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Deadly effects of air pollution detailed in MIT study
We know that pollution is bad for us, don't we? And we guess that living in areas with high levels of pollution is probably not good for our health, but we need to live near our job, and populated areas offer more employment opportunity, recreational and cultural opportunities and other advantages. But at what cost? And what can we do to reduce the levels of pollution without significantly changing the life styles we have all become accustomed to? Before we consider draconian changes, we would like to know just how bad it is.
Researchers from MIT's Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment have come out with some sobering new data on air pollution's impact on Americans' health.
The group tracked ground-level emissions from sources such as industrial smokestacks, vehicle tailpipes, marine and rail operations, and commercial and residential heating throughout the United States, and found that such air pollution causes about 200,000 early deaths each year. Emissions from road transportation are the most significant contributor, causing 53,000 premature deaths, followed closely by power generation, with 52,000.
In a state-by-state analysis, the researchers found that California suffers the worst health impacts from air pollution, with about 21,000 early deaths annually, mostly attributed to road transportation and to commercial and residential emissions from heating and cooking.
The researchers also mapped local emissions in 5,695 U.S. cities, finding the highest emissions-related mortality rate in Baltimore, where 130 out of every 100,000 residents likely die in a given year due to long-term exposure to air pollution.
"In the past five to 10 years, the evidence linking air-pollution exposure to risk of early death has really solidified and gained scientific and political traction," says Steven Barrett, an assistant professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. "There's a realization that air pollution is a major problem in any city, and there's a desire to do something about it."
The graphic shows the annual average concentrations of fine particulates from U.S. sources of combustion emissions from (a) electric power generation; (b) industry; (c) commercial and residential sources; (d) road transportation; (e) marine transportation; (f) rail transportation; (g) sum of all combustion sources; (h) all sources.
Read more at MIT.


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11.0128 Rules amendment – Notice.Cite as [A.S.A.C. § 11.0128]
When upon its own initiative the ASHPDA proposes to adopt, amend, or repeal all or any part of the procedures and criteria codified in this chapter a notice of such proposal will be published in at least one territorial newspaper of general circulation stating that new/revised procedures and/or criteria have been proposed for adoption and that these proposed procedures are available at the ASHPDA offices for public viewing and/or copying. The term "amend" includes any editorial and/or substantive changes.History: Rule 9-80, eff 18 Jun 80, ASHPDA Pro. and Crit § 7(A).

subset: commoncrawl


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News & Events
For the Media
Five Clarkson University Clarkson School Students Receive Presidential Scholar Awards
[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/tcs-presidential-2011.jpg .]
This semester, Clarkson University's Clarkson School welcomed to campus its largest class in more than ten years. Five of the students who enrolled in this early college program received the Clarkson School Presidential Scholar award.
Each year, only five scholars are chosen to receive this $60,000 ($15,000 per year) award. Recipients are selected based upon their high school GPA, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
This year's scholars were Danielle Faivus, a biology major from Oswego, N.Y.; Palmer Lao, university studies, Houma, La.; Ethan Miller, software engineering, Cape Vincent, N.Y.; Clayton Newkirk, civil engineering, Niskayuna, N.Y.; and Thomas Newkirk, environmental engineering, Niskayuna, N.Y.
The Clarkson School is unlike any other early college entrance program, in that it provides exceptional high school students with a full academic year of residency-based interdisciplinary education, typically before they would have graduated high school.
Students are considered first-year undergraduates, taking a full course load alongside other Clarkson University freshmen. At the same time, Clarkson School students are immersed in a supportive residence environment with specialized programs and activities that bridge the transition between high school and college.
Since Clarkson School students enter Clarkson University as fully matriculated first-year students, they have access to all University facilities, participate in clubs/organizations, can join a varsity sports team, and earn up to 32 college credits.
Students who finish the academic year in good standing may automatically continue as sophomores at Clarkson, or move onto other top colleges and universities around the country, taking the college credits earned for evaluation.
Clarkson School students have the best of both worlds -- access to all the resources and amenities of a nationally ranked university, with separate residential facilities, and a faculty and staff dedicated to meeting their unique individual and collective needs.
For additional information, please visit http://www.clarkson.edu/tcs.
Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.
Photo caption: Five Clarkson University Clarkson School students have received Presidential Scholar Awards. Left to right: Clayton Newkirk, Thomas Newkirk, Ethan Miller and Danielle Faivus with Clarkson University President Tony Collins. Not present for photo: Palmer Lao.


