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Reading Time: 2 minutes
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG) has launched its first in-house developed game, 'Wild Reels', under the new product line GiG Games, part of GiG's Casino Services. The game has been launched initially onto GiG's own internal operators as a 'soft launch', which means the game is still in a testing phase.
Full launch will follow as soon as the game performs to GiG's high standards. This is normal procedure when launching a new game and follows GiG's launch plan. As part of this launch, GiG obtained its MGA licence for Games.
GiG Games has been in development for the past year. The games studio develops gaming products including slots and table games. By adding GiG Games to its ecosystem of products and services, GiG is rapidly becoming a full-service solutions provider to the Gaming industry and now cover the whole value chain within iGaming.
Besides developing its own in-house games, GiG will also be allowing other games studios to build their games onto the GiG Games platform. This collaboration enables an increase in efficiency and productivity which will enable GiG to frequently launch multiple games.
From launch date until end of H1 2019, GiG expects to have launched a total of six to eight games and to launch a number of additional games through collaborations with external game studios.
About Gaming Innovation Group (GiG):
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. is a technology company providing products and services throughout the entire value chain in the iGaming industry. Founded in 2012, Gaming Innovation Group's vision is 'To open up iGaming and make it fair and fun for all'. Through our ecosystem of products and services, we are connecting operators, suppliers and users, to create the best iGaming experiences in the world. Gaming Innovation Group operates out of state-of-the-art offices in St George's Bay, Malta and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GIG.
Source: European Gaming Media
Z Capital Partners and Affinity Gaming Proposes to Acquire Full House Resorts
Reading Time: 8 minutes
Merger Would Create Industry-Leading Platform with Best-in-Class Portfolio of Resorts and Casinos
Z Capital Partners ("Z Capital"), a leading alternative asset manager of private equity and credit funds, and its affiliate, Affinity Gaming ("Affinity"), today announced a proposal to acquire Full House Resorts ("Full House" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: FLL), a leading owner, developer and operator of gaming facilities throughout the country.
The proposed transaction would be structured as a cash or stock transaction with an enterprise value of the Company of $132.5 million, which equates to $1.79 per share on a fully diluted basis.
"Our proposal represents a unique and compelling opportunity to maximize value for stockholders and stakeholders in both companies," said James Zenni, Chairman of Affinity's Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Z Capital Partners. "Combining Full House's custom-designed, regional gaming properties with Affinity's complementary portfolio will create a best-in-class platform for value creation in this consolidating market. With an experienced and dedicated management team, Affinity would bring significant operational capabilities and expertise that we believe would further propel the combined company's growth and unlock unrealized potential for Full House stockholders."
Zenni continued, "We look forward to a constructive dialogue with the Full House Resorts Board of Directors as they carry out their fiduciary duties on behalf of the Company's stockholders."
As an established financial sponsor, Z Capital is confident it can obtain any necessary debt financing commitments needed to complete the proposed transaction and would agree to a post-signing "go shop" period to satisfy the Board's fiduciary duties.
Upon closing, the combined company would remain headquartered in Las Vegas, with a management team led by recently appointed Affinity CEO, Tony Rodio, a proven executive with more than three decades of experience in the gaming industry and a strong track record of transformative growth.
The full text of the letter sent to the Board of Directors of Full House on October 22, 2018 is below:
Board of Directors
Full House Resorts, Inc.
One Summerlin
1980 Festival Plaza Drive, Suite 680
Las Vegas, Nevada 89135
Dear Full House Resorts, Inc. Board of Directors:
Following our meeting with your management team earlier this month, Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. ("Z Capital") and its portfolio company Affinity Gaming (together with Z Capital, "we") are pleased to submit this non-binding proposal to acquire Full House Resorts, Inc. ("Full House Resorts" or the "Company").
The combination of Affinity Gaming and Full House Resorts would create an industry leader with a best-in-class portfolio of hotels and casinos in the United States. This proposal creates a unique opportunity not otherwise available to the Company's stockholders given the market capitalization and limited liquidity of the Company's stock.
- Transaction Structure. The transaction would be structured as a cash or stock transaction.
- Consideration. We would propose an enterprise valuation of the Company of $132.5 million, which equates to $1.79 per share on a fully diluted basis, in connection with the transaction.
- Financing. We would expect to finance the proposed transaction with debt financing from third party financial institutions with whom Z Capital has longstanding relationships. We are highly confident that we can obtain any necessary debt financial commitments needed to complete the proposed transaction.
- Due Diligence and Exclusivity. Z Capital would require a reasonable period to complete customary due diligence. Z Capital intends to work with a team of third-party advisors that it has worked with on other similar transactions to complete its due diligence and assist with review of the transaction, including Sidley Austin LLP as legal counsel. Prior to commencement of due diligence, Z Capital would require the Company to enter into a customary exclusivity agreement during which the Company would agree to negotiate the definitive documentation exclusively with Z Capital and not solicit any alternative transaction. Z Capital would be prepared to agree to a post-signing "go shop" period to satisfy the fiduciary duty of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board").
- Conditions. The proposed transaction would be subject to: (a) satisfactory completion of due diligence; (b) receipt of debt financing commitments with respect to the debt financing necessary to complete this transaction; and (c) negotiation of one or more satisfactory definitive agreements with representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions that are reasonable and customary for transactions of this type. We are prepared to commence work immediately to satisfy these conditions. We are highly confident that the conditions can be satisfied expeditiously.
- Non-Binding Letter of Intent. This Letter of Intent is non-binding and is intended only as a proposal summarizing key terms of a proposed acquisition of or merger with the Company. This Letter of Intent does not create any agreement, obligation, right, duties or commitment by any party to enter into any agreement. No obligation will arise or be created unless and until one or more definitive agreements are executed and delivered by the applicable parties.
- Timing. We hope to work with you on a negotiated basis to complete this transaction successfully, and are prepared to deliver a draft merger agreement, subject to our due diligence process. We suggest that we enter into a non-disclosure agreement with you so that we can begin due diligence and discussions with your financial and legal advisors at your earliest convenience. Due to the importance of these discussions and the value represented by our proposal, we expect the Board to engage in a full review of our proposal. We would be happy to make our team available to meet with the Board at your earliest convenience. To the extent we fail to hear a favorable response from the Board to our proposal by October 29, 2018, we reserve the right to take our proposal directly to the Company's shareholders.
Best regards,
Z Capital Partners, L.L.C.
Name: James J. Zenni, Jr.
Affinity Gaming
Name: James J. Zenni, Jr.
Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal counsel to Z Capital and Affinity.
About Z Capital Group:
Z Capital Group, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries ("Z Capital") are a leading alternative asset management firm with approximately $2.3 billion of regulatory assets under management. For over two decades, the Partners of Z Capital have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, automotive parts, capital equipment and general manufacturing.
Z Capital creates value for its investors by collaborating with talented management teams to generate investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies. The Z Capital Private Equity Funds' portfolio companies are within numerous industries, have aggregate annual revenues of approximately $1.3 billion, sell products in 57 countries, and have over 11,000 employees and an excess of 200,000 associates, directly and through joint ventures worldwide.
About Affinity Gaming:
Affinity Gaming is a diversified casino gaming company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company's casino operations consist of 11 casinos, five of which are located in Nevada, three in Colorado, two in Missouri and one in Iowa. For more information about Affinity Gaming, please visit its website: affinitygaming.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning Z Capital, Affinity Gaming and Full House Resorts. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements that address Affinity Gaming's and the Company's expected future business and financial performance and statements about the proposed transaction involving Z Capital, Affinity Gaming and Full House Resorts and the expected benefits of the proposed transaction and other statements identified by words such as "will", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "should", "could", "would", "may", "intend", "plan", "potential", "target", "predict", "project", "aim", "opportunity", "tentative", "positioning", "designed", "create", "seek", "ongoing", "upside", "increase" or "continue" and variations or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs of the management of Z Capital, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management, current market trends and market conditions and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside Z Capital's and such management's control, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements.
Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include: the ultimate outcome of any possible transaction involving Z Capital, Affinity Gaming and/or Full House Resorts, including the possibility that Full House Resorts will reject the proposed transaction with Z Capital and/or Affinity Gaming; uncertainties as to whether Full House Resorts will cooperate with Z Capital and/or Affinity Gaming regarding the proposed transaction; the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on the ability of Affinity Gaming and/or Full House Resorts to retain customers, to retain and hire key personnel and to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers or customers; the timing of the proposed transaction; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and satisfy other closing conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction (including stockholder approvals); and other risks related to the completion of the proposed transaction and actions related thereto. Other risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could materially affect future results include: any risks associated with loss of Affinity Gaming's and/or the Company's customers and fluctuations in the timing and volume of significant customer demand; delays, challenges and expenses associated with receiving governmental and regulatory approvals and satisfying other closing conditions, and with integrating the Company with Affinity Gaming's existing businesses and Affinity Gaming's ability to achieve the benefits, growth prospects and synergies expected from such transaction; the ability of Affinity Gaming to integrate the Company's business and make changes to its business model; Affinity Gaming's indebtedness, including the indebtedness that Affinity Gaming expects to incur in connection with the proposed transaction, and the need to generate sufficient cash flows to service and repay such debt; quarterly and annual fluctuations in operating results; Affinity Gaming's and the Company's competitive performance; rates of growth in Affinity Gaming's and the Company's target markets; and Affinity Gaming's and the Company's ability to maintain or improve gross margin;.
Z Capital and/or Affinity Gaming undertake no intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Additional Information
This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. This communication relates to a proposal which Z Capital has made for a transaction with Full House Resorts. In furtherance of this proposal and subject to future developments, Z Capital and/or Affinity Gaming (and, if a negotiated transaction is agreed, Full House Resorts) may file one or more registration statements, proxy statements, tender offer statements or other documents with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement, registration statement, tender offer statement, prospectus or other document Z Capital, Affinity Gaming and/or Full House Resorts may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF FULL HOUSE RESORTS ARE URGED TO READ ANY SUCH PROXY STATEMENT(S), REGISTRATION STATEMENT, TENDER OFFER STATEMENT, PROSPECTUS AND/OR OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Any definitive proxy statement(s) or prospectus(es) (if and when available) will be mailed to stockholders of Full House Resorts. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Z Capital, Affinity Gaming and/or Full House Resorts through the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This communication is neither a solicitation of a proxy nor a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that may be made with the SEC. Nonetheless, Z Capital, Affinity Gaming and/or their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transactions. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in one or more registration statements, proxy statements, tender offer statements or other documents filed with the SEC if and when they become available.
Media Contact
Jonathan Keehner / Julie Oakes / Kate Clark
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
SOURCE Z Capital Partners
Source: European Gaming Media
Yggdrasil agrees online casino content deal with Finland's national gaming operator, Veikkaus
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The game development company Yggdrasil, a Cherry AB (publ) – STO: CHER-B.ST subsidiary, has signed and finalised a deal with Finnish gaming operator Veikkaus to provide its high-quality casino games content.
Veikkaus is the largest and only regulated gambling operator in Finland, both offline and online, with a turnover of EUR 3.2 billion in 2017. The company is a member of World Lottery Association and has more than two million customers. Its gaming platform www.veikkaus.fi is Finland's largest online casino, attracting around 700,000 players every week.
The operator will take Yggdrasil's portfolio of innovative casino slot games including the latest releases Penguin City, Hanzo's Dojo and Wolf Hunters. Veikkaus will also get access to BOOST®, Yggdrasil's proprietary range of in-game promotional tools. This allows partner operators to instantly run promotions from within the game client.
Yggdrasil's games will be in full compliance with Finnish regulatory requirements.
Fredrik Elmqvist, CEO, Yggdrasil, said:
"We are thrilled to join forces with such a professional and established business as Veikkaus and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."
Jan Hagelberg, Vice President, Casino Games, Veikkaus, said:
"We are happy to join with Yggdrasil team to bring its unique and innovative games to our loyal players. Yggdrasil casino content is proven to perform well across regulated markets and we are confident our players will enjoy them on a regular basis."
Cherry is an innovative and fast-growing company within gaming, entertainment and media. Established in 1963, today Cherry operates through five diversified business areas: Online Gaming, Game Development, Online Marketing, Gaming Technology, and Restaurant Casino. The Group's objective is to grow organically in combination with strategic acquisitions of fast-growing companies. Cherry employs some 1,400 people and has about 9,250 shareholders. The Company's class B share is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange, Mid Cap segment. More information is available at www.cherry.se
Veikkaus is a company owned entirely by the Finnish State and one of the ten biggest companies in the country in terms of turnover and profit. Veikkaus' games can be played in online casino, at thousands of points of sale all over Finland, in numerous game arcades and Casino Helsinki. Veikkaus.fi is one of Finland's largest consumer online stores with up to 700,000 weekly players. Veikkaus has more than two million registered loyal customers, which is ca. 45 percent of adult Finns. The entire profit from Veikkaus games, ca. EUR 1.2 billion a year, are used for the benefit of people living in Finland. Veikkaus has thousands of beneficiaries all over Finland and employs ca. 2,000 professionals of the gambling and digital industries.
Source: European Gaming Media
Artificial intelligence and digital signage are enhancing casino guest experience and security
Reading Time: 2 minutes
VSBLTY, a leading retail software and technology company, is taking a major step to prove that the guest experience and security can both be enhanced at entertainment venues through ground-breaking software and analytics devices. A revolutionary multi-phased pilot program was recently introduced at Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, Mich.
According to VSBLTY Chief Executive Officer Jay Hutton, "The pilot integrates all aspects of our technology portfolio, using Proactive Digital Displays with our three software platforms, DataCaptor, VisionCaptor, and VSBLTY Vector."
All VSBLTY software modules use advanced FacialAnalytics that gather identified audience measurement (age, gender, dwell time, and sentiment). This data analysis happens in real time, even in large crowds or in motion. "This software is designed to not only enhance the guest experience, but to create a virtual perimeter around the casino floor to analyze player behaviors, further gamify player engagement, all while augmenting security operations to make Gun Lake even safer," said Hutton.
One breakthrough feature of VSBLTY Vector is proprietary object recognition that identifies assault weapons and objects of interest that, if detected, can notify security. Hutton explained, "This is the advantage of AI and machine learning giving security and surveillance a new friend–the marketing department."
According to Salvatore Semola, president and COO of Gun Lake Casino, "This advanced digital signage technology creates an exciting guest experience by keeping them more engaged, helping make them safer, and also aiding risk management on the casino floor. We are committed to being best-in-class gaming operators, offering memorable and fun player experiences."
Jan Talamo, Chief Creative Officer at VSBLTY, explained that with this program, Gun Lake Casino is expanding guest engagement by adding new interactive touchpoints. "Gun Lake is using marketing messages to keep guests informed of offers, including more ways to win, while providing management information from sentiment to security, all in one application," he said. "Our VisionCaptor software allows marketers and casino operators to tailor messages delivered to the display depending on who is looking at them–all in real-time," Talamo said.
"And this is only the beginning," said Project Lead and VSBLTY COO Linda Rosanio, who projected that an augmented reality game that will attract guest participation is planned before year end. "It is designed to increase frequency of visitation by giving guests the opportunity to turn their smart phone into a game console. They can then play a scavenger hunt for prizes by walking through the casino collecting designated markers," Rosanio said.
"This technology will be standard issue on casino floors in the future. It will change the way we view retail and rated play, insure us from visits from disassociated persons and create a better, safer and more engaged customer experience, and that's what's most important to Gun Lake," said Semola.
Source: VSBLTY
Source: European Gaming Media
Z Capital Partners and Affinity Gaming Proposes to Acquire Full House Resorts
Yggdrasil agrees online casino content deal with Finland's national gaming operator, Veikkaus
Artificial intelligence and digital signage are enhancing casino guest experience and security
Fortune Magazine Honors a Casino That Bet Big on Its Employees
Save the date for Prague Gaming 3, March 12 – 2019 at Vienna House Andel's Prague
EveryMatrix seals casino deal with Adjarabet, the Georgian giant gaming operator
Growth and Innovation Key Focus of Gaming Arts "Play BIG!" Theme for G2E 2018
Thailand cracks down Slot555 illegal online casino
AGames Launches "Stellar" Space Online Slot
Gambling revenues continue to soar in Maryland
News7 months ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
News6 months ago
Danish Gambling Market update with Birgitte Sand (Director of the Danish Gambling Authority) at Mare Balticum Gaming Summit 2018
News8 months ago
MGM Resorts unveils its new casino – MGM Cotai
Affiliate Success2 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Christoph C. Cemper Founder & CEO of LinkResearchTools and Link Detox
Events1 year ago
Announcing Thomas Willomitzer (Founder and CEO at Snapscreen.com, Co-founder of Last.fm) as keynote speaker
Affiliate Success2 years ago
Affiliate Interviews: Lena of CasinoHawks.com
News8 months ago
Armed Norwegian Police Raids Five Poker Rooms In Oslo
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Stars Group Inc. has grown in leap and bounds – acquiring 62% equity interest in CrownBet


