at least another year.
Review by Gabriel Powers
Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian
Disc Details
Release Date: 18th December 2007
Discs: 5
Disc Type: Blu-ray Disc
RCE: No
Video: 1080p
Aspect: 2.40:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 French, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 German, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Italian, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Spanish
Subtitles: English, English HoH, French, German, German HoH, Italian, Italian HoH, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish
Extras: Five Versions of the Film, Director Commentary, Producer/Writer Commentary, Effects/Artist Commentary, Paul M. Sammon Commentary, Dangerous Days: The Making of Blade Runner, Enhancement Archive, Deleted and Alternate Scenes, Outtakes, Trailers, All Our Variant Futures, More
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Daryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos
Genre: Film-Noir and Sci-Fi
Length: 117 minutes
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Love Speaks: A Day of Art and Poetry from the Muslim World
Celebrate Mother's Day by exploring the many facets of love through poetry performances, workshops, and artist demonstrations in the Islamic Art galleries, followed by a special Sunday at the Met reading and discussion with New York State Poet Marie Howe, CUNY scholar and poet Meena Alexander, renowned poet and editor Kazim Ali, and Columbia University scholar Frances Pritchett.
1:00-1:30pm & 2:00-2:30pm Poetry Writing Workshop
Write your own short poem and be inspired by works of art in the galleries during this workshop with poet Kazim Ali.
1:30-2:00pm & 2:30-3:00pm Gallery Performance and Poetry Reading
Experience the unique mystical style and virtuosity of performer Amir Vahab during gallery performances.
1:00-4:00pm (30 minute sessions) Artist Demonstrations
Explore love, Islamic visual traditions, and written language through traditional and contemporary techniques. Watch master calligrapher Elinor Aishah Holland demonstrate Islamic scripts and learn about Ishqnama, The Book of Love and other recent projects from artist Laimah Osman. Join both artists as you try your own hand at making a folding book and beautiful lettering.
1:00pm How Did They Do That? Tilework of the Islamic World
Peek at technique and learn—through handling tools and materials—how Islamic tiles were created.
3:00pm Sunday at the Met: Love Speaks: A Day of Art and Poetry from the Muslim World
Poets and scholars respond to the theme of love in art and poetry in the Muslim World. Presentations by Marie Howe, New York State Poet and Dr. Frances Pritchett, Professor Emerita of Modern Indic Languages, Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies, Columbia University, with poetry readings by Meena Alexander and Kazim Ali.
Made possible by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.


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9:00 pm
The Abolitionists: American Experience "The Abolitionists, Part Three" During his raid on Harpers Ferry, John Brown is captured, then executed, becoming a martyr for the cause. Abraham Lincoln is elected president in 1860; war breaks out in 1861. On New Year's Day 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation is announced; African-American men may now enlist in the Union forces, and two of Frederick Douglass' sons go to war. In December 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, banning slavery in all states. Part 3 of 3G
10:00 pm
Pioneers of Television "Primetime Soaps" In 1964, "Peyton Place," which starred Mia Farrow and Ryan O'Neal, precedes "Dallas" and "Dynasty," which kicked off the nighttime soap frenzy in the late 1970s. Interviewees include the late Larry Hagman, Joan Collins, Linda Evans, Diahann Carroll, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills.G
11:00 pm
Paving The Way: The National Park-To-Park Highway "See America First" A 5,000-mile barely-paved loop connects 11 crown jewels of the young National Parks system in 1920. Starting from Denver, this film follows in the tire tracks of the intrepid travelers as they explored Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Glacier, Mt. Rainier, Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic national parks. Bill Painter narrates this special that includes photographs from the original tour. Part 1 of 2G


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Forgiveness is one of the most distinguishing features of Ramadan. If we truly want Allah's love, mercy and forgiveness, we must remember that the pleasures in this world are transient, and we are working toward that which is permanent. Is it worth being bitter and stunting our growth? Will it really benefit us? Will our anger and bitterness change the person who has hurt us?
