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Diabetic Retinopathy
Topic Overview
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Retinopathy is a disease of the retina. The retina is the nerve layer that lines the back of your eye. It is the part of your eye that "takes pictures" and sends the images to your brain. Many people with diabetes get retinopathy. This kind of retinopathy is called diabetic retinopathy (retinal disease caused by diabetes).
Diabetic retinopathy can lead to poor vision and even blindness. Most of the time, it gets worse over many years. At first, the blood vessels in the eye get weak. This can lead to blood and other liquid leaking into the retina from the blood vessels. This is called nonproliferative retinopathy. And this is the most common retinopathy. If the fluid leaks into the center of your eye, you may have blurry vision. Most people with nonproliferative retinopathy have no symptoms.
If blood sugar levels stay high, diabetic retinopathy will keep getting worse. New blood vessels grow on the retina. This may sound good, but these new blood vessels are weak. They can break open very easily, even while you are sleeping. If they break open, blood can leak into the middle part of your eye in front of the retina and change your vision. This bleeding can also cause scar tissue to form, which can pull on the retina and cause the retina to move away from the wall of the eye (retinal detachment). This is called proliferative retinopathy. Sometimes people don't have symptoms until it is too late to treat them. This is why having eye exams regularly is so important.
Retinopathy can also cause swelling of the macula of the eye. This is called macular edema. The macula is the middle of the retina, which lets you see details. When it swells, it can make your vision much worse. It can even cause legal blindness.
What causes diabetic retinopathy?
If you are not able to keep your blood sugar levels in a target range, it can cause damage to your blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathy happens when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels of the retina.
When you have diabetic retinopathy, high blood pressure can make it worse. High blood pressure can cause more damage to the weakened vessels in your eye, leading to more leaking of fluid or blood and clouding more of your vision.
What are the symptoms?
Most of the time, there are no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy until it starts to change your vision. When this happens, diabetic retinopathy is already severe. Having your eyes checked regularly can find diabetic retinopathy early enough to treat it and help prevent vision loss.
If you notice problems with your vision, call an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) right away. Changes in vision can be a sign of severe damage to your eye. These changes can include floaters, pain in the eye, blurry vision, or new vision loss.
How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?
An eye exam by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist) is the only way to detect diabetic retinopathy. Having a dilated eye exam regularly can help find retinopathy before it changes your vision. On your own, you may not notice symptoms until the disease becomes severe.
Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?
You can lower your chance of damaging small blood vessels in the eye by keeping your blood sugar levels and blood pressure levels within a target range. If you smoke, quit. All of this reduces the risk of damage to the retina. It can also help slow down how quickly your retinopathy gets worse and can prevent future vision loss.
If you have a dilated eye exam regularly, you and your doctor can find diabetic retinopathy before it has a chance to get worse. For most people, this will mean an eye exam every year. Finding retinopathy early gives you a better chance of avoiding vision loss and blindness.
How is it treated?
Surgery, laser treatment, or medicine may help slow the vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy. You may need to be treated more than once as the disease gets worse.
Diabetes damages small blood vessels throughout the body, leading to reduced blood flow. When these changes affect the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, diabetic retinopathy may occur.
In the early stage of diabetic retinopathy, tiny blood vessels in the eye weaken and develop small bulges that may burst and leak into the retina. Later, new fragile blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These blood vessels may break and bleed into the eye, clouding vision and causing scar tissue to form.
The scar tissue may pull on the retina, leading to retinal detachment. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the wall of the eye. This can lead to vision loss.
You may have diabetic retinopathy for a long time without noticing any symptoms. Typically, retinopathy does not cause noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred and complications have developed.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and its complications may include:
- Blurred, double, or distorted vision or difficulty reading.
- Floaters or spots in your vision.
- Partial or total loss of vision or a shadow or veil across your field of vision.
- Pain, pressure, or constant redness of the eye.
What Happens
Diabetic retinopathy begins as a mild disease. During the early stage of the disease, the small blood vessels in the retina become weaker and develop small bulges called microaneurysms. These microaneurysms are the earliest signs of retinopathy and may appear a few years after the onset of diabetes. They may also burst and cause tiny blood spots (hemorrhages) on the retina. But they do not usually cause symptoms or affect vision. This is called nonproliferative retinopathy. At this stage, treatment is not required.
As retinopathy progresses, fluid and protein leak from the damaged blood vessels and cause the retina to swell. This may cause mild to severe vision loss, depending on which parts of the retina are affected. If the center of the retina (macula) is affected, vision loss can be severe. Swelling and distortion of the macula (macular edema), which results from a buildup of fluid, is the most common complication of retinopathy. Macular edema treatment usually works to stop and sometimes reverse your loss of vision.
In some people, retinopathy gets worse over the course of several years and progresses to proliferative retinopathy. In these cases, reduced blood flow to the retina stimulates the growth (proliferation) of fragile new blood vessels on the surface of the retina. As the new blood vessels multiply, one or more complications may develop and damage the person's vision. These complications can include:
- The formation of scar tissue that pulls on the retina, which may lead to retinal detachment.
- Bleeding inside the eye (preretinal or vitreous hemorrhage).
- The growth of new blood vessels on the surface of the iris (rubeosis iridis), which eventually leads to a form of severe glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma.
Any of these later complications may cause severe, permanent vision loss.
What Increases Your Risk
Your risk for diabetic retinopathy depends largely on two things: how long you have had diabetes and whether or not you have kept good control of your blood sugar.
You can control some risk factors, which are things that may increase your risk for diabetic retinopathy and its complications. Risk factors that you can control include:
- Pregnancy. Women who have diabetes are at increased risk of developing retinopathy during pregnancy. In women who already have retinopathy when they become pregnant, the condition can become much worse during pregnancy. If you get pregnant, you will need to have an eye exam sometime during the first 3 months. You'll also need close follow-up during your pregnancy and for 1 year after you have your baby.footnote 1
- Consistently high blood sugar. High blood sugar levels increase your risk of retinopathy. Keeping your blood sugar levels in a target range can reduce your risk for diabetic retinopathy and can slow the progression of the disease if it has already started.
- High blood pressure. In general, people with diabetes who also have high blood pressure are more likely to develop complications that affect the blood vessels in the body, including those in the eyes.
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment. Getting a dilated eye exam will not prevent retinopathy. But it may reduce your risk of severe vision loss from complications of retinopathy. By detecting it early, you can get treatment that can prevent vision loss and delay the progression of the disease.
- Smoking. Although smoking has not been proved to increase the risk of retinopathy, smoking may make many of the other health problems faced by people with diabetes worse, including disease of the small blood vessels.
If you have type 2 diabetes and use the medicine rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avandaryl) to treat your diabetes, you may have a higher risk for problems with the center of the retina (the macula). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the makers of the drug have warned that taking this medicine could cause swelling in the macula, which is called macular edema.
When should you call your doctor?
Call your doctor immediately if you have diabetes and notice:
- Floaters in your field of vision. Floaters often appear as dark specks, globs, strings, or dots. A sudden shower of floaters may be a sign of a retinal detachment, which is a serious complication of diabetic retinopathy.