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What does it take to run a bike share?
The biggest factor behind a bike share's success is not the technology or even the bikes, it's the people and processes that keep the system running day to day. From planning, launch, education, operations and maintenance, top-notch bike sharing programs have processes and people that ensure great rider experiences.At Zagster, our fleet team makes sure that more than 100 bike share programs across the United States are up and running for every ride.
We sat down with Zagster fleet manager Jeremy Jo to get the low down on what it takes to run a successful bike share.
The Share: Jeremy, welcome. Tell us a little about yourself and the role of fleet operations at Zagster.
Jeremy Jo: Thanks for having me.
Fleet operations at Zagster handles everything that has to do with keeping our bike share programs running. We make sure that there is always a supply of bikes available for riders across our locations. That means coordinating everything from maintenance, rebalancing, replacements, and winterization/storage for every bike.
I started working in the cycling industry at 15 doing sales and service for a local bike shop in California. Eventually, I moved to Boston and studied to be an engineer. Most recently I finished my Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University and also a Masters in Engineering Management at the Gordon Institute at Tufts as well.
TS: Why is an operations program important for bike sharing?
JJ: I think the best way to describe any sharing system is a supply and demand economy. You need both sides of the supply and the demand to be fulfilled to be able to have successful operations. At Zagster, our supply side is bikes and if we don't have bikes available than we can't keep up with demand which means the demand side is going to drop because riders will know that the supply just isn't there.
So it's important to operate successfully so we can make the bikes available which means that the riders can rely on bike sharing system and utilize the system as a sustainable and reliable mode of transportation.
TS: So the more riders see the bikes are in good shape, are available, are where they want to be, the more they will use them. What are the maintenance considerations that go along with bike share bikes? A lot of people ride their bikes all the time and never bring them into a mechanic.
JJ: I would say that a casual rider would use their personal bike maybe 3-4 times a month. An aggressive commuter might ride 5-10 times a week, but our bikes can see 15 or more rides per day. So you are seeing potentially 5-15x utilization with bike share bikes versus personal bikes.
Because of the level of riding, the bikes need increased attention and that means more care to understand when a part is worn out and even knowing when something is going to break so you can fix it proactively.
So frequency of service intervals is much higher and that's where the knowledge and skill comes into play because the more efficient and more knowledgeable you are the less time you need to spend on each bike because you know what to look for.
TS: So if these bikes are being ridden a lot more than personal bikes, how often does a mechanic need to visit the system? Is this a regular thing, or just occasionally?
JJ: So this is a tough question to answer because it changes based on scale and it changes based on use. Obviously as you use the bikes more they need more service.
Adding in the operational side of things brings more complexity to the situation. I think that a great way to describe it is there are two sides to the mechanics visits or site visits in general related to bikes.
If a bike has a flat tire, that's a service visit required. The bike needs maintenance so the shifting, braking and everything is running smooth and there's air in the tires, which all falls into the maintenance category.
But then there's the rebalancing and station visit side of maintenance in that you need to make sure the bike share system is running smoothly. This is moving bikes around, reallocating and making sure all the stations have an adequate number of bikes to meet the demands and expectations of riders.
TS: There's more to operations than just having a mechanic on the ground, you someone who's proactively looking at the system and making sure it's operating correctly.
JJ: Yes, but I think there's even more than just that. There's the fleet side of things in terms of being able to address any issues that come up and working with mechanics to resolve them but there's also the support side of things.
Who does a rider go to if something goes wrong? So you need that inbound support request as well as the outbound issue dispatch.
So right now, we have someone at Zagster who does just that. Our rider services team can track a bike down, understand what needs to happen, enter it into the system, follow up with riders and generally be the first line of support. And that is probably something that we find many people don't have with bike share programs they do on their own and often don't have all these pieces in place to be able to support the riders.
TS: What would be your advice for communities that are looking at starting bike sharing systems right now? What are the things they should be thinking about?
JJ: I think one thing that often gets underestimated is the number of bikes required in order to have a successful bike share. Anecdotally, we have programs where there is really successful ridership but their complaint is always that there are no bikes available.
This is an artifact of a couple of things: that the operation isn't working in terms of getting the bikes to where they need to be, but more so it's that the program is successful and we don't have enough bikes on the ground.
It's that supply/demand balance. It's important to budget the appropriate number of bikes so that it doesn't look like the program is failing when it's really very successful.
Another thing to think about is rider education. Many people know how to ride a bike, but are inexperienced with handling a bike in an urban environment. I don't mean just riding - I mean how to ride on the road, when and where to lock it up - that whole level of rider education is something that we support is well.
Also, on the operations side we have people that really understand how to design bike share systems, who know to determine the optimal system size, if you need overflow parking and where the flow of traffic is. Just for example, on a campus we place stations to try and replicate that traffic flow because the bikes are being used as transportation and they need to be placed in order to make the system successful.
TS: So your team has really baked in these best practices all the way through the service Zagster provides. I mean, this isn't just a bike, part of the whole program is you get the knowledge of these operational best practices.
JJ: Yea, I think that bike sharing is more than just bikes. To launch a successful program there are things that you need to do that people don't even think about before they actually have the bikes on the ground. You need the buy in of the community, you need good equipment and you also need a solid operational plan in order to launch and grow a successful program.
Learn More
Want to run a better bike share? Check out the free Guide to Running a Bike Share here.
Zagster's planning, launch and operations teams are experienced in managing on-demand bike share networks.
Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can help you in planning or implementing a bike share program.