Let us use this Ramadan to open our hearts to those who have wronged us and forgive them as we beg Allah to forgive us..
Love a little more than what is necessary..
Work a little harder than what is required..
Be a little kinder than what is usual..
Give a little more than what u feel u can afford..
Stand in a prayer a little longer than what u intended..
Be a little more patient than what u feel u can handle..
It is that little extra effort sparked by sincerity in the heart
that makes your ordinary self extraordinary...
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.


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Africa: the Enormous Challenges of a Long-lasting Epidemic (HIV)
- 7 مشاركة
- العمر 20
The African countries south of the Sahara have some of the best HIV surveillance systems in the world. They provide solid evidence that the HIV infection rate has stabilized at a relatively low level in Senegal and that the extremely high rates in Uganda have been reduced. However, in most sub-Saharan countries adults and children are acquiring HIV at a higher rate than ever before: the number of new infections in the region during 1999 was 4.0 million. This acceleration effect is yet another challenge posed by long-standing epidemics. As the rate of HIV infection in the general population rises, the same patterns of sexual risk result in more new infections simply because the chances of encountering an infected partner become higher.
In Zambia, the Government has been trying to involve all sectors in HIV prevention, from health to education, agriculture and industry. Religious leaders and church groups have also been playing a part in prevention. New data from Zambia's HIV sentinel surveillance system … show that the percentage of pregnant girls aged 15–19 infected with HIV in the capital, Lusaka, has on average dropped by almost half in the last six years.
Comparisons between studies of sexual behaviour conducted in 1990, 1992, 1996, and 1998 suggest that these falling HIV rates are due in part to a decrease in the prevalence of some types of risky sexual behaviour in urban areas. For example, far fewer young women in Lusaka were having sex before marriage in 1996 than in 1990, and the percentage of unmarried women who were sexually active fell from 52% to 35% over that period. Among young men, according to nationwide studies, the change came later; in 1998 just over half of unmarried men said they had not had sex in the past year, compared with just over a third two years earlier, and the proportion of men reporting two or more casual partners in the past year also fell. However, there was no evidence at the national level that either girls or boys were postponing the start of their sex life.
Elsewhere in the region too, there are signs that young people are avoiding the patterns of behaviour which led their parents and older siblings to such high levels of HIV infection.
Pieces reblogged from: http://waaids.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/waaids-may.pdf


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Sparkfun CEO Explains IP Obesity: Companies Who Rely Too Much On IP Flop
from the a-primer dept
Here's an interesting example. Kodak is an amazing company that has been in operation for over 130 years. In 1978 Kodak filed for a patent for an electronic still camera, the precursor to the digital photography industry. They had a 25 year head start on the industry. What did Kodak do? They licensed their patent and filed suit against other companies that possibly infringed upon it.Of course, that's just a single example, but we've noticed it in other cases as well. When we see bigger companies getting more aggressive with patents, it almost always seems to signal a decline in prospects for the company -- because they've become fat and happy resting on their laurels and government-granted monopoly privileges, rather than continuing to innovate in the market place. It's the exact opposite of what we're told patents are for.
A graph showing the stock value changes of two companies over the past 25 years. I'll let you guess who is Canon and who is Kodak. What happened? Kodak relied too much on their patents. They rested on their laurels and become intellectually unfit. They were afflicted by IP Obesity.
You should check out the rest of the post, but Seidle goes on to talk about how ideas get copied all the time, and why that shouldn't concern you. He explains why it makes much more sense to focus on just building your business -- and he's got Sparkfun to prove it. If you don't know (and you should) it's an open source hardware company that has done over $75 million in business since its inception and is apparently on pace to do $25 million alone this year. Seems like you really can build a pretty good business while still being pretty open and not worrying about others copying you.


