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Our December 2009/January 2010 article about growing $700 worth of food in 100 square feet prompted a report from the Wendell Berry Community Garden in Olympia, Wash. They harvested more than 4,800 pounds of food from just a quarter acre! We welcome more reports on the incredible productivity of your gardens — post a comment to Grow $700 of Food in 100 Square Feet!
We're also hearing a loud buzz of interest and concern following the recent articles Keeping Bees Using the Top-bar Beekeeping Method and Colony Collapse: Are Potent Pesticides Killing Honeybees?. Here's hoping more and more gardeners will opt to keep backyard hives, which will provide safe havens for bees, as well as higher crop yields and delicious honey for their keepers.
Monoculture; CCD; Artificial Honey
The article on pesticides harming bees (Colony Collapse: Are Potent Pesticides Killing Honeybees?) brings much-needed awareness about the connection of neonicotinoids to colony collapse disorder (CCD).
Neonicotinoids are synthesized products that kill off various pests that have come to exist in larger numbers because of the practices of monoculture agriculture. Monoculture farming is the real culprit. Neonicotinoids are only one of the newest tools of that system, and I fear what will come next.
I was also very pleased that you had Keeping Bees Using the Top-bar Beekeeping Method. Having read extensively on beekeeping, I found this article of great interest. The top-bar hive is a more practical system, and will probably be far more efficient than the current Langstroth system of hives, unless, as stated, the honey is the only thing you want.
As a side note, in New Mexico, fried pocket breads called sopapillas are often served after dinner, with honey to ease the burn from spicy chilies. Many restaurants, though, have begun to serve something called "sopapilla syrup." It's mostly high fructose corn syrup with little, if any, real honey in it. It's popular with restaurants only because of its lower cost.
Peter Goodman
Laguna, New Mexico
Cell Phones Harming Honeybees?
I am very concerned about the plight of our honeybees. I have read that some scientists think the radiation produced by cellular phones may be enough to interfere with the way honeybees communicate, making bees unable to find their way back to their hives.
Kathleen Lackey
Moravian Falls, North Carolina
We have received several letters regarding the possible effects of cell phone radiation on honeybees, but we have yet to see any peer-reviewed scientific studies on this issue. We invite readers to send us any studies you come across. — MOTHER
Advocating for Bees
Thank you so much for your wonderful article Keeping Bees Using the Top-bar Beekeeping Method. As a student of natural resource conservation and environmental studies, I understand the true importance of these amazing pollinators to the agricultural ecosystem. I hope that many other readers were inspired and will use the valuable information to create their own colonies and improve upon the overall population of the honeybee everywhere. Without the bees, much of our flora will not survive. Please continue to write articles about how easy it is to maintain a well-balanced and well-pollinated environment.
Samantha Hill
Santa Rosa, California
Pole Barn Tip
I enjoy your magazine very much. I would like to offer a tip relative to the recent article Do-it-yourself Pole-barn Building.
I replaced a deck using treated 4-by-4 posts sunk into the ground, similar to the process described in your article. The advertisement for my posts claimed they would last for 20 years underground. After about 10 years, I discovered that the posts had almost completely rotted away at the surface. At the time of construction, I had also buried some scraps of the treated lumber, simply to fill a hole. I dug up these scraps and found them to be in like-new condition. I concluded that rot occurred at the ground surface because the organisms causing rot need both moisture and air. If the poles (treated or not) are placed in the ground per your article and have any moisture, they may experience the same problem. I would place the poles in the ground per your article, but wrap them tight from 12 inches above ground level to 18 inches below with some water- and air-tight material, such as polypropylene, to seal out both moisture and air. I suspect a pole barn would then have a 40-year life (or longer) instead of a 10-year life.
Gene Nutting
Lake Stevens, Washington
Raising the Bar for Business
Your article about Yvon Chouinard and Patagonia (Patagonia: Making a Profit and Meeting Environmental Challenges) was terrific reading. Chouinard's comment that Patagonia exists not to make money but to "prove that it's possible to do the right thing for the planet and still make a profit" is something every business, large or small, should set as its goal.
The fact that he runs his business on his own terms and provides employee benefits that are unheard of in corporate America should be our first clue that Chouinard is a unique businessman. Who wouldn't love a boss that allows you to dress as you like (including bare feet) and places value not only on work, but family and play as well? Chouinard and Patagonia set the bar for the rest of corporate America to follow. I would love to see other articles on companies that are choosing to use green and sustainable business models. As always, keep up the great job, MOTHER!
Mary Adkins
Versailles, Ohio
Meet MOTHER on Facebook
I've just re-subscribed, since I find I'm constantly haunting your website for older articles and, not being completely broke at present, might as well support that which I lean on!
I write to suggest that you folks establish a MOTHER EARTH NEWS page on Facebook. I for one would gladly become a fan, which would then appear on my Facebook page. The viral implications thereafter are stupendous!
You folks are providing a tremendous service and are doing it with style, grace and sensitivity to the varied points of view of those who come to you looking for basic information about healthy living.
Kathleen Marin
Fall River, Maine
MOTHER EARTH NEWS is on Facebook, and we'd love to have you become a fan ! Click here to learn more about our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages, plus more ways to join the MOTHER EARTH NEWS community . — MOTHER
Hot Water, Not-So-On-Demand
We have discovered the hard way that on-demand water heaters require a certain amount of water pressure (Energy-efficient On-demand Water Heaters). We live with a gravity-fed well, maximum pressure 14, and spending $1,500 for an on-demand water heater was a real lesson. It will not work.
Cleo Marohn
Livermore, California
Looking for a Farm Share
We would like to live off the grid and also work a farm to grow our own food to be self-sufficient. However, we can't afford to buy the land and house. I was thinking maybe you could provide a classified section whereby people who own land but can't work it would trade access to the land for work.
We would farm the land and do the physical work needed in exchange for 10 acres, or something along those lines. There must be people who are about to lose their farms and need help. Instead of selling, might they partner with another couple?
Donna Nocero
Boynton Beach, Florida
We expect to offer online classified ads sometime in 2010. — MOTHER
Another Great Place
After reading 11 Great Places You've (Maybe) Never Heard Of, I started thinking about all the great progressive things going on in my hometown and how relatively obscure it is. Stevens Point and central Wisconsin are home to the world's largest renewable energy fair, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (one of the best natural resource colleges in the country), more than 20 miles of bike trails, lots of green space, a tremendous local food movement and farmers market, and a mayor working to create an eco-municipality. If you do a similar article, consider Stevens Point. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Edward Lemar
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Head Start on the Road to Sustainability
This is my 14-month-old, Mia Bella, after she snagged my copy of MOTHER EARTH NEWS and got in her favorite spot to read it.
Thank you for being such a great magazine! I always look forward to reading the next issue, and I am very excited to share the information I've learned with my daughter and her future siblings.
Tara Kristof
Garland, Texas
Planning for the Future
I am a freshman at The Citadel studying business administration. I was reading up on the documentary Collapse, and I found your site on the links page for the movie. I feel that there is going to be a fundamental devolution in American society over the next 15 years. Looking to my own future, I see homesteading as a way of preparing for the worst. Until now, I haven't been able to find the resources needed to prepare myself. I just want to thank you for doing such a great job on the website. It really is a treasure-trove, and I am excited to start living simply.
Henry Yates Alexander
Charleston, South Carolina
An All-electric ATV
I read Versatile and Affordable ATVs with great interest. I'm in the market for one to use on our little patch of paradise in northern Idaho. The ATV I've been dreaming about is all-electric and would be more economical. It's the M1 by Barefoot Motors. It will only run for a few hours, but an old geezer like me can only work for a few hours anyway. It has plenty of power. You should check it out.
Paul Smith
Citrus Heights, California
Polaris has just come out with an electric UTV, too. Our power equipment editor, Hank Will, took it for a test-drive. You can read his report and see a video of the Polaris in action . — MOTHER
Rejecting Industrial Meat
On a recent trip though Texas, I saw many stockyards — and experienced the stench of dead and dying cattle, or those still alive and living in excrement.
It was obvious from the scenes I encountered that the government agencies are not doing their jobs. Since that trip, I am using as many organically grown fruits and vegetables as I can purchase. No more meat shall pass my lips. As an aside, I no longer have gas, acid, or that heavy, bloated feeling after eating. What a wonderful feeling.
Norman Wolffis
Reed City, Michigan
Another Bowled-over Bread Baker
I bought the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day book after receiving an e-mail from our MOTHER, and love, love, love it! This is the best method I've tried for delicious, fresh-baked bread. I can hardly wait to get up in the morning to try something different! I used the basic recipe and worked in the last of the jalapeños from the garden and some grated cheddar — wow! I could've eaten the whole loaf before it ever cooled. I have since recommended the book to several friends and even my sister, who doesn't bake anything from scratch. Thanks for the recommendation.
Jody Prestine
Dowagiac, Michigan
There's now a second five-minute bread book, Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-free Ingredients , with lots more ideas. — MOTHER
No Inbox? Try Our Mailbox
This may well be the last renewal I make to MOTHER: A vast majority of your articles now end with "for details go to our website." For those of us who choose not to have Internet access, we can't get to your website.
I am interested in the free plans offered for the beehive in your article, Keeping Bees Using the Top-bar Beekeeping Method. Those plans need to be downloaded, which is something I cannot do.
Ken Bloomfield
Gibsonburg, Ohio
We will be happy to mail copies of any of our website materials to subscribers who request them by mail or phone. — MOTHER
In Praise of Ducks
My husband and I live in an ordinary house in an older subdivision at the edge of a small town. Our front and backyard are just average-sized, but it's important to us to lower our carbon footprint and also to greatly increase our control over the quality of the food we eat.
I can hardly say enough in praise of our experience with Khaki Campbell ducks. We first got them about a year and a half ago. They do fine on kitchen waste and bugs they forage for themselves, so they eat a lot less commercial feed than you'd think. Our two females have each laid an average of more than 4 pounds of eggs per month for more than a year now. They provide all the eggs our family of two can use, and they are the best-tasting, creamiest-yolked eggs we've ever tasted, too. I'd especially like to recommend ducks to those who live in the Pacific Northwest like we do. You'll never be unhappy to see a slug or snail in your garden again, as they will now become invaluable treats for your duckies.
Karen Shepherd
Arcata, California
Abundant Harvest Reports
Beaucoup Savings
I have grown gardens since I was a kid, and I got way more fresh produce out of an 8-by-20-foot area than my family could use. After the harvest, I would dry herbs and freeze tomatoes, peppers, parsley and other vegetables to enjoy in the winter. The amount of savings in terms of our grocery bills must have been tremendous.
I always wanted to have enough room for a gigantic garden. Later in life, I moved with my wife to a farm in west-central Illinois, and now grow for us and for the Local Growers Network, a group of farmers that sells produce to customers in our area.
Robert Haugland
Dahinda, Illinois
A 4,800-pound Garden Harvest!
I read with interest Rosalind Creasy's article on the productivity of her garden and your open call for harvest data (Grow $700 of Food in 100 Square Feet!). This summer, our urban agriculture collective produced 4,837 pounds of produce on one-quarter acre that we opened up in April of this year. More than 10 percent of the total harvest went to the local food bank.
Like Rosalind, we weigh every single item harvested and can track by crop, as well as production per month. Our collective model of intensive food production is more productive than a traditional P-Patch community garden and has the added benefit of building community as our members work together. We currently have 15 share members and will increase that number to 20 next year, as we plan to expand our garden by a third.
Stephanie Johnson
Olympia, Washington
Low-cost, Used Tractors
In the October/November 2009 issue, you published Homesteading Lessons Learned: If I Could Do It All Again by Steve Maxwell. In it, Steve talks about his International Harvester Super H Farmall tractor. He said his tractor runs well and starts in all weather. He did not mention that it also rides well on rough ground, which it does because of its large rear tires and long wheel base.
He paid $1,000 for it and used it for 23 years. That's a pretty good investment in my book. I don't agree when he says he shouldn't have bought it. He just needs to invest a little more in it. He can buy a three-point conversion kit for the Super H. The kit comes with dual cylinders, center link and stabilizer arms, and can use the original drawbar. It is available from Saginaw County Tractor & Parts; 9161 Sheridan Road; New Lothrop, MI 48460. He also can convert the tractor to 12 volts (if it's still equipped with 6-volt electrical components) and attach a 12-volt electric winch to the drawbar.
Maxwell got a good deal on his Super H. Here in Grand Island, Neb., two older Farmall H tractors (lower-powered than the Super H) sold at auction for $2,000 each, with new paint jobs. A third had original paint and had a front-end loader that looked fairly new. It had a hydraulic dump bucket, but not grabbing forks. It sold for $2,500. The front-end loader was controlled by a hydraulic joystick just like the new ones. The hydraulic pump for the loader ran off the PTO shaft, but many Super H tractors were equipped with factory hydraulics sufficient to run a front-end loader. Here in Nebraska, you can buy a 2-bottom plow, 2-row mounted cultivator, or a 2-row pull-type lister for $100 each.
So to me, the H or Super H tractor is the way to go. Why, just starting out, would you want to buy a $30,000 or $40,000 tractor when you can buy two H tractors, front-end loader, winch, three-point hitch and several mounted implements for around $7,000?
The Super H tractor has a 31-PTO horsepower rating. It can be overhauled with new parts that can add up to about 10 more horsepower. International Harvester built 21,701 production-model Super H tractors and almost 400,000 of the earlier Farmall H models, so parts are available.
If you own an International tractor, I also recommend that you subscribe to Red Power magazine.
Darrell Dey
Grand Island, Nebraska
You make an excellent case for going with good used equipment, Darrell. Our power equipment editor, Hank Will, is an IH guy through and through — we stole him from Red Power a couple of years ago.
We asked Will for his recommendations for other used tractors that would be good choices. From the 1950s, he suggests the N-series Fords (they will come with a three-point hitch), the WD-45 Allis-Chalmers, the B-series John Deere or the 50-series John Deere. The IH M Farmall is a real winner, as is the Oliver 77.
Newer machines Will recommends include the Farmall 300, International 300 Utility, Farmall 656 gas, John Deere 4020 (it has really held its value), Minneapolis-Moline Jet Star, Minneapolis-Moline G-1000 Vista (this is a big tractor), and Allis-Chalmers D-17.
He says to be sure to remind readers that tractors from the '50s aren't equipped with the safety gear that modern machines have on them. Owners should get a lesson from an experienced operator to learn how to use the old-style, non-live PTOs and hydraulic systems. — MOTHER
Our recent article about energy-recovery ventilators (Energy-recovery Ventilators: Ventilate Your Home with Minimal Energy Loss) stated that using a "true high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter" in your forced-air heating or air conditioning system would reduce allergens more effectively than regular filters. But reader and Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor II John Alderman, of Oxford, Ga., pointed out that this could be dangerous. Mel Mossman, chief mechanical engineer at RSMeans Reed Construction Data helps us explain: "For existing furnaces, the manufacturer should be consulted, as some residential systems may not have enough fan or motor capacity to accommodate higher-efficiency filters." Read more about this topic, including a statement from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Tell Your Tale — Win a Book!
Helped 'More Than You'll Ever Know'
MOTHER EARTH NEWS has helped me and my family more than you will ever know. Your magazine has really inspired us. We are planning to move to Montana to start our off-the-grid lifestyle. Thanks a billion for all of your work.
Jeffrey Barlow
Drew, Mississippi
Inspiring a Change of Plans
I am so inspired by your magazine! I'm constantly interrupting my husband's nightly TV viewing to show him different ideas. He has now decided that we should "live off the grid" and learn more about sustainable living. We've begun searching for a homestead in Kentucky or Tennessee, preparing a spot in our yard for a garden, installing solar lights in our garage, and many other small projects. Thank you MOTHER! My husband has transformed from a "techie" who had high consumption habits and an almost indifferent awareness of the environment, to a man whose dream is to homestead, live off the land and raise chickens!
Cammy Baldwin
Bellevue, Michigan
Help us celebrate our 40th anniversary and you could win a book! Share your stories about how MOTHER EARTH NEWS has changed your life. Or, tell us about projects you were inspired to tackle thanks to MOTHER. Post your stories online and we'll pick the top 10, for which their authors will receive free copies of one of our all-time favorite homesteading books, Carla Emery's The Encyclopedia of Country Living.
Receiving MOTHER with 'Glee'!
I adore your magazine, and its arrival is the one time every two months that I put everything off and put my tired feet up. I peruse every page with great glee. Thank you for all you do and for your exceptional magazine! All the best to all of you.
Toni Browning
Irvine, California
And happy New Year to everyone, from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS team!


