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New Life for Sport Compact Drag Racing
Sport compact drag racing has returned to its roots–its vast grassroots.
By John F. Katz
It still represents a huge potential market. And–for traditional racing businesses–it's still as quirky and challenging as ever.
"The market isn't as big as it was five years ago," noted Bill Johnson, of Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) in Brainerd, Minnesota, "but what there is, is very strong."
"The branding and cross-marketing opportunities for parts manufacturers and retail distributors is still huge," added Jason Siu, of the National Sport Compact Racing Association (NSCRA) in West Palm Beach, Florida. "Drag racing in general sells parts. Every kid on the street loves testing their car's performance from light to light. They can bolt on an intake, headers and/or exhaust, go to the quarter mile, and instantly see the result. The market is certainly not as active as it was five years ago, but as with any industry, there are ups and downs. The market as a whole is far from being inactive; it's just not at the high point it was five years ago."
Having been founded in 2006, Modern Automotive Performance, Plymouth, Minnesota, missed that last high point. "But since then we've grown 300 percent, year after year," said Chris Carey, "which leads me to believe that the sport compact market is as strong as ever–while the releases of new sport compact cars like the Mitsubishi Evolution X and Hyundai Genesis have renewed growth in the market."
"The hard parts business has seen a resurgence in recent years," added James Yim, of Falken Tire Corporation in Fontana, California. "With EMS tuning and dyno shops running at capacity, enthusiasts are far more knowledgeable about popular engines today than ever before, which makes it much easier to tune and build decent and reliable horsepower from four- and six-cylinder engines."
"Attendance counts at our events are bigger now than they were five years ago," reported Cliff Wallace, of Hybrid Entertainment in Baton Rouge. Before the year is out, Hybrid's Import Face-Off will have run 22 events in 2009, from Palm Beach to Tucson to Crofton, Maryland. "That the import scene is dying is a myth. Our series has grown continuously since 2001."
Identity Crisis?
To understand where this market segment is now, you have to understand where it's been. "First off, sport compact is the worst term ever created," commented Michael Ferrara, of Import Drag Racing Circuit (IDRC) in Huntington Beach, California. "No one ever used it–beside a magazine that's now dead–and even they hated it–until some of the domestic OEMs wanted to get involved in the Gen-X and Gen-Y movement of front-drive import drag racing. Now the professional segment of 'sport compact' drag racing that existed five years ago is dead." Ferrara added, "But today, a small but growing grassroots/privateer import drag racing movement survives."
Yim reported "a slowdown of R&D on new engine platforms.... Currently, I don't see sport compact drag racing growing. The segment has taken a rough turn in the past three years as major national series have closed, and major sponsors have pulled back in the current economic climate." Without a single national sanctioning body and a competition for a national championship, media coverage suffers, making it "difficult for teams to fund their racing endeavors through corporate sponsorships–and the whole thing flops. But on the grassroots level, hardcore sport compact enthusiasts are still racing. This is apparent in regional events, such as the Import Drag Racing Circuit (IDRC) in California, the Northeast Tuner Showdown–and the Battle of the Imports (BOTI), which is still promoted by the Grandfather himself, Frank Choi. These still draw hundreds of competitors and loyal fans."
Wallace agreed that the pro-level series failed "because they tried to make the import scene much more than it ever was, or ever will be. This is a grassroots, weekend-racer sport for the younger crowd–not a professional race series. It will never be big enough to support the big payouts needed for $100,000 cars."
"This market is not thriving like it was five years ago," confirmed Tony Trimp, of California Modified Imports (CMI), which promotes import drag racing at Sacramento Raceway Park in Sacramento, California. "The economy has taken a major cut out of drag racing, and the price of fuel has been a huge factor. Young racers can't afford $3.50-per-gallon fuel just to drive to the race track!" Trimp sees the NHRA series as a success. "It was the most popular event of its kind we ever had at CMI, drawing over 600 cars and 4000 spectators." Since the demise of the series, the CMI Spring event that Sacramento Raceway itself promotes has seen 200 to 400 race cars.