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Welcome to the September Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting Through Play
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared how challenging discipline situations can be met with play. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
The toddler years…they can be rather, er, challenging shall we say? Toddlers have a strong, opinionated, and independent mind. They want what they want when they want it. Toddlers are not keen on being disrupted from whatever has captivated their attention. They typically do not jump on board with whatever plans mom has when they are engaged in their little world of awe and wonder. I mean, cleaning up, eating, diaper changes, brushing teeth, running errands, and doing what mom requests are not high priorities in the toddler years.
So how can moms and dads ease the pain of prying a toddler away from something he or she is engaged in and enjoying?
Playful parenting via talking pictorially!
Children of all ages should be allowed to lose themselves in play, their imagination, and the wonder filled world that unfolds around them. Adult disruption of this, especially an overly verbal adult, takes children quickly outside of the hallmark of childhood – to be unconsciously at peace and in the moment. Talking in pictures is a gentle way of keeping a child in the moment while transitioning them to the activity that you, the parent, needs them to participate in. It is also a fun, playful way for a parent to connect with their child during routine activities that can become a battle.
Below are 40 examples of talking pictorially to help ease the pain of herding your toddler. I would love to hear your suggestions as well, so please comment with ways in which you might already be using pictorial language to move your toddler through the day.
Waking Up/Getting Out of Bed
1. "Time to rise like the sun."
2. "My little bear needs to come out of his cave."
3. "Time for my caterpillar to come out of her cocoon."
4. "My little lobster may claw his way out of bed now."
Getting Dressed
5. "My little bear may put on his fur coat now" (when putting on a sweater or coat).
6. "Slither into your skin like a snake" (when putting on pants).
7. "Looks like some pirates left behind a special pair of shoes. Let's put then on and see if they lead us to buried treasure."
8. "Those toes are cold as ice. Let's slip them into some socks so they don't melt!"
9. "My construction worker needs to put his hardhat on before going outside!" (when putting on a hat.)
10. "It is time for this caterpillar to get cozy in her cocoon" (when putting on a shirt).
11. "Time to practice our rain dance" (when it is shower time).
12. "Let's grab our bubble catchers (cups or ladles) and see how many bubbles we can catch tonight" (when it is time for a bath in the tub).
13. You can pretend like your child is a fish and you are a fisherman/woman trying to "catch" them. (Be sure to have a pretend fishing pole ready!) When you "catch" your toddler, tell her that you have to throw her back into the pond so she can swim with her fishy friends. (This would be the time to put her in the bath).
14. Take a small green towel and put it in the water then say "time for my little froggy to sit on her lilly pad."
Brushing Teeth
15. "Open wide like a crocodile."
16. "Time to go mining for gold."
17. "Time to sweep the cobwebs out."
18. "It's time for my little mouse to nibble on some breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack."
19. "It's time for my turkey to gobble his food."
20. "Superheroes need food so that they may save the world. Let's have a bit to eat!"
21. "I see that my airplane/racecar/motorcycle/boat needs more fuel. Let's pull into the fueling station and fill your tank!"
22. "My little flower needs water. Let's get the watering can and give you a drink!"
23. "My darling plant is wilting. Time to water you!"
Picking Up Toys/Cleaning Up
24. "Time to turn into the wind and blow all of the toys to their homes."
25. "Time to put the toys to bed and tuck them in."
26. "Where is my moving truck? Let's load you up with all the toys and drive them to their homes."
27. You and your child can call for the cleaning gnomes or fairies to come and help with the clean up. I like to sing a little song while we clean with the gnomes. "Here come the cleaning gnomes, cleaning up their messy home, putting all the toys away, so they may play another day."
Going from Point A to Point B
28. Suggest that your child (and you) march like ants, slither like snakes, run like cheetas, hop like bunnies/frogs, fly like birds, leap like lizards, creep like turtles, pounce like cats, or stomp like elephants.
29. "Nestle into your kangaroo pouch" (if you are trying to wrangle your toddler into your babywearing apparatus).
30. "Let's be race car drivers and drive our cars as fast as we can to the bedroom."
31. "Let's chug-a-lug like choo choo trains to the kitchen."
Getting in the Car
32. "My little birdie may fly into her nest."
33. "Buzz like a bee and snuggle in to your hive."
34. "It's go for launch! The rocket ship is leaving. Where is my fearless astronaut? Hurry, buckle in so you can zoom to the moon."
Getting in the Stroller
35. "The train is leaving, all aboard." (Be sure to choo choo quite a bit.)
36. "Your horse drawn carriage awaits. Climb on in and the pony will pull you home."
37. "All aboard the mighty ship! Ahoy Captain, point me in the direction of home and we will sail away!"
Washing Hands
38. "Reach into the waterfall to see what is on the other side."
39. "Rub the magic dream stone (bar of soap) so that you may have special dreams tonight."
40. "I see that your busy hands are having fun. Let's take them to the sink where they may splash in the water like a fish."
Visit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
- On being a more playful parent — Isil at Smiling like Sunshine shares how the Playful Parenting book impacted her.
- Parenting a toddler through play — Alicia at I Found My Feet lists some examples of how she uses play to parent through everyday tasks and challenges.
- Splashing in Puddles — Abbie at Farmer's Daughter shares how she learned to get dirty and have fun with her little boy.
- Say Please — Cassie at There's a Pickle in My Life explains how they taught their son manners by "play," showing that actions speak louder than words.
- No Nanny Needed — Laura at Our Messy Messy Life wishes parenting through play was her only responsibility during the day.
- I'll Run Away With Gypsies — Nikalee at Spotted Pandemonium maneuvers physical and emotional obstacles while spinning playful tales, jumping through hoops, and inspiring the kids to clean the living room.
- A Promise To My Daughter — Lindsey at An Unschooling Adventure writes a poem for her daughter promising to use play instead of anger when facing difficult situations.
- Parenting Through Play — Not Always Easy But Always Rewarding — Amy at Peace4Parents discusses how play hasn't always come easily to her, the power of appreciative observation, and how her family learns together through play.
- Imagination Plays a Role in Our Parenting — Tree at Mom Grooves shares how parents can use play to set the foundation for communication and understanding.
- A Box of Crayons — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction talks about how a simple box of crayons has become a wonderful parenting and teaching tool.
- The Essential Art of Play — Ana at Pandamoly shares some of her favorite lessons available for young ones through play.
- The Art of Distraction — Amanda at Let's Take the Metro shares a list of distracting alternatives to harsh punishments in tough parenting situations.
- Grace and Courtesy Games at Home or School — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now has ideas for grace and courtesy games that help you encourage courteous behavior without reprimanding your child.
- I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant.
- Getting Cooperation Through Play — Amyables at Toddler In Tow talks about respecting the worldview of a preschooler by using play to encourage connection and cooperation.
- Playful Parenting = Extra Energy?? — Momma Jorje didn't think she had the energy for playful parenting. See what she was surprised to learn…
- Dance Party Parenting — Laura from A Pug in the Kitchen learned how to be the parent her children need through play.
- Wrestling Saved My Life — Wrestling is as vital to her son's well-being as babywearing once was, finds Hannah at Wild Parenting.
- Parenting through play — By playing with her children, Tara from MUMmedia is given amazing opportunites to teach, train and equip her children for life.
- Parenting Through Play Starts in Infancy — In a guest post at Natural Parents Network, Issa from LoveLiveGrow shares that though she only has a 3-month-old, playful parenting has already started.
- Play Before Sleep — Adrienne at Mommying My Way writes about how playing and singing with her son before he falls asleep helps calm her frustrations that tend to arise at night.
- Playful Parenting — Or 5 Lessons My Son Has Taught Me About Parenting Through Play — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama has learned to be a better parent by following her toddler's lead in play.
- Hurry up! Hurry up! I mean it! Quack, quack, quack! — Kellie at Our Mindful Life leads a trail of ducklings
- On the Road: Learning to Play — Seonaid at The Practical Dilettante discovers her inner adult through a summer of playing with her children.
- Preventing Tantrums Through Play — Gaby at Tmuffin explains how she keeps her household happy by not taking things too seriously.
- Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting Through Play — Lily, aka Witch Mom, redirects unwanted behavior in a toddler using games and play.
- Exaggerating for effect — Lauren at Hobo Mama has learned how to ham it up.
- Handling Big Emotions with Role Playing — Zoie at TouchstoneZ plays at tempering her parental frustrations while helping her children handle some big emotions
- How To Herd Toddlers by Talking Pictorially — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama demonstrates how talking in pictures is a playful way to engage your young child in transitioning from one activity to the next.
- Getting a Toddler to Go Where You Want…Playfully — Sylvia at MaMammalia describes how a game of hide-and-seek can be used to steer a wandering toddler in the direction of her choosing.
- Playful Parenting: Chores That Do Themselves — Remember chores when you were a kid? If chores were this fun for Chante at My Natural Motherhood Journey, she wouldn't have needed any reminders!
- Clown School Express: Playing away Fears — MudpieMama describes how she helped her boys confront their fears about starting kindergarten by playing with trains.
- Practicing Playful Parenting — Terri at Child of the Nature Isle realizes that playfulness is the best way through the day and seeks more ways to practice it.
- Today, Tomorrow and Every Day — Starr at Taking Time addresses her children in a letter sharing with them how improtant it is that they spend their childhood playing.
- Learning Through Immersion — Luschka at Diary of a First Child shares how she helps her daughter develop naturally without focusing on teaching, but rather by immersing her in their family's way of life and making her an active part of her environment.
- Play Here Now — Jessica at Instead of Institutions learns and relearns and tries to remember the value of play.
- Play: A Wonderful Parenting Tool — Mamapoekie from Authentic Parenting offers a list of examples on how to use play in real-life parenting situations.
- Playful Parenting — a Book Review — Erica at ChildOrganics shares simple yet sage advice from Dr. Cohen on how play can change your child's life.
- Mock Threats: Turning Real Frustration into Playful Parenting — Threatening is not an effective discipline strategy, but Dionna at Code Name: Mama explains how parents can turn their frustration into playful moments by making "mock threats."
- I'm Sick of Yelling — I Want to Play — Alicia at McCrenshaw's Newest Thoughts realizes she needs to change the way she's parenting and is forming a new plan.
- Sing-along, Brush-along Songs — Shana at Tales of Minor Interest shares a few songs to make brushing her three-year-old's teeth more fun.
- Monster Voice — Ever have those frustrating moments with your kid(s) when you just want to scream? Amy at Anktangle shares a silly strategy for getting through those difficult times.
Photo Credit: Nico