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Colorhouse paints are zero VOC, low odor, Green Wise Gold certified and have superior coverage and durability. Our artist-crafted colors are designed to be easy backdrops for living. Colorhouse paints are 100% acrylic with NO VOCs (volatile organic compounds), NO toxic fumes/HAPs-free, NO reproductive toxins, and NO chemical solvents.
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Self-priming for previously painted surfaces in good condition
Covers up to 350-400 sq. ft per gal
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Actual paint colors may vary from on-screen and printer representations

subset: commoncrawl


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For the past few weeks or so, I have been conversing back-and-forth with my cousin-in-law about 3D printing. Apparently, some sort of hobbyist 3D printing shop has opened in his home town of Pasadena, and my geekier-than-me relative has been chomping at the bit to see what the consumer-level 3D printers can build.
Since my special brand of geekiness has already assured that the bloodline stops at my branch of the family tree, you can imagine the uber-nerd fest we both have been having, trading links on Facebook about the different things that rapid-prototype machines and 3D printers can achieve.
For those who are not familiar with the technology, the name really does give away about 90% of the special sauce. Using a plastic in lieu of ink, 3D printer can actually build three-dimensional objects in a process not that dissimilar to your home ink jet printer (Jay Leno has been using 3D printing to replace impossible-to-find parts for his classic car collection).
The more robust and industrial units use lasers to shape and heat the plastic ink, and are able to achieve a high-degree of object resolution. We can think of more than a few electric motorcycle startups that are currently using this rapid-prototyping process to develop their street and race bikes. It's very fascinating, but also very expensive stuff.
This is where the consumer side of the equation comes in, as the post-industrial form of 3D printing has not only rapidly increased in its ability to flawlessly create a high-resolution object, but the cost of both the 3D printer and its "ink" have dramatically dropped. Hobbyist models are now in the $400-$2,000 range, and could soon be as ubiquitous as the printer sitting next to the computer you are using to read this article.
As the price-point drops and resolution increases further, the consumer end of this technology could rival the industrial side of 3D printing, and that is where things get real interesting for the motorcycle industry, and manufacturing in general.