subset: commoncrawl


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I love Whimsy Stamps and many of the other lines they do in digi and rubber as well, such as Art by MiRan, Wee Stamps, Time for Tea Designs etc and I have so many of their sentiment stamps too as they always seem to have one that is just exactly what I am looking for. There just so many different designers to choose from at Whimsy, it's sometimes too hard just to choose one or two to use!
I have been a regular participant in the Whimsy Stamps challenge blog and was lucky enough to be chosen as a Guest Designer in the past.
Anyway here is my card for this entry using one of my favourite colour combos - pink and brown. I used the cute Goldie Locks by Elizabeth Bell and the Ticket Notes sentiment set too. Not sure if you can see it very well in the picture, but I have paper-toled this image so she has more depth and I love how she came out.
I thought I would also add a couple of my other favourite cards using products from Whimsy Stamps as well.
This is the card I made for my GDT post using Birthday Girl from the Lia Stampz Vintage Girls Collection.
And I made this one using Hopeful from the Wee Stamps line by Sylvia Zet. You can find my original post here.
Recipe for the Goldie Locks card:
Stamps: Goldie Locks, Ticket Notes both from Whimsy Stamps
Papers: Rose Red, Early Espresso both from Stampin' Up, Always & Forever Patterned Papers from Lili of the Valley, Copic X-Press It Blending Card
Inks: Rose Red from Stampin' Up, Copic Markers
Accessories: Cherish Punch Around The Page set from Martha Stewart,Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities from Spellbinders, Pastel Raspberry Liquid Pearls, Pearl Stamens from Live & Love Crafts, Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, Filigree 3D Itty Bitty Bow Die Set from Sue Wilson@Creative Expressions, Butterfly from stash
Copics Used:
Skin - E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20
Hair - E71, E74, E79
Stool - E42, E44, E47
Cat - E30, E31, E33
Reds - R56, R59
Pinks - R81, R83, R85
Leaves - G21, G17
And that's all from me for this post folks! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you like my entry!