But Mark Mazurowski, of Mazworx Manufacturing in Orlando, Florida, believes that "there are more opportunities out there for racing retailers. Only a few sport compact cars have made a name for themselves, but our market is diverse because of the nature of each car." It's not like mainstream drag racing, where nearly every car has V8 power and rear-wheel drive. "We have rotaries, four-cylinders, six-cylinders, front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive; plus 'all motor', nitrous, and turbo competitors. And you can mix it up."
Current Events
Mazurowski does agree that "while the pro-level racing has faded, the grassroots racers keep on growing. Before we were competing in the NHRA Sport Compact Series. Now we are just attending local events." Interestingly, he blames part of the change on the Internet: "Most people won't travel 100 miles to see a race when they can see it almost live on their home computer. And now there are forums for each brand of car."
"Events run by sanctioning bodies have significantly decreased," Carey added, "while those that have been organized by industry-leading retailers and manufacturers tend to be the most popular."
BOTI's 2009 schedule comprises six events, ranging geographically from Orlando, Florida, to Portland, Oregon. And when we spoke with Frank Choi, he told us that BOTI has "worked closely with many race tracks across the country, helping them to cater to sport compacts through their local test-and-tune. Some of these tracks have even created their own series, catering to their local markets. Typical car counts can average 100 to 150 cars at a test-and-tune and can reach 250-plus at a BOTI national event.
Siu reported "close to 200 race cars and over 50 pro cars at our events at Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR)." Contrary to what some others told us, Siu believes that derivative activities such as drifting, Time Attack, and even import car shows have expanded the whole import-industry pie, as opposed to slicing it up thinner. "The NSCRA will always focus on drag racing as our foundation, but that doesn't mean we won't support other forms of motorsport. Hot Import Nights have seen great success, pulling well over 10,000 spectators and hundreds of cars. Redline Time Attack has been surging all over the country, and there's no denying the success that Formula Drift has brought to our industry as a whole. At our July 5 event last year at PBIR, the road course was filled with Time Attack and drift-car exhibitions between rounds of drag racing. We would like to offer a one-stop location for all motorsport activities in a family-friendly atmosphere. And establishing ourselves at a world-class facility such as PBIR helps legitimize everything we do."
BIR ran its first sport compact event, the Modern Automotive Performance Sport Compact Proving Ground, in July of 2009. "We had a combination of drag racing, drifting, and autocross," said Johnson. "We had fewer than 100 cars in the drag racing portion, but most were entirely new to our track. And we plan to have the event again this year."
Which leads us to an interesting observation by Wallace: "At events where we have show, drift, and drag all in the same place, 10 times as many people watch the drag racing as watch drifting." Car counts at Import Face-Off drag races range from 70 to 200, with 100 being "typical"; plus 150- to 300-plus show cars. "And our spectator counts range from 900–in the rain–to 3800." Few local events, he said, draw as many cars as touring shows such as the Face-Off–with the exception of the NSCRA events at PBIR, and the New Jersey shows at Atco and Raceway Park.
"The events, like the cars, change and evolve to follow the trends set by each generation that gets involved," Yim observed. "Unlike, say, the Hot Rod Power Tour or the various events promoted by Goodguys, the age demographic for sport compact and tuner events stays fairly young–between 16 and 28. So the events must change as the people in this demographic change."
And that can present a challenge to traditional promoters who have grown accustomed to a different way of doing things. "You have to live and breathe the import lifestyle," commented Glenn Menard, of the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. "The shops, the street racing, the branding. They are not traditional race track goers; and those of us in race track management, we don't come from their world. We're old hot rodders. The promoters who are successful are tuned into that world"–or at least have a staff member who is.
Johnson sees a challenge at the retail level: "Many sport compact racers don't initially trust traditional speed shops–and many traditional speed shops don't understand sport compact racers. But once a level of trust is established, business takes off through word of mouth."
Cars & Parts
Even then, however, these racers' budgets can be an issue. "From a business-opportunity standpoint," Ferrara observed, "the import drag racing market is a tough one. The majority of competitors still race Honda platforms–Civics from 1992-2000 are the hands-down favorites–mostly powered by turbocharged B-series engines. There's also a decent showing of Mitsubishi 4G63s and Toyota Supras, but it's the Honda racers who purchase most of the parts, and they have limited budgets. Of course, they always need race gas, tires, and clutches."