- A new visual defect, shadow, or curtain across part of your vision. This is another sign of retinal detachment.
- Eye pain or a feeling of pressure in your eye.
- New or sudden vision loss. The sudden onset of partial or complete vision loss is a symptom of many disorders that can occur within or outside the eye, including retinal detachment or bleeding within the eye. Sudden vision loss is always a medical emergency.
Watchful waiting
Watchful waiting is not an option if you have diabetes and notice changes in your vision.
If you have type 2 diabetes, even if you do not have any symptoms of eye disease, you still need to have your eyes and vision checked regularly by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist). If you wait until you have symptoms, it is more likely that complications and severe damage to the retina will have already developed. These may be harder to treat and may result in permanent vision loss.
If you have type 1 diabetes, are age 10 or older, and were diagnosed 5 or more years ago, you should have your eyes checked even if you don't have symptoms. If you wait until you have symptoms, it is more likely that complications and severe damage to the retina will have happened. These may be harder to treat. And the damage may be permanent.
Watchful waiting is not an option if you already have diabetic retinopathy but do not have symptoms or vision loss. You will need to return to your ophthalmologist for frequent evaluations (every few months in some cases) so that your doctor can closely monitor changes in your eyes. There is no cure for the disease. But treatment can slow its progression. Your ophthalmologist can tell you how often you need to be evaluated.
Who to see
People who have diabetes need to see a doctor who specializes in eye care for their eye evaluations.
If you have diabetic retinopathy and need laser treatment or surgery, you need to consult an ophthalmologist who specializes in treating the retina and has special training in the care of eye disease caused by diabetes.
Exams and Tests
Diabetic retinopathy can be detected during a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. An exam by your primary doctor, during which your eyes are not dilated, is not an adequate substitute for a full exam done by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Eye exams for people with diabetes can include:
- Visual acuity testing. Visual acuity testing measures the eye's ability to focus and to see details at near and far distances. It can help detect vision loss and other problems.
- Ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp exam. These tests allow your doctor to see the back of the eye and other structures within the eye. They may be used to detect clouding of the lens (cataract), changes in the retina, and other problems.
- Gonioscopy. Gonioscopy is used to find out whether the area where fluid drains out of your eye (called the drainage angle) is open or closed. This test is done if your doctor thinks you may have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that can cause blindness by damaging the optic nerve.
- Tonometry. This test measures the pressure inside the eye, which is called intraocular pressure (IOP). It is used to help detect glaucoma. Diabetes can increase your risk of glaucoma.
Your doctor may also do a test called an optical coherence tomography (OCT) to check for fluid in your retina. Sometimes a fluorescein angiogram is done to check for and locate leaking blood vessels in the retina, especially if you have symptoms, such as blurred or distorted vision, that suggest damage to or swelling of the retina.
Fundus photography can track changes in the eye over time in people who have diabetic retinopathy and especially in those who have been treated for it. Fundus photography produces accurate pictures of the back of the eye (the fundus). An eye doctor can compare photographs taken at different times to watch the progression of the disease and find out how well treatment is working. But the photos do not take the place of a full eye exam.
Early detection
Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can help prevent vision loss. For people in whom diabetic retinopathy has not been diagnosed, the American Diabetes Association recommends that screening be done based on the following guidelines:footnote 1
- People with type 1 diabetes who are age 10 and older should have a dilated eye exam within 5 years after diabetes is diagnosed and then every year.
- People with type 2 diabetes should have an exam as soon as diabetes is diagnosed and then every year.
- If your eye exam results are normal, your doctor may consider follow-up exams less often. For example, you may have an exam every 2 years. But if you are diagnosed with retinopathy, you may need frequent eye exams.
- Women who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and who are planning to become pregnant should have an exam before becoming pregnant, if possible, and then once during the first 3 months (first trimester) of pregnancy. The eye doctor can decide whether you need further screening for retinopathy during pregnancy based on the results of the first-trimester exam.
Note: Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes are not at risk for diabetic retinopathy and do not need to be screened for it. (But women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, which can put them at increased risk for retinopathy and other eye problems.)
People who have diabetes are also at increased risk for other eye diseases, including glaucoma and cataracts. Regular dilated eye exams can help detect these diseases early and prevent or delay vision loss.
Treatment Overview
There is no cure for diabetic retinopathy. But laser treatment (photocoagulation) is usually very effective at preventing vision loss if it is done before the retina has been severely damaged. Surgical removal of the vitreous gel (vitrectomy) may also help improve vision if the retina has not been severely damaged. Sometimes injections of an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medicine or an anti-inflammatory medicine help to shrink new blood vessels in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Because symptoms may not develop until the disease becomes severe, early detection through regular screening is important. The earlier retinopathy is detected, the easier it is to treat and the more likely vision will be preserved.
You may need treatment for diabetic retinopathy if:
- It has affected the center (macula) of the retina.
- Abnormal new blood vessels have started to appear.
- Your side (peripheral) vision has been severely damaged.
If the macula has been damaged by macular edema, anti-VEGF medicine, such as aflibercept (Eyelea) or ranibizumab (Lucentis), may help. Steroids may be injected into the eye. Sometimes an implant, such as Iluvien, may be placed in the eye to release a small amount of corticosteroid over time. If the retina hasn't been severely damaged, laser treatment or vitrectomy may help with macular edema.
Surgical removal of the vitreous gel (vitrectomy) is done when there is bleeding (vitreous hemorrhage) or retinal detachment, which are rare in people with early-stage retinopathy. Vitrectomy is also done when severe scar tissue has formed.
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is often very effective in preventing, delaying, or reducing vision loss. But it is not a cure for the disease. People who have been treated for diabetic retinopathy need to be monitored frequently by an eye doctor to check for new changes in their eyes. Many people with diabetic retinopathy need to be treated more than once as the condition gets worse.
Also, controlling your blood sugar levels is always important. This is true even if you have been treated for diabetic retinopathy and your eyes are better. In fact, good blood sugar control is especially important in this case so that you can help keep your retinopathy from getting worse.
People with diabetes who have any signs of retinopathy need to be examined as soon as possible by an ophthalmologist.
There are steps you can take to reduce your chance of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy and its complications:
- Control your blood sugar levels. Keep blood sugar levels in a target range by eating a healthful diet, frequently monitoring your blood sugar levels, getting regular physical exercise, and taking insulin or medicines for type 2 diabetes if prescribed.
- Control your blood pressure. Retinopathy is more likely to progress to the severe form and macular edema is more likely to occur in people who have high blood pressure. It is not clear whether treating high blood pressure can directly affect long-term vision. But in general, keeping blood pressure levels in a target range can reduce the risk of many different complications of diabetes. For more information about how to control your blood pressure, see the topic High Blood Pressure.
- Have your eyes examined by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist) every year. Screening for diabetic retinopathy and other eye problems will not prevent diabetic eye disease. But it can help you avoid vision loss by allowing for early detection and treatment.