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Download Owl Sounds
Megascops asio
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Yves Dery
If a mysterious trill catches your attention in the night, bear in mind the spooky sound may come from an owl no bigger than a pint glass. Common east of the Rockies in woods, suburbs, and parks, the Eastern Screech-Owl is found wherever trees are, and they're even willing to nest in backyard nest boxes. These supremely camouflaged birds hide out in nooks and tree crannies through the day, so train your ears and listen for them at night.
Almost any habitat with sufficient tree cover will do for this cosmopolitan owl. Tree cavities or nest boxes are essential, and fairly open understories are preferred, but Eastern Screech-Owls live and breed successfully in farmland, suburban landscapes, and city parks. On the Great Plains, at the westernmost edge of its range, Eastern Screech-Owls occur in the uneven traces of wooded land along streams and rivers. Screech-owls cannot survive if all trees are removed, but the species readily recolonizes once trees are replanted, especially if nest boxes are also provided.
Eastern Screech-Owls eat most kinds of small animals, including birds and mammals as well as surprisingly large numbers of earthworms, insects, crayfish, tadpoles, frogs, and lizards. They eat many kinds of mammals, including rats, mice, squirrels, moles, and rabbits. Small birds taken as prey include flycatchers, swallows, thrushes, waxwings, and finches, as well as larger species such as jays, grouse, doves, shorebirds, and woodpeckers. This owl is agile enough to occasionally prey on bats, and can rarely even be cannibalistic. When prey is plentiful, Eastern Screech-Owls cache extra food in tree holes for as long as four days.
Eastern Screech-Owls build no nest. The female lays her eggs on whatever debris is at the bottom of her nesting cavity, be it wood-chips, twigs, or the cast-off feathers and droppings from a previous year's nest. Settling in, she makes a body-shaped depression where her eggs lie.
Eastern Screech-Owls nest in holes and cavities, but never dig a cavity themselves. Thus, they depend on tree holes opened or enlarged by woodpeckers, fungus, rot, or squirrels. They often occupy abandoned woodpecker nest holes. Eastern Screech-Owls readily accept nest boxes, including those built for Wood Ducks or Purple Martins, and sometimes nest in wood piles, mailboxes, or crates left on the ground.
Eastern Screech-Owls are chiefly active at night, though they often hunt at dawn or dusk, and occasionally in daylight. These versatile hunters sit and wait in the trees for prey to pass below. They tend to pounce from perches six to ten feet off the ground, occasionally snatching an insect or bat on the wing or hitting shallow water talons-first to snag fish or tadpoles. Most flights are short (less than 75 feet or so). When traveling between perches, these owls often drop, fly straight, then rise again, in a characteristic U-shaped pattern. Eastern Screech-Owls form stable matches, usually one male with one female but occasionally one male with two females. Males defend small territories containing several cavity roost spots. When nesting, the female stays in the nest hole except for brief dawn and dusk excursions. She and the nestlings are fed by her mate, though it is the female who tears the prey into small bits for the babies. At fledging, the young first hop to the ground or nearby branches, using feet and fluttering wings to climb laboriously back to safety. Young gain flight and hunting skills slowly; they depend on their parents for food for 8–10 weeks after fledging. Both parents feed the youngsters at this stage, and adults, especially the females, shelter together with the young in communal tree roosts. Gradually, as the young gain skill, they begin to roost and hunt apart from their parents and siblings.
Eastern Screech-Owl numbers are difficult to determine owing to their nocturnal lifestyle. The North American Breeding Bird Survey estimate that between 1966 and 2015, numbers increased in Canada, but declined in the U.S. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 900,000 with 95% living in the U.S., 4% in Mexico, and 1% in Canada. The species rates a 10 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score. Eastern Screech-Owl is not on the 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List. This little owl is a generalist, with unfussy eating and nesting habits, and it adjusts well to the presence of humans. In fact, suburban birds often survive better than their rural kin, as suburbs provide more prey, milder climates, and fewer predators. Eastern Screech-Owls need trees to nest in, or, at least, nest boxes and brushy cover, but their small size, territorial tolerance, and broadly varied diet make this owl a successful survivor.
Resident (not migratory).
Eastern Screech-Owls readily accept nest boxes; consider putting one up to attract a breeding pair. Make sure you put it up well before breeding season. Attach a guard to keep predators from raiding eggs and young. Find out more about nest boxes on our Attract Birds pages. You'll find plans for building a nest box of the appropriate size on our All About Birdhouses site. These owls also use birdbaths and will visit them to drink and bathe.
Listen in wooded areas at night for the trills and whinnies of this vocal owl. Your best chance of seeing an Eastern Screech-Owl may be to listen for the excited voices of songbirds mobbing an owl they have found. You can also look closely at tree cavities and nest boxes; especially on cold sunny days, you may see the owl sunning sleepily in the entrance.
Dissecting the food web: an owl pellet investigation, Birdsleuth
Raptors and Rat Poison, Living Bird, Summer 2015.
Learn to Identify the Distinctive Calls of Owls [video]
Contact the Lab | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site CreditsCopyright © 2015 Cornell University
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. You can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell or give your email address to others.


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If you're a dieter who drinks, you may want to be careful. Wine calories add up quickly. While some dieters spend time analyzing their food intake, dieters who enjoy happy hour should calculate the calories in white wine or red wine, instead. So should you skip the wine when you're on a diet? Not necessarily.

Wine Nutrition Facts

White Wine Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 glass (3.5 fl oz) (103 g)

Per Serving	% Daily Value*

Calories 84

Calories from Fat 0

Total Fat 0g	0%

Saturated Fat 0g	0%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0g

Monounsaturated Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg	0%

Sodium 5mg	0%

Potassium 73.13mg	2%

Carbohydrates 2.7g	1%

Dietary Fiber 0g	0%

Sugars 1g

Protein 0.1g

Vitamin A 0% · Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 1% · Iron 2%

*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

The number of calories in wine depends on the type of wine you choose and the serving size. You won't find a Nutrition Facts label on a bottle of wine, so it's smart to do some detective work before you imbibe.

Generally, white wine calories are lowest. A very small serving of white wine provides 84 calories (as indicated on the label). But a more typical serving of dry white wine (148 grams or 5 ounces) contains 123 calories. Sweeter wines also tend to be higher in calories. A glass of Barefoot Moscato, for example, provides almost 130 calories

Red wine calories are also higher. A single serving of red wine is six ounces and contains approximately 150 calories. It's also important to remember that red wine is often served in a larger glass than white wine and it's easy to drink a portion that contains more calories. Calories in a glass of red wine can be substantial if you order it in a restaurant, because you may be served six, seven, or even eight ounces.

Each bottle of wine provides roughly five to six servings. So you'll consume about 500 calories in a bottle of wine. But, of course, drinking an entire bottle is not recommended.

Health Benefits of Wine

Some studies have suggested that wine, particularly red wine, may provide certain benefits, including improved heart health and longevity. In particular, researchers have investigated a flavonoid called resveratrol and its impact on heart health.

But the National Institutes of Health cautions drinkers to take the promising news with a grain of salt. They recommend only light or moderate drinking. Moderate drinking for women is defined as one drink per day and for men one to two drinks per day. One drink is defined as four ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor or one ounce of 100-proof liquor.

They do not recommend that people start drinking to take advantage of benefits.

Selecting Wine: Low-Calorie Wine Choices

If you're looking for a low-calorie alternative to wine, you'll have a hard time finding one. There are only a few low diet-friendly wine choices on store shelves.

The popular Skinnygirl brand (famous for the Skinnygirl Margarita) sells several different wine varieties, including a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Prosecco, California White and others. But the calorie count is not necessarily lower than other wines. A 5-ounce serving of Skinnygirl wine provides 100 calories and 5 grams of carbohydrate.

If you enjoy sauvignon blanc, consider buying Cense wine. The premium brand can be purchased online and in some retails stores and is endorsed by Weight Watchers. Each five-ounce glass provides just 85 calories or 3 Weight Watchers Smartpoints.

Another brand called Bon Affair is sold in some stores across the country and offers low calorie red and white wine spritzers. The Sauvignon Blanc Spritz, for example, provides just 62 calories per 5-ounce pour. And there are only 300 calories in a full bottle of wine.

Of course, you can also make your own wine spritzer by mixing sparkling water with your favorite wine. Some drinkers also add ice to their white wine to reduce calories, slow the drinking process and keep their drink cold.

If you can't find a low-calorie wine in your area. your best bet is to drink the wine you like, but less often and only in moderation. Measure your wine in a measuring cup once or twice to make sure that you are only drinking a single serving.

The Effects of Alcohol on Weight Loss

Regardless of the calories, drinking wine when you're on a diet can be tricky for other reasons. Alcohol can have an effect on your daily nutrition and your eating habits might change when you drink. You're probably going to be more likely to snack on high calorie, high fat or high salt foods when you consume alcohol. And if you drink too much, it could derail your workout plans for the next morning.