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
by Mark Daul
A new law effective May 1 requires all individuals born on or after May 1, 1996, to successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a motorboat. Approved courses include those offered by New York State Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the U.S. Power Squadron. Individuals less than 10 years of age may not take this course of instruction. Certain allowances to this law have been made for visitors to New York, persons renting a boat from a livery and persons purchasing a new boat for the first time.
Contact local USCG Auxiliary Bob Hasse at 716-954-3453 for the time and date of courses offered. These classes held at the Officer's Club at Fort Niagara, presented by Flotilla 092-03-01, Youngstown.
Or contact Dan Hoffman of the U.S. Power Squadron, at 716-632-0509. This course will take place at the Inner Harbor Yacht Club, Tonawanda.
Classes start soon so don't hesitate to register.
In Niagara Falls, Michael McCormick will hold a class on Sunday, March 16 at the Niagara Scuba Diving Center on Military Road. Call 716-316-8259 to make reservations.
There is a charge for these courses, plus a $10 fee for a NYS Parks safe boating certificate. All courses are of eight-hour duration, one day, and are for adults and children.
For complete information contact State Parks at: http://nysparks.com/recreation/boating/safety-courses.aspx#sthash.epogRghR.dpuf. There are courses available throughout the state.


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ISSN : 2287-982X(Online)
DOI : https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2013.20.2.060
Reliability and Validity of Measurement Using Smartphone - Based Goniometer of Tibial External Rotation Angle in Standing Knee Flexion
- 8.전인철.pdf277.9KB
Tibial external rotation is shown while the tibia is twisted outward compared with the distal end of the femur in knee flexion (Sahrmann, 2011). The measurement of tibial external rotation is quite important for clinical evaluation of the knee because a greater than normal angle of tibial external rotation is affected by patellofemoral instability (Turner, 1994), causing increased knee-valgus stress in a standing position and during gait (Turner and Smilliem, 1981). In addition, tibial external rotation may increase with maturity and influencing lateral patellofemoral impingement (Fouilleron, 2010). Previous research found that the angle of tibial external rotation with respect to the femur was significantly increased in patients with patellofemoral pain, compared with healthy subjects (Bruce and Stevens, 2004; Eckhoff et al, 1997). Since Nicol and Menelaus (1983) stated that the alignment of the lower limb structure is affected by the angle of abnormal tibial rotation; tibial external rotation is a factor to evaluate with regard to knee instability associated with knee joint pain (Bruce and Stevens, 2004).
Several studies have described different methods for measuring the angle of tibial external rotation (Mikashima et al, 2006; Taussig, 1982; Turner and Smillie, 1981; Turner, 1994; von Porat et al, 2008; Webster et al, 2010). Previous studies have shown the angle of tibial external rotation in patients with patellofemoral pain is more than 24.5°, while the angle in healthy subject is approximately 19°, as measured using a tropometer (Taussig, 1982; Turner and Smillie, 1981; Turner, 1994). Mikashima et al (2006) have documented the value of normal tibial external rotation measured using computed tomography (CT) as 10° in knee extension. Sahrmann (2011) stated that the angle of tibial rotation in knee flexion at 90° is between 25 and 57°. In addition, three-dimensional motion analysis techniques have become one of reliable and traditional ways to assess dynamic knee motion for a variety of populations (von Porat et al, 2008; Webster et al, 2010). Three-dimensional motion analysis system (Vicon) has been used to calculate the kinematics of functional knee activity such as stepping, hopping, and knee bending motions on one leg standing (von Porat et al, 2006; von Porat et al, 2008). However, these methods were too expensive, time-consuming, and complex and these features made them less accessible for clinical settings (Lee, 2003). Currently, smartphone-based photographic goniometer, DrGoniometer (DrG) (CDM S.r.l., Milano, Italy) applied in clinical practice has been increasing in popularity for a number of practitioners (Ferriero et al, 2011; Ferriero et al, 2013). Various smartphone applications with the ability to measure angles have been used to assess the range of motion (ROM) of peripheral joints in clinical settings and research (Vrtovec, 2009; Ferriero et al, 2011; Ferriero et al, 2013). These advantages of smartphones such as being time-saving, expedient, and portable could be more accessible for practitioners (Jacquot, 2012). Also, their reliability has been proven through several recent studies (Al-Hadithy, 2012; Jacquot, 2012; Qiao, 2012).
To our knowledge, no studies have investigated the reliability and validity of the tibial external rotation angle in standing knee flexion at 90° using DrG, compared to using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The purposes of the present study were to (1) determine the intra-rater test-retest reliability of DrG and three-dimensional motion analysis system measurements for tibial external rotation in standing knee flexion at 90° between test days and (2) assess the validity of tibial external rotation angle measurement using DrG by comparing the findings with a three-dimensional motion analysis system. We hypothesized that (1) tibial external rotation measures using both DrG and a three dimensional motion analysis system would be reliable between sessions and (2) the validity determined by correlating DrG measurement and the tibial external rotation angle, as measured by the three-dimensional motion analysis system.
Twenty healthy male subjects were recruited by gathering a convenience sample of university students (Table 1). Inclusion criteria included: (1) normal range of motion in ankle, knee, and hip joints, (2) no musculoskeletal and neurological abnormalities, (3) no history of knee and ankle surgery. Exclusion criteria included: (1) specific ankle and knee pain such as osteoarthritis, (2) a previous history of ankle or knee surgery, (3) patella instability, and (4) symptoms of meniscal or knee ligament and ankle ligament involvement. The investigator explained all of the procedures to the subjects in detail before the measurements were taken. Subjects also signed the informed consent form.
Table 1. General characteristics of the subjects (N=20)
DrG can measure the joint angle and observe all of the related data which has been developed to perform a easier and faster measurement of joint angle (Ferriero et al, 2011). A circle highlights the center of the axis while a yellow pendulus indicated the gravity shaft. As a smartphone was placed perpendicular to the ground, the yellow pendurus showed a green color when it was close to perpendicular in the same reference position. The data on each angle calculated by placing three different markers with a gravity sensor can be stored for each subject. Each marker can be placed on the exact point of the heel (Figure 1). the picture can be taken with the gravity sensor in respect to the ground and the same height between the smartphone lens and the joint axis to make precise reference indication. In this study, the line connecting from the second toe to the heel with a molded thermoplastic tibial splint was photographed for all the subjects 1 m from behind when performing tanding knee flexion at 90°.
Figure 1. Three different markers with gravity sensor can be placed to calculate tibial external rotation angle performed in the frontal plane by DrGoniometer measurement.
Kinematic Data
Sixteen reflective markers of anatomical landmarks were placed over the anterior superior iliac spines, posterior superior iliac spines, lateral aspects of the thigh and leg, knee joint axis, lateral malleolus, heel, and forefoot (Webster et al, 2010). Kinematic data were sampled at the rate of 100 ㎐ with an eight camera three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON MX system, Oxford Metrics Ltd., Oxford, UK). The diameter of reflective markers was 14 ㎜, and double-sided tape was used to be attached to the skin. Before data were collected, the manufacturer's instructions were used to calibrate this system. Vicon plug-in-gait biomechanical software was used to measure the kinematic profiles. The knee flexion period was divided into three phases. Each of the three periods of knee flexion in a standing position involved placing a foot on the ground for 5 sec, being in motion for 5 sec, and being at the end range of knee flexion at 90° for 5 sec. Tibial external rotation angle was measured at the end range of knee flexion at 90° in the frontal plane. In addition, DrG pictures were taken at the end of the motion at 90° in the frontal plane for all of the sessions.
Subject participated in session 1 and session 2 on the same day, and session 3 was conducted five days later (Figure 1). Each subject participated in two trials only for limbs on the right-sided limbs in session 1 since there is no significant difference between left and right limbs in healthy subjects (Webster et al, 2010). Subjects were accustomed to performing the motion for sessions after practicing for 15 minutes. The examiner was familiarized with the experimental protocol to ensure standardization of the measurements using DrG and a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Since Sahrmann (2011) stated that the functional assessment of knee external rotation should be done while the participants position one of their knees at 90° of flexion while standing, Each subject performed knee flexion at 90° until the target bar touched the back of their calf in a standing position which allowed tibial external rotation to be performed in the frontal plane. Each session was started with both of their feets attached and eyes looking forward. Subjects were supported by holding two separate perpendicular shafts to minimize the weight shift. Furthermore, the ankle motion was restricted using the molded thermoplastic tibial splint (Alarm et al, 2011). Additionally, hip flexion during the tasks was limited by the fixation bar being placed in front of the thigh. Each subject was requested to sit for 30 min in the same place.Reflective markers were remained in the same region (i.e., session 2 was conducted after 30 min of resting time once session 1 was completed). After the rest period, the subjects performed the same procedure for the limbs on the right side in session 2. These two sessions were performed to determine within-day reliability. All of the subjects returned five days later and were required to perform two trials of the same procedures for right limbs in session 3 (Figure 2). The markers placement was reapplied in session 3. The data of the last session was comparedwith session 1 to determine between-day reliability. One examiner placed the markers on all the subjects during all of their trials. DrG and a three-dimensional motion analysis system were used together at the same time for each trial.
Figure 2. Flow chart of the progression of measurement through the study.
Statistical Analysis
Through this process, mean measurement angles with standard deviations (SD) of two trials were calculated for each session. Within-day reliability was determined by the outcome of sessions 1 and 2. Between-day reliability was determined by sessions 1 and 3. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC [3, 1]) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the within- and between-day intra-rater test-retest reliability of using DrG and a three dimensional motion analysis system. In the interpretation, the ICC value of >.75 was used to indicate "excellent," .40∼.75 was "fair to good," and .00∼.40 was "poor" (Crossley et al, 2004). The method used to provide information on absolute reliability was the standard error of measurement (SEM), which is calculated using the following equation: [SEM=SD. Where SD=the sample standard deviation. The smaller SEM is expressed, the more reliable the measurement (Atkinson and Mevill, 1998). The mininal detectable difference (MDD) was calculated using the formula [MDD95=1.96 * SEM *] to determine the magnitude of change that would exceed the minimal error of the measurement at a 95% confidence level (Portney and Watkins, 2009). Validity was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient (r) was defined as follows: >.75 was "excellent," .5∼.75 was "good," .25∼.50 was "moderate," and <.25 was "poor" (Alanay et al, 2005). All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (ver. 18.0, SPSS Inc., IL, Chicago, USA).