- See an ophthalmologist if you have changes in your vision. Changes in vision—such as floaters, pain or pressure in the eye, blurry or double vision, or new vision loss—may be symptoms of serious damage to your retina. In most cases, the sooner the problem can be treated, the more effective the treatment will be.
The risk for severe retinopathy and vision loss may be even less if you:
- Don't smoke. Although smoking has not been proved to increase the risk of retinopathy, smoking may aggravate many of the other health problems faced by people with diabetes, including disease of the small blood vessels.
- Avoid hazardous activities. Certain physical activities, like weight lifting or some contact sports, may trigger bleeding in the eye through impact or increased pressure. Avoiding these activities when you have diabetic retinopathy can help reduce the risk of damage to your vision.
- Get adequate exercise. Exercise helps keep blood sugar levels in a target range, which can reduce the risk of vision damage from diabetic retinopathy. Talk to your doctor about what kinds of exercise are safe for you.
Surgical treatment for diabetic retinopathy is removal of the vitreous gel (vitrectomy). Vitrectomy does not cure the disease. But it may improve vision in people who have developed bleeding into the vitreous gel (vitreous hemorrhage), retinal detachment, or severe scar tissue formation.
Unfortunately, by the time some people are diagnosed with retinopathy (especially late-stage retinopathy), it is often too late for vitrectomy to provide much benefit. Even with treatment, vision may continue to decline.
Early detection of retinopathy through dilated eye exams can help you decide to have surgery when it is most effective.
What to think about
After a person has had most of the vitreous gel removed by vitrectomy, surgery to remove scar tissue or to repair a new retinal detachment may be needed.
Vitrectomy is usually done as an outpatient surgery.
Other Treatment
Laser treatment (photocoagulation) can be an effective treatment for diabetic retinopathy. But it does not cure the disease. It can prevent, delay, and sometimes reverse vision loss. Without either laser treatment or surgery, vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy and its complications may get worse until blindness occurs. So early treatment is vital to slowing vision loss, which can happen quickly.
When diabetic retinopathy causes bleeding (hemorrhage) into the vitreous gel, extensive scar tissue formation, or retinal detachment, surgical removal of the vitreous gel (vitrectomy) may be needed before laser treatment is considered.
Unfortunately, by the time some people are diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, it is often too late for treatment to provide much benefit. Even with treatment, vision will continue to decline.
Early detection of retinopathy through dilated eye exams can provide the opportunity to have laser treatment when it is most effective.
Other treatment choices
Laser photocoagulation uses the heat from a laser to seal or destroy abnormal, leaking blood vessels in the retina. It can cause the abnormal, weak blood vessels to shrink.
Some anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medicines, such as aflibercept and ranibizumab, can help treat macular edema from diabetic retinopathy.
What to think about
Pan-retinal laser treatment is used to treat several spots on the retina during one or, most often, two sessions. It reduces the risk of serious bleeding and the progression of severe proliferative retinopathy.
Laser photocoagulation can result in some loss of vision, because it destroys some of the nerve cells in the retina and can cause the abnormal blood vessels to go away. With pan-retinal photocoagulation, this most often affects the outside (peripheral) vision, because the laser is directed at that area. Your vision may be worse right after treatment. But vision loss caused by laser treatment is mild compared with the vision loss that may be caused by untreated retinopathy.
- American Diabetes Association (2019). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2019. Diabetes Care, 42(Suppl 1): S1–S193. Accessed December 17, 2018.
Other Works Consulted
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (2014). Diabetic retinopathy summary benchmark—2014 (Preferred Practice Pattern guidelines). http://one.aao.org/summary-benchmark-detail/diabetic-retinopathy-summary-benchmark–october-20. Accessed December 15, 2014.
- American Optometric Association (2014). Evidence-based clinical practice guideline: Eye care of the patient with diabetes mellitus. http://www.aoa.org/optometrists/tools-and-resources/clinical-care-publications/clinical-practice-guidelines?sso=y. Accessed December 15, 2014.
- Brownlee M, et al. (2011). Complications of diabetes mellitus. In S Melmed et al., eds., Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, 12th ed., pp. 1462–1551. Philadelphia: Saunders.
- Fletcher EC, et al. (2011). Retina. In P Riordan-Eva, JP Whitcher, eds., Vaughan and Asbury's General Ophthalmology, 18th ed., pp. 190–221. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Mohamed QA, et al. (2011). Diabetic retinopathy (treatment), search date June 2010. BMJ Clinical Evidence. Available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Current as of: May 5, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.


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What has changed in PHP 5.3.x
Most improvements in PHP 5.3.x have no impact on existing code. There are a few incompatibilities and new features that should be considered, and code should be tested before switching PHP versions in production environments.
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MP3: Anti Records label sampler available for free online
Music News | Nov 14th, 2008
Featuring Brand-New Tracks from N.A.S.A, Ramblin Jack Elliott and William Elliott Whitmore
ANTI- Records launched its new 08/09 music sampler today on-line via the ANTI- blog and in stores with dozens of participating independent retailers around the country. In a special promotion running through the holidays, local music retailers will be offering the newest releases from ten of ANTI s latest and greatest artists for under $10. With purchase, the buyer will receive a copy of the new ANTI- sampler, or it can be downloaded for free directly from the ANTI- blog.
It is both a look back at a spectacular 2008, which saw releases from artists such as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Jolie Holland and Michael Franti & Spearhead called career bests, and a look into the New Year, including the following:
Spacious Thoughts N.A.S.A (featuring Tom Waits and Kool Keith)
From masterminds Squeak E Clean (Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon (Ze Gonzales) comes the first track from the highly anticipated debut release The Spirit Of Apollo (out Feb 17 2009). The record — which pairs indie darlings such as Karen O, Santogold, the Cool Kids and M.I.A, with hip hop stars like Kanye West, Chuck D, KRS-One and Ghostface Killah takes the less is more concept and turns it on its head, layering up to four famous voices over vintage Brazilian funk tracks and turntable wizardry.
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Iowa s own son of the soil William Elliott Whitmore premieres his first track off his ANTI- debut Animals in the Dark (out Feb 17 2009). With the old-soul voice of a master country blues balladeer and a devoted following in the punk, folk and indie rock worlds, Will captures the imagination with his raw, populist songs, seemingly untouched by pop culture.
Soul Of A Man Ramblin Jack Elliott
He stole James Dean s girl, listened for two days while Jack Keroac read him On the Road and taught Dylan everything he knew, now Ramblin Jack Elliott is trying something new: lending his plaintive drawl to Depression-era blues classics. Produced by Joe Henry (Elvis Costello, Solomon Burke, Bettye LaVette), the new album also features guest appearances from David Hidalgo (Los Lobos, Tom Waits) and Van Dyke Parks. Out April 7.
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TEST clue of Up and Down Words Game. After playing around with today's puzzle we were able to crack and find the correct solution of TEST and shortly after, we posted it here on this page. Please note that before posting it here we have checked in with the game to confirm that the 7 letter answer was indeed the correct one that solved this particular clue.