For all of these reasons, many dieters cut back on booze to lose weight. Some eliminate wine, beer and cocktails altogether. The right decision for you is a personal one. Just be sure to consider all the facts before you belly up to the bar.


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Mayor Bill Eaton told the Chinese delegates he was honored to sign the agreement.
"We are very pleased and very much excited about having the opportunity to develop this relationship throughout the coming years," he said. "This will serve as the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between your county and our city."
John Pate, director of Arkansas Tech University's China office, emceed the event and said the agreement will be good for education, agriculture and business in Russellville and Shuangliu County.
"Today we are developing cooperations that will be mutually beneficial," Pate said.
Shuangliu County Vice Secretary Wang Huaqiang said the purpose of the agreement is to promote mutual understanding and that he has enjoyed his time in Russellville's culture.
"We are honored to be in Russellville," Huaqiang said, through an interpreter. "There are beautiful landscapes here. It's such a delight to have friends coming from afar."
Shuangliu County is a key area of southwest China, with a population of more than 930,000 and the fourth largest airport in China, he said.
Russellville is ranked 13th in cities in Arkansas by population, Eaton shared with the delegates.
The men signed three copies of the friendship agreement: one to be displayed in Russellville, one to be displayed in Shuangliu County and one to be kept in the Foreign Affairs Office in China.
After signing the three agreements, Eaton and Huaqiang exchanged gifts, which is customary after entering such an agreement.
Eaton presented Huaqiang with a vase-like piece the city commissioned local artist Winston Taylor to create for the event.
Huaqiang gave Eaton a silk brocade made of bamboo with two pandas embroidered on the fabric. Huaqiang said the pandas signify the friendship of Shuangliu County and Russellville.
Judy Galloway, Main Street Russellville board of directors member, attended the event and said she thinks it's good for the city.
"It will be a great economic and educational opportunity," she said.


text: Each year Worcester Preparatory School students in Lower School select gifts for children who may not otherwise receive gifts during the holidays. They and their parents wrap the gifts and label them so that the Worcester County Sheriff's Office will know which gifts are appropriate for which age boys and girls. Presenting their gifts to Santa are Carter McCabe, Ayush Batra, Kate Lindsay, Olivia Kondraschow, Maggie Miller and Abbey Miller.


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Related quotes
"Sometimes I wish that I was the weather, you'd bring me up in conversation forever. And when it rained, I'd be the talk of the day."
"Tell me I'm clever, Tell me I'm kind, Tell me I'm talented, Tell me I'm cute, Tell me I'm sensitive, Graceful and wise, Tell me I'm perfect-- But tell me the truth."
"While there are times I sway to the left, and to the right. I can be all things to all people. However I always return to the center, where I can only be me, to the one and only Him, my Lord, Savior, Jesus Christ."
"The best love that you can give is to love yourself, in spite of your mistakes, in spite of your failures and in spite of your shortcomings. We are who we are, all we have to be is the best we are and rise from that point. Nobody can dictate who you are supposed to be, unless you give up that power. Embrace who you are and embrace those who love you "As Is". Sharock P."