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More posts
- Josh and Terry's house. Great Pinot
- Excellent balance with a great finish. Earthy notes with dark berries
- My favorite Pinot noir, now in a smaller bottle! Winner!!!
- Robert Sinskey 2008 Pinot
- Robert Sinsky wines a little more than I like to spend with these red curry Thai mussels drinks like a more expensive


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Court News - 2015
The Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA) provides information and brief write-ups about newsworthy events happening in and around the Florida court system.
News & Initiatives
- Judge Haworth presented with Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence
- Judge Leifman presented with Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence
Juror Appreciation
- Thanking Jurors for Answering the Call: Chief Judge J. Thomas McGrady, Sixth Circuit
- A Shout-Out to Jurors for Their Service: Cheif Judge Frederick J. Lauten, Ninth Judicial Circuit
- Jury Duty Is Part of the Foundation of Our Democracy: Chief Judge Jeffrey Colbath, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
- Jury Duty Is a Right: Chief Judge John M. Harris, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit
- Portraits Presentation Ceremony
- Access to Civil Justice Commission Has Its First Meeting
Judge Lee Haworth, Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Presented with Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence
The newly-established Chief Justice Awards for Judicial Excellence recognize one county court judge and one circuit court judge who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the judicial branch and who personify judicial excellence, embodying qualities such as strength of character, integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, sound judgment, professional ethics, intellectual courage, compassion, and decisiveness. These prestigious awards are presented by the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court at the annual education programs for each level of the trial court. At this year's Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges, Chief Justice Labarga presented the 2015 Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence to Judge Lee Haworth, Twelfth Judicial Circuit.
"Judge Haworth embodies judicial excellence," the nomination letter began, calling particular attention to his "integrity, innovation, sound judgment, ethics, courage, and compassion." Judge Haworth's accomplishments are indeed far-ranging, but his achievements in two areas especially stand out: his innovations in addressing the foreclosure crisis and his efforts to improve the lives of children.
Judge Haworth, who was elected to the Twelfth Circuit Bench in 1989 and will be retiring at the end of August 2015, was serving as chief judge when the foreclosure crisis began sweeping through Florida. Seeing the foreclosure caseload begin to mushroom in his circuit, in December 2008, he implemented the Homestead Conciliation Program, which established a process for giving homeowners a court-ordered chance to work out a solution with lenders; for this, he was praised for having "gotten out in front of this issue way ahead of everyone else." Then in late 2009, he was called to serve on the supreme court's Task Force on Residential Foreclosure Cases, which was established to respond on an emergency basis to the residential mortgage foreclosure crisis in Florida; the managed mediation process Judge Haworth had established in his circuit became the model for the state.
Judge Haworth is perhaps most widely known for his efforts to improve the lives of children who come in contact with the courts. In addition to serving on the supreme court's Steering Committee on Families and Children in the court, he spearheaded initiatives that improve safety for foster care children and has worked extensively with his circuit's Family Guardian Ad Litem Program. In 2000, he was "recognized for outstanding child advocacy by the Supreme Court and the Governor of the State of Florida for [his] dedication to abused and neglected children and service to the Guardian ad Litem Program."
Judge Haworth also established his circuit's Courts Assisting Veterans Program and played an important role in the development of an interactive application that enables judges to view and work on electronic court records—an application that judges in nearly 40 Florida counties now use. To read more about Judge Haworth's accomplishments, please follow this link to the press release.
Judge Steven Leifman, Miami-Dade, Presented with Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence
The newly-established Chief Justice Awards for Judicial Excellence recognize one county court judge and one circuit court judge who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the judicial branch and who personify judicial excellence, embodying qualities such as strength of character, integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, sound judgment, professional ethics, intellectual courage, compassion, and decisiveness. These prestigious awards are presented by the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court at the annual education programs for each level of the trial court. At this year's Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, Chief Justice Labarga presented the 2015 Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence to Judge Steven Leifman, Miami-Dade County.
Soon after his appointment to the Miami-Dade County bench in 1995, Judge Leifman discovered that his legal and judicial training left him poorly-prepared for the people with serious and persistent mental illnesses who were re-appearing in his courtroom repeatedly and often. Throughout his two decades on the bench, he has devoted an exceptional amount of time and effort to identifying, promoting, and implementing innovative ways to address this community, state, and national problem. In 2000, for instance, he created the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Mental Health Project, which diverts people with mental illnesses who do not pose significant public safety risks into community-based treatment and support programs; since then, approximately 4,000 people with mental illnesses have been diverted from the Miami-Dade County Jail, and the recidivism rate for people charged with a felony who successfully complete the program is just 6 percent. Judge Leifman has also been involved in developing the country's largest Crisis Intervention Team Training Program; more than 4,400 law enforcement officers in Miami-Dade County have been trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses and to respond more effectively and appropriately to people in psychiatric crisis. In the last four years, officers with Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami who have been trained in the this program have responded to approximately 35,000 calls: nearly 8,000 people were diverted into community treatment rather than being arrested, and only 85 arrests were made.
Judge Leifman also participated on a national advisory board that developed three benchbooks to assist judges in responding more effectively to defendants with mental illnesses, and he has helped to influence statewide policy through his tireless legislative advocacy. To learn about other ways in which Judge Leifman has worked to reform fundamentally the criminal justice and mental health systems in Miami-Dade County, please follow this link to the press release.
Thanking Jurors for Answering the Call
Chief Judge J. Thomas McGrady, Sixth Judicial Circuit
To the judiciary, May is particularly special, because May is Juror Appreciation Month.
I'd like to use the occasion to thank all those jurors in Pasco and Pinellas counties who have answered the call for jury duty, and who have lived up to their civic responsibilities. Their time, service and sacrifice are greatly appreciated.
We live in the greatest country in the world, with the strongest judicial system. And jurors are the linchpin of our system. As they listen to evidence and hand down guilty or not-guilty verdicts, or decide how much responsibility should be borne by a defendant in a civil suit, they are playing one of the most crucial roles laid out for citizens in the U.S. Constitution, and are ensuring that a trial by one's peers doesn't become a thing of the past.
I speak on behalf of all the judges in our judicial circuit when I say we are aware of the inconveniences associated with jury duty and the disruption to jurors' lives. And we know it's difficult to carry out some of our orders during trials, such as those instructing jurors not to research a case, to ensure they are basing their decision only on the evidence presented in court. We know it's not easy. But the importance of the task of a juror in our judicial system cannot be overstated.
While the monetary compensation is low, we think the rewards are high. There is no greater contribution one can make to one's country, outside of military service. And we hope everyone recognizes, as we do, the sacrifices jurors have made, and the example they have set.
If you happen to be called to serve as a juror, please fulfill the obligation as these citizens have done. That way, our judicial system can remain strong, and the United States can remain the greatest country in the world.
(published in the Tampa Tribune, May 5, 2015)
A Shout-Out to Jurors for Their Service
Chief Judge Frederick J. Lauten, Ninth Judicial Circuit.
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared May 1 to be Law Day, a day to celebrate and recognize the ideals of equality and justice under the law. This month, as we celebrated Law Day, we also celebrated one of the fundamental features of our legal system, trial by jury.
In recognition of the invaluable role jurors play in the law, I proclaimed this past week as Juror Appreciation Week. The Orange and Osceola county commissions joined in. The judges of the Ninth Judicial Circuit and I extend our deepest thanks to all those who have reported for jury duty. We cannot dispense justice in our courthouse without their participation.
We know that responding to a jury summons and serving on a jury are often inconvenient because jury service takes us away from our important daily responsibilities. We know we are asking citizens to sacrifice by serving as jurors, but we also believe it is one of the highest duties we as citizens of a democratic nation can perform. Our brave men and women in the military have fought and died to protect our freedoms to ensure that we can directly participate in our system of justice.
It is vitally important that we have a diverse, representative, engaged group of citizens deciding disputed issues of fact and rendering verdicts in both criminal and civil trials. Jury service is one of the most direct forms of democracy because it is we the people and not someone we elect deciding the fate of a case.
Along with voting and serving in the military, jury duty is an essential responsibility of American citizenship. Whenever I speak to employers in our circuit, I urge them to pay their employees while they serve as jurors to underscore how important jury service is to our community. It is an example of civic commitment and corporate responsibility to help ensure a free and fair judicial system.
Permit me to extend my deepest appreciation to all the jurors throughout the years who have faithfully reported for jury service. And to those who will be summonsed in the future, I ask that they respond to their summons and participate in jury service. Our system of justice is only as strong and as involved as our citizens choose to be.
We live in a wonderful nation. Citizens make our nation even stronger by performing this important civic responsibility, and the judges of the Ninth Judicial Circuit are grateful for their service.
(published in the Orlando Sentinel, May 10, 2015)
Jury Duty Is Part of the Foundation of Our Democracy
Chief Judge Jeffrey Colbath, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit
May 1 marked the beginning of Juror Appreciation Month. In recognition of the contributions made by the jurors of Palm Beach County, I give my thanks to those who have answered the call for duty.
I understand that it is not always convenient or a welcome duty. But without you, our system of justice would come to a halt. Along with military service, serving as a juror is the highest form of civic responsibility a person can perform.
Our jury system is the foundation of our democracy. Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents — all the way back nearly 239 years to the birth of our great nation — have been called to courthouses in every county and state across our country to serve as jurors. The essence of jury service is to help resolve disputes by listening to witnesses, reviewing evidence and deciding upon the truth, based on the evidence.
In criminal cases, jurors decide whether people are guilty or not guilty. In civil cases, they decide if fellow citizens are liable or blameless.
Jurors' decisions may result in a criminal defendant going to prison for decades, or going free. In a civil case, jury decisions can result in millions of dollars being paid to the party harmed.
Without the jury system, disputes would still get resolved. But we might not like the method that could evolve, for example, bureaucrats, behind closed doors, making decisions subject to personal agendas, subject to suspicion, subject to abuse.
With the jury system, not only do our fellow citizens come in and watch the disputes being resolved, but they decide the outcome of those disputes. It is that transparency — and review by peers — that gives our system credibility and stability. By serving as a juror, you are putting one more brick in the stable foundation of our democracy.
We in the court system know that serving as a juror is a sacrifice. Many of you will miss work and not be paid.
However, all of us, whether we recognize it or not, have benefited from others serving as jurors. Their sacrifice has resulted in a more peaceful environment in which to live and prosper.
So when you are called to serve as a juror, instead of thinking about the possible inconvenience of serving, please feel the sense of patriotism of this obligation. Know, too, that jurors are highly respected by the judges, officers of the court and court personnel. All of us — your friends, neighbors and strangers — are counting on you to take your turn in continuing this great tradition of jury service.
(published in the Palm Beach Post, May 2, 2015)
Jury Duty Is a Right
Chief Judge John M. Harris, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit
May is designated "Juror Appreciation Month" in Florida. This gives all of us an opportunity to recognize and to celebrate the thousands of Floridians who serve as jurors each year — and to encourage others to answer the call to jury service.
During my term as chief judge, nearly 60,000 of our friends and neighbors in Brevard County have reported for jury duty, and for this remarkable service, I am truly grateful. Without them, our system of civil and criminal justice would come grinding to a halt.
Sadly, not everyone who is called to jury service appreciates its importance. Trial by jury is a fundamental right guaranteed by the United States and Florida Constitutions. Thomas Jefferson once referred to trial by jury as "the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution."
Serving on a jury is truly an awesome responsibility, where everyday citizens are asked to directly participate in our government and in administering justice for their neighbors. An explanation of the history of the right to trial by jury in America and of the countless sacrifices made to ensure us that right is beyond the scope of this column, yet it would all be for nothing if the people were unwilling to play their vital role in the system.