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Virginia Tech tragedy, cont'd: I don't usually embed video clips, but this one says (and does) more than I (or anyone) could write about the Virginia Tech tragedy. Hopefully, you've already seen it:
Here's another must-read post from The Dugout and AOL Fanhouse's Nick D, a Virginia Tech student. (Fanhouse's Michael David Smith has a great take, too.)
MLB Studs: The Nationals, for wearing Virginia Tech hats yesterday in their 6-4 loss to the Braves. (Affirming that sometimes, a team can claim victory, even in defeat. I've never been prouder to be a Nats fan. All 4 weeks of it.)
MLB Duds: The Cardinals, whose 6-7 start is the worst by a defending W.S. champ since the '98 Marlins. (But these Cards weren't imploded in the offseason like that
Matsuzaka Watch: 10 Ks in 6 IP will be forgotten after his bases-loaded walk sent home
Sosa Watch: Well, of COURSE Sammy hit a home run in his return to
NBA Regular-Season Finale: The Warriors basically have a play-in game tonight. They can lock up the 8-spot in the West with a win over
NBA East: Wow, the Wizards are struggling enough that the 6-, 7- and 8-seeds are all up for grabs in tonight's season finale, meaning the 1-, 2- and 3-seeds don't know who they are playing yet. (Whoops: We don't even know who the top seeds will be; the Cavs could still get the 2-seed.)
NBA: Jerry West leaving Grizzlies. Well, that happened about 3 years after I thought it would. (Ah, yes: But will he regret it when they land Oden or Durant? Maybe he's got one more blockbuster trade in him to ship out Pau Gasol for a totally revitalized roster.)
More NBA: David Stern banishes ref Joey Crawford indefinitely, including the playoffs. That's for effing with Tim Duncan. (Actually, that's Stern asserting his authority and enhancing his already substantial cred with the fans, teams, players... and refs.)
NBA Draft: By winning last night, the Hawks have assured themselves of the 4th-worst record in the league. If the Ping-Pong balls follow, they will have just won their way into giving the Suns the No. 4 pick in the Draft. Forget losing: The Hawks can't even WIN right.
NFL Draft: I saw a Mock where the Texans got RB Adrian Peterson. That would be smart (even with their signing of Ahman Green in the offseason).
Is it possible that the combination of Peterson and DE Mario Williams is better than the woulda-coulda-shoulda combo of Reggie Bush and the best-available '07 DE (say Adam Carriker or Jamaal Anderson)? Who's going to argue that Bush is a better every-down RB than Peterson?
(On second thought, forget it: He won't last until
College Football: Wait, is the NCAA really going to get rid of the "unlimited text" plan for hard-working coaches? That must set a record for reactivity by the NCAA. (But get this: They're going to allow the coaches to continue to email players unlimitedly. Guess what: A coach with a Blackberry can email a kid with a Blackberry or EnV or Treo or whatever just as easily as he can text him.)
Arena League QB throws 800 TDs: I'm a day late on this, but if the Pro Football Hall of Fame is going to consider Warren Moon's CFL career in judging his Hall bonafides, wouldn't this Arena QB at least merit a sniff? (To position yourself as the Hall for ALL things Pro Football and not have the most prolific Arena player in it seems wrong.)
Do you remember the post where I compared Gilbert Arenas to Barack Obama? The geniuses at Wizznutzz (who helped me produce the Florida T-shirt you see in the upper-right corner – get yours!) have produced a companion T-shirt. Click here for a link to the must-have shirt of the 2008 Presidential campaign.


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Choosing the right 5-star hotel can make all the difference in your vacation experience. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a 5-star hotel:
While 5-star hotels offer luxurious amenities and services, what truly sets them apart is the exceptional experience they provide. Here are some examples of exceptional 5-star hotel experiences:
Almosafer Reads
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the entire Muslim world has the following questions in mind. When is Ramadan? and When is Eid after Ramadan? We have your queries answered here along with our Ramadan Fasting Calendar
Public Holidays help you to better plan your vacation. Our compiled list of public holidays makes your job easier
Having a list of public holidays, confused about where to go? We got you covered
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The following content is for Members Only
Membership at Hegre.com costs
less than $0.21 a day!
Evi is a practical, hands-on kind of girl. She works in a metal shop in a small German town and leads a simple and happy life. Evi is an animal lover and enjoys horse riding and training dogs in her free time.
She is studying horse and dog psychology part-time and her ultimate hero is Monty Roberts author of the famous book The Horse Whisperer, she also loves listening to The Eagles. She tells us that her current boyfriend is 16; youthful and fun-loving, just like herself. Carefree and straightforward, Evi is plain speaking and will always speak her mind.
She has dreamt of being a model since she was little and is a natural with her toned, tanned body, firm breasts and winning smile, although her own favourite body part is her pert ass. Evi believes that happiness is the key to a good life!


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I know, great quality right? Anyways, here's the after.
The kids have the perfect place behind the stairs to hide. It's not huge, so it makes for an interesting family sardines game. I still have to put up some trim to cover up where the bead board meets but other than that, it's all done. The two hinged boards on the bottom come up and we can pull out two trundle beds. So that makes a total of SIX twin beds in here.
I bought the light fixtures from Home Depot for $12.00 a piece. I drilled holes in the bottom and wired them to a lamp cord. The kids love it and have already figured out how to hang barbies from the fan. And I love it because when my sisters come to visit, we can chuck all 9 kids in there and watch a movie in peace.


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Dear Lifehacker,
Hurricane Sandy was rough on me. Now that my power is back on and I'm getting things back to normal, what can I do to help people who are still struggling?
Lucky Neighbor
Dear Lucky Neighbor,
Glad to hear you made it through okay! Now that you're back on your feet, there's plenty you can do to help, especially if you're in the area. Even if you're not though, here's how you can get involved to help those in need now, or tips to take to heart for the next disaster.
Donate Money via Text Message (to Reputable Organizations)
We discussed how to donate money via text last week, but the need for donations hasn't slowed down just because many of us feel like life is starting to get back to normal. There are still thousands of people without power, fuel, and even food, and the need for assistance will go on for a while yet, especially as insurance companies are starting to make the rounds to decide what they will and won't pay to repair or replace. NBC News has an updated list of charities and organizations that are working directly with people in need. Consider donating now if you haven't already, or donating again if you have the cash to spare. Photo remixed from The Salvation Army and Pixel Embargo (Shutterstock).
A point worth noting: DO NOT donate goods unless you're responding to a specific call for items with those items. More often than not, checking, packaging, shipping, and distributing items randomly given by well-meaning individuals to people who need them is a logistical nightmare, so non-profits just don't do it. It's easier to open their coffers and buy what's needed instead. Donating unsolicited goods, even non-perishable foods and clothing, can take much-needed volunteers and resources away from the disaster response. Stick to cash, or check with your favorite charity to see what they're looking for.
