text:
Online generation wants privacy
Amid the debate over government surveillance, there's been an assumption: Young people don't care about privacy.
Turns out, the generation that puts much of the "social" in social networking is much more complex when determining what personal information they want to share.
Sure, they're as likely as ever to post photos of themselves online, as well as their location and even phone numbers, say those who track their high-tech habits. But as they approach adulthood, they're also getting more adept at hiding and pruning their online lives.
Despite their propensity for sharing, many young adults also are surprisingly big advocates for privacy - in some cases, more than their elders.
That attitude showed up most recently in a poll done over the weekend for the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and The Washington Post. The poll, tied to the disclosure of broad federal surveillance, found that young adults were much more divided than older generations when asked if the government should tread on their privacy to thwart terrorism.
Fifty-one percent of young adults, ages 18 to 29, said it was "more important for the federal government to investigate possible terrorist threats, even if that intrudes on personal privacy."
But 45 percent said personal privacy was more important, even if it limited the ability to investigate possible terrorist threats.
In contrast, less than a third of adults, age 30 and older, told pollsters that preserving personal privacy was more important, while about two-thirds placed higher value on permitting terror investigations, regardless of privacy infringement.
The young adults were much more in line with their elders when asked about the government monitoring specific modes of communication. Pollsters found that a slight majority of adults -- including 18-to 29-year-olds -- said it was "acceptable" for the government to secretly obtain phone call records.
But a similar slight majority also said it was "unacceptable" for the government to monitor everyone's emails and online activity. In an AP-NORC Center survey conducted around the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, those younger than age 30 also were most likely to oppose several different means of government surveillance, from emails to phone calls.
It should be noted that the details about surveillance techniques used by the National Security Agency were still emerging as the weekend Pew poll was being done.
"The big insight here is that younger adults are not indifferent to privacy, as many seem to believe," says Lee Rainie, the director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which is affiliated with Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.
It also fits with a report that Rainie's staff recently issued on social media, privacy and adolescents, ages 12 to 17.
They found that 91 percent of youth in that age bracket said they post photos of themselves on social networking sites, up from 79 percent in 2006, the last time this survey was done. Just over 70 percent post where they live, up from 61 percent. And 20 percent post their cell numbers, up from 2 percent.
This time, researchers also asked about security and found that 60 percent of youth said they set their social networking profiles to private and were confident about keeping control of those settings. A similar proportion of young respondents said they'd also deleted some of their previous posts, blocked people from their social networking accounts and cloaked their messages with inside jokes or obscure references that only their friends would understand.
Danah Boyd, a senior researcher at Microsoft Research, and her colleagues call the latter habit "social steganography," a term for the hidden messages that ancient Greeks used.
But it's not federal investigators young people have in mind when they write in code, she says.
"While adults are often anxious about shared data that might be used by government agencies, advertisers, or evil older men, teens are much more attentive to those who hold immediate power over them -- parents, teachers, college admissions officers, army recruiters, etc.," Boyd wrote in an online blog about the Pew Internet & American Life findings.
"Most teens aren't worried about strangers," she added, "They're worried about getting in trouble (with those they know)."
They're also getting more serious about editing their online lives -- and adding more privacy measures -- as they enter the college and work worlds, says Mary Madden, a senior researcher at the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
"They've had to learn to function in this world of constant monitoring," says Madden, who co-wrote her organization's report on young people and privacy.
That includes parents who track their children's mobile devices, computers and accounts. "So they crave the freedom to have a playful space where they can do that," Madden says.
It explains, in part, why teens are moving to more creative and visually driven sites, such as Instagram and Snapchat.
But as they enter young adulthood, their calls for privacy increase.
A study published in 2010 by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania found that a large majority of young adults they questioned in 2009 thought there should be a law that would require website providers to delete all stored information about an individual.
Those young people also wanted a law that would give them the right to know all the information those website providers have about them. Some would include government investigators, too.
"I would highly prefer not having a target on my back for saying something in what I believe is a private forum," says Jayson Flores, who'll be a senior this year at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania.
His views are consistent with the group that falls on the side of privacy over surveillance.
Mandi Grandjean, a recent graduate of Miami University in Ohio, says she's fine with the federal government doing secret surveillance of phone call records and Internet exchanges to combat terrorism, but "with congressional oversight."
"I was in sixth grade when 9/11 happened -- and the world changed," she says. "I am personally not a fan of big government, but I understand there are needs for security."
But even she believes it's different when it comes to an employer, or even a coach. She was an athlete at Miami and had to agree to have her social networking accounts -- even private ones -- monitored by her coaches.
She recalls one time, when she tweeted something on her locked Twitter account at midnight. Shortly after, her coach texted her: "Go to bed."
"I think there's a line," Grandjean says. "It puts me on edge… It's a little too close for comfort."
The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone June 6-9 with a random sample of 1,004 adults, age 18 and older. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 3.7 percentage points.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project privacy poll, completed last September, tallied responses from 802 young people, ages 12 to 17, and their parents. It has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.5 percentage points.


text:
Fine chocolate is a new world of tasting and appreciation similar in complexity and nuance to the world of fine wine. Understanding this world requires an exploration of the tasting senses, an insight into the growing and sourcing of fine cacao, an understanding of the production process of fine chocolate and an awareness of the consumer market for fine chocolate.
To help you reach these goals, our Slow Chocolate workshops will take you on a unique sensorial journey, providing you with the key profiling tools you need to taste and understand fine cacao and chocolate.
Our workshops are available in set public sessions for both the developing connoisseur and individual professionals. We also offer private workshops for corporates or institutions. These are based around our sensory core modules, with our flexible programme allowing us to include optional modules, custom content or guest speakers to create programmes specifically tailored to your needs.
Slow Chocolate is a flexible format that can work as a basic three hour introduction through to a full two day workshop including optional modules and specially designed content for a full exploration of the chocolate senses. Our format can also be tailored to work as part of a symposium or conference. Other events such as networking sessions, chocolate matching tastings or dinners can also be scheduled around the formal content.
Sensory modules
Our sensory modules form the core of our programme and give you the key tools you need to understand fine cacao and chocolate, giving you a true sense and understanding of 'Chocolate Flavours'.
We break up these modules into 'bite-size' experiential activities and games that we run throughout the workshops. These provide an engaging and stimulating structure that helps participants stay interested and focused throughout the sessions.
Sensory Development
Our gastronomic senses are our most important tool for truly understanding and appreciating cacao and chocolate. Through a series of entertaining and engaging games, exercises and experiments, we will awaken your senses to the defining characteristics of cacao and chocolate and give you a fundamental understanding of flavour.
Tasting Tools
Our unique flavour profiling system will help you to distinguish and understand the parameters of cacao and chocolate flavour throughout the production chain. You will be able to structure your chocolate experience with our flavour profile mapping, time based flavour curves and rating system.
Optional modules
Our flexible format allows us to custom design each workshop to the needs of the participants needs. We can include a range of the subjects below, or develop content according to a client's specific requirements. We can also include a client's own content within our format, for example elements of a corporate training programme, or local speakers from research institutions.
Cacao Production
Fully understanding and appreciating chocolate flavour requires an understanding of the production of its key source ingredient, cacao. Equally, considering the final flavour of chocolate is a vital consideration to cacao producers wishing to sell into the fine chocolate market. We examine the effects of drying and fermentation, genetics, storage and transport on final flavour.
Chocolate Production
Chocolate making is a combination of technical aspects, quality control, knowledge, creativity and – most importantly – taste. Learn the importance of each production stage and the impacts they have on flavour.
Chocolate Market
The chocolate market is constantly changing and evolving as consumers become more interested in the source, quality, ethics and production of their food. The fine chocolate sector, whilst appearing small, has a disproportionate influence on the value and direction of the chocolate market. Understand how this marked is developing and changing with new trends.
Chocolate Marketing and Branding
Presentation of chocolate products is key to their success in the market. Learn what consumers are looking for and persuaded by through a comparative analysis of chocolate marketing techniques and brand presentations.
Origin and Varietals
An examination into the importance of genetics and variety in chocolate flavour, including an overview of the latest genetic research and classification of varietals. New research is changing how we think about the traditional model of cacao varieties. In the recent past industrial priorities of production and disease resistance have taken precedence over flavour, origin and terroir. We look at how genetics and variety are becoming crucial for the long term survival of the fine cacao market.
The history of chocolate is often romanticised through myth and storytelling. We separate fact from fiction and recount the evolution of this wild Amazonian fruit into a culturally prized foodstuff by the Aztec and Mayan. We then trace its industrial devaluation through to its present renaissance.
Subjects currently in development, available on request
Health and Nutrition
Ancient history provides us with evidence that cacao can be health sustaining and medicinally beneficial. This value has been distorted and degraded through the industrial production of cacao into confectionery. Understand the essential elements that make cacao a nourishing food, and how the inclusion of fine chocolate can be a part of a healthy lifestyle.
Cocoa Trade
The work of cacao farmers reaches consumers through a long and complex chain of exporters, traders and financial brokers. Meanwhile, consumers are demanding greater transparency and integrity in the source of their chocolate ingredients. We look at how the cocoa market works in this changing climate where certifications such as Organic and Fair trade are increasingly important.
Cacao Ecology and Sustainability
Cacao has the potential to positively contribute to sustainable ecological agriculture methods and models. However cocoa is a worldwide commodity with constant pressure for increased production and reduced prices, which creates risks for the long term survival of the cacao industry. We explore the challenging issues facing the industry and identify the choices that need to be made for the economic viability of cocoa and its future.
Custom subjects and modules
We also work with corporate or institutional clients to create custom and reusable modules specific to your needs.
Information and booking
For more information or to book or arrange a workshop, contact us through any of the following:
Web: www.seventypercent.com/workshops
Email: email@example.com
Phone: +44 (0)870 446 0770

subset: commoncrawl


text:
(1) Introduction
These terms of use govern your use of our website; by using our website, you agree to these terms of use in full.. If you disagree with these terms of use or any part of these terms of use, you must not use our website.
(2) Credit
This document was created using an SEQ Legal template.