That is why, as a trial court judge, it is so disconcerting to hear people complain when they are called to serve as jurors and to see them try so desperately to avoid their obligation. Regrettably, seeking to avoid jury service is symptomatic of society's chronic ambivalence when it comes to participating in our government.
During my 13 years as a judge in Brevard, it has been my experience that most who seek to avoid jury duty do so with no firsthand knowledge of the nature of jury service, no appreciation of the critical role that juries play in our justice system, and no understanding of the incredible opportunity it can be to serve as a juror.
Jurors are full partners in court proceedings. They help resolve disputes by listening to witnesses, reviewing evidence and deciding the facts of the case. In criminal cases, jurors — not judges — determine whether the government has proven its charges against a defendant. In civil cases, again jurors — not judges — decide whether a party seeking damages deserves an award.
There are no special skills or legal knowledge required to be a good juror — only an open mind and a readiness to work with other jurors to make decisions. In this way, jury service is truly the cornerstone of our system of justice.
Trial by jury is a right guaranteed not only to the parties in the trial, it is a right guaranteed to those called to serve. In other words, jury service should not be seen as a burden or an inconvenience, but rather as every citizen's absolute right to participate directly in our democracy.
In Florida, this right is statutorily protected and is actually unlawful for an employer to in any way punish an employee as a result of jury service. Employers who do so are subject to civil suit in which damages are recoverable — damages that would be determined, appropriately enough, by a jury. In fact, even threatening to dismiss an employee can be deemed contempt of court and punished accordingly.
This simply shows that the court is prepared to do whatever necessary to encourage, welcome and protect all those who are called for jury service. In the 18th Circuit and across Florida, jurors are highly respected by the judges and all court staff. In a continuing effort to make the process as juror-friendly as possible, judges will meet with jurors after the trial to listen to their concerns and suggestions for the future. When you serve, you will be treated with the respect and kindness you deserve.
Again, to those of you who have already responded to the call for jury service, the judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit would like to extend our deepest thanks. It is unquestionably your wisdom and your experiences that bring fairness and justice to our courtrooms.
And to those of you who will receive a jury summons in the future, I hope you will now see it as the tremendous opportunity and privilege that it truly is.
I look forward to seeing you.
(published in Florida Today, May 4, 2015)
Portraits Presentation Ceremony
By Beth C. Schwartz
In the Supreme Court Courtroom on Thursday, April 9, Chief Justice Labarga welcomed a lively audience of family, friends, and colleagues to the Portraits Presentation Ceremony, at which the official oil paintings of the four most recently-appointed justices—Justices Charles T. Canady, Ricky Polston, Jorge Labarga, and James E.C. Perry—were unveiled.
These portraits, which were commissioned by the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, have now joined the paintings of the other three sitting justices—Justices Barbara J. Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy A. Quince—in the Lawyer's Lounge, just off the Supreme Court Building rotunda. There each portrait will remain—until the justice it reflects retires, at which point, his or her portrait will be moved into the courtroom to join the likenesses of other former justices.
With the addition of these new portraits, the Supreme Court of Florida Portrait Gallery, which is open to the public, is now complete, boasting images of all 85 justices going back to 1846, when Florida's first justice was appointed. The Portrait Gallery dates from the early twentieth century, when the court started to collect and commission oil paintings of its former justices; not until the 1980s were portrayals of all the former justices obtained. When guests to the Supreme Court Building visit the courtroom, they can view the likenesses of the twentieth and twenty-first century justices; and when they stroll down the adjoining hallway, they can examine the portrayals of the nineteenth century justices.
Each one of these portraits is stately and compelling—but these 85 images are far more than just embellishments to the stately building. Indeed, taken together, these paintings reflect some of the momentous ways in which the norms, attitudes, and laws in Florida have changed and developed since admission to the Union was granted in 1845.
As Chief Justice Labarga explained, "One of the ways a government body like the Florida Supreme Court writes its history is through the stories of the actual women and men who sat here as judges. When the public comes here to watch a case or tour the building, they see the faces of these judges staring down from the walls. And these faces give them a glimpse into what life was like in times past. Anyone can look at the portraits and imagine the world in which each of these justices lived and how those worlds have changed in later times. They can see the faces of plantation owners who lived before the Civil War. And a short distance away, they can see the face of the first African-American who joined this court as one of its members. Those two images convey so much about what has happened in Florida law. And it is through these images that we tell the story of the Florida Supreme Court."
Indeed, a considerable part of the hour-long ceremony was dedicated to re-telling the story of the court. After the chief justice's opening remarks, he introduced the portrait artists: Mr. Jeff Bass, who painted Justices Canady, Labarga, and Perry; and Ms Darlene Williams, who painted Justice Polston. Following that were welcomes from Sylvia H. Walbolt, president of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society; Gregory W. Coleman, president of The Florida Bar; and Kelly A. O'Keefe, the historical society's first vice president and portrait program chair. But then, audience members were treated to some vibrantly-told tales of Florida history that keenly illustrated how much Florida has evolved over the years. In a talk called "From Separate to Equal," former Justice Joseph W. Hatchett focused on the travails of Virgil Hawkins, a black man who waged a 28-year battle to practice law in Florida and helped break the color barrier at the University of Florida Law School. Then, speaking on "When Article V Came Up to Date," former Justice Stephen H. Grimes reminded listeners of the slow and deliberate efforts to modernize Florida's court system. Finally, no supreme court history lesson could be complete without mention of Election 2000, and former Justice Major B. Harding shared some fascinating details and anecdotes about that great "civics lesson," which made so many feel "proud to be an American."
After the former justices finished speaking about these consequential moments in Florida and Florida Supreme Court history, Chief Justice Labarga added, "Today, we celebrate that history with the addition of these four portraits to our gallery. We also celebrate the lessons learned from that history and employ those lessons as we move forward. If anything," he stressed, "the lessons taught by our history are that policies of exclusion do not work. Florida's long story demonstrates that, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice. The best future is one where all have equal access to justice. Access to justice must be protected and broadened." In his closing words, he reminded listeners that he established the Commission on Access to Civil Justice efforts to expand access to justice, saying, "It is my hope, through this commission, to push us farther along the arc of justice to a place where our civil courts are equally available to all of our people."
Please follow this link to watch the ceremony
Access to Civil Justice Commission Has Its First Meeting
by Beth Schwartz
"The courts shall be open to every person for redress of any injury, and justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay." With these words, the Florida Constitution is construed to enshrine the right to access to justice for all Floridians. But in the current environment—a time of profound social, economic, political, and technological changes, in a world regulated by increasingly complex and interdependent laws and statutes—to have meaningful access to justice, one often must have help navigating the legal system.
One of the most effective ways to navigate the legal system is to engage legal representation. In criminal cases, defendants are entitled to an attorney, and the state must provide one if defendants can't afford one. However, in most civil cases (e.g., domestic violence and many other family law matters, home ownership, landlord-tenant disputes, consumer issues, and matters relating to veteran's benefits, healthcare, and other governmental services), an attorney is not provided; litigants either must pay for one themselves (which is not always an option, as attorney fees in Florida run upwards of $250 per hour), or they must represent themselves.
In the past, disadvantaged, low-income, and moderate-income individuals facing civil matters could apply for free or low-cost legal help via legal aid services. But, over the last few years, federal and state funding for legal aid services has declined considerably, and the Florida Interest on Trust Accounts Program, which also provides funds in support of civil legal assistance for the poor, has experienced sharply reduced revenue as a result of historic low interest rates. Consequently, of the 3 million Floridians who live with incomes below the federal poverty guidelines, only a small percentage of those who need civil legal assistance are able to obtain it (it is estimated that less than 10 percent of the legal needs of low-income Floridians are being met). What's more, many middle-class Floridians are also effectively excluded from access to civil justice because they earn too much to be eligible for legal aid services (to qualify, an individual may make no more than $14,588 annually, and the household income of a family of four may not exceed $29,813)—yet they do not earn enough to be able to afford a lawyer.
For many Floridians, then, obtaining legal representation for civil matters is often not feasible. In addition, while Florida's state courts have been working to develop forms, instructions, and other self-help resources, and while other entities in the Florida justice system have tried, within the scope of their authority, to improve the availability and delivery of legal services, disadvantaged, low-income, and moderate-income Floridians still encounter obstacles when seeking meaningful and informed access to the civil justice system.
Clearly, ensuring people's access to civil justice presents a critical challenge for the state—and it is a problem that deeply concerns Chief Justice Labarga. At his passing of the gavel ceremony on June 30, 2014, the new chief justice spoke fervently about this issue and proclaimed that one of the top priorities of his two-year administration would be Access to Justice for all Floridians. Although the dwindling funding for legal aid services brought this crisis to the forefront, the chief justice emphasizes that access to civil justice is a societal concern and that the solutions require a broad, holistic approach that depends on all segments of society, not just its attorneys and lawmakers.
At a ceremony in the Florida Supreme Court rotunda on November 24, 2014, Chief Justice Labarga signed an administrative order creating the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice, a body designed to "bring together the three branches of government, the Bar, civil legal aid providers, the business community, and other well-known stakeholders in a coordinated effort to identify and remove these economic barriers to civil justice." Urging the 27-member commission to "consider Florida's legal assistance delivery system as a whole," the administrative order directs members to "consider and evaluate components of a continuum of services for the unrepresented, taking into account consumer needs and preferences." Among the components suggested are "interactive forms; unbundled legal services; the involvement of court, law, and public libraries; and other innovations and alternatives." The order also bids the commission to "examine ways to leverage technology in expanding access to civil justice for disadvantaged, low income, and moderate income Floridians." (Take this link to the website of the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice.)
The commission had its inaugural meeting in Tallahassee on Friday, January 16. After warmly welcoming the members, Chief Justice Labarga thanked them for their "commitment to working together to develop strategies for overcoming the impediments that many of our fellow Floridians face when seeking access to civil justice." And, looking around the room, he called attention to "the remarkable skills and backgrounds and knowledge that commission members are bringing to this important endeavor" and noted that "This assemblage of leaders from across our great state offers a diversity of perspectives and expertise that will enable the commission to meet its overall goals and objectives."
Fortunately, Florida will not have to "reinvent the wheel" in order to devise strategies for eliminating barriers to civil justice, for, as the chief justice emphasized, 32 other states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, already have Access to Justice Commissions (the first commission in the US was established in 1994, in Washington State)—so Florida is in the enviable position of being able to examine what has worked in other states and to adapt these solutions to fit Florida's unique needs and circumstances. Vividly amplifying this point was the keynote speaker, The Honorable Nathan Hecht, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, who has played a major role in the access to justice efforts in his home state (in 2001, Texas established what has become one of the leading Access to Justice Commissions in the nation).
In addition to the keynote address, commission members were treated to a presentation on the history and role of Access to Justice Commissions, an overview of the need for such a commission in Florida, and a facilitated panel session that focused on the obstacles faced by those seeking help, the most requested areas of need, and the challenges to the justice system in responding to these needs. In the last segment of the meeting, Chief Justice Labarga announced the creation of five subcommittees (Outreach, Access to and the Delivery of Legal Services, Continuum of Services, Technology, and Funding) and named their charges and their members. He then reminded members that the commission will submit an interim report to the supreme court by October 1, 2015, and a final report and recommendations by June 30, 2016.
Thanking commission members once again for their participation in this far-reaching undertaking, the chief justice brought the meeting to a close, saying, "The commission's success will be accomplished through our collective dedication and each member's personal commitment to ensuring meaningful and informed access to civil justice for all Floridians. Our fellow Floridians are counting on us, and I am confident we are up to the challenge." The full commission will meet again on Friday, May 15, in Tampa. (To watch the video of the first meeting, follow this link.)