Donate Blood
Donating money helps a lot, but donating blood helps all the time. As blood supplies are moved across country to places where they're needed the most, that leaves blood banks and hospitals in many communities shorter on supply than they normally are anyway. The Red Cross makes it easy to make an appointment to give blood at a time that's convenient for you, so there's no need to wait for the Bloodmobile to get to your community to donate. Alternatively, reach out to the Red Cross and see if you can organize a group donation at your office, school, or community center and get others involved at the same time. Photo by Phil Gold.
Open Up Your Wi-Fi or Power to Visitors
If you live in an affected area and you know your neighbors are without power or internet access, consider opening up your network and your outlets to people in your community. We've already seen examples of people who have offered their dining rooms and home offices as extra space for their friends, colleagues, or neighbors to come and charge up their smartphones and laptops, get a little work done, and notify their loved ones that they're safe and sound. Many ISPs are suspending bandwidth caps in the area specifically to encourage this, although you'll still be confronted with the electric bill at the end of the month for all of the juice everyone's sucked down. Still, you'll have done something wonderful for the community directly—especially the people who live right next door to you.
Volunteer At a Local Charity
Obviously, if you're in a good position and you live in or near an affected area, the best way to volunteer is to find an organization doing work in the region and volunteer. Whether you can help the Red Cross give out fresh water and serve hot meals, or you can donate specific skills (people with engineering skills are, for example, always in need to help keep communications systems working in low-or-no-power areas, and mechanics are always needed to keep old diesel generators running) to an organization that needs them, you can help. Photo by Mount Rainer National Park.
Finding out where to volunteer is a bit trickier than just donating to charity, but here are some ways to get started:
Call your favorite charity and ask if they're looking for volunteers. If you know a charity is at work in a disaster area, call them up and ask if you can help by volunteering. Let them know where you're located, and even if you're not in a disaster-stricken region, you may be able to backfill for staff that have left your community to help elsewhere. Keep in mind that all of those National Guard troops, firefighters, and EMTs that travel from around the country to a needy community have to come from somewhere, and if that somewhere is your town, you might be able to help out in their absence, even if you can't travel.
Take to social media and ask around on Twitter and Facebook. Social media can really shine during emergency situations, and I can't count how many people I've seen putting out the call for donations and volunteers on Twitter especially. Do a hashtag search for the disaster in question (#sandy, #hurricanesandy, etc) and see who could use an extra hand, and reach out to see how you can help.
Don't forget your local paper, or local news sites. It's easy to get caught up in national or regional coverage of a disaster, but sometimes the most accurate and up-to-date information on how you can get involved in a community is available through your local paper and blogs that cover events in your city. Those local markets are the ones most non-profit organizations approach first to get the word out, and they all have a vested interest in helping. For example, with Sandy, local organizations, newspapers and blogs have led the way in getting volunteers out to help.
Check FEMA's response site. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) keeps a site specifically for how to donate and volunteer after emergencies. Right now that site is geared towards Hurricane Sandy and the ongoing response, but even when nothing is going on, there are resources to help get involved.
Prepare for the Next One
While you're helping others, don't forget to help yourself as well. You mentioned that Hurricane Sandy was rough on you—make sure you're ready for the next big storm, earthquake, flood, tornado, fire, or whatever other natural (or man-made) disaster may befall your region. Check with your local emergency management office or agency to see what types of disasters you should prepare for. Make sure you have renter's or homeowner's insurance, and that you also have flood insurance if you live in an area prone to it. Photo by KOMU News.
Finally, keep a well stocked emergency kit in your home or in your car. If you're worried about major disasters, consider a disaster survival kit with more supplies. Consider stuffing that emergency kit into a "Go Bag" so you can grab it and get out of the area if you have to evacuate, and a "Get Home Bag" you can keep at the office if the disaster takes place while you're away from home. Remember, you'll be in the best condition to help your neighbors if you're well prepared yourself.
Have a question or suggestion for Ask Lifehacker? Send it to [email protected].
Title image by Anton Oparin (Shutterstock).


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With this type of hardwood floor it is finished in a factory setting, ready for the homeowner to install. There are several advantages to choosing this type of flooring, which include:
• More durable because the finish is done using a substance called aluminum oxide which is harder than the polyurethane finish that is used on unfinished hardwood floors. These types of floors are less likely to dent or scratch giving the floors a good looking finish for many years unlike unfinished hardwood floors that have to be refinished every few years.
• Easier to install because the floor is installed and can be used the same day it was installed. With unfinished hardwood floors they have to let the wood acclimate, install it, stain it, and let it dry before it can be finished, which can take several days.
• Give a better look than hardwood that is unfinished because prefinished hardwood floors come in a variety of sizes, textures, colors, and styles so the homeowner can choose the look that is right for them.
Choosing the right prefinished hardwood floors
When you are looking at prefinished flooring options there are several things that you should keep in mind.
• Children-you should keep in mind the ages of any children in the house because different ages can create different challenges. For example, if you have toddlers the hardwood floor should be easier to clean and more stain resistant. If you have teenagers you might want flooring that is more scratch resistant. The main thing is to choose a floor that will last, especially if you are not planning to sell your home.
• Type of wood and color-when looking at the color of wood for your prefinished hardwood floors look at the wood currently in the home and try to make sure that all colors contrast or coordinate if there is not an exact match.
• Ease of installation-if you are planning to install it yourself you should choose that type that snaps together or glues down as you will not need as much technical skill. Some retail stores will offer reduced or free installation.
• Price-this is a very important factor, especially if you have a budget. Yes, you want a quality prefinished hardwood floor that will hold up to wear and tear and last but you should have a price range and try to stick with it. Some even offer payment options if you cannot find the right flooring in your price range
Make sure that you check out several flooring and home improvement stores before making your decision to ensure that you are getting the best deal on your new on the flooring options you want to choose.


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The PQ-6060-00 is the perfect option to replace and upgrade the nut on your Epiphone guitar made before 2014.
You can also check out the PQ-6061-00 is a little taller for Epiphones 2014 and newer.
It is also a great option for many other common acoustic and electric guitars.
It comes pre-slotted to make for a quick and easy install.
15" Radius.
Our techs perform a comprehensive inspection on every instrument before shipping - including necessary adjustments - to make sure instruments reach you playing great. Additional setup customizations are available.
Join Guitarperks - our loyalty rewards program - to earn points for future purchases and get access to exclusive sales and bonus point oportunities.
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Our generous return policy gives you the opportunity to test your purchase to make sure you're in love. If it misses the mark just contact us for a quick and easy return process.
We like to think we are already offering the lowest price you'll find in Canada on our stock. Find a lower advertised price on any in stock item from one of our competitors? Just contact us for a price match.


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Ultima 100 – 45 Degree Spotting Scope
The largest aperture scope in the Ultima line, the 100 mm Ultima offers more than 50% brighter images than the 80 mm, allowing for better performance in low light conditions. The 100 mm refractor features excellent multi-coated optics packed into a portable and durable refractor design and comes standard with a 22-66x zoom eyepiece.