"It's obvious that Hondas and Acuras are presently the staple of sport compact drag racing," Choi agreed; however, "the target demographic possesses a discretionary income–and they will spend money."
Yim confirmed that "Hondas continue to dominate at the grassroots level, due to the parts available and the costs associated. Honda Civics with K20A engine swaps are popular–although we still see Supras and RX-7s running, with incredibly fast times."
"Each class has its own niche cars," Siu confirmed. "Hondas and Acuras have always been fan favorites, given the technology of the B-series and K-series engines. But Scion has really stepped up to the plate, and of course, the Toyota Supra's 2JZ engine has become world famous for high horsepower. At any given NSCRA event you can see everything from new-age piston technology to old-school rotaries. We have such a unique blend that we can't really say which is the most popular car."
Even a Honda B16 or B18 with a bolt-on turbo kit will produce "anywhere from 300 to over 1000 horsepower," said Ferrara, adding that those who can afford them also invest in "engine management systems, fuel system upgrades, engine internals, aftermarket axles, clutches, wheels, and tires. But everyone just tries to go as fast as they can with what they have, then upgrade what breaks as they turn up the boost, or swap to a larger turbocharger."
According to Wallace, however, most racers "start with the typical bolt-ons–intakes, headers, exhaust–then go to forced induction, mostly turbos."
"You can pick up easy horsepower by just upgrading the exhaust," Trimp agreed. "Next is the intake, and some drivers will then opt for a nitrous oxide system for another easy power pickup."
"It's Honda Civics and Accords, all-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, all-wheel-drive Subaru WRXs, and rear-drive Toyota Supras," Johnson added. "Intake and exhaust changes make the car sound better as it goes by. A body kit makes it stand out from the crowd–and then they go back into the engine for more power. The standard hot rod tricks still work, getting the air in and out of the engine easier. Then it gets more expensive, with the next step involving internal engine parts, complete engine swaps, or forced-induction. One of our racers started in high school and made upgrades as he could afford them. So what started out as an all-wheel-drive Eagle Talon that ran 14's is now a rear-drive, fully caged race car that turns 6's at over 200 mph."
The Future
So what does it all mean for the future of the sport? "Some people think that sport compact racing was just a fad," said Johnson. "They look at the failure of the NOPI and NHRA series and say that it's dead. But it's not dead; it has just gone back to its roots–that is, street racing, and hanging out at the drive-in on weekends. Sport compact racing never wanted to be a corporate-sponsored event, and its racers are just as happy to fly under the radar of Corporate America–and thus avoid having corporations dictate the rules of their sport. They want their cars to be fast, but still look like cars on the inside. They are the new rebels, the new hot rodders. A lot of them have extremely fast cars that will never see a sanctioned drag strip–and they are okay with that. We've seen cars that look fairly plain, and that were sufficiently streetable that they were driven over 100 miles to our event. Then they rip off a low-10-second pass–and we have to send them home, because they don't have any of the NHRA-required safety gear to run that fast. They just wanted to 'see what she'll do', then it's back to the streets. Sound familiar?"
"There are plenty of business opportunities on the retail side within the sport compact industry and I would like to dispel any notions that sport compact racing is just a 'fad,'" Choi said. "We have seen many series and promoters come and go, which has caused a lot of negativity toward our industry. But a great person once told me, 'I know who you are and what you have done. I think it's fantastic. If you want to continue doing it, never forget the grassroots racers.'
"That person was Wally Parks," he concluded.
While Honda and Acura reign supreme in the sport compact drag race market, with a strong showing from Toyota Supra, the release of new sport compact cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Hyundai Genesis, and the Scion tC have renewed interest and in this market, and provide even more business opportunities. Of course, the bolt-on performers such as upgraded exhaust components, tires, clutches, nitrous oxide, turbochargers, suspension, and more are the first upgrades to turn these daily drivers into drag strip dominators. Photo courtesy of Mike Morgan Racing Photography.


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Feb. 1, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format
Bisons' sophomore left-hander, Rex Brothers, claimed another honor on Friday, when he was named Pitcher of the Year in the Atlantic Sun Conference pre-season polls.