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Minister for Transport Norman Baker has today announced details of 12 major projects throughout England that will together share in £225 million of money made available under the Department for Transport's Local Sustainable Transport Fund, including £20.7 million for Reading Borough Council, part of which will be used to roll out a major cycle hire scheme - planed on being the biggest in he UK outside London - in the Berkshire town.
A number of smaller projects have also received up to £5 million each to bring the total investment announced today up to £266 million, while a separate £5 million scheme in Tyne & Wear has been approved pending receipt of a successful application.
Announcing the successful bidders, Mr Baker revealed that he had secured an additional £40 million funding on top of the original £560 million envisaged when the LSTF was first announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010.
Match funding from local authorities and other parties will take total investment in the schemes announced to date, which are typically focused on reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable travel options and helping to promote economic growth, to in excess of £1 billion.
"The schemes we are funding will improve life for millions of people in towns and cities up and down the country and show that cutting carbon and boosting economic growth go hand-in-hand," commented Mr Baker.
"Investing in these schemes shows that we are serious about funding infrastructure where there is a clear business case for doing so. The money we are putting into these projects will unlock much greater economic benefits for communities as well as improving the environment – it's a win-win," he added.
Martin Gibbs, director of policy and legal affairs at British Cycling, said that the governing body "welcomes the Department for Transport's latest allocation of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, especially as many of the schemes funded incorporate cycling and cycle safety. The millions of pounds going to cities like Manchester, Stoke on Trent and Bristol will be a great boost to cycling and other sustainable travel in these areas."
He went on: "We congratulate Norman Baker's on efforts to bring cycling into the heart of transport and will continue to support the Department in its efforts through the Cycle Stakeholder Forum."
Today's announcement came the day after Mr Baker had revealed that the DfT was making £15 million available to local authorities in England to make junctions safer for cyclists, and Mr Gibbs added: "British Cycling is calling on the Department for Transport to issue a policy statement that from now on all policy decisions on roads and junctions are made with cycling as a consideration. If we make this fundamental policy change we'll make real progress to building an environment which encourages people to cycle."
According to the DfT, details of some of the major schemes that have been awarded funding today include:
- Reading will see a real boost for bikes, including a London-style cycle hire scheme and a new state-of-the-art pedestrian and cycle bridge crossing the Thames. There will also be new park-and-ride schemes and improvements to existing schemes to help commuters access key employment hubs.
- Merseyside will see a project providing better public transport and cycle infrastructure, linking areas of deprivation with areas of employment. The scheme will include real-time travel information and extra services for bus users as well as station improvements on the local rail network.
- Nottingham will see its smartcard scheme expanded to cover all of the city's buses, trams and trains with more outlets offering top up services for the cards. The funding will also cover cycle storage and hire schemes, as well as a network of local travel hubs set up to address the specific travel needs of different communities.
In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Baker revealed that three projects had been refused funding, although the reasons were not given. The local authorities and projects that were declined funding are Norfolk County Council (Connecting Norfolk to Growth), West Berkshire Council (Connecting West Berkshire – keeping our economy and people moving), and Somerset County Council (Two Moors Sustainable Visitor Travel Project).
The full list of the large projects awarded funding today, including the name of the local authority, the project name, and the amount of funding made available by the DfT under the Local Sustainable Travel Fund for the period 2012-15 is shown below.
North West
Merseyside ITA *
Supporting Sustainable Access to Opportunity in Merseyside
£19.990 million
Transport for Greater Manchester *
Let's Get to Work
£32.460 million
Yorkshire and The Humber
South Yorkshire ITA
A Sustainable Journey to Work
£24.598 million
East Midlands
Nottingham City Council *
Nottingham Urban Area LSTF Main Bid
£10.320 million
West Midlands
Centro *
Smart Network, Smarter Choices
£33.218 million
Telford and Wrekin Council *
Telford Future – Local Action for Sustainable Growth
£6.100 million
East of England
Hertfordshire County Council *
£9.679 million
South East
Reading Borough Council *
Targeting Travel Choice Transitions
£20.692 million
Surrey County Council *
Surrey Travel SMART
£14.304 million
Transport for South Hampshire
A Better Connected South Hampshire: Supporting Growth, Reducing Carbon, Improving Health
£17.839 million
South West
Bournemouth Borough Council (South East Dorset) *
South East Dorset Sustainable Travel Package – "The 3 Towns Corridor"
£12.122 million
Bristol City Council *
West of England Sustainable Transport (WEST)
£24.035 million
* Partial funding approved
A number of other projects have received funding of up to £5 million, including one from Tyne and Wear ITA, originally submitted as a large project, with the award pending based on submission of a successful revised small project application, according to the DfT.