(3) Licence to use website
Unless otherwise stated, we or our licensors own the intellectual property rights in the website and material on the website. Subject to the licence below, all these intellectual property rights are reserved.
You may view, download for caching purposes only, and print pages from the website for your own personal use, subject to the restrictions set out below and elsewhere in these terms of use.
You must not:
(a) republish material from this website (including republication on another website);
(b) sell, rent or sub-license material from the website;
(c) show any material from the website in public;
(d) reproduce, duplicate, copy or otherwise exploit material on our website for a commercial purpose
(e) edit or otherwise modify any material on the website; or
(f) redistribute material from this website except for content specifically and expressly made available for redistribution.
(4) Acceptable use
You must not use our website in any way that causes, or may cause, damage to the website or impairment of the availability or accessibility of the website; or in any way which is unlawful, illegal, fraudulent or harmful, or in connection with any unlawful, illegal, fraudulent or harmful purpose or activity.
You must not use our website to copy, store, host, transmit, send, use, publish or distribute any material which consists of (or is linked to) any spyware, computer virus, Trojan horse, worm, keystroke logger, rootkit or other malicious computer software.
You must not conduct any systematic or automated data collection activities (including, without limitation, scraping, data mining, data extraction and data harvesting) on or in relation to our website without our express written consent.
You must not use our website to transmit or send unsolicited commercial communications.
You must not use our website for any purposes related to marketing without our express written consent.
You must not use our website to persecute the contributors or staff.
You must not use our website to persecute the opinions of the authors.
(5) Restricted access
Access to certain areas of our website is restricted. We reserve the right to restrict access to other areas of our website, or indeed our whole website, at our discretion.
You are responsible for any activity on our website arising out of any failure to keep your password confidential and may be held liable for any losses arising out of such a failure.
You must not use any other person's user ID and password to access our website.
We may disable your user ID and password at any time in our sole discretion with or without notice or explanation.
Subscriptions are available on the site, but they do not exempt users from following our site rules. The Forum Rules are accessible here for your perusal.
(6) User content
All contributions to our wikis specifically fall under our Wiki License.
Content submitted to our blog and forums: in these terms of use, "your content" means material (including, without limitation, text, images, audio material, video material and audio-visual material) that you submit to our website, for whatever purpose.
You grant to us a worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, adapt, publish, translate and distribute your content in any existing or future media. You also grant to us the right to sub-license these rights and the right to bring an action for infringement of these rights.
You warrant and represent that your content will comply with these terms of use.
Your content must not be illegal or unlawful, must not infringe any third party's legal rights and must not be capable of giving rise to legal action whether against you or us or a third party (in each case under any applicable law).
You must not submit any content to the website that is or has ever been the subject of any threatened or actual legal proceedings or other similar complaint.
We reserve the right to edit or remove any material submitted to our website, or stored on our servers, or hosted or published upon our website.
Notwithstanding our rights under these terms of use in relation to your content, we do not undertake to monitor the submission of such content to, or the publication of such content on, our website. The expressed opinions are those of each individual poster and do not represent the views of Kinbundo, Fextralife, or any other author, contributor or participant.
(7) Limited warranties
We do not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information published on this website; nor do we commit to ensuring that the website remains available or that the material on the website is kept up to date.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, we exclude all representations, warranties and conditions relating to this website and the use of this website (including, without limitation, any warranties implied by law in respect of satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose and/or the use of reasonable care and skill).
(7) a. Notice of Claims of Copyright Infringement
Pursuant to Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Title 17, United States Code, Section 512(c), a copyright owner or their agent may submit a takedown notice to us via our DMCA Agent listed below. As an internet service provider, we are entitled to claim immunity from said infringement claims pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the DMCA. To submit a good faith infringement claim to us, you must submit notice to us that sets forth the following information:
Notice of Infringement - Claim
Title 17 USC §512(f) provides civil damage penalties, including costs and attorney fees, against any person who knowingly and materially misrepresents certain information in a notification of infringement under 17 USC §512(c)(3).
Please note that we may share the identity and information in any copyright infringement claim we receive with the alleged infringer. In submitting a claim, you understand accept and agree that your identity and claim may be communicated to the alleged infringer.
Send all takedown notices to our DMCA Agent listed below. Please send by email for prompt attention.
DMCA Agent
Philip A. Nicolosi
Phil Nicolosi Law, P.C.
6735 Vistagreen Way, Suite 210
Rockford, IL 61107
Repeat Infringer Policy
We take copyright infringement very seriously. Pursuant to the repeat infringer policy requirements of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we maintain a list of DMCA notices from copyright holders and make a good faith effort to identify any repeat infringers. Those that violate our internal repeat infringer policy will have their accounts terminated.
(8) Limitations and exclusions of liability
Nothing in these terms of use will: (a) limit or exclude our or your liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence; (b) limit or exclude our or your liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; (c) limit any of our or your liabilities in any way that is not permitted under applicable law; or (d) exclude any of our or your liabilities that may not be excluded under applicable law.
The limitations and exclusions of liability set out in this Section and elsewhere in these terms of use: (a) are subject to the preceding paragraph; and (b) govern all liabilities arising under these terms of use or in relation to the subject matter of these terms of use, including liabilities arising in contract, in tort (including negligence) and for breach of statutory duty.
To the extent that the website and the information and services on the website are provided free of charge, we will not be liable for any loss or damage of any nature.
We will not be liable to you in respect of any losses arising out of any event or events beyond our reasonable control.
(9) Indemnity
You hereby indemnify us and undertake to keep us indemnified against any losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, legal expenses and any amounts paid by us to a third party in settlement of a claim or dispute on the advice of our legal advisers) incurred or suffered by us arising out of any breach by you of any provision of these terms of use[, or arising out of any claim that you have breached any provision of these terms of use].
(10) Breaches of these terms of use
Without prejudice to our other rights under these terms of use, if you breach these terms of use in any way, we may take such action as we deem appropriate to deal with the breach, including suspending your access to the website, prohibiting you from accessing the website, blocking computers using your IP address from accessing the website, contacting your internet service provider to request that they block your access to the website and/or bringing court proceedings against you.
(11) Variation
We may revise these terms of use from time to time. Revised terms of use will apply to the use of our website from the date of publication of the revised terms of use on our website.
(12) Assignment
We may transfer, sub-contract or otherwise deal with our rights and/or obligations under these terms of use without notifying you or obtaining your consent.
You may not transfer, sub-contract or otherwise deal with your rights and/or obligations under these terms of use.
(13) Severability
If a provision of these terms of use is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other provisions will continue in effect. If any unlawful and/or unenforceable provision would be lawful or enforceable if part of it were deleted, that part will be deemed to be deleted, and the rest of the provision will continue in effect.
(14) Exclusion of third party rights
These terms of use are for the benefit of you and us, and are not intended to benefit any third party or be enforceable by any third party. The exercise of our and your rights in relation to these terms of use is not subject to the consent of any third party.
(15) Entire agreement
Subject to the first paragraph of Section 8, these terms of use, together with our privacy policy and wiki license, constitute the entire agreement between you and us in relation to your use of our website and supersede all previous agreements in respect of your use of our website.
(16) Law and jurisdiction
These terms of use will be governed by and construed in accordance with Hong Kong law, and any disputes relating to these terms of use will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Hong Kong.
The full name of our company is Kinbundo Limited.
We are registered in Hong Kong SAR
You can contact us by email to kinbundo at fextralife.com


text:
One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits.
This is the $64,000 question. Making the right decision for you can have a meaningful impact on your financial income in retirement.
Before considering how personal circumstances and objectives may play into your decision, it may be helpful to preface that discussion with an illustration of how benefits may differ based upon the age at which you commence taking Social Security.
As the accompanying chart reflects, the amount you receive will be based upon the age at which you begin taking benefits.
Monthly Benefit Amounts
Based on the Age that Benefits Begin¹
Age | Benefit Amount |
62 | $750 |
*This example assumes a benefit amount of $1,000 at the full retirement age of 66.
At first blush, the decision may seem a bit clear-cut: Simply calculate the lifetime value of the early benefit amount versus the lifetime value of the higher benefit, based on some assumed life expectancy.
The calculus is a bit more complicated than that because of the more favorable tax treatment of Social Security income versus IRA withdrawals, spousal benefit coordination opportunities, the consideration of the surviving spouse, and Social Security's lifetime income guarantee that exists under current law.²
Here are three ideas to think about when making your decision:
- Do You Need the Money?
Retiring before full retirement age may be a personal choice or one that is thrust upon you because of circumstances, such as declining health or job loss. If you need the income that Social Security is scheduled to provide, however reduced, then taking benefits early may be the only choice for you. - Consider the Needs of Your Spouse
If your wife is expected to depend on your Social Security income, it's important to remember that, based on current life expectancy tables, she will likely live longer than you. Consequently, the survivor benefits she receives may be reduced substantially if you begin taking benefits early—a penalty with which she may be burdened for many years to come. - Are You Healthy?
The primary risk in retirement is living too long and running out of money. The odds of living a long life in retirement argues for waiting at least until you reach full retirement age so that you receive a full benefit for as long as you live. However, if your current health is poor and/or you have a strong family history of premature death, then starting early may make sense for you.
There are several elements you should evaluate before you start claiming Social Security. By determining your priorities and other income opportunities, you may be able to better decide at what age benefits makes the most sense.
- Social Security Administration, 2015
- Withdrawals from traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. Generally, once you reach age 70½, you must begin taking required minimum distributions.
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2016 FMG Suite.


text:
(Image: http://media3.picsearch.com/is?T0tqgDDowP_P5Vk0IthdR8d2jZowiR7oMsHjuisn4xE&height=240)Here's a little glossary to help you decode the difference between all your Viagra options. (Note: Many of the drugs that say "Viagra" are actually generic Viagras, using the term, as it has now become, as a general word for ED treatment.) Studies are still in process in relation to the condition known as NAION (non-arteric anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy). So far very few cases have been linked between NAION and men taking PDE-5 Inhibitors such as Sildenafil Citrate (the active ingredient in Viagra), and studies have been inconclusive so far.