Last season, Brothers, the Bisons' ace, impressed opponents with a 7-4 record and 93 strikeouts.
In addition, junior catcher, Caleb Joseph, a member of the 2007 Atlantic Sun All Conference team, split preseason Player of the Year honors with Stetson' Justin Bass. Joseph, who led the Bisons in batting average last season with a .339 mark was a unanimous selection.
Overall, the Stetson Hatters were picked to once again finish first in the league, with the Bisons chosen fifth, although Lipscomb did receive one first place vote.
The Bisons will kick off their season on February 22, when they travel to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to take on Southern Miss.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Woodbury Public Safety Department is holding a public celebration for reaching its goal of training 7,000 community members in hands-only CPR, a method of CPR that requires no mouth-to-mouth breathing.
A brief ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in the Public Safety Education Room at the Public Safety Building, 2100 Radio Drive. The purpose is to recognize everyone who helped the city reach its goal of training 10 percent of the population so they are better prepared to act in case of a sudden cardiac emergency.
The Take Heart Woodbury initiative started in March of last year with two goals: to create awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and to empower citizens to take action when faced with an emergency situation.
If you are interested in attending the celebration or if you have questions, send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Globe University adds animal degree
Globe University is now offering a new 18-month degree in animal and equine science that will be taught only at Globe's campus in Woodbury.
The associate-in-applied-science degree will qualify students for a range of careers including feedlot manager, food safety inspector, animal behavior specialist, and animal exhibitor, trainer and breeder, Globe said.
"We designed this program to meet the ambitions of people who love horses and animals, but who did not want to pursue a traditional vet tech career path," said Brian Hoefs, program director for the new degree program. Students will learn to master horsemanship — including riding, managing and training — as well as horse care and the business and science of animal studies, he said.
Classes are forming now, Hoefs said, and anyone wanting more information can call 1-877-303-6060 or visit online at www.globeuniversity.edu.
Food shelf seeking more donations
Valley Outreach is joining several employers, schools and churches to collect nonperishable food collections for the food shelf in March. Items most needed include 100 percent juice, canned meat and fish, hearty soups, peanut butter and cereal.
"One in 10 residents of Washington County — families, children, the elderly — struggles with hunger," said Executive Director Christine Tubbs. "More folks are finding themselves making difficult choices: pay for food or pay for rent, pay for groceries or pay for medicine. We are asking the community to take action and get involved by combining efforts at your workplace, church or in your neighborhood."
Public collection sites include Stillwater and Bayport public libraries and city offices in Bayport, Lake Elmo and Stillwater. A list of sites can be found at www.valleyoutreachmn.org. Donations can be taken to Valley Outreach, 1911 Curve Crest Blvd. W. in Stillwater, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Valley Outreach serves 400 families monthly. The demand for food shelf services has increased 64 percent increase in recent years.
forest lake
Public can discuss new City Hall plan
The second public meeting to discuss a proposed new city municipal building will be held April 2 from 7:15-8:15 p.m. at Forest Lake City Hall.
The City Council voted Dec. 17 to approve the $21 million project, which calls for a new City Hall and 22,500 square feet of commercial and retail space at the old Northland Mall site on Hwy. 61.
Some residents and the Lake Area Business Association oppose the project and want it to be put to a vote by the public.
The upcoming "Community Conversations" meeting is the second of three such public gatherings. The third meeting, an open house, is scheduled for May 20 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
The city also is conducting an online survey on the issue. To respond, go to the City of Forest Lake website at www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us.
Easter egg hunt planned Sunday
The St. Paul Diabetes Lions Club, which provides diabetes and medical supplies to uninsured residents in Washington and Ramsey counties, is joining with HealthEast for its fifth annual Waffle Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 24, at the cafeteria of St. Joseph's Hospital, 45 10th St., St. Paul.
The breakfast runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Egg hunts will be at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children. For more information, call Kay Baker at 651-232-3035.
The Lions Club also will be offering free diabetes screening at the upcoming Woodbury Business Expo on April 7 at Bielenberg Sports Center.
Washington County
Property values now available on web page
Washington County will be mailing 2013 tax statements by the end of March. However, property owners can read information on the new valuation of their property by visiting the county assessor Web page.