This series was designed to perform well in a range of viewing situations, making it a great all-around optical instrument. You'll love it for observing nature and long distance spotting and since it is completely waterproof you can feel comfortable using it in extreme weather. The green rubber optical tube allows for subtle observation in any nature environment. Ultima spotters are a great companion for any nature or outdoor enthusiast. Soft carrying case included.


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The Associated Press Thursday, 10 October 2013 05:45 PM EDT
The government shutdown continues with some glimmer of hope for those who would like to visit the nation's national parks: The Obama administration said it would consider offers from the states to use their own money to pay for park operations.
Meanwhile, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission sent roughly 90 percent of its staff home Thursday, though it will respond to immediate safety concerns.
The shutdown continues to have far-reaching consequences for some, but minimal impact on others. Mail is being delivered. Social Security and Medicare benefits continue to flow. But the shutdown has been particularly harsh on those who rely on tourism, such as communities near the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks.
A look at how services have been affected, and sometimes not, by Congress failing to reach an agreement averting a partial government shutdown:
Federal air traffic controllers remain on the job and airport screeners continue to funnel passengers through security checkpoints. Furloughs of safety inspectors had put inspections of planes, pilots and aircraft repair stations on hold, but the Federal Aviation Administration says it is asking 800 employees — including some safety inspectors — to return to work this week. More than 2,900 inspectors had been furloughed. The State Department continues processing foreign applications for visas and U.S. applications for passports, since fees are collected to finance those services. Embassies and consulates overseas remain open and are providing services for U.S. citizens abroad.
Social Security and Medicare benefits continue to be paid out, but there could be delays in processing new disability applications. The Social Security Administration is also delaying the announcement of the size of next year's cost-of-living adjustment, which was supposed to come out on Oct. 16. Unemployment benefits are also still going out.
Federal courts, which have been using fees and other funds to operate since the shutdown began, will likely have enough money to operate until Oct. 17, and possibly Oct. 18.
After that, the courts will run out of money and shut down all nonessential work.
A limited number of workers would perform essential work, while all others would be furloughed. Each court would make a determination on what is essential and nonessential. Judges would still be able to seat jurors, but the jurors won't be paid until Congress provides funding. Court-appointed lawyers would also not get paid.
The Supreme Court opened its term Monday and says its business will go on despite the ongoing shutdown.
All national parks have been closed since the shutdown began, but the Obama administration said Thursday it would allow states to use their own money to reopen some national parks. Figures compiled by a coalition of retired park service workers indicate that some 700,000 people a day would have been visiting the parks and that the surrounding areas are losing $76 million in visitor spending per day.
In Washington, monuments along the National Mall have been closed, as have the Smithsonian museums, including the National Zoo. Among the visitor centers that have closed: the Statue of Liberty in New York, Independence Hall in Philadelphia and Alcatraz Island near San Francisco. National wildlife refuges have been closed off to hunters and fishermen just as hunting season was getting underway in many states.
Several protection agencies have curtailed their work.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission was shutting down most operations on Thursday. However, resident inspectors will remain on the job and any immediate safety or security matters will be handled.
The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they can handle recalls and high-risk foodborne outbreaks, but discovering them will be more difficult because many of the people who investigate outbreaks have been furloughed. Routine food safety inspections were suspended, so most food manufacturers won't have to worry about periodic visits from government inspectors. U.S. food inspections abroad have also been halted. USDA inspectors are on the lines every day in meatpacking plants and are required to be there by law for the plants to stay open.
The National Transportation Safety Board is not investigating most transportation accidents, making an exception only if officials believe lives or property are in danger.
Auto recalls and investigations of safety defects have been put on hold during the partial government shutdown. The public can still file safety complaints through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website, but no one has been investigating them since the shutdown began over a week ago. Manufacturers can still voluntarily recall vehicles, but major recalls are typically negotiated between the government and automakers.
At the Environmental Protection Agency, the shutdown means the agency can no longer certify whether vehicles meet emissions standards, delaying some new models from reaching car lots. New pesticides and industrial chemicals are also in limbo because the EPA has halted reviews of their health and environmental effects. And the nation's environmental police are no longer checking to see if polluters are complying with agreements to reduce their pollution.
New patients are generally not being accepted into clinical research at the National Institutes of Health, but current patients continue to receive care. NIH has made exceptions to allow 12 patients with immediately life-threatening illnesses — mostly cancer — into research studies at its renowned hospital. Normally, about 200 new patients every week enroll in studies at the NIH's research-only hospital, many of them after standard treatments have failed. Medical research at the NIH has been disrupted as some studies have been delayed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been severely limited in spotting or investigating disease outbreaks such as the flu or that mysterious MERS virus from the Middle East. The FDA has halted the review and approval of new medical products and drugs.
The impact of the shutdown on school districts, colleges and universities has been relatively minimal. Student loans have continued to be paid out. But school trips to national parks and museums have been cancelled, and some university researchers have been unable to apply for grant funding or access government databases. If the shutdown lingers, however, districts and higher education institutions that rely on federal grants dollars to fund programs such as those for special education students could begin to feel the pinch.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will not investigate any charges of discrimination or respond to questions from the public during the shutdown. It will request delays in ongoing court proceedings and will not hold any hearings or mediations. The National Labor Relations Board, which investigates and remedies unfair labor practices, has virtually ceased to exist during the shutdown. More than 99 percent of its staff has been furloughed, postponing nearly every pending hearing, investigation and union election.
The Internal Revenue Service says more than 12 million taxpayers who filed for automatic extensions in the spring have tax returns due on Tuesday. Those returns, the agency says, are still due, regardless of the shutdown.
The IRS suspended all audits and will not be processing any tax refunds during the shutdown. Got questions? Sorry, IRS call centers will not be staffed, though automated lines are still running.
How well is the economy faring? That's harder to tell given the array of economic reports measuring the health of the nation's economy that have been postponed. The reports measure such things as monthly unemployment, inflation, imports and exports, and retail sales.
Some borrowers are finding it harder to close on their mortgages. The delays could worsen if the shutdown continues and possibly undercut the nation's housing recovery. Some lenders are having trouble confirming applicants' income tax returns and Social Security data due to government agency closures. Furloughs at the Federal Housing Administration are slowing the agency's processing of loans for some low- to moderate-income borrowers and first-time homebuyers. About 15 percent of new loans for home purchases are insured by the FHA. The Department of Housing and Urban Development won't be able to provide any additional payments to the nation's 3,300 public housing authorities during the shutdown, but those authorities should have enough money to continue providing rental assistance through the end of December.
The National Weather Service is forecasting weather and issuing warnings while the National Hurricane Center continues to track storms. The scientific work of the U.S. Geological Survey has been halted.
The FBI estimates that about 80 percent of its 34,000 employees are working and says it is prepared to meet any immediate threats. However, activities are suspended for other, longer-term investigations of crimes. Training and other support functions have been slashed.