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Discussion in 'Strings' started by alidisperanza, Feb 21, 2012.
Not many hours I would think. I would have expected more durability before it breaks.
Eh, to be honest, I wasn't terribly surprised. It popped today @ the 7 hour mark. I'll write a final summary some time tomorrow probably-- I don't quite have the brain power tonight either
Iontec Black, on the other hand, has been a real pleasure. After the settling period that I mentioned, it's played really well-- just how I expected. I'm past the 6 hour mark and while it doesn't have the zip it did when fresh, it's still definitely useable. I get the feeling that the strings are about to pop though. More on this tomorrow as well
Is Iontecc Black as arm friendly or more arm friendly (less stiff feeling) than the LTEC?
04 was surprisingly comfortable despite the lack of feel. You'll find a lot more feedback with the ItB. I'd say they're on par with a bit of an edge to iontec.
Ok, so final thoughts;
I finally popped the string after around 7 hours of pretty heavy play. Overall, it was an interesting experience. I'm going to divide my final thoughts into pros, cons, and then a short piece on value.
The first and foremost, most noticable aspect of the string is that it exhibits an incredible material hardness. The string feels fairly springy when unravelling it while not reaching that incredibly annoying wire-y feeling that one would find in a pack of pro hurricane tour. It's a bit of a paradox because of said hardness. For the most part, strings that I've seen with similar capacity for "springiness" have been very stiff playing strings (think PHT or AluR). When hitting the ball, this aspect is completely null and void. There's a contradiction between what you think the string should feel like and what it does feel like. Now, I understand that this seems like a con section so far but let me explain; this seems to help the string in two different ways on opposite ends of the paradox. The first, hardness of a string, seems to help stave off the notching process. For most players this will translate to longer playing time with the desired playing characteristics. The other side of the coin is the general feel of the string. Although I didn't find it favorable, the string is pretty comfortable at the tension I played it at. I honestly don't think that a lower tension would have been beneficial for me; 48 left me wanting a touch more control. Having said that, I think that this string really does need to be strung in the lower range-- at higher tensions I can see this being a disaster for those that are joint sensitive.
The next major characteristic that I'd like to talk about derives from the aforementioned part; spin generation. 04 generated a ton of spin and kick on the ball when it was fresh. I think the combination of the hardness and the slippery coating really worked nicely to achieve this goal. Balls were kicking off the ground very nicely and I was better able to keep the ball in play when going for a higher trajectory due to the extra dip I was able to produce. Unfortunately, once it was notched, this went away (more on this for the con section). Hitting the ball flat is pleasant enough as well-- the string has a great ability to absorb a lot of the action/ power on incoming shots and lets you redirect it as you want.
A third honorable note is the tension retention-- it's very good. Aside from the initial shift, I didn't really notice a huge drop in tension across the time period that I played. If there was a drop, it was insignificant in the sense that I was able to adjust my strokes within the warmup period to compensate without really thinking too much about it.
The first and foremost thing that bothered me about this string is the complete lack of feedback. The string does what it's supposed to but I had some serious trouble tracking where the ball was going to land. Some shots I would hit in by a foot, some shots, out by a foot and I couldn't tell the difference between the two. This, for me, is a big no-no. My game is still developing and I need the extra confidence boost of knowing where my balls are to take it to the next level.
The next big issue I had with the string was the notching issue. The spin produced by the string when fresh was fantastic but once the string started to notch (around 45 minutes) it played like an average, low powered poly. The drastic change in characteristic is a bit of a sore spot for me. By no means am I saying that the spin on the string was bad, only that it wasn't what it was when it was fresh.
Final thoughts:
Overall, this was an interesting playtest, not only because of the string but also because of the controversy revolving the string. I think that since I received the string as a playtest, I can judge it fairly without any sort of bias. For many players, this string will play well and enhance their game. While I don't quite think it will make the 30 hour mark per-se, I do think that it's a value for predominantly flat hitters who wear through strings as opposed to notch them. The string will be comfortable enough and allow you to redirect your flat balls where you want them. That being said, for the spin player who is putting in training hours on the court, I don't think this is a good fit. The strings simply notch and don't do anything superb to enhance your game because I found that I couldn't rely on it to do what I wanted. Tension maintenance is great which is a big positive for me since I've been stringing at lower tension to begin with. In this sense, I can't afford to loose too much tension because it's already lower to begin with. If I had to give it an overall rating, I would say that it's above average for a polyester combination. For someone looking for a muted string, this may be worth a try.
Now, accounting for the advertising campaign and the price point of the string (18.50/set from tennis warehouse), I don't think that this string is a bargain. I don't think the value quite matches up with the price point and the simple fact that they're tossing around numbers is an injustice to the public. I can certainly see this string performing well for some players and it definitely has it's niche for that market but I don't see this being a viable option for your average rec player. I definitely can't see this being a string that I would use purely based on the price point and my budget for tennis. Someone asked me if price were of no concern, would I play with this setup over my current (iontec black) and my response would be no purely based on the feedback issue. I need to know what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it and if money were no option, I'd be playing with gut/poly or the reverse for that very reason. While this string may work for some, it can't help me reach the next level of tennis.
Along the same line, I have trouble justifying the price of a gut/poly setup ranging from ~12.00/set econo to 19.00/set using high quality gut simply because I pop strings pretty quickly. The reason I bought a reel of iontec is because I'm popping a frame every 5 hours @ 4.00/set translates to about 1-2 frames a week which is still significantly lower and that's not accounting for the stringing cost since I do it myself. (PS, I'm getting more than 5 hours with iontec, I only used this number as a general average for poly). I have no clue what a "true" L-tec frame would cost but I doubt it would be the same as regular labor. While the 04 hybrid wasn't for me, I think L-tec would have a definite market in the business should they be willing to offer the string at a more competitive price. They're definitely doing some things right and I'm sure they'll continue to improve as they grow as a company. As of right now though, I think the string becomes a bit inaccessible because of the price.
try a hybrid of Thunderstrings Storm (metal color) mains with QU4TTRO crosses. a full set of storm is $8.99 and Qu4ttro is $15.99 which would give you 2 full sets when hybriding. $25 for 2 sets or $12.50 per set. if you buy reels, the price drops even more.
good summary on the ltec Ali. It seems to jive with my opinion of the string as well. I happen to like it better than others strings so far though even though the feel is bad. .
I prefer the muted thick feeling of the ball on the string I think.
if thunder is indeed ltec I'm going to try them as well.
Thunderstrings was originally only sold by G&G. then G&G stopped selling them and started carrying L-Tec. Now Thunderstrings is sold through Mamba. i tried the Triangle 3volution/QU4TTRO and 0S/4S hybrid. that similar muted feeling was apparent in both stringbeds which i attribute to the 4S or Qu4ttro. it would not surprise me in the least if thunder is the same as l-tec.
I had a friend hit with the strings to confirm what I was feeling and he seemed to actually like the feel, haha. Different strokes[strings] for different folks.
Yo what are you up to this weekend?
I think I'm going to be in S Jersey Why?
How about a suggestion on a string that plays like L-Tec premium gut?
Gah, wanted a TTW showdown
idk. when i tried 0S/4S and 0S/premium gut, i didn't care for the latter string bed so it's hard to say what would play like it.
In honor of Memorial Day, I decided to merge the old with the new:
An Original Head Vilas with pro code on the throat-- Iontec Black/OGSM
Finally got the full specs on my 2 frames. Both have 1 Yonex SuperGrap Overgrip and the Yonex damp.
Strung with Iontec Black @46#
69 stiffness
32cm balance
Strung with Mamba Premium/ Iontec Black 52/48#
68 stiffness
32cm balance
Mamba Premium Natural Gut/ Iontec Black
String: Mamba Premium Natural Gut/ Iontec Black
Frame: Yonex V-core 95D
Tension: 52/48#
Stringing was pretty easy. MPN is a bit dry and could use either wax or some lotion to make it easier to work with. The biggest issue here is tying knots because of the dessication: I tried both the double half hitch and the parnell knot and found the parnell to sit 100x better. Interestingly enough, the MPN's coating smells suspiciously like fingernail polish...hmmm. Nothing to report about ItB
Interesting play here. This is my first attempt at stringing gut this low since I normally do the 56# range. This setup is unique in a few ways. First, I would dub this combination a flat hitter's paradise. There is great dwell time and ample response off the string bed to give you the zip you need on the ball. Lacing those shots with a bit of topspin keeps them deep and on the court. The feel is almost too much in this aspect. Second, the ample response that makes this setup great for blasting flat makes it a bit tricky to control when trying to hit the monster spin that gut/poly is capable of against slower hitting players. Once the pace picks up and the ball bites a bit more into the string bed-- it's all there. The versatility of gut/poly is enormous. I've logged about an hour and a half by now and MPN/ItB performs well in that respect although I would venture to string it a touch tighter next time. A little more control would go a long way for my taste.
Net Play: Out-freaking-standing. The dwell time and strong transfer of energy make for punchy volleys. There's a little extra on every shot that makes this setup more effective than a full poly bed. Overheads are serve-like.
I've mixed feelings about this section although I think they're due to my lack of court time on the setup. Flat serves cannon off as expected but are prone to going a bit long (for now). I also can't seem to find my heavy kick serve. It's close but not quite there. I can hit topspin and slice effectively at about 65% but I can't really lay into the ball to get that extra effect. One of the shots I've developed into a weapon is the heavy "twist" serve where my ball comes in like a regular topspin serve from right to left but jumps out to the right after bouncing. To really make this a free point generator, the serve has to be struck confidently. Similar to the flat serves, I'm still up to a foot deep which is unacceptable for a second serve.
Around/ a little less than 1.5 hours so far and it's holding up decently.
First impressions MPN/ItB up.
Turns out I'm making a family emergency trip to Italy 6th to the 21st
Not cool. Hope everything is okay
Yeah, I'm not too thrilled about it either. I was planning this or next week for Boston . It happens though; circle of life.
Your friend should be banned.
Italy until the 21st!
PS. Switched back to my Rad Pro with B7 for a match and it played just as I remembered. I might have to get a reel of that stuff too...
Phew, back home. I played in Italy for about an hour one day and it made me realize how SORELY i missed my racquets and strings... terrible stuff over there
Welcome back!
Hit for the first time in over a month-- God I missed it.
Also realized that I enjoy gut/poly at lower tension too and that I really may have to buy a reel of B7 or BHSR