The link to access the new valuation information is washington.minnesotaassessors.com. Users should click on "Real Estate Search" and then search for property by entering a house number, street address, property identification number (PIN) or legal description.
The new valuation, set as of Jan. 2 and used for taxes payable in 2014, can be found by looking at the Year 2013 value information. The value information includes the value of the land, the structures and their total value.
A list of the 2013 appeals meeting schedule also can be found on the main page and can be referenced by selecting the link located under "Important News!" under the Minnesota state map.
For further information regarding the estimated market value or the appeals process, call the Department of Property Records and Taxpayer Services at 651-430-6175.
lake elmo
Expert shares advice on tax refund use
In honor of National Financial Literacy Awareness Month, Lake Elmo Public Library will host Berni Johnson-Clark from Stillwater FamilyMeans Consumer Credit Counseling Service, who will discuss "Getting the Most with your Tax Refund" at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, at the library at 3537 Lake Elmo Av.
Johnson-Clark is a National Foundation for Credit Counseling certified educator who works with several financial literacy curriculums and money management topics.
This topic is of special interest as the deadline looms for federal and state income tax filings and everyone hopes for a refund, not an obligation to pay more money.
She will discuss how to best deal with the hoped-for tax refund and various options that you may want to consider for using that money. This class provides information on tips to creating a successful spending plan and sticking to it.
The program is being sponsored by Friends of Lake Elmo Library. For more information, see lakeelmopubliclibrary.org .
Kevin Giles, Jim Anderson


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|Manufacturer: International Concepts #SV-31
|Product Dimensions: W 38in, L 17in, H 35in Solid Parawood, 2 Drawers, Euro Glides, 1 Shelf
When can I expect my order to arrive?
Warehouse is in North Carolina. Items shipped via UPS
Product ships from High Point, NC 27260.
Please contact our Customer Service department at 1-800-530-TAIL(8245) for assistance with warranty questions or claims.


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Once upon a time, all you needed to run a successful business was a good product and nice storefront. Now, local business owners must handle estimates, invoices, online payments, text notifications, email marketing, social media and much more. Our local business automation software "Thryv," helps run your business in today's mobile environment all from the palm of your hand. It will save you time and money so you can get back to what you do best, running your business.
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5 Shortcuts to Small Business Success
In this SCORE webinar, small business author and speaker Barry Moltz will share tips to help you run your business efficiently through effective email marketing, the use of a Custo Read more
Hit the Refresh Button on Your Social Media Presence
Need help with your social media strategy? Complete a social media audit and learn how to reshape your approach to get what you need out of your social media presence. Read more
11 Quick and Easy Content Ideas to Spice Up Your Social Media Presence
Engaging with your social audiences shouldn't be a chore. It simply requires a bit of creativity and finesse.
Are Big Businesses Really in Control?
Here are a few ways the savviest local businesses use their size and agility to beat the big brand names.
Managing Your Money Vs. Managing Your Business Finances
Let's take a look at 4 top situations when your personal and business finances should be handled differently.
3 Reasons You May Not Show Up in Local Searches Online
As a successful local business owner, your bread and butter is your ability to get found and get chosen in your local community.
Improve Your Online Presence to Attract More Customers
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Is Your Local Business Mobile-Friendly Enough?
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Apple CEO Tim Cook just gave Apple's retail employees a healthy dose of praise at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet conference.
In touting how there's no better place to discover, explore, and learn about Apple products than in the retail store, he gave a nice shout-out to the people who make it possible.
"Our team members there are the most amazing, awesome, incredible people on earth," Cook said. "It's the best retail experience. It's a retail experience where you walk in and you instantly realize this store is not here for the purpose of selling, it's here for the purpose of serving."
For example, the Genius Bar is there to help you get more out of your Apple product, Cook says.
"I'm not even sure store is the right word anymore," Cook said. "They are the face of Apple for almost all of our customers."
Of Apple's 43,000 U.S. employees, 30,000 work at its retail stores.