The military's 1.4 million active-duty personnel remain on duty. About half of the Defense Department's civilian employees were furloughed, but Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered nearly all 350,000 back on the job. The shutdown created a ripple effect with some defense contractors. Lockheed Martin said Monday that it was furloughing about 2,400 workers. Top defense officials noted that critical programs and benefits remain halted. For example, the department does not have the authority to pay death gratuities for the survivors of service members killed in action — typically a cash payment of $100,000 within three days of the death of a service member. The Obama administration said Wednesday that a private charity would pick up the costs of the payments during the shutdown and be reimbursed later. The military has also stopped providing tuition assistance for service members taking college courses during off-duty hours.
Veterans are still able to get inpatient care at hospitals and mental health counseling at vet centers and outpatient clinics because Congress approved funding for VA health care programs one year in advance. Operators are also staffing the crisis hotline. The VA says its efforts to reduce the backlog in disability benefit claims have been stalled because claims processors are no longer being required to work 20 hours of overtime per month. Access to regional VA offices has been suspended, making it harder for veterans to get information about their benefits and the status of their claims. If the shutdown continues into late October, the VA warns that compensation and pension payments to veterans will be halted.
The CIA furloughed a "significant" but undisclosed number of workers when the shutdown began. A week later, CIA Director John Brennan said he would begin bringing back employees deemed necessary to the CIA's core missions of foreign intelligence collection, analysis, covert action and counterintelligence. He said continuing dramatically reduced staffing levels posed a threat to the safety of human life and the protection of property.
Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Sam Hananel, Joan Lowy, Matthew Daly, Frederic J. Frommer, Andrew Miga, Hope Yen, Deb Riechmann, Lauran Neergaard, Dina Cappiello, Pete Yost, Stephen Ohlemacher, Lolita C. Baldor, Jesse J. Holland, Seth Borenstein, Mary Clare Jalonick, Alicia A. Caldwell and Kim Hefling contributed to this report.
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Here's what it will look like censoring a naked lady on a recumbent:
And here's what it will look like when you take it home and read it in the bathroom:
Like my last book, this one is published by Chronicle, so you can rest assured that fit and finish will be top notch. Also like the last book, you can rest assured it's all new and original material and that you have never read it before unless either you have broken into my house or you are this guy and you can travel through time. As for what it's about, it's merely a humorous bike-themed exploration of the human condition from prehistoric times until today that contains the secret to everlasting happiness. I think you will enjoy it, unless you were hoping for a biography of Benjamin Franklin, in which case you may be profoundly disappointed.
Even if I thought this stuff was artistically valid and not just a pointless anime-meets-Noid brainfart, I'm not sure why that would mean I should also respect his bikes. Nelson Mandela made some pretty important contributions to the world too, but that doesn't mean if he designed a bike it wouldn't suck. And as far as the whole "limited" thing, clearly the commenter has never heard of NAHBS. Bike dorks don't get excited about "limited" unless it's a single one-of-a-kind bike hand-fabricated specifically for their own crotchal dimensions by a Portlander with interesting facial hair .
They roll so godd*mn fast that we actually had to adjust the gearing on our first production models because traditional gear ratios moved too slowly.
Yeah, you know, "traditional gear ratios." I'm sure we all agree on exactly what those are--especially for a lobsided titanium hybrid named after a euphemism for going to the bathroom. Then came this:
Even better, our bicycles don't add anything you don't need. In a way, they actually add less.
So, $6,000 for less than you need. That's 17 words just to say "fuck you" to your customers. Pretty wasteful for a minimalist.
I think it goes without saying who the owner is:
While another reader has forwarded me what could very well be the greatest disembodied hand shot ever taken:
Now that's a contribution to modern art.


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Hayden Planetarium
The Office of the Director of the Hayden Planetarium operates out of the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History. Our mission is to bring the frontier of astrophysics to the public via exhibitry, books, public programs, and on-line resources.
The Hayden Blog covers topics in astrophysics, science visualization, and upcoming sky phenomena.
Discover the universe with our downloadable atlas—the Digital Universe—where you can fly from the Sun out the edge of the observable universe.
Articles and resources for astronomy and astrophysics.
Our staff includes a variety of members in support of the Director, in addition to numerous Hayden Associates and Volunteers who support the department's activities.


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Here's what to expect at 8:30 a.m. ET when the releases its much-anticipated February jobs report, economists say:
-- "The economy probably created 210,000 jobs last month, according to a Reuters survey, following January's tally of 243,000. The unemployment rate is expected to have held at a three-year low of 8.3 percent."
-- "Economists forecast the data will show that private jobs increased 225,000 and total non-farm payrolls climbed 210,000 in February, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. The jobless rate probably held at an almost three-year low of 8.3 percent."
If the jobless rate is unchanged from January's 8.3 percent, it would still be at the lowest level since February 2009. A year ago, it was around 9 percent.
We'll post the news once the report is out. And Planet Money plans to make sense of the numbers as well.
Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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– South Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The 91030 zip code is located in the South Pasadena community of California in Los Angeles county. You can learn more about Real Estate in South Pasadena CA 91030 below, including current Homes For Sale: Condos, Townhomes, Foreclosures and Bank Owned Properties, Short Sales and more. Our Local South Pasadena CA Realtors can assist you with selling your home in California or buying your next piece of Real Estate in or around the South Pasadena CA 91030 community. Be sure to check out our FREE Instant Home Value wizard to get a quick report on your homes current estimated value.
City: South Pasadena
State: California
Zip Code: 91030


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Project members
- Matthias Urban
Cross-linguistic aspects of the structure of the nominal lexicon
A concept expressed by a monomorphemic word in one language may be expressed by a morphologically complex word (a compound, derivative, etc.) in another. Using a representative sample of the world's languages for a selection of nominal meanings, some basic questions asked in this project were: which languages have comparably many complex lexical items in their lexicon, and which have relatively few? Do languages of either type belong to particular language families, do they cluster in certain areas of the world, or are there perhaps structural typological characteristics that influence the behaviour of individual languages (lexicon-grammar-interaction)? Another important aspect under investigation was similarity in semantic structure of lexical items among languages spoken in the same area, as well as some striking similarities that occur around the world and therefore cannot be well explained with reference to areal influence, but instead seem to constitute universally preferred conceptualization strategies.


text: We understand that being separated from your loved ones can be difficult and we want you to feel closer to them with the gift of top-up. We work hard to make it easy for you to send recharge to Robi Bangladesh prepaid wireless phones. So go ahead, add time to a loved one's pay as you go phone and brighten their day.


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Looking to AIDS 2012: Turning the Tide Together
The conference theme, Turning the Tide Together, underscores the pivotal moment in which AIDS 2012 is taking place. Recent scientific advances in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention, coupled with continued progress in scaling up key interventions in developing countries, have led to renewed hope and optimism across the globe.
In November 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the United States' goal of creating an AIDS-free generation. President Barack Obama put this commitment into action on World AIDS Day with a plan to expand U.S. support for treatment to 6 million people globally.
Since AIDS was identified 30 years ago, the U.S. has played a leading role in achieving scientific progress, and in translating science into programs. The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), with bipartisan support from Congress and a strong commitment by President Obama, has put that science into action to save the lives of millions in the developing world. It is truly an honor to be leading PEPFAR and working closely with our implementing agencies — including the US Agency for International Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense and Peace Corps — to reach millions across the globe.