Other small projects that had their LSTF funding confirmed today are:
Bedford Borough Council £4.8 million
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council £1.5 million
East Sussex County Council – Coastal Towns £2.2 million
East Sussex County Council – Lewes £1.6 million
Hampshire County Council £3.8 million
Middlesbrough Council £1.2 million
North Yorkshire County Council – Harrogate £1.7 million
North Yorkshire County Council – Whitby £3.7 million
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead £2 million
Rutland County Council £4 million
St Helens Council (lead authority) £3.1 million
Stoke-on-Trent City Council/Staffordshire County Council £5 million
West Sussex County Council £2.3 million
Wiltshire Council £4.25 million
Born in Scotland, Simon moved to London aged seven and now lives in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds with his miniature schnauzer, Elodie. He fell in love with cycling one Saturday morning in 1994 while living in Italy when Milan-San Remo went past his front door. A daily cycle commuter in London back before riding to work started to boom, he's been news editor at road.cc since 2009. Handily for work, he speaks French and Italian. He doesn't get to ride his Colnago as often as he'd like, and freely admits he's much more adept at cooking than fettling with bikes.


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What is a fever?
A fever is defined by most doctors as a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees and higher or an oral temperature of 99.6 degrees or higher.
The body has several ways to maintain normal body temperature. The organs involved in helping with temperature regulation include the brain, skin, muscle, and blood vessels. The body responds to changes in temperature by:
Increasing or decreasing sweat production.
Moving blood away from, or closer to, the surface of the skin.
Getting rid of, or holding on to, water in the body.
Seeking a cooler or warmer environment.
When your child has a fever, the body works the same way to control the temperature, but it has temporarily reset its thermostat at a higher temperature. The temperature increases for a number of reasons:
Chemicals, called cytokines and mediators, are produced in the body in response to an invasion from a microorganism, malignancy, or other intruder.
The body is making more macrophages, which are cells that go to combat when intruders are present in the body. These cells actually "eat-up" the invading organism.
The body is busily trying to produce natural antibodies, which fight infection. These antibodies will recognize the infection next time it tries to invade.
Many bacteria are enclosed in an overcoat-like membrane. When this membrane is disrupted or broken, the contents that escape can be toxic to the body and stimulate the brain to raise the temperature.
What conditions can cause a fever?
The following conditions can cause a fever:
Infectious diseases
Certain medications
Disorders in the brain
Some kinds of cancer
Some autoimmune diseases
What are the benefits of a fever?
A fever actually helps the body destroy its microbial invader. It also stimulates an inflammatory response, which sends all kinds of substances to the area of infection to protect the area, prevent the spread of the invader, and start the healing process.
What are the symptoms that my child may have a fever?
Children with fevers may become more uncomfortable as the temperature rises. The following are the most common symptoms of a fever. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. In addition to a rectal body temperature greater than 100.4 (or an oral temperature of 99.6) degrees, symptoms may include:
Your child may not be as active or talkative as usual.
He or she may seem fussier, less hungry, and thirstier.
Your child may feel warm or hot. Remember that even if your child feels like he or she is "burning up," the actual rectal or oral temperature may not be that high.
The symptoms of a fever may resemble other medical conditions. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child is younger than two months of age and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you should call your pediatrician immediately. If you are unsure, always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.
When should a fever be treated?