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Introduction to the NAD VISO 1 AP AirPlay Music System
In 2001, Apple introduced the iPod portable music player. While it wasn't the first digital player of its kind, it instantly raised the bar for build quality and convenience. With an intuitive user interface and the iTunes store behind it, Apple turned the music and AV industries down a new path, and created a standard most other manufacturers could only aspire to. Today the iPod is so far-reaching that other music players are barely even visible in the marketplace.
With millions of people now carrying mini music servers in their pockets, the methods of playback have changed too. Instead of flipping CDs; which we were all sure would be the mainstay for decades, we simply flick icons on a touchscreen. But when it comes time to remove the headphones and listen to music at home, we need to add a little more gear to the mix. Enter the iPod dock.
iPod docks have taken on a reputation akin to boom boxes but a few manufacturers have taken the time and effort to create products that will satisfy those of us who call ourselves audiophiles. It's hard to find someone who isn't familiar with the B&W Zeppelin, especially since you can buy it at any Apple store.
Not content with the status quo, NAD introduced its own iPod dock, the VISO, last year at CEDIA. As one would expect from this high-end company, little expense was spared in its design as it sought to bridge the iPod, and other digital music players, with quality amplification and speakers while keeping it all in a compact package.
With the proliferation of AirPlay streaming, it made sense that the second generation product should include this super-convenient feature. Hence, we have the VISO 1 AP, the subject of today's review. Where last year's VISO required you to chain your iPod to the unit, the AP lets you keep your iPod in your pocket so you can control your music from anywhere within reach of your WiFi network.
- Wireless Speaker System with Apple AirPlay and Bluetooth
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
- Compatible with Bluetooth-enabled Smartphones, Tablets, Computers, and Portable Devices
- Drivers: 2 x 2-3/4″ full-range, 5-3/4″ Woofers
- MFR: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
- Amp Power: 15 watts x 2, 50 watts for Woofer
- Inputs: USB, Ethernet, S/PDIF
- Dimensions: 10.25″ H x 19.1″ W x 12.25″ D
- Weight: 12.3 Pounds
- SECRETS Tags: NAD, AirPlay, Audio, Streaming, Audio
Design of the NAD VISO 1 AP AirPlay Music System
Opening the box is an almost Apple-like experience. Even the sealing tapes are printed with "Open" and "Begin Here" instructions. The first thing you encounter is a small box with the remote and power cords inside. Both 120 and 230-volt cords are included along with a micro-fiber cleaning cloth. The remote looks very similar to the one for an AppleTV but unfortunately, it's not made from aluminum. A solid white plastic face with a black backside makes a decent substitution for Apple's version.
On top of the accessories is a Quick Start Guide, which serves as the only printed material included in the box. In fact, the first directive is to download the manual from NAD's website! In today's green age, this seems appropriate enough. After all, if all our music is to be digitized, why not the instructions too? Once you get to the unit itself, it's packed in a nice fabric drawstring bag with NAD logos on the side. And it's a good thing too – the cabinet's finish is a nice high gloss that you really don't want marred.
Speaking of the cabinet, I received a white one; it's made from a single piece of heavy plastic with a gray mesh grill around front. On the left side is a gray-trimmed port, and on the right is the power toggle. In keeping with the Apple theme, the power cord is white too. Running vertically down the center is a metal hoop made from brushed aluminum, very slick. The hoop doubles as a carry handle since it actually encircles the VISO. At its top is a small touch-panel with controls for Volume, Mute, and Source Select; which doubles as a status light.
Since this an AirPlay streaming device, the remote is optional, but if you do use it, it has a few extras not found on the front panel. At the top is the Source Select toggle. In the center is a round pad with next track/previous track, and volume up/down with a play/pause button in the center. Below this is a mute key.
On the back is a USB port which can be used to charge your iPod, or download a firmware update. A LAN connection is also included if you prefer that over WiFi. And an optical digital input gives you the additional flexibility to connect a disc player.
I was nearly finished with this review when I took a break to cover the CEDIA Expo in Denver. There, I had the opportunity to discuss the VISO's amplifier design with Greg Stidsen of NAD. He spent some time telling me about the Direct Digital topology used in the VISO. It turns out this is the same tech found in the $6,000 M2 integrated amp. To get this in a $600 component is pretty cool. The basic premise is that the signal never exists in the analog domain. Since the VISO only accepts digital input, there isn't even an A/D conversion in the signal path. Instead, a sophisticated closed-loop DAC directly powers the speakers. Even the Bluetooth input, which is a lossy format, is improved through the use of aptX algorithms. While the best sound comes from AirPlay and its bit-for-bit transmission, you won't have nearly as much loss in quality as you do with traditional Bluetooth.