Another word of caution for patients treated for HIV with Protease inhibitors. Ideally, they should no use Viagra, and if at all they do, it is best to limit the intake and/or consult a doctor. Viagra is also not recommended for people having nitroglycerin, as this may adversely impact and lower the blood pressure levels. This can then lead to people making use of generic Viagra when an examination would have shown that it was unfeasible.
This can lead to a greater incidence of adverse side effects being felt by those people who take generic Viagra. This is not necessarily an indication of the effectiveness of the medication, but rather of the restrictions on buying generic Viagra. This can be avoided by placing more stringent checks in place before allowing people to buy medication such as generic Viagra. Viagra rules the roost in most parties; it is considered a king among the party drugs and worshipped, with an ardent fan following.
Yes, there is always a misconception that Viagra is a libido enhancer that every Tom, Dick and Harry can use to polish their sexual image. Many guys regale in the myth that viagra without a doctor prescription helps in averting pregnancies and fighting sexually transmitted diseases. This is the time when man comes into the trap of erectile dysfunction. This ends an epoch of romance, passion and above all intimacy in relationship of couples. Not only this, because of erectile dysfunction and impotency, marriages has been wrecked, couples have split and individuals shattered.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability of a man to uphold or reach an erection needed to satisfy his partner's sexual needs. It is visible in the men in their early fifties. Generally, it is caused by damage of nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues. High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, kidney or liver disease, other vascular conditions, cigarette smoking, and too much alcohol drinking, are also in charge for restricting sufficient blood-flow into the vessels of the penis, and causing ED.
It is very important to treat ED on time because it may lead to low self-esteem, sexual failure anxiety, and depression, stress and guilt and relationship clashes. Most of the men throughout the world suffering from ED now rely on a drug called viagra. More public awareness about dangerous complications associated with Viagra is necessary, as well as more public awareness about the natural male enhancement alternatives to the erecticle dysfunction drug.


text:
Although we rarely think about them, the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes.
In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. Faster processes like breathing and body movement are controlled by the nervous system. But even though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems, they often work together to help the body function properly.
About the Endocrine System
The foundations of the endocrine system are the hormones and glands. As the body's chemical messengers, hormones transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Although many different hormones circulate throughout the bloodstream, each one affects only the cells that are genetically programmed to receive and respond to its message. Hormone levels can be influenced by factors such as stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in blood.
A gland is a group of cells that produces and secretes, or gives off, chemicals. A gland selects and removes materials from the blood, processes them, and secretes the finished chemical product for use somewhere in the body. Some types of glands release their secretions in specific areas. For instance, exocrine glands, such as the sweat and salivary glands, release secretions in the skin or inside of the mouth. Endocrine glands, on the other hand, release more than 20 major hormones directly into the bloodstream where they can be transported to cells in other parts of the body.
The major glands that make up the human endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal body, and the reproductive glands, which include the ovaries and testes. The pancreas is also part of this hormone-secreting system, even though it is also associated with the digestive system because it also produces and secretes digestive enzymes.
Although the endocrine glands are the body's main hormone producers, some non-endocrine organs — such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thymus, skin, and placenta — also produce and release hormones.
The hypothalamus, a collection of specialized cells that is located in the lower central part of the brain, is the primary link between the endocrine and nervous systems. Nerve cells in the hypothalamus control the pituitary gland by producing chemicals that either stimulate or suppress hormone secretions from the pituitary.
Although it is no bigger than a pea, the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain just beneath the hypothalamus, is considered the most important part of the endocrine system. It's often called the "master gland" because it makes hormones that control several other endocrine glands. The production and secretion of pituitary hormones can be influenced by factors such as emotions and seasonal changes. To accomplish this, the hypothalamus relays information sensed by the brain (such as environmental temperature, light exposure patterns, and feelings) to the pituitary.
The tiny pituitary is divided into two parts: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The anterior lobe regulates the activity of the thyroid, adrenals, and reproductive glands. Among the hormones it produces are:
• growth hormone, which stimulates the growth of bone and other body tissues and plays a role in the body's handling of nutrients and minerals
• prolactin, which activates milk production in women who are breastfeeding
• thyrotropin, which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones
• corticotropin, which stimulates the adrenal gland to produce certain hormones
The pituitary also secretes endorphins, chemicals that act on the nervous system to reduce sensitivity to pain. In addition, the pituitary secretes hormones that signal the ovaries and testes to make sex hormones. The pituitary gland also controls ovulation and the menstrual cycle in women.
The posterior lobe of the pituitary releases antidiuretic hormone, which helps control body water balance through its effect on the kidneys and urine output; and oxytocin, which triggers the contractions of the uterus that occur during labor.
The thyroid, located in the front part of the lower neck, is shaped like a bowtie or butterfly and produces the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These hormones control the rate at which cells burn fuels from food to produce energy. As the level of thyroid hormones increases in the bloodstream, so does the speed at which chemical reactions occur in the body.
Thyroid hormones also play a key role in bone growth and the development of the brain and nervous system in children. The production and release of thyroid hormones is controlled by thyrotropin, which is secreted by the pituitary gland.
Attached to the thyroid are four tiny glands that function together called the parathyroids. They release parathyroid hormone, which regulates the level of calcium in the blood with the help of calcitonin, which is produced in the thyroid.
The body has two triangular adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands have two parts, each of which produces a set of hormones and has a different function. The outer part, the adrenal cortex, produces hormones called corticosteroids that influence or regulate salt and water balance in the body, the body's response to stress, metabolism, the immune system, and sexual development and function.
The inner part, the adrenal medulla, produces catecholamines, such as epinephrine. Also called adrenaline, epinephrine increases blood pressure and heart rate when the body experiences stress. (Epinephrine injections are often used to counteract a severe allergic reaction.)
The pineal body, also called the pineal gland, is located in the middle of the brain. It secretes melatonin, a hormone that may help regulate the wake-sleep cycle.
The gonads are the main source of sex hormones. In males, they are located in the scrotum. Male gonads, or testes, secrete hormones called androgens, the most important of which is testosterone. These hormones regulate body changes associated with sexual development, including enlargement of the penis, the growth spurt that occurs during puberty, and the appearance of other male secondary sex characteristics such as deepening of the voice, growth of facial and pubic hair, and the increase in muscle growth and strength. Working with hormones from the pituitary gland, testosterone also supports the production of sperm by the testes.
The female gonads, the ovaries, are located in the pelvis. They produce eggs and secrete the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is involved in the development of female sexual features such as breast growth, the accumulation of body fat around the hips and thighs, and the growth spurt that occurs during puberty. Both estrogen and progesterone are also involved in pregnancy and the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
The pancreas produces (in addition to others) two important hormones, insulin and glucagon. They work together to maintain a steady level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood and to keep the body supplied with fuel to produce and maintain stores of energy.
What the Endocrine System Does
Once a hormone is secreted, it travels from the endocrine gland through the bloodstream to target cells designed to receive its message. Along the way to the target cells, special proteins bind to some of the hormones. The special proteins act as carriers that control the amount of hormone that is available to interact with and affect the target cells.
Also, the target cells have receptors that latch onto only specific hormones, and each hormone has its own receptor, so that each hormone will communicate only with specific target cells that possess receptors for that hormone. When the hormone reaches its target cell, it locks onto the cell's specific receptors and these hormone-receptor combinations transmit chemical instructions to the inner workings of the cell.
When hormone levels reach a certain normal or necessary amount, further secretion is controlled by important body mechanisms to maintain that level of hormone in the blood. This regulation of hormone secretion may involve the hormone itself or another substance in the blood related to the hormone.
For example, if the thyroid gland has secreted adequate amounts of thyroid hormones into the blood, the pituitary gland senses the normal levels of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream and adjusts its release of thyrotropin, the pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.
Another example is parathyroid hormone, which increases the level of calcium in the blood. When the blood calcium level rises, the parathyroid glands sense the change and decrease their secretion of parathyroid hormone. This turnoff process is called a negative feedback system.
Problems With the Endocrine System
Too much or too little of any hormone can be harmful to the body. For example, if the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, a child may grow excessively tall. If it produces too little, a child may be abnormally short.
Controlling the production of or replacing specific hormones can treat many endocrine disorders in children and adolescents, some of which include:
Adrenal insufficiency. This condition is characterized by decreased function of the adrenal cortex and the consequent underproduction of adrenal corticosteroid hormones. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may include weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, dehydration, and skin changes. Doctors treat adrenal insufficiency by giving replacement corticosteroid hormones.
Cushing syndrome. Excessive amounts of glucocorticoid hormones in the body can lead to Cushing syndrome. In children, it most often results when a child takes large doses of synthetic corticosteroid drugs (such as prednisone) to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus. If the condition is due to a tumor in the pituitary gland that produces excessive amounts of corticotropin and stimulates the adrenals to overproduce corticosteroids, it's known as Cushing disease. Symptoms may take years to develop and include obesity, growth failure, muscle weakness, easy bruising of the skin, acne, high blood pressure, and psychological changes. Depending on the specific cause, doctors may treat this condition with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or drugs that block the production of hormones.
Type 1 diabetes. When the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, type 1 diabetes (previously known as juvenile diabetes) occurs. Symptoms include excessive thirst, hunger, urination, and weight loss. In children and teens, the condition is usually an autoimmune disorder in which specific immune system cells and antibodies produced by the immune system attack and destroy the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. The disease can cause long-term complications including kidney problems, nerve damage, blindness, and early coronary heart disease and stroke. To control their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing diabetes complications, kids with this condition need regular injections of insulin.
Type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, in which the body can't produce normal amounts of insulin, in type 2 diabetes the body is unable to respond to insulin normally. Children and teens with the condition tend to be overweight, and it is believed that excess body fat plays a role in the insulin resistance that characterizes the disease. In fact, the rising prevalence of this type of diabetes in kids has paralleled the dramatically increasing rates of obesity among kids in recent years. The symptoms and possible complications of type 2 diabetes are basically the same as those of type 1. Some kids and teens can control their blood sugar level with dietary changes, exercise, and oral medications, but many will need to take insulin injections like patients with type 1 diabetes.