In children, a fever that is that is making them uncomfortable (usually above 102 degrees) should be treated. Children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years can develop seizures from fever (called febrile seizures). If your child does have a febrile seizure, there is a chance that the seizure may occur again, but, usually, children outgrow the febrile seizures. A febrile seizure does not mean your child has epilepsy.
If your child is very uncomfortable with a lower fever, treatment may be necessary. Treating your child's fever will not help the body get rid of the infection any quicker, it simply will relieve discomfort associated with fever.
What can I do to decrease my child's fever?
Specific treatment for a fever will be determined by your doctor based on:
Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
Extent of the condition
Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the disease
Your opinion or preference
Administer an anti-fever medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. DO NOT give your child aspirin, as it has been linked to a serious, potentially fatal disease, called Reye syndrome.
Other ways to reduce a fever:
Dress your child lightly. Excess clothing will trap body heat and cause the temperature to rise.
Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids, such as juices, soda, punch, or popsicles.
Give your child a lukewarm bath. Do not allow your child to shiver from cold water, as this can raise the body temperature. NEVER leave your child unattended in the bathtub.
Place cold washcloths over areas of the body where the blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin such as the forehead, wrists, and groins.
Do not use alcohol baths.
When should I call my child's doctor?
When a child's temperature reaches 105 degrees, this is considered a medical emergency and the child needs immediate medical attention, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Call your child's doctor immediately if your child is younger than 2 to 3 months old and any of the followings conditions are present:
Rectal temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees
Your child is crying inconsolably
Your child is difficult to awaken
Your child's neck is stiff
Your child has a convulsion
Any purple spots are present on the skin
Breathing is difficult AND no better after you clear the nose
Your child is unable to swallow anything and is drooling saliva
Your child looks or acts very sick. Check your child's appearance one hour after your child has taken an appropriate dose of acetaminophen, but do not delay seeking medical care during this time.
Call your child's doctor within 24 hours if your child is 3 months or older and any of the following conditions are present:
The fever is 102 degrees or higher (call the doctor immediately for a temperature of 103 degrees or higher, especially if your child is younger than 2 years old)
Burning or pain occurs with urination
Your child has had a fever for more than 24 hours without an obvious cause or location of infection
Call your child's doctor during office hours if any of the following conditions are present:
Your child has had a fever more than 72 hours
The fever went away for more than 24 hours and then returned
Your child has a history of febrile seizures
You have other concerns or questions
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact St. Louis Children's Hospital at 314.454.5437 or 800.678.5437 or email us.


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Platts: Global Petrochemical Prices Rose 6% in January on Tight Olefins Supplies
Feb 12, 2013, 09:12 EST
LONDON, Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Prices in the $3-trillion-plus global petrochemicals market climbed 6% to $1,425 per metric ton (/mt) in January, according to the just-released monthly average of the Platts Global Petrochemical Index (PGPI), a benchmark basket of seven widely used petrochemicals. This follows a 2% increase in December.
On a year-over-year basis, petrochemical prices were up 12% from the January 2012 average price of $1,270/mt, according to data published by Platts, a leading global energy, petrochemicals and metals information provider and a top source of benchmark price references.
Petrochemicals are used to make plastic, rubber, nylon and other consumer products and are utilized in manufacturing, construction, pharmaceuticals, aviation, electronics and nearly every commercial industry.
The daily price reflected as a monthly average
"The olefins markets provided support despite downturns in the aromatics markets," said Jim Foster, Platts senior editor of petrochemical analytics. Olefins and aromatics are two key petrochemical classes used in the manufacturing of a host textiles, plastics, rubber and products. Olefins include such chemicals as ethylene and propylene. Aromatics include such chemicals as benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers.
"In recent months solid price gains were seen in benzene, toluene and xylene, but tables turned in January, with prices of benzene and toluene falling 4% and 3% respectively. Still, the small price declines were more than offset by the 12% and 10% increases in propylene and ethylene prices," Foster explained.