The intra-rater test-retest reliability of DrG and three-dimentional motion analysis system measurements was significantly good, as expected. The reliability values for the within-day ICC and between-day ICC of measurements using DrG and the three-dimensional motion analysis system are displayed in Table 2. The within-day (ICC=.93) value was higher than the between-day (ICC=.77) value in the measurement of three-dimensional motion analysis. The between-day ICC value in DrG was lower than the within-day ICC (within ICC=.88; between ICC=.83). SEM between DrG and the three-dimensional motion analysis is displayed in Table 4. This represented the average within-subject differences for both within- and between-day sessions. Also, the between-day ICC values for DrG and the three-dimensional motion analysis were different (i.e., between-day ICC for DrG=.83; between- day ICC for the Vicon=.77), which could indicate why between-day reliability values were low, especially for the kinematic measurement with the reflective skin markers (Brochard, 2011). In addition, measurements obtained from the ICC value with 95%CI of tibial external rotation, including the mean and SD values are presented in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively. A scatterplot was drawn to represent the relationship between DrG and a three-dimensional motion analysis measurements in Figure 3.
Table 2. Mean and standard deviation of the tibial external rotation angle (N=20)
Table 3. Mean and standard deviation of the tibial external rotation angle (Unit: ˚)
Table 4. Measurement error scores for tibial external rotation
Figure 3. Scatterplot of tibial external rotation angle measurement techniques (dashed line:DrGoniometer measurement, solid line: Vicon measurement).
The purpose of the current study was to determine the intra-rater test-retest reliability and validity of DrG and three-dimensional motion analysis measures of tibial external rotation in standing knee flexion at 90°. We believe that the present research is the first reported study to investigate the intra-rater test-retest reliability and validity of DrG and three-dimensional motion analysis system techniques to measure tibial external rotation. A three dimensional motion analysis system was the technique in which the advanced laboratory well used to measure functional motion (Tashman et al, 2008). The measurement using DrG saves time and is convenient; thus, it is being used more frequently for clinical evaluations (Al-Hadithy, 2012; Jacquot, 2012) and research purpose with high ICC values of intra-rater and inter-rater reliability for upper limb measurements (Ferriero et al, 2011).
For intra-rater test-retest reliability, our study indicated that the value for within-day ICC was quite high compared with between-day ICC for both DrG and the three-dimensional motion analysis system. A previous study reported that within-day ICC had higher reliability than between-day ICC, which supports our first hypothesis (Webster et al, 2010). The potential reason for the higher within-day ICC values than between-day ICC values was possible adaptation in the specific tasks (Webster et al, 2010). Altered motor performance might become the reason for being more repeatable performance of subjects on the task in within-day ICC compared to between-day ICC because of the task performed on the same day. Webster et al (2010) noted that the between-day errors resulted from subtle differences in marker placement between session 1 and session 3 in a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The result reported in this investigation was quite similar to the previous studies for lower limb measurements such as level gait (Kadaba, 1989), running (Ferber, 2002; Queen, 2006), landing (Ford, 2007), and pivoting (Webster et al, 2010) even though the tasks used in these previous studies were composed of active movements compared with current study.
However, our study aimed not only to compare within- and between-day reliability using DrG and a three-dimensional motion analysis system, but also to provide the information that DrG is a highly reliable method to measure tibial external rotation. Even though all of the subjects were instructed to follow the same action restricted by using a parallel bar in front of their thigh to control hip flexion and by using vertical support to minimize weight shifting while standing for the same condition, a slight difference between within-day and between-day reliability was shown. So, the findings in this study might be affected as a result of the task being repeated on the same day which indicated the difference between within day and between day reliability. In addition, the result from a three dimensional motion analysis system might be attributed to skin marker displacement in the same way (Webster et al, 2010).
In this study, we found that DrG provided valid datas that correlated with the findings from the three-dimensional motion analysis system for the measurement of tibial external rotation with the molded thermoplastic tibial splint. Similarly, several prior studies have indicated that DrG appears to be a reliable and accurate method in clinical practice and even for the research purpose of measuring the Cobb angle in kyphosis (Jacquot, 2012), the Cobb angle in scoliosis (Qiao, 2012), and hallux valgus (Ege, 2012). Several possible explanations for our results. First, the excellent validity of DrG and three-dimentional motion analysis measurements could be explained by the knee motion being well controlled as a result of being held in the molded thermoplastic tibial splint (Alam et al, 2011). A previous study showed that tibial rotation is not accurately represented by foot rotation, and the degree of tibial external rotation is actually obscured by foot rotation (Alam et al, 2011; Costigan, 1992). The measurement using the tibial splint and the measurement performed directly on the tibia showed significant correlations at both knee external rotation (6˚ overestimated in the tibial splint compared with tibia directly measurmed at 90˚) (Alam et al, 2011). DrG measurement was performed by photographing the line connecting subjects' second toe to the middle of their heel with the molded thermoplastic tibial splint from behind 1 m in standing knee flexion at 90°. For this reason, it was important to control the measurement by limiting the motion of the foot (Alam et al, 2011) and to be performed with offering a perpendicular viewpoint and centering the lens on the target angle which influenced the measurement repeatability and accuracy in photographic-based measurements (Dunlevy, 2005; Lindqvist, 1998). However, since the measurement of the tibial external rotation angle with the molded thermoplastic tibial splint using DrG is not clinically accessible, the taping method may be an alternative method to address interrelated mechanical fixation of ankle joints in clinical settings (Wilkerson, 2002). Second, another reason for the excellent validity of knee flexion at 90° in standing was that the hip joint was controlled using a bar and a belt in front of the thigh to avoid unwanted hip flexion and rotation (Osternig, 1980). Osternig (1980) stated that measurement discrepancies in tibial external rotation have been attributed to the failure to control accompanying thigh motion. This implies that controlling thigh and foot motion during measurement would provide valid results for the measurement of functional motion such as tibial external rotation. This study had several limitations. First, one examiner was employed, as most of the studies progressed in the same manner. However, no clinical field can be reflected in these procedures, as the measurement can be performed by a number of therapists. Further study is required to employ more examiners to represent general clinical settings and to establish inter-rater test-retest reliability. Second, our results cannot be generalized to the patient population because young, healthy male subjects participated in this study. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate the reliability of tibial external rotation using DrG and a three-dimensional motion analysis system in individuals with knee-ankle pain and from various age groups. Third, the measurement technique using DrG for tibial external rotation angle cannot be generalized to the measurement for other joints angle. Further study is needed to investigate the reliability of other joints angle measurement using DrG.
This study demonstrated excellent intra-rater test-retest reliability and validity for the use of DrG and a three-dimensional motion analysis to measure the tibial external rotation angle in standing knee flexion at 90°. In summary, the findings suggested that DrG is an alternative method to three-dimensional motion analysis for measuring the tibial external rotation angle. Thus, measurement of the tibial external rotation angle by DrG may provide useful information for the evaluation of lower extremity kinematics and treatment outcome. Based on these findings, we conclude that 1) tibial external rotation measurements using both DrG and a three-dimensional motion analysis system obtained on the same and different days can be reliable, and 2) DrG can be a interchangeable method with a three-dimensional motion analysis system to measure the tibial external rotation angle for clinical use.
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text: Adventure: Story Story Posted 06-14-2012 Chips Off The Old Block Father's Day resonates with STIHL competitors following family legacy By: Craig Lamb, OutdoorChannel.com The message of Father's Day tributes resonates the same for Matt Cogar and Matt Slingerland. Both sons have their dads to thank for passing on a lumberjack legacy running deep through their families. Cogar, 25, is coming off a phenomenal season of competition in the 2012 STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series. He earned high honors at the Midwest Pro Qualifier and then a silver medal at the U.S. Championship. He earned a spot on the U.S. Relay Team for the World Championships, Sept. 8-9, in Lillehammer, Norway. The third generation of Paul Cogar's family to compete in the timbersports is indeed carrying on a family legacy. "It's a tradition all around our family and I owe it all to him. Especially what I accomplished this year," said Matt of his father, a STIHL pro since 1997. Paul competed long before then with his father and brothers in West Virginia. "We trained together this year," Matt said. "It was kind of special to be doing that with him because of how it turned out." The father qualified for the championship at the Southern Pro Qualifier, less than one month before his son scored the win in Wisconsin to qualify. The father and son traveled there together in April. They returned home as the second in a pair of father-son matchups bound for the championship. Matt and Mike Slingerland, 48, advanced together at the Southern Qualifer in March. The next month Matt turned 21, with already a decade of experience swinging a racing ax. He began training at the age of 8, when Mike initiated the family's third generation of timbersports competitors. "He's the most generous and unselfish man I know of when it comes to coaching and training the young guys," said Matt, a pro since the launch of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series in 1985. "I know that because I grew up with it. We still train together now, and I want it that way as long as he can compete." Father's Day for the Slingerland men will be celebrated at the family training camp near their home in central North Carolina. "We'll share what we enjoy doing the most and that's chopping," Matt said. "It's quality time well spent." Meanwhile in Diana, W.Va., the axes will be idle in exchange for a dinner celebration at Paul Cogar's house. "It's going to be a laid-back affair, some good food and presents," said Matt, a newlywed. "Then I'll get back to training for the relay team and compete in some events this summer." "It's a great tradition that I'm glad to continue," Matt Slingerland said. It's also a tradition that is destined to continue for the Slingerlands and Cogars for many Father's Day celebrations to come. Share This Story Next From Story Bad Cat: Girl Rescued from Jaws of Mountain Lion Related Adventure : Posted 08-13-2013 Stihl Timbersport Champ Visits Wounded Warriors View Adventure : Posted 10-25-2012 Art From The Woodpile View Conservation : Posted 03-20-2012 Lumberjack Chops Down Pop View Comments Categories News Stories Recipes Tips Gear Videos Photo Galleries Viewer Photo Galleries Features Behind the Badge with Carlos Gomez Adventure Check Out All The Photos Explore the United States. Find information about and activities within your state. Get Started