Is the following calculation reasonable? It seems a bit excessive to me. I used the following calculator-- http://donthireddy.us/tennis/speed.html
This looks like it makes a bit more sense
Link to the vid I used -- first serve in the game.
I am pretty useless when it comes to physics, but all in all thats a great serve! I'd love to see you take a few mph off and hit the lines.
Physics is overrated.
It's like making and using a musical instrument.
Science and math are only trying to describe what the craftsman and artist already know.
But that is the point of science. To explain what we observe.
Plus, it gives me the satisfaction of "Yup, still got it "
Believe it or not, that serve lands on the line and unfortunately gets called out a decent ammt of the time. It's a little unnerving especially when people do it on clay. Taking what you said more liberally, the two serves I usually pull aces on are hitting what some call a "twist" (kick serve that bounces out to the right) on or near the T or the shorter angle out wide (assuming the deuce side).
Playing at 4.0, people are unduly impressed by the speed of the serve and get shaken easily but at 4.5, it's necessary to keep a competitive advantage and give my doubles partner the opportunity to close. More experienced players tend to read my placement serves and are able to return them neutralizing the advantage of the serve. I try to mix it up as often as possible to keep them guessing.
I'm definitely working on it though!
So the artist and craftsman already know exactly how the human body works? They know how to perform a quadruple bypass surgery? They know about the countless chemical reactions that take place in the body that explain why ibuprofen helps your sore muscles feel better or why potassium helps prevent cramps? They already understand how the brain works and why when you smell something it is so much easier to remember than seeing something? Hell, they already knew about cells and how, even at a microscopic level how there is more going on than we can wrap our minds around, how we are creating millions of ATP molecules a second, and how we have enough DNA to stretch from here to the moon, all replicated near perfectly because of enzymes that can check over every strand and fix it if it is wrong. And it was common knowledge to them how these hundreds of miles of DNA are transcripted by enzymes into RNA which is then sent to a ribosome winch can then essentially read the RNA and attach the correct amino acid, which eventually form proteins, which make up us.
They knew that, though.
If somebody calls my in serve out on clay, I go up and take a look and ask them to circle the mark.
Neuroscience major says: Proper science is an art in itself. All the paper chemistry in the world won't get you high purity content in Orgo Lab.
Interaction between cells is like an orchestral concert. If the bass is off or the lead playing in the wrong octave, the whole system disintegrates. Stop being so literal
I'm usually very polite about it but skidmarks are skidmarks. You're not getting away with it when there's a 5'' flag saying you're wrong.
Wow, A 130 mph serve rivals Venus and Serena.
One of their thighs is still thicker than my waist... Totally not a fair comparison!
I'm usually polite. Usually.
The only time I'm not as polite as possible is when they point to a mark that is clearly a different one or when they just completely refuse to show me the mark.
I actually had a guy do something like this once- http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3CnX6k0snxA
Even though you are not technically required to show a mark, most people at my club (including me) are of the opinion that if you can't find the mark, the ball was in.
Why was Soderling arguing there? The point was in his favor... no?
I was just a few yards away from Serena at a tournament in LA, and TRUST ME, you do NOT want to be pinned under one of her thighs.
Nope, Soderling pointed to a mark way to the right that was out, then the official said that it was a different mark, which showed it in.
Right... then it appears that he wants to argue with the judge. I could be wrong, I didn't watch the whole thing.
So much to string...so little time
In other news, I'm contemplating buying a reel of Tourna BHB7 or BHSR...Hmmm
Iontec Black plays blegh in the BM 300 Tour. There's such a severe lack of pop even at 46# that it kills the frame for me. I'm leaving it in the hot car for a day to see if it'll remedy. It does serve nicely though-- there's a silly sense of accuracy at the sacrifice of mph and rpm.
ItB plays decently in my radicals. It's not quite what I remember the salmon being but it's still solid. Serves and volleys are still killer. Played 1st dubs at 4.5 last night and I didn't even bother hitting a flat serve, no one could handle the kick.
I have a whole bunch of stuff coming in today including Hybrix Spin, Hybrix power, Volkl Cyclone, and some more B7.
Let me know what you guys would like to see out of the following:
(Definite) B7 with 95D
Poly Star Energy
Volkl Cyclone
Kirschbaum Hybrix Spin/ Power
Mamba Premium Natural as a cross with Iontec mains
MPN as a full bed
Oh, and I put holes in my propulse 3s so I picked up a pair of blue SFXs on a friend's recommendation-- interesting shoe
My, my! Sorry if I offended you.
I was comparing tennis racquets and playing to musical instruments and composition and the other Arts and crafts such as woodworking/luthiery.
Stradivari did not need to know the chemical formula for the shellac that he used.
Of course, my statement was overly simplistic.
I just have an issue with some who try to describe what happens in tennis purely in terms of Physics while ignoring the Psychological aspect of the game and how we perceive reality.
I actually barely remember writing that. I kept getting woken up by my dog and I finally jumped on TT at about 2:30 in the morning while in a pretty bad mood. I completely overreacted to that post. My apologies.
As for your second statement, while in part I agree with you, the simple fact is that there is nothing special about how a string plays that can't be explained through science. Saying how a string feels really couldn't be well measured as it is a mental perception. I have had people say ALU has better feel that Wilson gut.
I was in a WHOPPING bad mood last night. I played singles for my 4.0 team and lost 4-6, 4-6 after winning the night before at 1st doubles 4.5. While the other player definitely was skilled, I ultimately beat myself. He even recognized it apparently having seen me play before
The whopping mad part? I spent a ton of time a few hours before my match finishing up my Econogut 101 thread by stringing Mamba Premium Natural Crosses @ 52 taking all the care and I manage to pop it in the first outing. I warmed up with the ItB/Mpn (50/52) for about 10 minutes then switched over to a full bed of ItB for the first set. Battled it out and lost the first set whence I decided I needed a bit more control and switched over to the hybrid. 3rd point in I finally got a good read on my opponent's serve and went to lay the hurt on the ball. Little did I know, the court was flawed and my opponent put God knows what extra on the ball but the resulting serve kicks out to my right like a slice (mind you my opponent was about 6'7'' and kicking balls over my head regularly). I hit slightly higher in the stringbed than intended and the MPN explodes. So not cool.
I checked the string before installing it and couldn't find any defects and did a clean job especially for the tutorial; I have no clue what happened:evil:
This is what I have been trying to share all along in the Mamba and econo-gut threads. Welcome to my world now
I take every precaution and time stringing up these cheaper guts and they just aren't worth the trouble anymore due to premature breakage either on the stringer, bag, or court.
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We're pleased to appoint Eddie Bruno as our new US representative.
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Discussion in 'Star Trek: Voyager' started by kgartm1185, Jun 8, 2013.
Why are Starfleet vessels firing on each other?
To find out who would win the battle, of course.
The defiant would win, right? It could always ram the other ships if they were still standing.
The Defiant wins unless E uses the Picard maneuver.
That doesn't always mean it is the most powerful, though.
The Sovereign Class would win in a 1 on 1 fight but wasn't the point of the Defiant Class that you get a lot of bang for your buck? With the resources needed to build a single Sovereign Class you could probably build 8-10 Defiant Class ships and I doubt you'd need more than a few to take down a Sovereign.
Janeway would win with random improbable technobabble at the last minute.
Why not? Voyager's plot shields are so strong in Unimatrix Zero they take on a super tactical cube and not only survive without any ill effect, but make it shut down for repairs? Oi...
But remember that Starfleet wasn't about warships, they built ships with multiple capabilities, the best example of this being the Galaxy class. The Defiant was only designed to fight the Borg, as was the Enterprise E along with it's numerous other capabilities.
I never really bought the idea that Defiants were easy to build. Definitely they were smaller, but they also had a host of other problems, including them being over powered and shaking themselves apart. It took O'brien a couple seasons to sort that out, and the Valiant was having the same problems. If anything, they'd be very maintenance heavy because of that probably. Certainly the show argues this being we only saw 3 in DS9 and 2 in Voyager when they regularly showed fleets of dozens if not hundreds. If they can turn out super death saucers by the dozen, why weren't they given how effective the Defiant was?
There were 5 in DS9 and 4 in Voyager.
Okay, which ones am I missing?
Defiant, Valiant and Sao Paulo in DS9.
And the two in Message in a Bottle that the EMH's accidentally shot at.
2 in DS9 Call to Arms
2 in Voyager Endgame
Hmm, I only see two in the Call to Arms picture. But as I recall -the- Defiant was towards the center of the screen, so I'm guessing it had already flown by?
I missed the two in Endgame, I guess I was busy facepalming at the two second fade to black resolution of Voyager!
Good catches though, thanks! Though I think my overall point remains true that they're uncommon in the fleet and the exception. That brings us up to nine, though there could be some overlap between the two Call to Arms/Message in a Bottle/Endgame Defiants. What were they thinking giving one of those to Cadets?
The Defiant is bottom middle turning towards the camera. It wouldn't make sense to fill the screen with Defiant class ships on the show when they want the viewer to know which one is the hero ship.
I have to admit, my reaction to the poll questions is: Is this a joke?
Unless we're talking Voyager from Endgame with all the fancy upgrades (which God knows, the Defiant and Enterprise would both be first in line to get similar upgrades once the Core of Engineers got a chance to play with Voyager), the E-E would probably be able to take both the Defiant and Voyager at the same time and still win. Heck, throw in the Titan to, just to make it almost fair.
Speaking of which, this DID make me realize --- why the heck didn't we see the E-E in Star Trek Nemesis have "Voyager-Esque" upgrades? Did someone forget to watch Endgame ? =(
The time police took all the fancy new tech. Sorry, it just doesn't make a good movie when one technobabblewhatever torpedo blows up the Scimitar. Not that it really would've made it any worse.
The novels retcon this by saying they were "saving" the torpedo technology for the next Borg invasion so they don't have the chance to adapt to it or it doesn't fall into enemy hands. Not sure what the explanation of the batmobile armor was, other than it looks dumb.
Honestly, if the Federation wound up with those sort of upgrades, I would suspect by hook or by crook, the Romulans would catch up.
Now I've got this image in my head of Romulus covered entirely in Batmobile armour to protect it from the supernova.
The Defiant has aft Torpedoes as referenced in "Way of the Warrior"
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text:
I'm not even sure what the term is I'm trying to ask -- I'm that bad with everything sound related. Let me explain:
I'm sick of using shoddy USB headphones where the connectors pull apart/eventually break. So I'm looking at getting good-ole trusty analog headphones (which ones, I'm not sure yet) -- a pair with a mic attached, of course. Is it possible to direct audio (Vent/teamspeak) from the headset and game/music through speakers? I didn't think* this was possible with Windows 7, but I do have a Xonar DG.