Growth hormone problems. Too much growth hormone in children who are still growing will make their bones and other body parts grow excessively, resulting in gigantism. This rare condition is usually caused by a pituitary tumor and can be treated by removing the tumor. In contrast, when the pituitary gland fails to produce adequate amounts of growth hormone, a child's growth in height is impaired. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may also occur in kids with growth hormone deficiency, particularly in infants and young children with the condition.
Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood are excessively high. Symptoms may include weight loss, nervousness, tremors, excessive sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, protruding eyes, and a swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). In kids the condition is usually caused by Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder in which specific antibodies produced by the immune system stimulate the thyroid gland to become overactive. The disease may be controlled with medications or by removal or destruction of the thyroid gland through surgery or radiation treatments.
Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood are abnormally low. Thyroid hormone deficiency slows body processes and may lead to fatigue, a slow heart rate, dry skin, weight gain, constipation, and, in kids, slowing of growth and delayed puberty. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which results from an autoimmune process that damages the thyroid and blocks thyroid hormone production, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in kids. Infants can also be born with an absent or underdeveloped thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. It can be treated with oral thyroid hormone replacement.
Precocious puberty. Body changes associated with puberty may occur at an abnormally young age in some kids if the pituitary hormones that stimulate the gonads to produce sex hormones rise prematurely. An injectable medication is available that can suppress the secretion of these pituitary hormones (known as gonadotropins) and arrest the progression of sexual development in most of these children.
Puberty, usually occurring during adolescence, is when kids develop physically and emotionally into young men and women. Usually, this starts to happen no earlier than about 7 to 8 years of age for girls and 9 years of age for boys (the average age is about 10 for girls and 12 for boys). But what if a younger child - for example, a 5-year-old girl - begins showing the signs of puberty? How would it affect her?
Precocious puberty - the onset of signs of puberty before age 7 or 8 in girls and age 9 in boys - can be physically and emotionally difficult for children and can sometimes be the sign of an underlying health problem.


text:
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday Sweets: More 80s
Sunday, March 1, 2009
It's been so much fun seeing what you guys turned up in your search for 80s Sweets. To narrow my selection down, I'm going to focus on things that haven't had a huge come-back recently, like Transformers and Indiana Jones. (Okay, so "huge" is relative. Boo Crystal Skull!) I'm also going to hold off on Super Mario for now, since he's got enough material out there to fill several posts on his own.
So let's kick things off down at Fraggle Rock, shall we?
Sarah A. found this insanely detailed Fraggle diorama by Kimberly Chapman. The upper left-hand corner even has Sprocket waiting beside the hole in the wall! I like that Kimberly made it so detailed without being too busy: any more and the cake would have looked chaotic, but this seems to strike the right balance.
Ah, but where are the Doozers, you ask? Not to fear; Amy R. found them!
These Doozers are sooo cute, but I'm afraid it took me a moment of squinting to figure out that's supposed to be a giant radish. (Sorry - it's been a while.) I'm curious what the Bleeding Heart Bakery used to make the lettering, too: is it too much to hope they're sugar rods?
Speaking of adorable characters, check out Rainbow Brite's sprite Twink:
Michelle M. found this cuddly bit of cakery by Dora of Cakes Garden. I had this doll when I was little, and I used to love Rainbow Brite's crinkly holographic outfit, too - remember that, girls?
Sorry, I'm veering off into extreme girliness again. Uh, here you go, guys:
Eh? A little Space Invaders action? Get a load of that pixelated perfection!
Erin C. found it over on Hello Naomi's Flickr stream.
Here's some more arcade awesomeness, and our fondant-free Sweet of the week:
I know it's "just" a sheet cake, but that piping is perfectly done and nicely detailed. Karon Z. found it here, but the baker isn't listed.
Moving along in the evolution of gaming, who among us didn't have one of these?
Ah, how I miss those painful square controllers jabbing into my palms. [wistful smile]
This was the groom's cake at Rachel G.'s wedding, by the way.
Ok, that's enough for this week. Tune in next Sunday for all 80s cartoons. It's gonna be, like, totally righteous, dude.
(Speaking of which, anyone have a classic GI Joe cake to send me? Or how about Thunder Cats? And I'm still waiting for something featuring the Snorks - c'mon, people, if you can't find one, make one! Is that too much to ask?)
113 comments | Post a Comment
- Unknown said...
I love the nintendo and the pacman
- March 1, 2009 at 9:31 AM
My niece and I are having a slumber party and last night we watched Rainbow Brite. She recognized Twink right away. (I only hope she doesn't want one for her birthday)
The "just a sheet cake" PacMan is outstanding. Yummy. - March 1, 2009 at 9:33 AM
- Ace said...
Ah, good times. good times.
- March 1, 2009 at 9:33 AM
- Zitny Clan said...
Awww, SWEET! Thanks for the stroll down memory lane :)
- March 1, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Aww, I thought we were going to see an Indiana Jones cake! --Sue
- March 1, 2009 at 9:53 AM
- Unknown said...
That's it, I *need* a Fraggle cake!
- March 1, 2009 at 10:14 AM
- Emily said...
Fraggles! I just had to show my husband the intro...due to his being born in 1980 he managed to completely miss out on the fraggles.
Love! - March 1, 2009 at 10:22 AM
So radical!
- March 1, 2009 at 10:27 AM
- Pam said...
Wow, those are amazing! I love the little Sprite cake.
- March 1, 2009 at 10:32 AM
- Cinnamon said...
I am a lurking reader and had to finally post a comment. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the 80s Sunday Sweets. You are bringing back some memories. Thanks!
- March 1, 2009 at 10:33 AM
- Unknown said...
I want to see a non-wreck Loony Tunes one!
Actually does one with Buggs and Duff and Elmer even exist? - March 1, 2009 at 10:46 AM
These are marvelous! I sometimes deny myself your blog like an addiction, so it's that much better when I do read it after two or three days. Thank you for the fix :)
- March 1, 2009 at 10:49 AM
- Amy J said...
The Twink cake is totally rad!
- March 1, 2009 at 11:12 AM
- Di said...
i still own and use my original NES. Granted, i would enjoy it more in cake form.
- March 1, 2009 at 11:25 AM
- Sandi said...
I was born in 1980, and I remember Fraggles! Even the theme song "Down in Fraggle Rock."
- March 1, 2009 at 11:29 AM
- Megan said...
I hope that the Doozer cake's lettering is sugar rods too--on the Fraggle Rock cake there is a litle structure (like what the Doozers built) in the middle back--do you think that is also sugar rods??
- March 1, 2009 at 11:31 AM
- About the author said...
A Fraggle Rock cake is seriously my dream come true!
- March 1, 2009 at 11:34 AM
- Kara said...
this post makes me think that the 80s were the coolest decade. ever.
- March 1, 2009 at 11:42 AM
I was born in 79 and I remember the Fraggles. Awesome cakes!
- March 1, 2009 at 11:45 AM
- testing thing said...
Simply amazing. I can't believe that I actually enjoy Sunday Sweets as much as I do the wrecks themselves. It's almost like I'm not a completely horrible person after all.
- March 1, 2009 at 11:58 AM
- Alina said...
Fraggle Rock was my Favorite!
- March 1, 2009 at 12:10 PM
- Stephanie said...
Firstly, the Fraggle Rock cake is amazing. Secondly, I nearly squealed when I saw Twink, and I totally had the crinkly holographic Rainbow Brite. In fact, I'm visiting my parents this week, and my mom says she's downstairs...
- March 1, 2009 at 12:22 PM
- Emily said...
Other Emily, what are you saying? I was born in '80 and remember the Fraggles!
Meanwhile, as for Rainbow Brite's outfit, one of those overpriced-"sexy"-halloween-costumes companies is making a Rainbow Brite getup now, and it's probably the best thing in their line. If I were blond and small enough to fit in their stuff, I would own it. - March 1, 2009 at 12:26 PM
- J. said...
OMG, those gaming cakes are brilliant. I wonder if the Pac-Man cake eats itself...
- March 1, 2009 at 12:27 PM
- Doublebanker said...
Makes me feel old...favorite is the space invader cupcakes!
Daily Gif Blog, check it out when ya have a chance.
DB - March 1, 2009 at 12:32 PM
- Millie said...
The Nintendo console absolutely rocks. My husband and I are wondering what the controller cords were made of.
I'm a new fan - my cake decorating cousin had a friend post a link to your blog on her Facebook page. You get around. :) - March 1, 2009 at 12:41 PM
- SaraghA said...
is it just me or were the 80s THE coolest decade of all time? I'm sure it had something to do with the explosion of cable tv and cartoons taking on the role of extended commercials, but why are kids shows so practical these days? What happened to the crazy winding mythologies that most of those shows embraced?
Plus, fluorescent!!!
Aghh I feel another 80s b-movie binge coming on...
also thanks for posting the fraggle cake! - March 1, 2009 at 12:46 PM
- Buhri said...
I am not sure if that's what you are looking for, but I thought they looked nice. - March 1, 2009 at 12:56 PM
- Rachel said...
Emily- tell your husband he has no excuse-i'm familiar with the fraggles, and i was born in 87.
these cakes are absolutely fantastic, i really want the pac man one, though... - March 1, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Fraggle Rock is back on the Toon Retro channel. My kids watch it now.
Dance your cares away..
Worries for another da---ay
Let the music play ..
Down in Fraggle Rock! - March 1, 2009 at 1:13 PM
OMG!!! Cake #1 was made by a friend of mine!! So cool!!!! :-D
- March 1, 2009 at 1:24 PM
That Fraggle cake is astounding!
And nope, no Nintendo here, we had an Atari though - anyone remember them? And a ZX Spectrum (is that right?)?
I need to see some Smurfs next!
... from someone who spent almost an entire Sunday going through all of your blog! - March 1, 2009 at 1:28 PM
- Unknown said...
OMG the rainbow brite sprite!! and hey - i HAVE that rainbow brite outfit, it's my halloween costume every year, complete with rainbow leg warmers! so don't apologize for your girliness. :)
- March 1, 2009 at 1:36 PM
- Jayme Q said...