The average propylene price was $1,340/mt in January, following a 2% decline in December to an average of $1,193/mt. The 12% rise in January was the largest price gain of the seven PGPI components.
Ethylene, another olefin component of the PGPI, averaged $1,382/mt in January, a rise from the December average of $1,257/mt.
Polyethylene and polypropylene – which are created by polymerizing ethylene and propylene – also posted twin gains in January, up 5%. Low-density polyethylene rose to $1,550/mt from the December level of $1,476/m. The global polypropylene price climbed to $1,538/mt in January from $1,470/mt in December.
"Propylene and ethylene supplies have tightened because of recent outages, planned and unplanned, at refineries and steam crackers," Foster said. "The tighter supplies have pushed olefins prices higher, despite only small gains in the prices of their raw inputs of crude and naphtha."
Global benzene prices slipped 4% in January, following four months of consecutive gains. Benzene prices dropped on oversupply, following the maintenance shutdowns by styrene manufacturers. Benzene can be converted into styrene, as can toluene, which also fell 3% in price last month.
Paraxylene, the third aromatic component in the PGPI, saw a 2% price rise last month, supported by tighter global supplies.
Petrochemical prices largely decoupled from global equity markets as the New Year got underway. Of the seven components in the PGPI, the polymers – which are most closely tied to consumer spending – saw higher prices on the back of gains in the global equity markets, but other components of the PGPI declined. The Nikkei 225 and London Stock Exchange Index (FTSE) both increased 7% in January and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 6%.
To access a summary of the January performance of each of the seven key petrochemicals included in the PGPI, visit this link: http://www.platts.com/newsfeature/2013/Petrochemicals/pgpi/index.
The PGPI reflects a compilation of the daily price assessments of physical spot market ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, paraxylene, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene as published by Platts and is weighted by the three regions of Asia, Europe and the United States. Used as a price reference, a gauge of sector activity, and a measure of comparison for determining the profitability of selling a barrel of crude oil intact or refining it into products, the PGPI was first published by Platts in August 2007.
Published daily in a real-time news service Platts Petrochemical Alert and other Platts publications, the PGPI is anchored by Platts' robust and long-established price assessment methodology and the firm's 100-year history of energy price reporting.
Platts petrochemicals experts are available for media interviews. A sample list of experts may be found at the Platts Media Center. For more information on petrochemicals, visit the Platts website at www.platts.com.
About Platts: Founded in 1909, Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals and metals information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets. Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency. Customers in more than 150 countries benefit from Platts' coverage of the carbon emissions, coal, electricity, oil, natural gas, metals, nuclear power, petrochemical, and shipping markets. A division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE :MHP ), Platts is headquartered in New York with approximately 900 employees in more than 15 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies: The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE :MHP ), a financial intelligence and education company, signed an agreement to sell its McGraw-Hill Education business to investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC in November 2012. Following the sale closing, expected in early 2013, the Company will be renamed McGraw Hill Financial (subject to shareholder approval) and will be a powerhouse in benchmarks, content and analytics for the global capital and commodity markets. The Company's leading brands will include: Standard & Poor's, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts, Crisil, J.D. Power and Associates, McGraw-Hill Construction and Aviation Week. The Company will have approximately 17,000 employees in more than 30 countries. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.
SOURCE Platts


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Right now, off the top of your head, name every sex position you know. We'll wait. You probably listed the usual best sex position suspects—missionary, cowgirl, spooning, doggy. You can do better. Not just because it'll give her better orgasms, but for your own orgasms as well.
We have a few suggestions for the best sex positions. Well, more than a few—45, to be exact—ways to make sex better. (Have one you like best? Find out What Your Favorite Position Says about You.)
That number probably sounds intimidating. We're not saying you have to try all 45 sex positions. Not in the same night, anyway. (Unless the mood strikes you. In which case, God speed!) Just add these moves to your sex position playbook, so you're ready when the time comes.