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|Full Name
|First Game Appearance
|The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
| Jakamar (husband)
Kukiel (daughter)
Wryna lives in Skyloft with her husband Jakamar and daughter Kukiel. It is said that she compliments her husband, with her sense of creative imagination giving inspiration to Jakamar in his work as a repairman doing repair jobs around Skyloft. She is also a caring mother, which is shown by her concern when her daughter Kukiel goes missing.
[edit] The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
In Skyward Sword, Wryna is the starting point for the lost daughter side quest involving her daughter Kukiel. Kukiel is known to disappear during the day and only return at night with no explanation of her behaviour. With a growing worry, Wryna enlists Link's help to find her daughter and discover where she disappears to all day following her not returning at all.
Eventually, Link discovers through rumours about a demon in Skyloft that Kukiel has been spending time with one named Batreaux, who is actually a nice and polite character who Kukiel has befriended as the first person not to be scared away by his appearance. Link finds her inside Batreaux's house having a game of who can scream the loudest. Link then takes Kukiel back to Wryna and her husband, who in return produce five Gratitude Crystals due to their happiness of seeing their daughter safe.
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Widgey Nursing Pillow - Purple Stars
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Widgey Nursing Pillow - Purple Stars
Widgey® nursing pillows are extremely versatile and give great support to both you and your baby when feeding, sleeping, reading, relaxing and playing. The pillow is strong and firm and gives the appropriate support to your baby, particularly their back, whilst feeding.
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Our son has gone from an anxious child who refused to go to school to a confident college sophomore who has the tools to manage his own anxiety. The psychologists at ATC led us down this path with humor, sensitivity, and positive techniques, teaching us how to support our child and enabling our son to Continue Reading
Grateful Parent
Working with Dr. Cassiday was a pleasure, she has a very calming and soothing demeanor. She immediately 'got' my child and made him feel as though his feelings and needs were all that was important when actually she was really trying to change his behavior. She was also great with me as a parent, knowing I Continue Reading
45 Year Old Man
I had encountered problems with anxiety and depression in the years since becoming a graduate student. My anxiety issues really put my education and career goals at risk and, indeed, threatened to end the pursuit of a career I love. With a lot of diligent work, and the advice and techniques provided by Dr. Schmaus, Continue Reading
Mother of an 8-year old girl
My daughter struggles with anxiety and trichotillomania. As her mother, I felt completely helpless and didn't know where to turn. When my daughter started working with Dr. Schmaus, I quickly noticed a difference in her behavior and her overall anxiety. He helped her build coping strategies that she has been able to use to handle Continue Reading
A Grateful Mother
The Anxiety Treatment Center has been absolutely wonderful in helping our daughter (and me too!). Our therapist did a phenomenal job relating to our daughter's fears and concerns, meeting her where she was at, and pushing her just enough with positive encouragement to face her fears and overcome some very stubborn anxiety patterns that we Continue Reading
A Grateful Mother
We were struggling for eight months with our son's anxiety over sleeping. I reached out to the Anxiety Treatment Center and with our therapy sessions we worked out an expected timeline, plan and full support. Dr. Pojas educated me along the way so I understood the philosophy of the treatment. We were able to conquer my Continue Reading
Thankful Mother
After 10 years of therapists and psychiatrists who had NO CLUE how to help my son, I am forever grateful to have found the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago. Our therapist lifted a heavy burden from my shoulders and enabled my son to participate in society again and feel good about himself. He has Continue Reading
Woman with OCD and Anxiety
Dr. Alden was wonderful to work with. She was very caring, thorough, and thoughtful in my treatment. We were able to laugh together, and I felt like she genuinely cared about my well-bring and progress. She was very sympathetic. I had waited a long time to seek out treatment for my anxiety, but I'm very Continue Reading
Emetophobic Patient
I was emetophobic, which means I had a fear of seeing, hearing, or being around vomit. I saw Dr. Alden for a few months and she was exactly what I needed. She was so calming and supportive. I can now feel comfortable going out to places where it may happen without it being on my Continue Reading
Anxious Businessman
Dr. Alden was terrific to work with. She made me feel very comfortable during our meetings, and always made sure to discuss what was on my mind before we moved on to that week's agenda. I came in there wondering why I had the 'symptoms' I have, thinking that I was literally going crazy. She Continue Reading
Grateful Patient with Anxiety Disorder and Medical Phobia
In less than a year, Dr. Pojas has been able to accomplish what I have been trying to for the past 20 years or more. Having just "graduated" from my treatment with Dr. Pojas, I feel like an entirely new person. Whereas I was once living my life entrapped by an anxiety disorder and a Continue Reading
Grateful Postpartum Mom
Thank you for all the help that your program has provided for me. I can now say from first hand experience that it has been the most helpful and beneficial part of my life. When I first started seeing the therapist I was depressed, overwhelmed and scared about what my future looked like as a Continue Reading
Dramatic Improvement for High School Junior
We are so grateful for the treatment we received from our Anxiety Treatment Center therapist for our 11th grade daughter. It has been amazing to watch her grow from a terrified student, unsure if she could even use the many stairs at school, to an award winner of December Student of the Month! Our doctor helped Continue Reading
Client who was Afraid of Injections and Transfusions
Before seeing Dr. Pojas, I spent 15 years years so scared of needles and blood draws I couldn't even look at a picture in the newspaper without feeling faint. After six months of treatment with Dr. Pojas, I was able to get a blood test and even give myself an injection. Dr. Pojas taught me Continue Reading
Grateful Mom and Former Teacher who suffered from Panic Attacks
Dr. Alden helped me to understand and overcome my panic attacks. She was always kind, supportive, and hopeful. All of our sessions were purposeful, and her treatment strategies worked. I am grateful for her expertise, her time, and her positive support.
Successful Professional Speaker
Dr. Alden could not have been more amazing to work with! I suffered from panic attacks when I was public speaking, and was terrified of my next speaking engagements. Since working with her for about two months, I haven't had a single panic attack! She was very understanding and I would recommend her to anyone!
Practice News
- Dr. Nathan Fite to speak about Anxiety Disorders at the Fremont Public Library: On Wednesday, September 19, from 7-8 pm, Dr. Nathan Fite will be offering a free presentation at the...
- Dr. Siegel supports the Picking Me Foundation: Dr. Dustin Seigel recently attended an event hosted by a valuable non-profit, Picking Me. Picking Me...
- Practical advice for parents on helping your children manage anxiety from Dr. Alden: It's common for children to avoid the things that scare them. Our own Dr. Alison Alden shares her ...
- Follow Us on Twitter
Marijuana Is Way More Dangerous to Teens than Alcohol, According to Study - https://t.co/Q4zm6mSwJ2
Finding Gear for Teens to Try Out Hobbies https://t.co/VTEFYn07xf #lethemtry #thrive #hobbiesjustforfun
I'm Learning to Let My Kids Fail Now ⏤ So They'll Be Successful Later - https://t.co/dyOdRVjLB4 #healthylove