Thanks for the 80s flashback! Those Fraggle Rock cakes are awesome... I want one!! :)
- March 1, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Rainbow Brite cake! Man, I had forgotten about my Rainbow Brite doll and her awesome crinkly holographic dress until you brought her up. Kinda wish I hadn't let Mom purge so many of my old toys now.
I want that Pac-Man cake. Not only is it well-executed and Pac-Man, it's not fondant! Since it's a sheet cake, maybe that's buttercream... mmm...
Somebody needs to post a She-Ra cake. I wanted to be She-Ra when I grew up. Pretty dress and crown, and magic sword to smite baddies with? Yes! - March 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM
@Megan The Fraggle Rock cake in the beginning did indeed use sugar rods. The creator does have blog posts on the creation of the cake (made for her daughter's birthday) but I decided to give her a heads-up that this was here and she can come and post a link if she has time. I know she's at a cake show this weekend though, so she probably won't.l
- March 1, 2009 at 1:58 PM
- Amy said...
LOVE the Nintendo cake! That looks so realistic!
- March 1, 2009 at 1:59 PM
- klappeklappekage said...
Uuuuh nice walk down memorylane - love the first one with The Fraggles and now I've got the themesong playing in my head LOL
- March 1, 2009 at 2:11 PM
- Dawn0fTime said...
OOh! I hope someone finds a Jem cake! She was truly outrageous. Truly, truly, truly outrageous.
- March 1, 2009 at 2:11 PM
- Miranda said...
My partner loves the game related ones. He's such a big geek lol
- March 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM
- TheDaughterOfTyr said...
Yay the 80s!
That doozer on top of the radish though appears to be doing something questionable to his/herself from this angle. - March 1, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Fraggle + diorama = Fraggle-rama!
Love it. - March 1, 2009 at 2:29 PM
- FreedomFirst said...
I love PacMan. I want that cake!
- March 1, 2009 at 2:29 PM
The Fraggle cake is amazing!
- March 1, 2009 at 2:29 PM
- E.A.D. said...
Now I want cake. Just not those cakes, because they are far too nice to cut into.
- March 1, 2009 at 2:37 PM
I turned my screen around to show Mr. Ego the nintendo cake. His reply was,
"What? I see a Nintendo."
I had to let him know that I was on Cake Wrecks. That was too cool, as was the Space Invaders cupcakes. - March 1, 2009 at 2:41 PM
If there are no Snork cakes, I will personally make and wreck one.
"Come along with the SNORKS" - March 1, 2009 at 2:42 PM
That Fraggle cake is, like, totally tubular, dude! My little boys love Fraggle Rock, too; we have several on dvd, and even a Wembly doll.
I am sooo having 80's flashbacks; where'd my mom hide my Tiger Beats??? :P - March 1, 2009 at 3:15 PM
- Fight Klub Ninja said...
How can people eat cakes like the Fraggle Rock one? It is a work of art. Then again maybe eating is part of the fun, because once you eat it it becomes part of you.
- March 1, 2009 at 4:10 PM
- Andi said...
OMG, Fraggle Rock! I love that show as a kid. The Nintendo totally rocks too, it just needs a TV screen flashing blue and black (or was it blue and green).
- March 1, 2009 at 4:27 PM
oh my goodness! i'm not a fan of fondant, but those space invaders cupcakes are pretty darn awesome.
- March 1, 2009 at 4:53 PM
- Kath said...
I just asked my husband for the Pac-Man cake for my next birthday, except I want Ms. Pac-Man.
- March 1, 2009 at 5:12 PM
- Sarah Feeney said...
OMG Jen - I have goosebumps! This post threw me back to my childhood! I was nuts about fraggle rock, had the same Rainbow brite doll with crinkly skirt, and lo and behold - I also had the exact same nintendo system! (And I still do! Dr Mario anyone?). LOL!
Awesome post! - March 1, 2009 at 5:32 PM
- Sleep Goblin said...
There really is a doozer in the first cake! He's the tiny tiny little dude next to his sugar rod contraption.
I bought my best friend season 1 of Fraggle Rock on dvd for her birthday about 2 years ago :)
I'm totally looking forward to Smurfs and Snorks!! - March 1, 2009 at 6:04 PM
The Pac-man sheet cake is my favorite. It's simple, but it's totally awesome.
Also, I'm with Ms Sue from a few comments above--I'd love to see an Indiana Jones cake! - March 1, 2009 at 6:05 PM
If you look very closely at the Fraggle Rock cake, you can see a tiny doozer by the sugar structure. That cake is outstanding, btw. I am and will always be a mass Fraggle Rock fan. Awesome cakes!!!
- March 1, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Great cakes, especially the Pac-Man one. I second Electrogirl's request for a good She-ra cake! I've been Googling and haven't turned up a good one yet, but would love to see one. Would settle for He-man, but She-ra definitely preferred!
Or how about Voltron? Preferably the lion incarnation. - March 1, 2009 at 6:15 PM
I suppose Voltron would be too much to ask for...
- March 1, 2009 at 6:17 PM
- Christa said...
OMG Nintendo...I must have that cake! I still have an Original Nintendo...and yes it works, I even have Mario Bros w/ Duck Hunt and Tetris...I actually asked for it on my 18th birthday and my uncle found a guy who restores them...LOVE IT!
And I just had a conversation with a friend about Fraggle Rock...how wierd. - March 1, 2009 at 6:33 PM
- Ice Cream said...
Thank you for adding the non fondant sweets. Personally I think the Twink cake is a wreck because of the apparent cake to fondant ratio. The last fondant cake I ate about made me gag. Are you supposed to eat the fondant? And if not, why is it put on cakes at all?
Ok, you are not going to believe this but my word verification is "radish" Seriously, no joke. =) - March 1, 2009 at 7:25 PM
- VirginiaWestfield said...
SPACE INVADERS. Wow. Awesome. I was good at that game.
-VW - March 1, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Atari cake!
http://www.cakesbythepound.com/images/ataricake.jpg - March 1, 2009 at 8:33 PM
- Kelly said...
When you said 80s, I was hoping for some Fraggle Rock! Awesome! (Or should I say rad or cool beans?!) And Rainbow Brite too? My childhood wonders!! That Nintendo is terrific. And can't beat Pac Man. Thanks for a great Sunday Sweet theme!
- March 1, 2009 at 8:59 PM
- Catherine said...
I hope that means you found a Wuzzles cake! Definitely my favorite show growing up. It's weird that I remember watching it ALL THE TIME, but when I googled it a in college, I discovered that they only made like 10 episodes or something. So I must have watched them over and over. Good times!
- March 1, 2009 at 9:02 PM
- Debby said...
This was a trip down memory lane...
- March 1, 2009 at 9:25 PM
- Unknown said...
FRAGGLE ROCK?!?! HOW CUTE! All of those cakes are too cute to eat!
I wonder if they are chocolate... - March 1, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I can't even tell you how much I LOVE the Fraggle Rock cake. I'm demanding one for my birthday now. lol Even the dozer's one is cool. Talk about memories. I've still got my Nintendo somewhere too.
-April - March 1, 2009 at 9:40 PM
there is a thundercast cupcake out of the all - March 1, 2009 at 9:43 PM
- the ginabean said...
ok, they're all delightful, it must be said.
but i don't even care about any of them except for the FRAGGLE cake! i ADORE the fraggles and pretty much anything jim henson. (ergo, the Doozer cake is pretty great too).
i'm lovin' it! - March 1, 2009 at 10:02 PM
- ~Anne said...
I was born in 73, but don't remember Fraggle Rock. Where was I?!?! However, I agree with everyone else in wanting a Jem or SheRa or Thundercats cat. Somehow I feel in the ether a Wreck coming on via the "Thundercats - HO!" motto.
- March 1, 2009 at 10:20 PM
- Unknown said...
if anyone can find a Rude Dog and the Dweebs cake, I'll worship them until the end of time.
wait...was that 80s or early 90s? - March 1, 2009 at 10:27 PM
- Amanda said...
"Rainbow Bright, see the shining light...starlight flies right before your eyes...good times! I loved my "holographic" outfit so much, the crinkly iridescent stuff came off! And my sprites' faces washed off in their many trips to through the washing machine, so my dad drew funny faces back on with Sharpie!
Thanks for the memories. My daughter is almost three and she loves the Fraggles and Strawberry Shortcake--the whole bit. Where's the Rainbow Bright revival? - March 1, 2009 at 10:30 PM
- Neen said...
I so want that Fraggle Rock cake!
- March 1, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I absolutely ADORE the Fraggle rock cake. Dance your cares away.. worries for another day!!!
I'm looking forward to next Sunday's post because I'm headed to an 80's birthday party on Saturday and I know it's going to be a blast.
Thanks for posting these awesome cakes! - March 1, 2009 at 11:22 PM
That Nintendo system rocks!
- March 1, 2009 at 11:55 PM
- cygirlkat said...
Oooh, Fraggle Rock! "Dance your cares away, worries for another day...."
I was definitely grown up by the time this show was run, but adored it. And I knew a number of adults who felt the same.:)
The video game cakes are awesome! Man, do those take me back. - March 1, 2009 at 11:57 PM
- Unknown said...
I'm giddy that you posted my Fraggle Rock cake on the same day that I won two awards for another cake at the Austin Cake Show! It's been a great cake day for me! *squeee*
There are actually teeeeeeeeeeeny tiny little doozers on mine, under the poured-sugar doozer sticks, but they're hard to see in that photo. You can sort of see them in the photo in this blog post: http://kimberlychapman.livejournal.com/401055.html
I need to post more pics to the cake gallery and hope to do that soon, along with my new creation.
BTW, total non-pro over here. Nobody pays me for any of this stuff. I'm just a hobbyist.
And I love this blog. I was recommending it to people at the cake show today who I thought would appreciate the horrible cakes-gone-wrong. - March 2, 2009 at 12:22 AM
- Scritzy said...
Since my (now) spouse and I spent quite a bit of time in the mid-80s at arcades, I love the Pac-Man the best.