text:
COURSE: LI-410 Advanced Project Management in Construction (3)
This course serves as the capstone learning experience for the degree program. Students explore the roles and tasks of the construction manager through case studies and small group work. The culminating project for the course will involve methods to coordinate people, equipment, materials, money, and schedule to complete a construction project on time and within the approved budget. Prerequisite: Capstone course to be completed as the student's final foundation and major course.


text:
Fall yard clean-up
Post Garden and Yard Penny-Wise Round Up
by Christine Cristiano
Related Articles
Putting Your Lawnmower to Bed for Winter
7 Tips to Improve Your Lawn
Fall Tilling
With the arrival of autumn, comes the annual vegetable harvest and yard clean up ritual. Amidst your clean up efforts, it's possible to reduce your present and future garden and yard expenses.
Yard Duty
A yard lined with large trees can produce loads of falling leaves resulting in plenty of work and expense to rake, bag and dispose of them. There's an economical way to bag the leaves that will save you money on the number of leaf bags you use. After you've raked the leaves, fill a large garbage pail half full with leaves. Next, place your grass trimmer in the garbage pail and mulch the leaves into small pieces. (Be sure to wear protective eyewear.) Empty the garbage pail contents into a leaf bag and repeat the process until all the leaves have been mulched and bagged. Upon completion, you have reduced the number of leaf bags you'd normally use by at least half.
Ladybugs in your garden are a cost efficient, natural, environmentally friendly insect control method that can reduce the amount of money you'll spend on insecticides. However, to ensure the ladybugs return during next year's gardening season, they need a hibernation site during the winter months. Dead leaves, hay or straw piled at the base of a fence make the ideal winter accommodations. With a bit of luck, your backyard ladybugs will be back next year.
Fireplace ashes make an excellent fertilizer for your garden and potted plants. Reduce your fertilizer expenses by collecting and saving your fireplace ashes throughout the winter months.
If you're going to be doing any kind of woodworking, save the sawdust after you've swept it up. Sawdust (especially from pine lumber) makes excellent garden mulch. It holds moisture in and provides much needed nutrition to your plants. However, sawdust from chemically treated lumber will damage your plants.
Many plants and flowers produce pods that contain seeds. Seasoned, frugal gardeners remove the seeds from the pods and store them for future planting seasons thus reducing their yearly seed expenses. Some seeds are more suitable for seed saving like peas and beans because the seeds can be extracted easily. Interested gardeners can obtain further information on seed saving at the local library or on the Internet.
Vegetable Profusion
As every gardener knows, each season brings different results for your vegetable gardening efforts. Centuries ago, when food wasn't so abundant, the entire vegetable harvest was preserved in one way or another to be consumed over the winter months. If you take a cue from our ancestors, you can also preserve your harvest for future feasts.
Related: Produce Preservation & Storage Tips
Zucchini is one of those vegetables that result in abundancy in a good year. Unfortunately, zucchini cannot be frozen in its original state but it can be pureed in your food processor once the skin and the seeds are removed. Store the pureed zucchini in freezer bag and freeze. To add it to your favorite recipes, remove from freezer, thaw and drain off excessive liquid.
Tomatoes are another vegetable that overproduce and all at the same time. Pick unripe tomatoes as soon as they start to change color from green and wrap each tomato in a newspaper sheet. Store in a warm spot up to two months until ripe. For ripe tomatoes, place washed tomatoes on a tray and place in freezer until frozen. Remove them from the freezer, transfer into freezer bags and refreeze. When you're ready to use the tomatoes for soups, stew or sauce, run hot water over the frozen tomatoes to thaw and remove the skin. Proceed to crush, mash or puree them to use with your favorite recipe.
Apple Abundance
Your apple harvest can be enjoyed throughout the year if stored properly. Apples will last for quite awhile providing they have enough moisture and are kept cool. Place apples in a plastic bag with holes poked in it. Refrigerate or stored in a cold cellar. You can also dry apples by peeling, coring and cutting them into 1/4-inch thick rounds. To dry, run a string through the center of the apple rings and hang. When dried, transfer them to storage bags.
For homemade baked goods, apples can be peeled, cored, sliced and placed in freezer bags. To use in recipes in place of raw apples, simply remove the apples from the freezer, thaw and drain off the excess juice. The cooking time may have to be adjusted slightly because previously frozen apples don't take as long to cook as raw apples.
Related: 8 Great Apple Recipes
With a little time and effort, you can reduce your gardening and yard expenses and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor all year round.
Publication: Saving Seeds by Marc Rogers, Storey Communications, 1990
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Weight loss goal
Weight loss goal and life style changes
Todays the day I've decided to make a life style change. Notice I didn't say diet? I can't say I believe in diets as such. To me a diet means a drastic eating pattern that changes once you've reached your weight loss goal. Alternatively, I'm setting myself an assignment to find a healthy eating and exercise balance that will allow me to reach and stay at my weight loss goal of 75 kilo's for the duration of my life. Even though my current weight is 109 kilo's, I know this is achievable as I've done it once before. The difference being, this time I'll make it a lasting life style change.
Listed below is my first checklist of changes I need to make to ensure I reach my weight loss goal. I say 'first' because this will most likely change over time the more I learn about healthy lifestyle changes.
1. Eat more vegetables, salad, fruit, yogurt, fish, chicken.
2. Eat less takeaway such as fried chips or Red Rooster. Not being much of a cook, I do eat takeaway often.
3. Exercise more. At least 40 minutes per day. Although I do play golf, it's not nearly as often as I should. I also have the advantage of owning exercise equipment which at the moment is collecting dust. However, this is about to change.
4. For encouragement, read stories from other women who have also battled a weight problem. I particularly find the television show Biggest Looser great inspiration and the next Australian series isn't too far away from starting.
5. Keeping a blog of how I'm going will help me to keep focus and reset my goals when required.