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Ask Captain Chris
Photo Log
Favorite Links
Galley Recipes
Find us on
(NOTE: We no longer charter our boat but are pleased to come aboard YOUR boat anywhere for personal training with you and your mate)
Due diligence. That's a phrase we often associate with business yet it also has an important role in pleasure boating especially when you are searching for the right trawler. After due diligence this couple decided to spend four days aboard with us with some specific objectives. They wrote to us, in the hopes of,
That's a measurable and very attainable list when you learn with Captains Chris and Alyse. So, fast forward to "Welcome Aboard Sandy Hook" and Joe and Niki have met and exceeded their goals. Here's a note we received when they returned home and just in case you were wondering, they really are closer than ever to living the dream of a cruiser. As I write this, Chris is on a sea trial with Joe and Niki as they look into a DeFever that just could be the next step in their adventure.


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Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
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Be the first OregonLive.com user to add photos or videos of Needleworks
Needleworks is located at 712 Powers St, Eugene, OR. This location is in the West Eugene neighborhood. This business specializes in Embroidery and Alterations & Tailoring.
Needleworks can be found at Powers St 712. The following is offered: Embroidery. The entry is present with us since Sep 9, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Eugene there are 7 other Embroidery. An overview can be found here.


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An Eastvale man was arrested Wednesday, Oct. 31, on suspicion of possession and distribution of child pornography, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a news release.
Deputies in the Eastvale Special Enforcement Team conducted an investigation on Oct. 24 in the 5800 block of Hamner Avenue in Eastvale. On Oct. 31, deputies served a search warrant, and they arrested Craig Dayton, 53, and seized evidence, the release said.
Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff's Department at 951-955-2600.
Follow Brian Rokos on Twitter: @Brian_Rokos. And watch for his posts on the Crime Blotter blog: blog.pe.com/crime-blotter/


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Grace Lutheran Church
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Please join us for an open house Saturday, November 12th 1pm-3pm, refreshments to be served. Come and anjoy our newly remodeled sanctuary and new organ!


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As a freshman at Arizona State University with my first semester of college behind me, I have had more new experiences in the past few months than I have had in the past few years. I have been exposed to new levels of responsibility, freedom, and independence. But I feel that the most important new experience is meeting and learning about new people. These people come in all shapes, sizes, cultures, and beliefs. But to my shock many of these people lack what I consider to be a fundamental element of an education. Many lack basic understanding of the world around them. They simply do not take the time to care about national and international events that may shape the lives of their children or themselves.
All too often I have tried to spark a political or theological conversation with another student, only to be met with a blank stare. Even worse, are students who simply absorb the political and ideological beliefs of their parents or the people around them, never to ask questions or think for themselves. Upon graduation they may enter the real world under prepared for the realities of life and by not questioning what they are told, they are susceptible to manipulation. These students need to be instilled with a fire to be a positive influence in the world and take part in events that can change humanity. If awareness and passion towards the subject of international and political awareness could be raised, students entering the real world will be able to make a profound impact on the planet, rather than sit idle as life passes them by. Students must learn to care about the world around them. This I believe.
If you enjoyed this essay, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to This I Believe, Inc.


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Like most homebuyers, you're probably pretty picky. And that's okay. You should know what you want and don't want and be unafraid to say it. If you want the simplicity of one-story living and a feeling of spaciousness, you want the Providence II. A classic three-bedroom, two-bath ranch with a huge open-concept great room just off the dining room and kitchen, a private master suite with a walk-in closet, a two-car garage and basement for storage. Now, the hard part … a paint color. You can tour the beautiful Providence II model at the Sandusky office.
- Better Business Bureau Accredited Business
- Builder Top 100
- Proudly Building Homes Since 1973