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Step 1: Checking for Compatibility
You can use HP ePrint software from your PC, laptop and tablet that have windows 7 and their later version operating systems of 32-bit and 64-bit. Make HP Envy 5662 software download process easy.
Step 2: Basic printer configure settings and security settings
Follow these instructions to configure the printer and utilize all the HP ePrint software features
First, you can also make use of the cloud printing service by enabling the web services. Then, after enabling the cloud print an information page will get printed automatically. Now, you may need this information to create an HP connected account while printing using the cloud, web-connected printers and other public print locations.
- Enabling HP wireless Direct and Wi-Fi Direct Printing
HP wireless direct is of disable by default. You must turn on the wireless direct feature to print from HP wireless Direct-connected printers.
- Enabling Near Field Communication on your device (laptop or tablet)
NFC is set to disable by default on some printers. Now, turn on the printer feature, to discover and print NFC-capable printer from the NFC tile of the HP ePrint Software.
- Configuring the security settings
It is recommended to configure the HP wireless direct or Wi-Fi Direct printing security settings. The HP wireless Direct name and Wi-Fi Direct name (SSID) is on broadcast by default. You can also ensure the security of the printer's privacy by changing the advanced settings of the Embedded Web server's connection method and set a new password.
You can also easily retrieve the DIRECT-XX-XXXX or HP-PRINT XXX name and the auto assigned password from the printer's control panel.
Step 3: Connecting printer to HP connected
Add your printer to HP connected which makes web-capable printer to easily send the print jobs to list of allowed senders via cloud connection. Allocate a unique email address to the printer and enable the allowed senders, send print jobs to the specified printer's email address.
Visit HP connected. Choose Sign Up if you are signing up for new account. Mention your personal and work email address to register in HP Envy 5662 software download. Finish the process by filing other details and choosing create account.
Choose Add a Device from the devices tile, Get your printer claim code from the information sheet and choose Add. Then, usually the printer claim code might be the first part of the printer's email address. For example if the email@example.com is the information sheet list email address then bcd456wco5656 the characters before @hpeprint.com is said to be printer's claim code. Choose Gear icon or settings from the drop-down menu. Now, select Printing and choose authorize email address to add users to the "Allow senders List".
The Allowed senders list feature will automatically check for the printers that has access to use HP ePrint Software by using the connected tile that has list of available printers. If your printer is not on the list of allowed senders you can manually search for the printers just by giving the printer's assigned email address in the HP ePrint Software search box. You can also easily get the printer's email address from the web services of the printer's Embedded Web server.
Step 4: Installing Procedure for HP ePrint Software
You can easily complete the HP ePrint software installation process by following these instructions. It also provides HP Envy 5662 software download and HP ePrint Software.
First, start the process by downloading the HP ePrint Software. Open any one of your web browser and visit HP Official website www.hp.com/go/eprintsoftware. Then, click Download Software after check compatibility with the operating system. Now, choose download which will automatically save the file in your PC, laptop or tablet. Then, the inbuilt windows firewall security may prompt for the security alert chooses Allow to continue the HP ePrint 5662 software installation process.
After Installing HP ePrint Software, open the .exe file and choose to agree with the license agreement. Then, modify the changes required in the installation process and select install.
Step 5: HP ePrint Software Registration
First, choose Print from the file menu, Select ePrint + JetAdvantage Option. If prompted choose HP ePrint Registration. Then, make use of the HP Envy 5662 software download for easy document transfer. Now, give your personal and work email address and choose Next. Use the Allowed senders list of the HP connected to find the Web-Connected cloud printers.
Then to retrieve the PIN, type your mail address and choose Next. Then, after finishing the process choose OK to close the registration Dialog Box.