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Mariners have options as pitchers, catchers report
By Greg Johns / MLB.com
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Only 14 of the 35 pitchers and catchers reporting to Mariners camp Tuesday have ever played in the Majors for Seattle, so there'll be plenty of new faces and challengers when the group gathers on the field Wednesday for the first time with manager Eric Wedge.
The catching corps has undertaken the most drastic turnover, with just one Mariners veteran among the six backstops who'll be competing for jobs this spring. And that "veteran" is Jesus Montero, the 23-year-old youngster who will be given a chance to earn the bulk of the duties behind the plate this season.
He'll be joined by recently signed MLB veterans Kelly Shoppach and Ronny Paulino, as well as prospects Mike Zunino, John Hicks and Jesus Sucre. Shoppach is the only one in that group on a Major League contract, having signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal last week.
Montero, who caught 56 games last year and was the designated hitter for 78 more, is eager to take the next step in his career after the Mariners let Miguel Olivo go and traded John Jaso.
"They've given me a lot of confidence," Montero said. "I still have to work hard and do my job, but it's been good. I feel real happy to be here again. I can't wait for the season to start."
All the catchers will have a short time to familiarize themselves with the pitching staff as this spring's schedule is more condensed due to the World Baseball Classic. In order to get some players ready for the international tournament in March, Cactus League games begin earlier than normal.
The Mariners will have only three days of pitchers and catchers work before the first full-squad workout Saturday. Then it's just six days of practice before the initial Cactus League game Friday, Feb. 22, against the Padres in Peoria Stadium.
That likely means lots of early game action for all the pitchers as they break in on short pitch counts, which will give Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis a chance to see all the arms in camp. And it's an interesting collection of young prospects and older veterans looking for a shot, along with ace Felix Hernandez and returning starter Hisashi Iwakuma.
Beyond Hernandez and Iwakuma, rotation spots are wide open after Jason Vargas was traded to the Angels in the offseason for first baseman Kendrys Morales. Youngsters Blake Beavan, Erasmo Ramirez and Hector Noesi started at various times last year, but Beavan, 24, is the only one with much of a track record after going 11-11 with a 4.43 ERA in 152 1/3 innings.
Ramirez, 22, went 1-3 with a 3.36 ERA in 59 innings and didn't move into the rotation until midseason, then missed some time with a sore arm. Noesi, 26, was given a shot to start 18 games but wound up 2-12 with a 5.82 ERA and was sent to the Minors in the second half.
The Mariners invited a host of quality prospects to camp -- led by Danny Hultzen, James Paxton, Taijuan Walker and Brandon Maurer -- and general manager Jack Zduriencik said those youngsters will get a good look this spring.
But Zduriencik doesn't want to rush those young arms if they're not ready and he sought to bridge the gap with some veteran free agents, led by left-hander Joe Saunders. The 31-year-old has agreed to a one-year deal at $6.5 million, with another option season as well, and should help fill Vargas' role as a solid southpaw who has consistently provided around 200 innings the last five years.
Two other veterans -- Jon Garland and Jeremy Bonderman -- will be in camp as non-roster invitees on Minor League deals, which is the route Kevin Millwood took in making the team last year. Garland hasn't officially signed yet as he's awaiting a physical, but he and Bonderman are both interesting projects coming back from health issues.
Garland, 33, sat out last season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Bonderman, 30, hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2010 and is coming off Tommy John elbow surgery. But both have been quality Major League starters and Garland was very successful as recently as 2010, when he went 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA for the Padres before his shoulder issue cropped up the following June while with the Dodgers.
Bonderman has been in Peoria for several weeks now throwing off a mound and preparing for his return. The early schedule has many of the pitchers working ahead this offseason, even before arrival in Arizona.
"As soon as we get there, it's physicals and then our first workout," said Beavan, who has been throwing at the University of Texas prior to arrival in Peoria. "Nine days later, we start our first game. That's part of the reason why I've tried to get going early this year. I've never been a guy that wants to knock the dust off in spring. I'd rather be ready earlier than later."
If Garland passes his physical and is added to the group, the Mariners will have 30 pitchers in camp: 18 from their 40-man roster and another 12 non-roster invitees.
Greg Johns is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregJohnsMLB as well as his Mariners Musings blog. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Governor Mike Beebe, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor and Arkansas GOP Chairman Doyle Webb were among those who said Monday that Shoffner, a Democrat, ought to resign immediately.
Shoffner, however, says she doesn't intend to step down.
Federal prosecutors say Shoffner accepted $12,000 a year from a broker who would sometimes deliver cash in a pie box — with a pie.
Shoffner appeared in federal court Monday after she was arrested this weekend at her home in Newport. She was released on her own recognizance. She was also ordered to surrender her passport.


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Padilla nears return to Dodgers' rotation
If Sunday rehab stint goes well, righty could start June 19
By Ken Gurnick and Evan Drellich / MLB.com
Sunday is Padilla's third rehab start after he allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings for Class A Inland Empire on Tuesday. Sunday would be Padilla's first rehab start above Class A.
Padilla is scheduled to spend Sunday night in Oklahoma City then join the Dodgers on Monday in Cincinnati.
"We'll see what it looks like when he comes in there and how he felt," manager Joe Torre said. "We expressed, or at least I expressed to him to be sure we're 100 percent ready to go."
Padilla has been on the disabled list since April 23 with a nerve injury in his pitching arm.
After Monday's off-day, the Dodgers rotation will likely kick off with Hiroki Kuroda on Tuesday, then Clayton Kershaw on Wednesday, Torre said.
Torre looks to work Sherrill back slowly
LOS ANGELES -- If possible, the Dodgers would rather use George Sherrill in the sixth or seventh inning before using him in a pressure situation, manager Joe Torre said Friday.
Sherrill (0-1, 7.36 ERA) came off the disabled list Tuesday and hasn't pitched since May 23 after landing on the disabled list with back tightness. Torre didn't use Sherrill on Tuesday or Wednesday in a pair of one-run wins over the Cardinals before Thursday's off-day. Sherrill has walked 15 batters, five more than he's struck out in 22 appearances.
"Let's put it this way, I think in a tight situation I wouldn't be afraid to use him," Torre said. "I think if that spot comes up in the sixth inning, seventh inning that would probably be a spot I'd rather use him than maybe in the eighth inning, to start with."
Torre said how many left-handers were coming to bat would also dictate when he uses Sherrill.
Dodgers sign Calero to Minors deal
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have sent left-hander Brent Leach from Triple-A Albuquerque to Double-A Chattanooga to continue his conversion to starter and signed former Major League pitcher Kiko Calero to bolster their bullpen depth.
Leach had been a reliever, but the club believes with his four-pitch repertoire he might be able to make the switch. Calero started the season at Triple-A Buffalo in the Mets organization but was released on May 16 after going 2-0 with a 10.59 ERA in 10 games. He spent most of last season in the big leagues with Florida.
The Dodgers also promoted Alberto Bastardo from Chattanooga to take Leach's place in the rotation and placed Scott Elbert on the temporary inactive list as he attends to a family matter.
Dodgers sign four picks from Draft
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers signed four of their picks from this week's First-Year Player Draft, all of them college players, led by fifth-round choice Jacob Lemmerman, a shortstop from Duke.
Also signing were 13th-round pick Jesse Bosnik, a shortstop from Saint Bonaventure University; 14th-round pick Alex McRee, a left-handed pitcher from the University of Georgia; and 28th-round pick Mike Drowne, a center fielder from Sacred Heart University.
The Dodgers spent their first-round pick (28th overall) on Texas high school two-sport star Zachary Lee, who has given every indication he will play baseball and football at Louisiana State and not sign. If the Dodgers do not sign Lee by Aug. 16, they will receive a compensation pick next year at No. 29 overall.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. Evan Drellich is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: These cottages are in the vast site of Hakodate Onuma Prince hotel. The area is designated as the Onuma quasi-national park. I stayed here for 3 days and enjoyed scenic beauty and hot-spring, "onsen". Although some clouds were seen in the south side, many stars including the Summer triangle and milky way could be seen from here.


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This is an excerpt from:Ujiri insists any more additions will be young players with 100 percent certainty.
"Maybe a wing," Ujiri said. "We have been looking for another wing. We will see how it goes. It might be something we do this summer or wait until training camp and invite a couple of young guys and give them a shot and see what happens. We are still working on trying to figure out a couple more parts for the roster."
For those who have watched summer league games or otherwise know of good young wings on the bubble with their teams for whatever reason.....who you would like to see MU add to the team. Clearly MU is on the prowl for "young", "100%" talent (wing players) in the mold of a Buycks.....low cost and with potential to add to the depth and could stick.
Any names?


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Critics at The New York Times composed a list of the greatest concerts of 2012, which featured performances mostly in New York City but also venues in cities such as Austin, Tampa, and Amsterdam.
Each Times critic listed their favorites. For writer Jon Caramanica, rapper Jay-Z landed earned his top spot alongside other hip-hop artists including Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Odd Future.
Mixed into Caramanica's top ten, however, was the March 14, 2012 show by Eric Church at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.
Caramanica described the evening as "a mean show, as these things go. Mr. Church has clawed his way into the country mainstream with a series of post-outlaw anthems, and he delivered them with verve and tension, as if he might not be allowed to for much longer."
Another New York paper, the Village Voice, also wrote a review at the time praising the show.
It's a shame that more country artists weren't included–Church wound up being the only country artist to make any of the four critics' lists–but at least he's in great company alongside Neil Young, Fiona Apple, Cecil Taylor, Kraftwerk and Radiohead.
– Ashley Quadros, CBS Local/Sacramento and Kurt Wolff, CBS Local


text: C117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (5 cr.) N & M P: Two years of high school algebra or Math M014; one year of high school chemistry. Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry with their applications to physiological (biochemical) functions. An integrated lecture-laboratory course covering basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry. First semester of a two- semester sequence. Credit given for only one of the following: C101- C121, C105-C125, S105-S125, C117 or S117. I Sem., II Sem., SS.