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Index of Suspicion
9 year old with fever. 9? Why do you bring a 9 year old to the Emergency Department with a cold? A 9 month old maybe, but 11 hours into a 15 hour moonlighting shift, I had no patientce for a 9 year old. Since I had finished residency and could see patients independently, I was working "non-acute," a small offshoot of the main ED where those judged not in need of significant intervention were seen. All day it had been a steady stream of upper respiratory infections for which I could offer nothing but symptomatic care with the occasional strep throat.
I went in to see my patient, who had been waiting several hours already. They were Haitian immigrants, son's English better than mom's. I went through the standard questions: fever was 101.5, not dangerously high, he complained of mouth pain but was able to eat and drink, a sibling was also ill at home. For some reason this was the 3rd time she had sought medical attention for him, convinced something was wrong.
I started through my quick exam. He was well hydrated, but had ulcers on his gums, unusual but not unheard of. His throat looked fine his lungs were clear. I put my stethoscope to his chest quickly, just to be complete. He had a murmur, a LOUD murmur, and was tachycardic. Hmm, I thought, that's unusual, given he didn't look dehydrated.
Between mom's conviction something was wrong, the oral ulcers and the murmur, something struck me as not quite right. I figured 90% chance he was fine, just a kid with a virus, but decided to check a CBC (complete blood count) and electrolytes just to make sure. I drew the blood and sent it off to the lab, then went back to all the viral infections and strep throats who were waiting.
30 minutes later a nurse from the acute side pulled me out of a room "the lab just called, Patient X has a hematocrit of 19 (just about 1/2 of normal), were you expecting that."
My heart sank, "What was the white count?" I asked.
"Not back yet, I'll let you know" she replied.
But I already knew the diagnosis. Sure enought 5 minutes later I got paged by the lab with the news: the white blood cell count was almost 100,000, more than 10 times normal and most were an immature form of cells called blasts that don't normally appear in peripheral blood.
He had leukemia
My remaining 3 hours flew by as I called the onc fellow who came in, at 10PM on a Sunday, to see the patient, broke the news to the patient and mother, put in IVs, drew a million labs and signed him out to the onc resident.
I got an e-mail the next day from the ED attending, congratulating me for picking this up and pointing out I could have saved the patients life (the leukemic cells packing his bone marrow crowd out everything els,e leaving him deficient in normal white blood cells, despite his high total number, and susceptible to overwhelming infection).
I wish I could say I was smart enough to have figured it all out in advance, that I knew what I was looking for. In retrospect, the ulcers were a sign of neutropenia, the murmur his heart beating harder and harder to keep up with the decreased number of red cells. But I can't, I wasn't that smart. I was just smart enough to realize something might not be right and look a bit harder.
A priori, I would have thought this experience would have reassured me about my clinical abilities. I had picked the needle (leukemia) out of the proverbial haystack (fundametally healthy kids with minor illnesses). Instead, it terrified me. How close I had come to reassuring the mom and sending the kid home. I became increasingly, painstakingly thorough with my histories and physicals, like being a 2nd year medical student all over again. Of course after a couple weeks that faded too and I was back to churning through patients
Follow up: He did well, achieving remission with standard doses of chemotherapy and was still doing in remission last time I checked.


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The prior Elkhart YMCA/EYCC was built with no endowment or long-term financial plan to maintain the facility. Thus, recurring maintenance and repair issues became unwieldy and impossible to cover with the declining membership.
The Elkhart Health Fitness Aquatics and Community Center has funded a $10MM endowment. This will annually contribute $500,000 towards the operations of the Aquatics Center, thereby ensuring the Center's success and sustainability.
Prior members of the Elkhart Youth Community Center (EYCC), local philanthropists, and the Community Foundation of Elkhart County are responsible for funding the aquatics center, community center, and endowment. Beacon Health System will fund the health and fitness center and they will operate the facility.
Please join us and make an investment into the health, wellness and connection of our community for generations to come.


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How much can your CrossFit Central coach lift? On Saturday, May 19th the coaches will participate in our annual Deadlift Off benefiting The Flatwater Foundation. They have each committed to raising $500 for this amazing organization and you can help —> sponsor your favorite coach by donating an amount of your choice per pound. Your coach will go for their best effort, max lift, and all money raised will go to The Flatwater Foundation!
Example: You pledge to donate $.20 per pound and your coach lifts 350 lbs. you will contribute $70 to The Flatwater Foundation.
NEW THIS YEAR: We are opening up the deadlift off to 20 CrossFit Central athletes (10 at Burnet Road and 10 at Downtown) that want to participate. Each client must commit to raising $500 for the Deadlift Off and going for their max lift on May 19th. If you are interested in participating, there will be a sign up sheet at the front desk. Fundraising begins on April 16th!
Get Involved: Locate the paddle board at your gym and pledge your amount under your favorite coach OR sign up to take on the Deadlift Off!
The Deadlift Off will take place at both CrossFit Central Burnet Road and CrossFit Central Downtown – come cheer everyone on!
Deadlift Off for The Flatwater Foundation
Saturday, May 19th
8am – 9am @ CrossFit Central Burnet Road and CrossFit Central Downtown
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It seems like I've been getting more of these kinds of emails lately:
I have been a big fan of your financial blog for quite some time, and I always check in every day to see what new topic has been posted.
Your July 8 post kind of touched on something in my life, somewhat. A little background: I graduated about seven years ago with a master's degree in English. Since that time, I've been stuck in dead-end jobs that pay very little. It's my fault, really. I pursued a degree in college that I knew would not lead to many professional opportunities, but I wasn't thinking at the time.
For the past six-and-a-half years, I've been slaving away as a low-paid copywriter for a mid-size international company. My pay barely budges, despite the extra work that I take upon myself, coming in early every day, leaving late, working weekends, etc. As a result, it's been difficult to put money aside for retirement (so far, I've only managed to save $30,000 in my 401(k), and I'm 37 years old) and savings.
After pondering my poor paycheck and job prospects, I've been contemplating a return to college, majoring in either business or engineering. The main problem is money. I plan on returning to college in January, 2009, but I'll only have about $6000 in my savings and my 401(k) money. I have no debt right now, and no family to provide for, so that's not a problem. However, it took me years to pay off debt that I incurred in college the first time around (mostly credit cards and an auto loan), so I'm terrified of any debt.
And this is the problem: for me to go back to college, I'll either need to tap my 401(k) or take out loans. I do not want to tap my 401(k) at all, but the prospect of going back into debt kind of paralyzes me. I hope to work part-time while going to school full-time, but that would only cover rent and not tuition (that is, if I can find a job where I'll be attending college).
Should I be so scared of student loan debt, considering that it's not an auto loan or a credit card bill? Do you know if any of your readers have been in a similar quandary?
I'm essentially rebooting my professional career, and I don't want to screw this help.
Thanks for your time!
Here's my response:
Have you considered going to your superior and asking them what you can do to advance and earn more money? If you don't get a straight answer or feel that your opportunities are limited, then consider moving on. Surely someone in your field is making a lot of money. I would find them and learn from them.
"If only I had this degree or that degree…"
Should you go back to college? Well, that's a call only you can make. I do think too many people use the lack of a particular college degree as an excuse and I'm concerned you might be too. Why do I say that? Because I didn't see a mention of what you would do with the degree. I'm not knocking a college degree and I realize that sometimes a drastic change is necessary. I think education is important. But, you already have a degree. I know lots of people working in fields that are different from their actual major. My dad met a women who was working at Charles Schwab. She had a history degree.
I think before I went back to college and spent all that money, I would begin a massive networking campaign. I would join every professional organization I could find and become an active member. I would volunteer to serve on boards and committees of those organizations. I would meet as many people in my industry as I could meet.
I would read every trade publication I could find. I would read books that are related to my field but are on aspects of the business that I don't quite understand. I would start with business management and accounting. I would learn how to read and understand financial statements. I would keep up with what's going on in the industry. Where's it headed? What's the future look like?
That said, all of this is moot if you're entirely unhappy with your job. If you really don't like what you're doing, then maybe going back to school is the solution. I really think you need to ask yourself what you intend to gain by going back to college.
If college is still in the picture and you don't have the money, then I would DEFINITELY GET A LOAN! Just make sure you don't borrow any more than you need and make sure everything you borrow is going towards your education. DO NOT use your retirement money to fund your schooling.
Those are my thoughts. I hope you found them helpful. Now I would like to know what AFM readers think. What do you think V.M. should do?


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New Jersey Birth Injury Attorneys
Pregnancy can be a stressful time for parents, especially as the due date approaches and the "what ifs" of childbirth become increasingly more perceptible. In most cases, parents' fears and apprehensions are alleviated over time, and the result is a positive, relatively unproblematic experience. Unfortunately, there are exceptions where a parent's fears are actualized, and a child is injured during the birthing process.


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Aji Yellow Pepper Plant : Great producers of 6 in.. long (although 4 in.. is more normal) pendant pods which mature from green to yellow. In their green stage the fruits are ideal for pickling and are on the mild side, when mature they have a distinctive fruity flavor and are fairly hot. Plants can grow up to about 4 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide.
De Arbol Pepper Plant : Also known as bird's beak chile and rat's tail chile. This Mexican pepper is about 2 to 3 inches long, and 1⁄4 to 3⁄8 inch in diameter. Highly popular in Mexico. De arbol is a mild to quite hot pepper and mature from light green to dark red. Plant can grow up to 4 ft. tall, hence the translation of 'De Arbol' which means 'small tree' or 'Tree like'. 50,000 and 65,000 Scoville
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