Closely followed by the Space Invaders, because I have a miniature Galaxia machine (built like an arcade machine) that I still play!
I still want to see a Sinistar cake.
Spouse and I were true gaming dorks. I can't remember the name of the first gaming system he had (I do remember my favorite game was Parsec — not sure of the spelling), but then he got an Intellivision. I liked it so much that he bought me one for my birthday.
Good times. Great times. Where are my jelly bracelets and black lace mitts? Oh yeah, still in the top drawer of my dresser.
Word verification: mudonspa. Where I want to go some weekend to get the mudbath. - March 2, 2009 at 2:12 AM
- Viewtiful_Justin said...
The Space Invaders "cake" is amazing and wonderful. I want one.
- March 2, 2009 at 8:46 AM
- Kristen Howard Photography said...
What? No Atari?
- March 2, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Your "if you don't have one make one" threat is very tempting. I've been trying for ages to figure out the best way to execute a Labyrinth cake...honestly the only way the Goblin King could be even more yummy is if he was covered in buttercream. Err...ahh. Maybe I should stick to your Nintendo cake.
- March 2, 2009 at 9:39 AM
- April said...
I too had a Raindow Brite doll!! Loved her!! Sheera anyone?? Jem - because she's truly outrageous?? The Get-a-long gang?? Wuzzles - with Bumblelion and Butterbear?? Anyone...really?! I wish the networks would just bite the bullet and make a complete 80's cartoon channel. It would be complete and utter bliss.
PS - I just watched Juno (for the umpteenth time) and I can't get enough of her Thundercats reference. Gets me every time!! I did LURVE me some Thundercats. That cheetarah - she was AWESOME!!
(also...born in 81 - totally remember all of these! Being born in the early 80's is NO excuse for ignorance of the classics!) - March 2, 2009 at 9:47 AM
- Bedlam said...
these cakes are so beautiful, love the nintendo cake
- March 2, 2009 at 9:57 AM
- bowlwoman said...
Where's the Trash Heap, nyah! on the Fraggle cake? Robbed!
These are great. The Nintendo seriously brings back memories, especially since we've been playing Mario and Zelda on the Wii...good times. - March 2, 2009 at 10:53 AM
- Talia Davis said...
DOOZERS!!!! I love the doozers. I used to ask my mom to buy me doozer sticks and refused to believe her when she told me they weren't real. I thought they would tasteso good... maybe that's why I like jimaca now...
- March 2, 2009 at 1:36 PM
- Brianna said...
Ha Ha! I still have my nintendo! With all the orginal controllers, parts and plugs!
- March 2, 2009 at 1:56 PM
- Amy said...
My husband also had a NES groom's cake. It was delicious and fun!
- March 2, 2009 at 4:56 PM
- Heidi D said...
The only reason we had HBO was for Fraggle Rock. Man I love that show. "Dance your cares away {clap, clap} worries for another daaay!"
That would have been my dream cake when I was younger...who am I kidding, it would be a dream cake NOW! I wouldn't even wait till my birthday. "Happy Monday Heidi! Here's a totally cool cake, just cuz."
Totally random thought, I love how the verification words are sometimes real words or close to real words...today it's "suckle" - March 2, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Thanks for posting non fondant cakes from time to time. As beautiful as they are, I prefer the creativity and yumminess of buttercream (or the like) frosting.
- March 2, 2009 at 5:36 PM
The last one is just..wow. I couldn't believe it was a cake at first.
- March 2, 2009 at 6:08 PM
- Jessica Martiele said...
First...there MUST be a couple out there for Herself the Elf and Rose Petal.
Second...why has no one mentioned the FABULOUS 'fridge magnet lettering on the equally fabulous Rainbow Brite cake? WE FREAKIN' HAD THOSE MAGNETS ON OUR 'FRIDGE!!! (Yeah, I know they still exist, but my mom bought them for us when I was in Kindergarten...in 1983!)
Good Sunday Stuff as always! - March 2, 2009 at 6:33 PM
- shine said...
Ooohhhhh...now I'm going to have that Fraggle Rock song stuck in my head for a month. Crap!
- March 2, 2009 at 6:37 PM
- Melanie said...
Wow those are great!! Love the Fraggle Rock cake!
- March 2, 2009 at 8:42 PM
- Julie said...
- March 2, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Love the pacman! That one will be great to remember next January for my hubby's birthday. Though, I think I'd have to change it to Ms. Pacman...(what is it with guys and her?!)
Great ideas...my almost 7 year old loves the arcade game of Mappy, so that would be great to make for his birthday next week.
:-) - March 2, 2009 at 10:36 PM
- kylakae said...
Wait until you see the fabulous cake Kimberly did for this past weekend's cake show! It was just awesome and she won a couple of prizes!
- March 2, 2009 at 11:21 PM
- Chrissy said...
This blog just makes me want to go pretend its the 80s and eat cake fo course.
- March 3, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Oh my gosh! Gummi Bears last week and now Fraggle Rock!!! My two favorite shows from my childhood! I love it, I love it, I love it!!! You just made my horrible awful no good very bad day sooooo much brighter! :) :) :)
- March 3, 2009 at 12:22 AM
- Bathtub Mary said...
Aaaah, the Bleeding Heart Bakery! Last year they made me a Wreck homage cake, with lettering that said "Calling back with instructions". I would have taken a picture but it got eaten too fast.
I must be a real cake geek, because a mention of my favorite Chicago bakery has me all excited! - March 3, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Gotta note: That excellent Space Invaders creation is actually... a cupcake conglomeration cake! It can be done!
- March 3, 2009 at 6:08 PM
That first one's the awesomest cake ever -- but yeah, I wish it had a teeny-tiny Cotterpin Doozer.
- March 3, 2009 at 6:22 PM
- Kate said...
Ha! NinTENdo! My roommate has a classic Nintendo, and we like to play it together. I can totally whip her at Jeopardy!
- March 3, 2009 at 11:46 PM
- Unknown said...
But...but...but...THERE IS A COTTERPIN ON IT! I swear! I had to make her because she's my daughter's favourite!
Okay, okay, I'll try to get some pics up on Thursday or Friday while she's in school... - March 4, 2009 at 12:09 AM
- Lynn said...
Wow that Pac Man cake is amazing!!!! And while I didn't have the Nintendo, I DID have Atari. Yes I am THAT old......
- March 4, 2009 at 8:48 AM
I would LOVE to see a JEM cake... I wanted pink hair soo bad when I was little!
- March 4, 2009 at 9:41 AM
- Helen Highwater said...
OH WOW!!! I need a Fraggle Rock cake!!!
I was amazed, actually, that in Malaga in Spain there's a club called Fraggle Rock. I was confused by the posters up everywhere advertising it, until I found their website:
http://fragglebar.com/ - March 4, 2009 at 10:35 AM
That Nintendo cake looks so real I don't know if I would eat it!
- March 4, 2009 at 2:10 PM
- Maigh said...
The PacMan cake was done by Well-Brad Bakery in Weaverville, NC
Ask and I will tell. :) - March 6, 2009 at 10:14 AM
- Unknown said...
Where is the ColecoVision Cake?
- March 9, 2009 at 7:27 PM
- Unknown said...
Okay, it took me longer than expected due to allergies and Spring Break and life in general, but there are now tons of photos of the Fraggle Cake on my site, including proof that there WERE Doozers on it, including Cotterpin!
http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/cakes/cakegallery.html#bday2008 - March 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM
- Red Wolf said...
I loved Rainbow Bright as a child. I still have some of those toys packed away somewhere...
The Nintendo cake is great! I also fondly remember those painfully square controllers. I used to get red places on my hands when I played for too long. I actually almost ordered a pair of padded Video Gaming Gloves! - March 23, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Have not seen this one on here!
I, personally love it!
http://boingboing.net/2009/01/25-week/ - April 15, 2009 at 11:12 PM
- Robbo said...
Doozer sticks!
Junior looks so good I could eat him up.
:) - May 9, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Search This Blog
Wreck the Halls
NEW! Pre-Order Today!
Barnes & Noble
Borders |
Buy the Book
Buy the NYT Bestseller
What's a Wreck?
What's a Wreck?
A Cake Wreck is any cake that is unintentionally sad, silly, creepy, inappropriate - you name it. A Wreck is not necessarily a poorly-made cake; it's simply one I find funny, for any of a number of reasons. Anyone who has ever smeared frosting on a baked good has made a Wreck at one time or another, so I'm not here to vilify decorators: Cake Wrecks is just about finding the funny in unexpected, sugar-filled places.
Now, don't you have a photo you want to send me? ;)
- Fan Faves
- The Classics
The Classics
Praise for the Book
- "Will have you laughing so hard you'll forget to eat!"— Washington Post
- "a hilarious winner" — The Oregonian
- "a fantastically gut-busting book"— NPR
- "It's all here, each wreck a disaster of hilarity." — BookPage.com
- "Hysterically funny!"— Epinions.com
- "laugh-out-loud funny"— The Times
- "Yates' sharp humor makes the funny even funnier." — The Dallas Morning News
- "an amazing laugh-out-loud book"— The Book Triblog
What the fans are saying
- "I was laughing so hard, I couldn't catch my breath."
- "As funny as the blog that started it."
- "WAY better than I expected!"
- "Cake Wreckery at its best!"
- "Wrecktastic!"
- American Mensa:Top 50 Websites of 2010
- Amazon: Top 10 gift books of 2009
- The Orlando Sentinal "Orbbies": Winner Humor
- 2009 BlogLuxe Awards: Funniest Blog
- 2009 Bloggies: Best Writing of a Weblog, Best New Weblog, Best Food Blog
- The 2008 Weblog Awards: Best Food Blog
- Blogger's Choice 2008 Awards: Best Humor Blog
Where's the book?
We don't have any copies of Cake Wrecks for sale here, autographed or otherwise. We decided the shipping and handling costs would be too high to make it worth your while. So instead, buy your copies locally or online and then order personalized bookplates: it's cheaper, easier, and I think even looks a bit nicer.
Ordering Info
Payments must be made through Paypal, which accepts all major credit cards. Sorry, but that means no checks or MOs or barter-based chickens.