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Oakley Sunglasses start with sculptural physics and our unique three-point fit. Peer through Oakley sunglasses and see the vast array of performance treatments and lens tints that take the elements out of play. And rest assured: industry-best protection from the sun or flying objects. Get a clear view with High Definition Optics® in Oakley Men's Sunglasses — wherever the world takes you.
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Yao Ming landed in the U.S. in the summer of 2002, 7-feet, 6-inches worth of fancy footwork, armed with a soft shooting touch. He was the top pick of that draft, selected by the Houston Rockets, whose new arena would soon be sponsored by Toyota. The Japanese carmaker had just opened a new plant in China, and the company bet that Yao fans would soon become Corolla fans.
For many Americas, Yao was their initial exposure to the Chinese economic engine. He was a government project, nurtured from a young age in order to showcase the new China to the world. China fulfilled its promise; since those heady days of 2002, through the Beijing Olympics and beyond, the country has stayed on its path towards superpower status. Yao, sadly, fell short.
(PHOTOS: China's Hoop Dreams)
According an initial report from Yahoo! Sports, which was confirmed by several other news organizations, Yao is going to retire. He just couldn't conquer the injuries. A stress fracture in his left foot sidelined Yao after just five games last season. A broken foot forced him to miss all of the the 2009-2010 season. In fact, due to foot and knee injuries, Yao played in more than 55 games just once over the past six seasons.
Prior to Yao, players over 7'4″ were usually one-dimensional freaks. Manute Bol, at 7'7″, blocked shots and, during one stretch, started hoisting awkward three-pointers. Shawn Bradley, 7'6″, had skills, but was far too meek to be a star. Yao, however, could do it all. At his peak, in 2006-2007, he averaged 25 points per game. His turnaround jumper was unstoppable. His post-passes were usually on the money. (It helps when you can see over everyone.) Yao, who played in just eight seasons, finished his career averaging 19.0 points, and 9.2 rebounds, per game. His Rockets never advanced further than the second round of the playoffs.
Whatever on-court milestones Yao's body never allowed him to achieve, he more than made up for off the court. Yao was so much more than a basketball player. To the Chinese public who adored him, he was a symbol of his home country's possibility. Yao carried the Chinese flag at the Olympic opening ceremonies, soaking in the love of his country.
(LIST: Top 10 Chinese Knockoffs)
The NBA, and basketball in general, has greatly benefited from Yao's emergence. Hoops is hot in China — just witness the Nike-clad kids on the Beijing blacktops, showing off their crossover dribble — largely because of him. Nike executives, and NBA commissioner David Stern, should genuflect at Yao's size-18 feet. A 1.3 billion-strong market is not a bad place to be booming.
Yao just got it. He became conversant in English, and could crack wise on Jimmy Kimmel's show or play pitchman for Visa. Teammates loved him. Sure, it's easy to dream about what might have been. Maybe a healthy Yao could battle Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki for Western Conference supremacy.
But you must acknowledge what Yao Ming did accomplish. The game, and its fans, think more globally, thanks to him. No broken bones sully that enormous achievement.


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25 October 2011
This image shows the German X-ray satellite on 14 October 2011, nine days before its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. It was acquired using a 25-centimetre telescope located roughly one kilometre west of Aachen, on the German-Dutch border. The ROSAT telescope (main body) and the solar panels are clearly visible.
R. Vandebergh / http://ralphvandebergh.startje.be/ .
A few days before re-entering Earth's atmosphere, the German X-ray research satellite ROSAT was targeted by the Tracking and Imaging RAdar (TIRA) at the Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques in Wachtberg, near Bonn, which is unique in Europe. TIRA is part of a global network of monitoring stations that collected data about ROSAT. From this data, the orbit was determined and images were produced. This example, acquired on 20 October 2011, clearly shows the antenna mast of the satellite.
Fraunhofer FHR.
On 23 October 2011 at 03:50 CEST, the German research satellite ROSAT re-entered the atmosphere over the Bay of Bengal; it is not known whether any parts of the satellite reached Earth's surface. Determination of the time and location of re-entry was based on the evaluation of data provided by international partners, including the USA.
"With the re-entry of ROSAT, one of the most successful German scientific space missions has been brought to its ultimate conclusion. The dedication of all those involved at DLR and our national and international partners was exemplary; they are all deserving of my sincere thank you," said Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the DLR Executive Board.
About ROSAT
The launch of the ROentgen SATellite (ROSAT) into orbit on 1 June 1990 marked the start of a mission that would allow researchers to perform an all-sky survey of X-ray sources with an imaging telescope for the first time. About 80,000 cosmic X-ray sources were detected, along with 6000 sources in the extreme ultraviolet region. During its eight years of operation, more than 4000 scientists from 24 countries took advantage of the opportunity to request observations. Many hot, high-energy processes in the Universe were first observed with ROSAT.
Last modified:25/10/2011 16:29:24


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Tips for Watching The Eclipse On May 20
SOCORRO, N.M. May 16, 2012 -- The Magdalena Ridge Observatory has published several items related to the upcoming annular eclipse on Sunday evening, May 20. The Tech astronomy facility helped sponsor the purchase of special sun-viewing glasses that were given away to all who attended commencement on May 12.
Annular solar eclipse on October 3, 2005. Image courtesy of Sancho Panza via Flickr.
|The path of the eclipse traverses a swath across the Western United States on Sunday evening.
The Observatory is also hosting a special star party for amateur (and professional) astronomers during the event.
On Sunday, May 20, 2012 an annular eclipse of the sun will be visible from a narrow corridor that will traverse the Earth's northern Hemisphere. The path of the Moon's antumbral shadow will begin in eastern Asia and will cross the North Pacific Ocean where it will end in west Texas. Most of the state of New Mexico lies in the path of the eclipse providing a rare opportunity for the astronomy community, enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts to witness an amazing event.
Here we list some of the best places in central New Mexico to view the eclipse from. Some include public gatherings while others are just remote areas where you can take your friends and family to experience this rare and beatiful event.
Also check out some of the listed references at the bottom page about the eclipse.
The event will occur on Sunday May 20, starting at 6:20pm (MDT) and totaling at 7:34pm (MDT) which will last for about 4 minutes.
Note that the event occurs close to sunset (8:06pm MDT) and when choosing a location make sure you have a clear view of the western horizon. Be sure to wear proper eye protection when viewing the eclipse.
Socorro/Magdalena Area
- Hwy 60/Very Large Array: take Hwy 60 west past Magdalena (map) and as you come up over the Very Large Array get an amazing view of the western horizon.
- Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge: take exit 175 from I-25 to the beautiful Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
Albuquerque Area
- University of New Mexico (UNM): UNM is hosting a free public event for the eclipse viewing at the UNM campus. They urge you to get there early!
- Annular Eclipse Viewing at the Balloon Museum (organized event)
- Bernalillo County Annular Solar Eclipse Event (organized event)
- Annular Eclipse at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (organized event)
- Sandia Peak Tramway (no event; great for viewing)
Other Annular Eclipse Websites
- NASA Annular Solar Eclipse
- NASA Google Map of May 20th Eclipse
- Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau "Ring of Fire" webpage
- Eclipse-maps.com
- Wikipedia