Evidence-based science is driving our efforts. The United States is supporting a combination of high-impact strategies that are changing the course of the epidemic. These include efforts to keep newborn children from being infected with HIV, voluntary male medical circumcision, and expanded access to antiretroviral treatment to save lives and prevent new exposure to HIV. When used in combination with each other, condoms, behavioural efforts, and other prevention tools, these interventions offer an historic opportunity to drive down the worldwide rate of new infections. Our latest results show that this is continuing to work.
In 2011, PEPFAR supported antiretroviral treatment for more than 3.9 million people. PEPFAR programs supported HIV counseling for 40 million people, and care for 13 million people, including 4.1 million orphans and vulnerable children. Last year alone, PEPFAR tested over 9 million pregnant women for HIV, reaching over 660,000 HIV-positive mothers with services to keep them alive and prevent transmission to their children. As a result, 200,000 babies were born free of HIV.
AIDS 2012 will be an opportunity to look back at the progress we have made and consider where the science will lead us to next. The conference will also be a critical venue to increase the global response to this shared responsibility, including through the Global Fund. The President has made it clear that continued strong leadership from the United States, along with heightened commitment by other partners, will allow us to seize the opportunity for dramatic progress toward an AIDS-free generation.
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Each summer, Princeton Summer Theater takes on the Herculean task of presenting four plays in eight weeks. Emma Watt, a 2013 Princeton alumna, is the artistic director of the student-run company, which is made up of Princeton students, alumni, faculty, community members and guest artists. In selecting the plays for the 2013 season, Watt said "they were bound by a common theme of making the ordinary extraordinary."
Princeton Summer Theater opens its 45th season on June 20 with the musical "She Loves Me," directed by Sarah-Ashley Bischoff, a 2009 Princeton graduate. The love story takes place in a parfumerie in 1930s Budapest, Hungary, and is based on a play by Miklos Lazlo.
"I am passionate about theater that celebrates the possibility of stories in the most mundane situations," Watt said.
In "She Loves Me," a shop girl and her male co-worker argue relentlessly, neither realizing they are receiving romantic letters from the other as part of an anonymous pen pal service. Filmgoers may recognize the story line from the 1940 movie "The Shop Around the Corner" with James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan or the 1998 "You've Got Mail" starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
"She Loves Me" runs through June 30. The season continues with Beth Henley's Mississippi family tragicomedy, "Crimes of the Heart," July 4-14. It will be directed by Daniel Rattner, a 2013 alumnus who served as the artistic director for the company last year. Patrick Barlow's Hitchcock spoof "The 39 Steps" runs July 18-28, directed by Jeff Kuperman, a 2012 graduate. Watt will direct the closing production, Donald Margulies' Tony-nominated Iraq war story, "Time Stands Still," Aug. 1-11. Each production runs over two weekends, with performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be talk-backs with audience following each Friday performance (with the exception of "She Loves Me.")
"I hope our audiences leave this season a little more ready to see drama and adventure in the ordinary parts of their lives and to find beauty and meaning in the stories of those around them," said Watt, who served a triple role in the company's 2012 season: company manager, actor and director of children's programming.
Cultivating a love of theater at Princeton
Watt, who is from Durham, N.H., has been involved in theater since age 9, and she credits her four years at Princeton for deepening her love of theater. She served on the board of Princeton's Theatre Intime for four years and performed with the Princeton Triangle Club, Princeton Shakespeare Company and Princeton University Players.
Watt's passion for theater also played out in her academic studies. The comparative literature major earned a certificate in theater and served as the assistant director for the Lewis Center for the Arts' production of "Pippin" in 2012. Among her many theater classes at Princeton, a turning point for her was one with Tracy Bersley, lecturer in theater and the Lewis Center, in which she directed Craig Wright's "The Pavilion."
"I was able to try the exercises that resonated with me in class with my small and devoted cast," Watt said. "I gained a sense of rehearsal as a laboratory, and I started to develop the confidence to shape the storytelling of a piece rather than just put the text onstage. That was the production that really first made me feel like an artist," she said.
Watts also studied Spanish and Swahili, which opened doors to new opportunities. Her junior independent work and senior thesis focused on the relationship between dramatic literature and politics. She spent the summer after her freshman year working for the Asociación Pro Arte y Cultura in Santa Cruz, an organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of southeastern Bolivia. The summer after sophomore year, Watt traveled to Kenya with her Swahili teacher, Mahiri Mwita, a lecturer in the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, to observe a magnet theater troupe that performs street theater focused on HIV/AIDS education.
Watt is bringing all this experience to her role as Princeton Summer Theater's artistic director. "As artistic director, the buck stops with me," she said. "The experience of finding out that almost any problem can be solved will be essential as we try to do the impossible: as many performances in eight weeks as Theatre Intime does in a year!"
In the fall, Watt will move to Seattle to work as the artistic-casting intern at the Seattle Repertory Theatre.
"To me, theater matters because it is about coming together, in person, to work together, tell stories and listen to each other," Watt said. "Even in its silliest form, live performance is the ultimate human art — it is so deeply dependent on the way we interact as a community."
A steppingstone to professional theater
Performing since 1968, Princeton Summer Theater has been a training ground for students interested in pursuing careers in theater and entertainment. Its alumni include Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth; Winnie Holzman, who wrote the book for "Wicked"; and Lileana Blain-Cruz, who served as assistant director for the Tony Award-winning "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" in 2009 and will direct "Much Ado About Nothing" at Princeton this fall. Several board members are industry professionals, including William Lockwood, special programming director of McCarter Theatre Center and Tony Award-winning producer Geoff Rich ("Avenue Q") . Professionals often come to work with the company; for example, Adam Immerwahr, McCarter's associate producer, directed Princeton Summer Theater's "A Little Night Music" in 2012.
Princeton Summer Theater also will present a children's show, "How Thumbelina Found Her Wings," written by rising junior Annika Bennett, who also serves as company manager and costumer, and directed by classmate Maeli Goren, Princeton Summer Theater's communications director. Performances will take place at 11 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, July 4-6, 11-13, 25-27, and Aug. 1-3 and 8-10. Tickets are $9; children under 3 are free.
The company will offer six children's theater workshops — improvisation; foundations of playwriting; creating a character; puppets, masks and movement; scene and story; and design elements of the theater — for ages 7 to 12. Workshops begin on Friday, July 5, and run weekly through Aug. 9 from 1:30-4 p.m. The cost is $35 per workshop, or $145 for the series.
Season subscriptions for the main stage series are $65 and offered until July 1 online at www.SmartTix.com, by calling 646-873-8214 or the theater's box office at 609-258-7062, or by emailing [email protected].
Single tickets are $25 for general admission; $20 for students. Tickets are available by calling the box office Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; by email; or at the door 45 minutes before the performance. For more information about the performances, visit the theater's website or call 609-258-7062.