We ship everything first class USPS, and will do our best to have your package in the mail within 2 days of your order.
Popular This Month
Popular This Month
- Back to Basics
- Twins!
- Sunday Sweets: The Undead Wed
- Breaking News: Heeeere's Bobby!
- Celebrating A Different Kind Of V Day
- Romance is Dead
- Do These Taste Chewy to You?
- Have a Ball!
- Such Deers
- Sunday Sweets: Like Buttah
- Or As I Like to Call it, "The School of Hard Knocks"
- Shirking my Shirtly Duties
- First Impressions
- They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha Haa!
- Carrot Jockeys Make Excellent Ground Troops
- Funny
- No, No, No! THIS is How You Resign with a Cake.
- Rockin' Shams
- Sunday Sweets: Get OUT - That's Cake?!?
- Amused Am I
- Killer Friday the 13th Creations
- Corporate Sponsored Cakery
- Today I am NOT Irish
- Grammar Nazis Beware
- Bakery PSA
- Magically Delicious?
- Sunday Sweets: Tuning in for 80s Cartoons
- Hey Nurse, Slip Me Some Tongue!
- Great Wrecks in History
- This One's for the Girls
- Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
- "And in the Mornin', I'm Making WAFFLES."
- Nah, These Won't Traumatize the Kids at ALL
- Sunday Sweets: More 80s


text:
Before we begin, I'd just like to point out that the Friend-Gets-Friend competition is now officially CLOSED. I'll spend the next day or so compiling all the names of the people who took part, and then I'll pick ten random winners.
But for now, my Minions, here's Tanith and Billy-Ray, in Trick Or Treat.


text:
Grove Street Families
GANG Grove Street Families | |
The primary members and "OG's" or "shot-callers" of the Grove Street Families from left to right: Ryder, Big Smoke, Carl Johnson and Sweet.
| |
Games: | GTA San Andreas |
Locations: | Ganton Playa del Seville Santa Maria Beach Temple Vinewood Cemetery Glen Park (After Doberman, reclaimed again after Beat Down on B-Dup) Idlewood (after Grove 4 Life) |
Leaders: | Sweet Carl Johnson |
Type: | Street Gang |
Enemies: | Ballas Los Santos Vagos Varrios Los Aztecas San Fierro Rifa Russian Mafia |
Affiliations: | Varrios Los Aztecas (briefly) C.R.A.S.H. (formerly) |
Colors: | Green |
Vehicles: | Greenwood Savanna Voodoo |
Weapons: | Pistol Tec-9 MP5 (100% tags) Desert Eagle (100% tags) Knife (100% tags) Micro Uzi (missions only) |
Businesses: | Arms dealing Drug trafficking (Big Smoke's crew) |
Fronts: | Grove Street Johnson House Sweet's House Ryder's House Emmet's |
Members: | Sweet Carl Johnson Big Smoke (deceased) Ryder(deceased) B Dup (former) Big Bear Big Devil (deceased) Little Devil (deceased) Tony (deceased) Troy Tarnell |
Grove Street Families, also known as The Families, Groves or GSF for short, is a leading gang set in Los Santos that appears in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Acting as the native gang of Carl "CJ" Johnson, the protagonist of the game, who eventually becomes a high-ranking co-leader, it is led by deuteragonist Sean "Sweet" Johnson, and is heavily involved in the criminal underworld of Los Santos and San Andreas.
The formation date of the Families, and Grove Street Families as a set is unknown. However, it is said that they are one of the oldest gangs in Los Santos. Since the Ballas formed in the 1970's, this puts the formation of the Grove Street Families to the 1960's or earlier. It is obvious the set was formed in Grove Street, Ganton due to their name. The Grove Street Families have a history of a traditional, intense, and bloody rivalry with the Ballas. Specifically when the gang war started is unknown, but the rivalry between the two gangs was in full swing as early as 1987.
The 1987 - 1992 period saw the Families begin to lose ground to the Ballas who became heavily involved in the drugs trade. Many OG's and high-ranking members were killed at this time - including Big Devil, Little Devil, and Tony as well the younger brother of Sweet and CJ - Brian Johnson. Sweet always maintained that drug dealing ultimately brought gangs to ruin, and thus remained adamant in his objection to the Families becoming involved in the trade. Big Smoke, a high ranking member, began to see the fall of the gang and the potential for power, influence and money the trade could bring. He secretly formed a business deal between the Ballas, Los Santos Vagos and the corrupt Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums department of the LSPD for drugs and crack-cocaine, while remaining involved in the Families to pass on information about their activities. Just before CJ's return in 1992, Big Smoke was also able to influence Ryder about the money and power that they could make from drugs. OG and high-ranking member B-Dup also becomes involved in the drugs trade and turns away from the GSF and gang-banging - while high-ranking OG Big Bear becomes a weak and hopeless crack addict and house slave of B-Dup.
The Grove Street Families were originally one large gang during the late 1980's. However, during the early 1990's, they split off into different "family" sets. This included the "Seville Boulevard Families", the "Temple Drive Families" and the "Grove Street Families". The primary reason for the split was due to the weakening of the gang by the Ballas and Vagos - causing the Grove Street Families to become unstable, and also because of differences in relation to the drugs trade as Sweet and the original Grove Street Families set in Ganton were against drug dealing.
The Grove Street Families also maintain an ongoing rivalry with the Los Santos Vagos and the Varrios Los Aztecas. The reasons or date for their feud with the Mexican gangs is unknown. It is likely due to territorial reasons due to the close proximity of East Beach (Vagos territory) and Ganton (GSF territory) and also because, like the Ballas, the Vagos are a significant factor for the spread of crack-cocaine - which the GSF are against.
Prior to 1992, the Grove Street Families also controlled parts of southern East Los Santos and Idlewood before been taken by the Ballas. It is also likely, but unknown if they controlled Willowfield due to Emmet's presence there.
Events of GTA San Andreas
The Grove Street Families are in a sorry state upon CJ's return in 1992. Repeated pressure from the Ballas and Vagos, the breaking up into different rival sets, their unwillingness to keep up with changes to make money or gain respect (refusal to sell drugs), and the heavy influence of crack cocaine in their territory has led to their downfall into the weakest and least influential gang in Los Santos.
The death of Beverly Johnson causes Sweet to phone his brother Carl in Liberty City. Carl returns for the funeral. Carl, initially intending to return to Liberty City, decides to stay and help the gang overcome the crack influence and the Ballas. The gang's fortunes, with Carl performing various jobs, manages to tackle the Ballas threat, strengthen the Families, resolve the crack-cocaine problem in GSF territory and even kill a substantial amount of Ballas gangsters in a drive-by shooting and take control of the Glen Park neighborhood. The three sub-groups also attempt to reconcile their differences, although this was interrupted by the SWAT.
The Ballas, however, continue their assault by attempting to take control of Ganton and Grove Street itself but fail as CJ, Sweet and Grove Street members are able to successfully defend their territory. The Families are also successful at crashing a Ballas funeral in which many high-ranking members and OG's who attended were killed - including Kane; an influential and high-ranking member of the Front Yard Ballas. Later, during the mission "The Green Sabre" the Grove Street Families and the Ballas engage in a gang war under the Mulholland Intersection. However, Sweet is hit and arrested, then taken to a prison-hospital; while CJ is abandoned from Los Santos and warned to stay away from Grove Street by CRASH. Big Smoke and Ryder have now completely defected to the crack-cocaine trade and away from gang-banging at this time. This leaves the Grove Street Families with no leaders or influential members/OG's.
During this time, the Families lose all of their influence and essentially become inactive. They become subservient to the Ballas and Los Santos Vagos. The Ballas then resume the spread of crack cocaine into Grove Street and Ganton again. Members of the Families are either dead, in hiding or are turned into hopeless crack addicts. The Ballas then eventually control the entirety of what had been GSF territory - including Ganton and Grove Street, Playa Del Seville, Temple, Vinewood Cemetery and Santa Maria Beach, they also recapture back Glen Park. Family members that do remain are forced to run drugs between a drugs factory in Doherty, San Fierro back to Los Santos for Big Smoke. Carl, after becoming a leading criminal figure in both San Fierro and Las Venturas, returns to Los Santos to take control of Madd Dogg's mansion. While at the mansion he is contacted by undercover government agent Mike Toreno, for whom he had previously worked, and steals a military jet and destroys five spy boats. Carl manages to perform the task and is rewarded by Toreno with the release of Sweet.
Carl attempts to convince Sweet to join him away from Los Santos but returns to take control of Ganton from the Ballas when an adamant Sweet informed him he would not be leaving. Crack dealers in Grove Street are also killed. The reformed Families, now being led by both Sweet and Carl, begin to exert their influence on the city again, including taking control of Glen Park and Idlewood. CJ and Grove Street members also help Cesar Vialpando and the Varrios Los Aztecas retake their territory of El Corona and Little Mexico back from the Los Santos Vagos in return for Cesar's help to CJ previously. This is one of the few opportunities where members of the Grove Street Families and the Varrios Los Aztecas cooperate without hostilities. The gang finally re-assert their dominance in the city when Carl and Sweet killed Smoke, destroyed his crack palace and caused Tenpenny's death during the final mission. This caused the crack-cocaine influence in Los Santos to massively decrease.
If the player wishes, they can take over all territory from the Ballas and the Vagos through the gang war mini-game - making the Grove Street Families the largest and most powerful gang in Los Santos.
The Grove Street Families are a street gang that are easily identifiable by their green gang color. They are involved in gang-banging, street violence, murder, gang warfare, vandalism and arms dealing. They can be found walking and driving around their territory - often seen smoking marijuana, drinking malt liquor and talking in groups. Like the other gangs, the Families will often flash their gang hand-signs as a form of representation. They also mark their territory with graffiti. Upon spotting a Balla, Vago, Azteca, Rifa, San Fierro Triad, or Italian Mafia gang member (especially Ballas) - they will often react with hostility - usually resulting in a street-fight or a fire-fight/shoot-out.