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The 32" Jelliquarium Cherrywood Traditional series one of our most recent freestanding home or office jellyfish display system.
The cabinet is 35" Long by 14.5 Wide and 75" Tall. Built with premium cherrywood veneer plywood. Crown molding is wider at top and is part of the removeable lid. Doors are framed overlay with hidden No-Thump self closing hinges. New octogon design porthole ring is 21" in diameter (ID) and centered on the upper portion of the stand. Ventilation panels are hand-made louvers, provide positive air flow and are located on both ends. Image above is cherrywood with MinWax Sedona Red #222 stain. Interior and backside is sealed and lacquered.
Should you desire another color, style of wood or finish we can accommodate you, just ask and let my cabinet company create what you seek.
Our 30" Jelliquarium tank is 30.25" Long by 12" Wide and 30.5" Tall and manufactured from cast acrylic material. This patented 40 gallon faceted tank design includes true surface skimming to eliminate organics and an anti-siphon design feature to minimize back-siphon. This tank comes with a colored back which is available in Black, Light and Dark Blue ( see Background Option above ), an optional Clear back for see-thru two-sided viewing is available.
Lighting includes our new Color Changing LED lighting System. LED technology allows for a rainbow of colors in three modes, slow rotation, disco beat or individual colors. This system uses a micro processor and is operated with a hand held on-off remote control.
Our life support system uses a combination of wet-dry filter technology, a reliable Tradewinds brand chiller, a digital temperature controller and quiet Iwaki brand water pump help ensure a highly oxygenated, biologically effective environment and reliable operation. Ball valves and union fittings allow for easy removal and maintenance of various components and a gate valve allows for the fine adjustments to water flow.
The electrical power center is GFI controlled for ultimate safety, includes a programmable digital timer and both outlet boxes include clear NEMA enclosures for protection from saltwater.
This is a complete or 'operational' system. Once assembled it can be filled with water and operated.


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Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.
It's officially the holiday season, time for turkey, mashed potatoes, and a few more inches on our waistlines. In this segment, we'll take a look at how mood, memories and even smell influence what we put on our plates--and into our mouths.
Ira talks with food psychologist Brian Wansink about why we crave specific foods during the holidays and how our brains trick our stomachs into eating even when we're full. Rachel Herz, an expert on smell, explains how our food preferences are linked to aroma and why smells often trigger such intense memories.


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Ecma International approves Office Open XML standard
The new open standard safeguards the continued use of billions of existing documents and promotes document processing interoperability
Geneva, 7 December 2006 :
At the General Assembly meeting on 7 December 2006, Ecma International approved Office Open XML as an Ecma standard (Ecma 376). The General Assembly also approved submitting the standard for adoption under the ISO/IEC JTC 1 process.
The work to standardize OpenXML has been carried
out by Ecma International as part of an open, cross-industry collaboration
via Technical Committee 45 (Ecma TC45), which includes representatives
from Apple, Barclays Capital, BP, The British Library, Essilor,
Intel, Microsoft, NextPage, Novell, Statoil, Toshiba, and the
United States Library of Congress.
With more and more organizations around the world interested in achieving document processing interoperability, and creating digital archives using open formats, the Office Open XML (Open XML) formats provide an international open standard for word-processing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets that can be freely implemented across multiple applications and platforms, both today and in the future. Multiple vendors such as Corel, Microsoft and Novell already announced implementations of the Open XML standard in very popular applications such as WordPerfect, Open Office and Microsoft Office 2007.
Opening Up Billions of Documents After more than a year of work, the technical committee (Ecma TC45) produced the Open XML formats to be interoperable by design, and produced over 6.000 pages of documentation on the formats, to provide developers all the technical details needed to ensure predictable results and high fidelity interoperability when working with the standard. Thanks to the depth of the technical resources the TC45 created, the Open XML standard covers the full set of features used in the existing corpus of billions of documents. The Open XML standard addresses as well the international language needs of organizations by supporting all the major worldwide languages, and also includes information for assistive technology products to properly process documents. Developers have the flexibility to decide whether they want to take advantage of subsets or the full feature set of the Office Open XML formats. In addition the format enables organizations to integrate productivity applications with information systems that manage business processes by enabling the use of custom schemas within Open XML documents.
The broad spectrum of sponsors from the industry and public institutions ensure the creation of an open standard that can create a wide range of possibilities for document processing, archival and interoperability said Jan van den Beld, Secretary General of Ecma International. The Open XML standard recognizes the benefit of backward compatibility preservation of the billions of documents that have already been created while enabling new future applications of document technology. An Office Open XML overview is available on the Ecma website.
The Ecma TC45 will continue to be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the standard, and for enhancing the standard with new and innovative features while simultaneously preserving backwards compatibility. In January, Ecma International will also begin the fast track process for adoption of the Office Open XML formats as an ISO international standard under the ISO/IEC JTC 1 process.
About Ecma International
Since its inception in 1961, Ecma International (Ecma) has developed standards for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Consumer Electronics (CE). Ecma is a non-profit industry association of technology developers, vendors and users. Experts from industry and other organizations work together at Ecma to develop standards. Ecma submits its work for approval as ISO, IEC, ISO/IEC and ETSI standards and is the inventor and main practitioner of "fast tracking" of specifications through the standardisation process in International Standards Organisations (ISOs) such as the ISO and the IEC. Publications can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.ecma-international.org/.


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This muesli hates free radicals. It's a nutritional powerhouse packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Goji berries, blueberries, organic cocoa nibs, walnuts, and all-organic grains keep your body pure.
Ingredients: Organic Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Goji Berries, Blueberries (blueberries, apple juice, sunflower oil), Organic Whole Grain Rolled Rye, Walnuts, Organic Cocoa Nibs


text:
by Womans Day
- Nutrition Facts
- Yield 14 cookies
- Calories 271
- Total Fat 7g
- Saturated Fat 4g
- Cholesterol 32mg
- Sodium 79mg
- Total Carbohydrates 49g
- Dietary Fiber 0
- Protein 2g
Recipe Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- Decorating Icing (recipe follows)
- You'll also need: 3-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter; 15 (10-in.) bamboo skewers; red gel food color; 3 pastry bags with plain writing tips; tall glasses or vases; plastic foam (Styrofoam); granulated sugar
Recipe Preparation1. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg until blended; add vanilla, baking powder, cardamom and salt. Gradually add flour and beat until just smooth. Shape dough into a disc; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
2. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick foil. Roll out dough between 2 sheets parchment or wax paper to 3/8-in. thickness. Cut out 8 hearts with cookie cutter. Transfer 4 hearts to each prepared baking sheet with small spatula. Insert the point of a skewer (by gently twirling it between your thumb and index finger) about 2 1/2 in. into dough through pointed tip of each heart. Gather and refrigerate dough scraps.
3. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, until cookies are golden brown at edges. Cool on sheet on wire rack 5 minutes; transfer to rack and cool completely. Roll, cut and bake remaining hearts as directed above.
4. Divide decorating icing into 3 bowls. Tint one bowl red and one pink; leave one white. Transfer half of each color batch to separate pastry bags fitted with plain writing tips; refrigerate pastry bags. Thin the remaining icing with a few tsp water to the consistency of slightly whipped cream. Spread thinned icing over hearts; let dry completely. Outline hearts and decorate with patterns using the thick icing in pastry bags. Let designs dry completely.
5. To assemble: Fill glasses or vases with foam blocks cut to fit. Pour in sugar between glass and foam to cover. Trim skewers to varying lengths and insert into foam (space the cookies evenly so they're balanced to prevent tipping).
Plan ahead: You can bake and decorate cookies up to 4 days ahead. Store covered at room temperature.
Decorating Icing: Beat 1 lb confectioners' sugar and 1/4 cup Just Whites (powdered egg whites, found in your store's baking section) in large bowl with mixer on low speed to blend. Beat in 1/3 cup water. Increase speed to high; beat 5 minutes or until icing is very thick and white. Makes 2 1/2 cups.