And don't forget: Sex positions are only part of the formula for great sex. Discover How to Last Longer in Bed. You can thank us in the morning.
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Clearinghouse for Professional Development: Website Development Tools
General | Accessibility | Editors | Animation & Images | Page Evaluation | Scripts | Usability
Developer Shed
Contents: " ... offers tutorials and timely articles, covering programming and developer related topics, computer hardware and gadget reviews, developer scripts, search engine optimization tutorials, and web hosting."
Source: Varies.
Cost: Articles and forums are free, as are some scripts. Charges vary for commercial scripts.
(World Wide Web Consortium)
Contents: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) ...
Source: World Wide Web Consortium.
Cost: Free
Writing for the Web
Contents: A general introduction to Web content creation, briefly describes newer technologies and provides references and access to other resources.
Source: Eric H. Schnell, M.L.S.
Cost: Free.
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
Contents: Access to guidelines and working documents in five primary areas: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development
Source: W3C
Cost: Free.
HTML Goodies
Contents: Offers help with any topic area that goes to building a Web site. Provides tutorials covering everything from basic HTML to fully-functioning PERL CGI scripts.
Source: Joe Burns, Ph.D, Mass Communications
Cost: Free
Animation & Images
Animation Factory
Contents: Access to original, 3D rendered animations.
Source: Animation Factory staff artists
Cost: Free for personal use only. For any other use, including commercial purposes, membership or purchase required.
Page Evaluation
Contents: Commercial site providing free evaluation of image sizes and load times. Sells products to compress images, etc..
Source: OptiView Technologies.
Cost: Free evaluation; charge for software.
The Java Boutique
Contents:Java Applets, Games, Programming Tutorials, and Downloads
Source: Varies.
Cost: Free.
The JavaScript Source
Contents: Provides access to "cut and paste" JavaScript examples for your web pages.
Source: Varies.
Cost Free.
- ScriptSearch
Contents: Organized by programming language with subfolders for various script categories. Rating features allow you to find the most popular and most useful resources according to other visitors.
Source: Varies.
Cost: Free and fee.
Usability Research Lab
Contents:Links to selected resources on usability testing of library websites.
Source: D.H. Hill Library, North Carolina State University
Cost: Free.
Clearinghouse for Professional Development | Education Committee


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When I think of 2010, I think of people who inspire me. These people are exceptional, they constantly amaze and delight me. I thought it might be nice to share them with you. SoCalDevGal's People to Watch from 2010 10 and 9. Who – Derrick Muneene and Dr. Mark Shields What – SmartCare, the largest…
Year: 2010
Microsoft Developer Tools–for Kids and Adults
Here's the deck for my talk at University of California, Irvine next week – enjoy! Microsoft Developer Tools NOW for Kids and Adults View more presentations from Lynn Langit.
Holiday Makeover–Teaching Kids Programming
We are working on our website for TKP (Teaching Kids Programming) and YOU can help! How? We need to take the content from all the various repositories (YouTube, SlideShare, CodePlex, our own heads, etc…) and get it into a USABLE format. We are looking for help evaluating how we did from the following groups (here's…
Teach a Kid to Code a Holiday Card
Happy holidays from my little volunteer group at www.TeachingKidsProgramming.org. To celebrate the season we've written a new recipe for you to share with your kids – teach them to code and make a custom holiday card at the same time! Here's a sample output, but of course you can change anything about your card, because…
SQL Azure deck from 'Day of Azure'
Here's the deck Ike Ellis and I will be presenting on Dec 4 in San Diego for the community 'Day of Azure II' – enjoy! SQL Azure from Day of Azure II View more presentations from Lynn Langit.