They are depicted as more honorable and traditional than the other gangs of Los Santos. Refusing to adapt to changes in the city - they are quite stubborn. Primarily due to Sweet, they refuse to sell drugs (especially crack cocaine) because Sweet believes it ruins the neighborhood and causes members to be influenced by money, bringing them away from gang-banging. This puts them at a massive disadvantage to the other gangs who are able to make massive profits by selling crack cocaine. However, some OG's are thought to be heavily involved in the PCP business.
On the streets, the Families are either unarmed or carry the 9mm pistol. Upon completion of Robbing Uncle Sam for Ryder, the Families begin carrying the TEC 9 sub-machine gun. In missions, they can be seen carrying the micro-SMG sub-machine gun. If all tags are sprayed by the player in Los Santos, the families replace the Tec-9 and 9mm pistol with the knife, Desert Eagle, and the MP5.
As with the other gangs in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the Ballas have three different skins that walk and drive around their territory. These include:
- The first member is slightly overweight, wears a green sweater, black khakis, white sneakers and a green bandana.
- The second member wears a green #7 Rimmers Basketball jersey, black khakis, a backwards black baseball cap, a golden cross chain, a golden watch and black/white sneakers.
- The third member has dreadlocks, wears a green button-up plaid/flannel checkered jacket with a white shirt underneath, beige khaki pants and black and white hi-top sneakers.
There are three known sets of the Families:
- The Grove Street Families (GSF) (Ganton, Glen Park (Doberman/Beat Down on B-Dup), Idlewood (Grove 4 Life)
- The Seville Boulevard Families (SBF) (Playa Del Seville)
- The Temple Drive Families (TDF) (Temple and Vinewood Cemetery)
All Family sets are allied and all fall and operate under the "Families" card while sharing similar traditions. Likewise, all sets wear green and are all sworn enemies of all Ballas sets. During the beginning of the game in 1992, the sets are not on good terms with each other but eventually reunite.
The difference between the sets are initially based off of different approaches to the drugs trade. The Grove Street Families are against the trade of crack cocaine - where as the Seville Boulevard Families and the Temple Drive Families weren't. However, upon unification; the crack cocaine trade amongst all sets stops and the differences from that point primarily rely on territorial differences. The Grove Street Families set is initially the weakest set during the beginning of the game, but eventually becomes the most powerful and active set throughout the game. The Grove Street Family set is the native set of CJ, Sweet, Big Smoke, Ryder, B-Dup and Big Bear. Sweet leads the set. The leaders of the other sets is unknown; however, Sweet resumes leadership over the other sets upon unification.
Gang Cars
The Grove Street Families can be seen driving the Greenwood, Savanna and the Voodoo. The Savanna and the Voodoo sometimes comes with hydraulics. Their favorite radio station is Radio Los Santos.
Like with other gangs, the player can modify the cargrp.dat file to make the Grove Street Families drive any vehicle that the player chooses.
Members and Associates
- Sean "Sweet" Johnson: Leader and OG of the Grove Street Families.
- Carl "CJ" Johnson: Second-in-command and OG of the Grove Street Families. Brother of Grove Street leader Sweet.
- Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris (deceased): High-ranking OG/lieutenant . Childhood friend of CJ, Ryder and Sweet. Defects against the GSF and focused on drug dealing. Killed by CJ.
- Lance "Ryder" Wilson (deceased): High-ranking OG/lieutenant. Childhood friend of CJ, Big Smoke and Sweet. Joins Big Smoke's defection from gang-banging into drug dealing. Killed by CJ.
- Brian Johnson: Hang-around/new member before death. Younger brother of CJ and Sweet.
- Barry "Big Bear" Thorne: OG and well-respected member due to physical strength. Turned crack addict during early game which turns him into a weak and hopeless addict. Eventually beats crack addiction and re-joins the GSF towards the end-game.
- Mark "B-Dup" Wayne (formerly): OG and well respected member. Defects from gang-banging and GSF and focuses on drug dealing.
- "Big Devil" (deceased): OG/high-ranking member. Was killed.
- "Little Devil" (deceased): OG/High-ranking member. Was killed.
- Tony (deceased): OG/High-ranking member. Was killed.
- Denise Robinson: Fanatic and associate. Girlfriend of CJ.
- Emmet: Weapon supplier and associates primarily with the Seville Boulevard Family set.
- Jeffrey "OG Loc" Cross: Associate, wannabe-member and friend of many OG's including leaders Sweet and CJ. Jeffrey grew up on Grove Street but lacked the physical capability or mentality to join the Families.
- LB: Supplier/Associate and friend of Ryder (although not physically seen, he was mentioned multiple times by Ryder).
- Three Deep: Possible associate or member (although not physically seen, he was mentioned once by Big Smoke).
- Troy: Gang Member of the Grove Street Families.
- Tarnell: Gang Member of the Grove Street Families.
Mission appearances
- The Introduction
- Big Smoke
- Sweet & Kendl
- Tagging Up Turf
- Cleaning the Hood
- Drive-Thru
- Nines and AKs
- Drive-By
- Sweet's Girl
- Catalyst
- Robbing Uncle Sam
- House Party
- Doberman
- Los Sepulcros
- Reuniting the Families
- The Green Sabre
- Home Coming
- Beat Down on B-Dup
- Grove 4 Life
- Los Desperados
- End of the Line
Grove Street Families in the HD Universe
The existence of Grove Street Families is revealed in a conversation between Franklin Clinton and Lamar Davis in the mission Hood Safari:
Lamar: Eh, you know Grove Street used to be Families hood.
Franklin: Grove Street Families. Man, long time ago.
Lamar: What happened to them dudes?
Franklin: Shit, I don't know. Could be dead. Shit, or could be CEOs by now.
Lamar: Probably living in some suburb somewhere, driving SUVs and shit, you know, soccer moms and shit, coaching little league football teams.
Franklin: Yeah, the suburban flight, huh? Probably so.
Lamar: That's gonna be me and you one day dog.
Franklin: If we lucky, man. Shit, at the moment, it looks like we're gonna end up the other direction.
- The original beta name for the gang was Orange Grove Families. Beta graffiti around South Central Los Santos referring to the "Orange Grove Families" and the "OGF" still exist. Likewise, CJ can get a tattoo on his upper back in Los Santos that references the "Orange Grove Families". CJ will also sometimes shout out phrases related to the "Orange Grove Families" and the "OGF" during a fight.
- In the beta version of the game, the Grove Street Families looked different
- An additional two Grove Street Family members/skins can be seen during the mission cutscenes of House Party and Los Sepulcros. It is unknown why they do not appear on the streets, though mods for the PC version exist to make them appear.
- The player can choose to take control of all Ballas and Los Santos Vagos turf for the Grove Street Families, although this is not needed for completing the game.
- The favorite radio station of Grove Street Families members is Radio Los Santos.
- The rivalry between the Grove Street Families and the Ballas is loosely based off of the rivalry between the Bloods and the Crips in Los Angeles. Violence between the two gangs hit a peak during the early 1990's - largely due to the crack cocaine epidemic. A situation mirrored in early 1990's Los Santos.
- The Grove Street Families members are automatically programmed to kill any law enforcement officers trying to arrest or kill the player.
- Many members are seen wearing basketball jerseys, green bandanas, green hats, sweatshirts or plaid button-up shirts.
- This is possibly a coincidence, but in GTA IV, groups of men wearing outfits similar to the Grove Street Families can be seen in some locations around Liberty City.
Gang tags
Non-interactive graffiti


text:
LOS ANGELES - "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" continues to rule them all at the box office, staying on top for a third-straight week and capping a record-setting $10.8 billion year in moviegoing.
- "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" continues to rule them all at the box office, staying on top for a third-straight week and capping a record-setting $10.8 billion year in moviegoing.
The Warner Bros. fantasy epic from director Peter Jackson, based on the J.R.R. Tolkien novel, made nearly $33 million this weekend, according to Sunday studio estimates, despite competition from some much-anticipated newcomers. It's now made a whopping $686.7 million worldwide and $222.7 million domestically alone.
Two big holiday movies also had strong openings. Quentin Tarantino's spaghetti Western-blaxploitation mash-up "Django Unchained" came in second place for the weekend with $30.7 million. The Weinstein Co. revenge comedy, starring Jamie Foxx as a slave in the Civil War South and Christoph Waltz as the bounty hunter who frees him and then makes him his partner, has earned $64 million since its Christmas Day opening.
And in third place with $28 million was the sweeping, all-singing "Les Miserables," based on the international musical sensation and the Victor Hugo novel of strife and uprising in 19th century France. The Universal Pictures film, with a cast of A-list actors led by Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe has made $67.5 million domestically and $116.2 worldwide since debuting on Christmas.
The smash-hit James Bond adventure "Skyfall" has now made $1 billion internationally to become the most successful film yet in the 50-year franchise, Sony Pictures announced Sunday. The film stars Daniel Craig for the third time as the iconic British superspy.
"This is a great final weekend of the year," said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com. "How perfect to end this year on such a strong note with the top five films performing incredibly well."
The week's other new wide release, the Billy Crystal-Bette Midler comedy "Parental Guidance" from 20th Century Fox, made $14.8 million over the weekend for fourth place and $29.6 million total since opening on Christmas.
Dergarabedian described the holding power of "The Hobbit" in its third week as "just amazing." Jackson shot the film, the first of three prequels to his massively successful "Lord of the Rings" series, in 48 frames per second - double the normal frame rate - for a crisper, more detailed image.
"I think people are catching up with the movie. Maybe they're seeing it in multiple formats," he said. "I think it's just a big epic that feels like a great way to end the moviegoing year. There's momentum there with this movie."
"Django Unchained" is just as much of an epic in its own stylishly violent way that's quintessentially Tarantino. Erik Lomis, The Weinstein Co.'s president of theatrical distribution, said the opening exceeded the studio's expectations.
"We're thrilled with it, clearly. We knew it was extremely competitive at Christmas, particularly when you look at the start 'Les Miz' got. We were sort of resigned to being behind them. The fact that we were able to overtake them over the weekend was just great," Lomis said. "Taking nothing away from their number, it's a tribute to the playability of 'Django.' "