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Narrow results by city
Rent to Own Homes in Arizona
Although many people picture red-earth deserts and prickly cactus when they think of Arizona, the state's landscape is quite diverse. In fact, the state is the sixth largest in the United States, by land mass, and features dramatic changes in elevation levels.
Northern Arizona is the outdoor enthusiast's dream. The region's towering mountains are thick with pine forests, perfect for orienteering and hiking. Those mountains lead to more exciting terrain, including the Grand Canyon and a host of other national parks. The below results are primarily rent to own homes in :
Scottsdale , AZ 85251
3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths
Phoenix , AZ 85045
3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths
Scottsdale , AZ 85255
5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths
Scottsdale , AZ 85262
5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths
Scottsdale , AZ 85266
5 Bedrooms, 7 Baths
Carefree , AZ 85377
3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths
Hereford , AZ 85087
Surprise , AZ 85388
5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths
Tucson , AZ 85713
3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths
Phoenix , AZ 85022
4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths
Scottsdale , AZ 85251
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
Casa Grande , AZ 85122
6 Bedrooms, 3 Baths
Although many people picture red-earth deserts and prickly cactus when they think of Arizona, the state's landscape is quite diverse. In fact, the state is the sixth largest in the United States, by land mass, and features dramatic changes in elevation levels.
Northern Arizona is the outdoor enthusiast's dream. The region's towering mountains are thick with pine forests, perfect for orienteering and hiking. Those mountains lead to more exciting terrain, including the Grand Canyon and a host of other national parks.
As you move south, the land gives way to more iconic desert scenery and some of the state's biggest cities. There, Phoenix reigns as the state capital and its biggest city. As such, the Phoenix area is home to many Arizona government agencies and state institutions, from the Arizona Supreme Court to Arizona State University. Along with its many suburbs, including Tempe, Scottsdale, Surprise, Gilbert, Chandler and Glendale, the entire Phoenix metropolitan is comprised of 4.3 million residents.
Farther to the south is captivating Tucson and its one million residents. The second largest city in Arizona, Tucson is known as the home of University of Arizona, a lively nightlife and many historic homes.
Buying a Home in Arizona
The Arizona housing market is recovering from the 2008 economic downturn. Home prices throughout the state increased 9.8 percent in one year, with the median sales price currently at $212,000. New listings are healthy, increasing 7 percent to 8,960 new listings in September 2015. The number of closed home sales also increased this year, but by more than 11 percent. With sales outpacing new listings, the total number of available homes is contracting, making the market a bit more competitive. That competition's evident in the recent quickening of the sales pace, which escalated nearly 17 percent. Sales haven't been this fast to sell since December 2013.
New construction also continues to rebound, particularly in bustling Phoenix where 3,726 new homes began construction in 2015's second quarter. That figure represents the most quarterly housing starts in Phoenix since 2008. In all, Phoenix's new home construction is expected to grow by 20 percent to 13,000 in 2015.
Luckily, there are still many affordable homes in Arizona. Several Arizona cities ranked in the country's top 100 for most affordable housing markets, including Tuba City and Coconino County's Navajo Reservation. Maricopa, Buckeye, El Mirage and San Tan Valley also offer more affordable housing markets.
Popular Neighborhoods in Arizona
If you enjoy big, suburban cities, Arizona has a number of options. Sprawling Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the nation, and encompasses several appealing neighborhoods. The upscale Biltmore neighborhood is perfect for one-upping the Joneses, but North Central offers a nice mix of older mansions and mature subdivisions.
Tucson isn't nearly as big as Phoenix, but it has plenty of charming areas. Vibrant and historic streets fill the downtown region, especially Armory Park and Sam Hughes. Mesa's northeast and northwest neighborhoods offer welcoming subdivisions and a wide range of amenities, and some of the region's most exclusive homes are found in Mesa's Arboleda/Legacy area.
Slightly smaller towns are equally attractive, including Gilbert, which was named one of the best places in the country to live. Litchfield Park, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley and Surprise are also local favorites for their good schools, town amenities and recreation options.
Buying vs. Rent to Own Homes
If you want a little more flexibility in the way you purchase a home, renting to own is an excellent option. In a conventional home purchase, you would likely need to pre-qualify for a loan, put an offer in on a home, provide proof of financial worthiness and follow-through with a mortgage lender. A rent-to-own situation is usually less complicated, requiring that you and the seller agree on a price, the length of the arrangement and details about which party pays for repairs during the contract period. Credit requirements are usually more relaxed with rent-to-own purchases, and you'll pay a nominal option fee to begin the process. Generally, you can also move into the home right away, rather than having to wait for escrow to close. You don't have to make the down payment or finalize a mortgage until the end of the contract, which also gives you more time to wrap up financial issues.
Cost of Living in Arizona
Living expenses in Arizona are relatively affordable, costing locals about 2 percent more than the national average. Good weather and an abundance of natural power resources contribute to the state's low utility expenses which are 5 percent more affordable than in the rest of the nation. All other costs are at or slightly above the national average, including healthcare, groceries and transportation. Housing is the biggest expense in the state, but at just 6 percent more costly than in the rest of the U.S., it's still remarkably economical.
In spite of their size, abundant amenities and high desirability, Phoenix and Tucson are very affordable. The two cities rank in the Top 20 Most Affordable Cities as evaluated by Forbes magazine. Both were noted for their high personal income, economical housing and low cost of living.
Legendary for its Native American culture, stunning Grand Canyon views, high-end resorts, myriad golf courses and Major League Baseball spring training centers, Arizona is a thriving state. Many industries succeed here with numerous respected universities on hand to supply an educated and skilled workforce.
Serving that workforce are a wide range of benefits, from a relatively economic cost of living, affordable housing and a variety of inviting neighborhoods and homes. Young families, recent college graduates and retirees are often attracted to Arizona for its favorable climate and money-saving cost of living that is nearly equal to the national average.
Entertainment, sports and recreation are also prized in Arizona, keeping residents happy and healthy. Combined, these ample features attract many residents from other states, increasing the state's population more than 5 percent in four years.


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(not Cori Withell)
A row has erupted over a priest banning yoga from a church hall because the class was "not compatible" with the Catholic faith.
Instructor Cori Withell said the classes she booked for yoga and pilates at St Edmund's Church building in Southampton were cancelled with 10 days to go.
She was told by the booking secretary of the church that it was because yoga is a Hindu religious activity.
Father John Chandler from the church said that the hall has to be used for Catholic activities and he banned it because it was advertised as "spiritual yoga".
The ban is not Catholic Church policy and decisions are left to the discretion of individual priests. Some Catholic retreats use yoga for relaxation.
Ms Withell, 37, from nearby Eastleigh, said the church accepted the booking two months ago and she paid £180.
She was called later and told that yoga was from another religion so she could not have the hall. A separate pilates class she had booked was also cancelled.
"I had never heard about any religious issue with yoga before but I have looked into it since and found that some other religions feel that when people meditate it could let the devil inside them," she said.
"But there was never any meditation in my class - it was just exercises. Yoga is not religious: spiritual, but not religious.
"I do not object to anyone having a religious viewpoint, but it seemed terribly petty to cancel the classes.
"As a nation we have an obesity epidemic. I was trying to bring some exercise to the community and coming across blocks like this is frustrating.
"I offered to go down and show them the moves and, literally, the shutters came down."
Fr Chandler said the church was "misled" by Ms Withell's booking because he claimed that, at first, the hall was booked for pilates and then he found out it was also for spiritual yoga.
"Yoga is a Hindu spiritual exercise. Being a Catholic church we have to promote the gospel and that's what we use our premises for.
"We did say that yoga could not take place. It's the fact that it's a different religious practice going on in a Catholic church," he explained.
"On one hand we say to our parishioners 'be strong in your faith', and on the other hand there's this other religious belief that's not part of our faith. It's not compatible. We are not saying that yoga is bad or wrong."
Fr Chandler added he had not researched what Ms Withell's class would have included and he had not spoken to her about the issue because he felt "the relationship had got off to a bad start".
"There are other halls she could use in Southampton," he added.
A spokesman for Portsmouth Catholic Diocese said: "It's not possible for Catholic premises to be used for non-Christian activities and there is a dilemma with yoga as it can be seen as Hindu meditation or as relaxation.
"There is no national policy on this and the decision is for each priest."
In a further statement the diocese said: "The Catholic Church cannot permit activities which have their origins in non-Christian religions to take place on Church premises.
"We sincerely regret any misunderstanding and inconvenience which may have been caused by the cancellation of this booking which was made for Pilates classes but subsequently advertised as yoga-inspired Pilates.
"If yoga had been mentioned when the booking was made, there should have been no misunderstanding.
"If the parish can be assured that the Pilates is not using any of the spiritual aspects of yoga then the booking can go ahead."
Views: 291
That is really stretching it. Some people would bend over backwards for that church !!
In the persuit of doctrinare perfection, they will sacrifice membership, sanity, openness, and health.
I look forward to the arrival of theism at the moment of perfect crap. Just maybe I will get my sacred bean dip, before they have a 'going out of business' sale.
It's all very silly, of course, but it's their church. So much for ecumenism, though. I wonder to what extent the instructor really was pushing the spiritual angle, because you can also approach yoga as purely a physical culture.
That's where it went wrong with me! In second grade we were sent outside to find a leaf. I went on an extended quest to find the perfect leaf. When the search party found me, I was sitting under a pile of leaves, experiencing what it might be like to be a leaf. It must have been then that the devil got in.
Today I noticed a story concerning a tax paid by some folks in Europe, that is collected by the state, but then given to the local churches. There is some indication that folks, that do not pay the tax are denighed basic church services like weddings and furnerals! It is unclear what the status is of this tax, but wait and see!
In the attempt to preserve the church and theism, draconian programs have been installed, just more of the same....LOL