Girls in Tech LA–Tech Trends 2011
Here's the video – enjoy! Watch live video from Tech Trends To Watch In 2011 on Justin.tv
First Look – Windows Azure Data Market
I took a look at the Windows Azure DataMarket. To do so, you'll need to sign in with a Windows Live ID first. Next you'll want to browse to the currently included datasets. Many of them have (a limited number) of free queries to try out for free. I selected the WTO Tourism Dataset for…
SoCalDevGal on Vacation – in Africa
Yes, I know most 'normal' people don't go to work on their vacation. But then, I am not usually described as normal. In this blog post I'll write about my fourth trip to Africa in as many years. Disclaimer: I forgot my camera! Thanks to Esther Schorr, Annali Delsink, Albert Zulu and more for all…
Migrating data to SQL Azure – from TechEd Africa
Here's the deck from my talk on migrating relational data to SQL Azure – enjoy! Migrating Data to SQL Azure View more presentations from Lynn Langit.
Windows 7 Developer APIs – TechEd Africa 2010
Here's my deck on programming for Windows 7 applications. Windows 7 Developer APIs View more presentations from Lynn Langit.


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Metropolis gets funding from Arlington Hts. for next fiscal year
As long as Metropolis Performing Arts Centre gets through the rest of this fiscal year, the nonprofit will receive more financial help from the village of Arlington Heights next year.
The Arlington Heights village board on Monday unanimously recommended approval of the budget for Metropolis, which includes $317,000 in village support for fiscal year 2014, after a lengthy discussion about where the organization has gone wrong in recent years and ideas to bring in more revenue in the future.
Arlington Heights trustees tonight will discuss the village's funding of the theater.
According to budget documents, Metropolis will receive its annual subsidy with a slight increase to $160,000, in addition to $32,000 for equipment replacement.
The downtown Arlington Heights theater also is asking for use of up to $125,000 of reserves from the Arts, Entertainment and Events fund to upgrade its sound system, renovate the second-floor school space, buy a more modern ticketing system and make other technological improvements.
According to budget documents dated Feb. 15, Metropolis estimates it will end fiscal year 2013 with a $385,603 deficit, but through cuts and increased revenue the theater is projecting a balanced budget for fiscal year 2014, which begins May 1.
Executive Director Charlie Beck acknowledged that it has been a difficult year for Metropolis financially, though he said there has been a 20 percent increase in overall audience.
Beck said the theater's main problem has been not living within its means, which will be a primary goal for next year.
Beck himself stopped taking a salary as of Feb. 1 and said he is considering making a donation back to the theater to help get it through the end of this fiscal year.
"It's going to be tight, but we'll make it," he said. "We cannot afford to continue to operate at the level we have in the past."
He added that a new accounting system has given the organization a better look at its exact financial status.
Meanwhile, he said the school portion of Metropolis is doing well, generating revenue and expecting to grow.
Beck described several new ideas for the theater, including trying to bring in a younger crowd, sharing the theater's space with other organizations in town on low-attendance weeknights, or starting a film or lecture series.
In fiscal year 2013, the village subsidy for Metropolis was $155,000, along with $40,300 for equipment replacement.
In October 2011, the village board decided to loan Metropolis $75,000 because the theater was experiencing cash flow problems. During lengthy budget discussions in March 2012, the board voted 5-4 to forgive that loan.
Although the theater has struggled financially, several trustees pointed out that it is an important part of the community both culturally and financially. Beck said the economic impact of Metropolis Performing Arts Centre on Arlington Heights is about $5 million in revenue each year.
Trustee Carol Blackwood encouraged Beck to be flexible with his programming to allow for changes and along with the other trustees had many difficult questions for the theater leadership.
"If these subsidies aren't going to be paid back and things don't improve we will keep going through this spiral and having these conversations every year," Blackwood said. "I want to make sure if I'm going to support this that we are being really, really smart."


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If Bioshock Infinite Encourages Cosplay Like This, I'm All For It
Russian cosplayer Ormeli offers her take on Bioshock Infinite's "Elizabeth", the emotive sidekick that accompanies you throughout your adventure in a time-rent floating city. It's a little bit Alice in Wonderland, a little bit Alice in Wonderland at the adult costume shop. Either way: bring on the Lizbots!