Setup of the NAD VISO 1 AP AirPlay Music System
There are three ways to get your VISO 1 AP onto your network. The easiest is to connect a straight-through Ethernet cable between your router and the VISO. It will then appear in the AirPlay menu on your iOS device. The second is to use the share WiFi setting. You'll need an Apple cable which is then connected to the VISO's USB port. Pressing M and S on the VISO brings up a Share WiFi Settings dialog. Click Allow and you're connected. The third way requires a little more work. Press and hold S until it flashes green; you are now in Access Point Setup mode. Using your iOS device, open Safari and enter the VISO's IP address. Then you can configure it through its built-in interface.
Here you can see the VISO showing on the list of available networks. Once you choose it, it will connect and you can access it via the IP address on your computer.
This is the main setup screen for the VISO.
Now you just select your home network to attach the VISO.
Type in the password and you're done. You shouldn't have to do this again, even if you power down. The VISO will remember your network and re-connect automatically.
When I setup my review sample, I used the Share WiFi method and was rewarded with success on the first try. If you plan to use the VISO in your office, the hardwired connection is quick and convenient. Using your WiFi network means you can move the VISO anywhere within your router's range. Of course, if you want to connect your device directly through the USB port, you can do that and avoid the network entirely. You can also use Bluetooth if your device is compatible. The bottom line is, you'll have little trouble finding some way to play your music through the VISO 1 AP.
Once connected, your options are pretty much limited to volume, mute, and source selection. There are no eq or tone controls, nor is there an input volume option to match different sources. If you're using the VISO as a dock however, this is not an issue. In my case, I was easier just to control the volume from my iPhone's music app. I had no need to use the included remote; and that is as it should be.
After you connect the first time, there's no need to go through the procedure again even if you unplug the VISO. I moved it several times during my evaluation and it was able to reconnect within about 20 seconds every time. I streamed most of the content from my iPhone but a few tracks came from my computer. This is not the best way to use it since the remote will only adjust volume; you can't change tracks or pause the music. It is, after all, an iPod dock and it should be used that way. I also liked that selecting a track from my phone would wake the VISO off when it was in standby mode. This took less than 10 seconds.
Speaking of listening, I did quite a bit. Let's see how the VISO performs in a few different room settings.
The NAD VISO 1 AP AirPlay Music System In Use
Since this essentially a portable component, I wanted to listen to it in a variety of environments. Not only did I spend some time in my acoustically treated theater, I also used it in a large living room/kitchen space, and my small office.
Right off the bat I noticed that placement, especially in relation to nearby objects, does make an audible difference. You'll want as much space around the VISO as possible because anything reflective (like the side of bookcase for instance) that is in its front hemisphere will affect the sound. I first set it up on a table in the corner of my office. This made it sound a little boxed in until I pulled it out to the table's edge. If you can put the VISO two to three feet out from the corner, you'll be fine.
Once I had it free to do its thing, I was rewarded with a nice open and airy sound; and it can play plenty loud. My office is pretty small at nine by eleven feet and the VISO didn't break a sweat. Even in this restrictive space, it displayed tremendous dynamic range with classical music. I listened to an old but wonderful recording of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring that pounded away with its primitive driving rhythms and huge moments of brass and percussion. The opening bassoon solo had a singing quality that I particularly enjoyed. My compliments to Sherman Walt, one of the greatest bassoonists of the twentieth century, and an instructor of mine during my college days.
I followed that with another legend, Jascha Heifetz and his awe-inspiring performance of Brahms' Violin Concerto. This recording, especially the sublime second movement, never fails to bring a tear to my eye. It was in this recording that I noticed a little directionality to the VISO's high register. The violin sound seemed a little less sparkly until I got my ears closer to the unit's centerline. Like any audiophile-quality speaker, the tweeters sound best when they're at ear-level. No matter what the height though, the airiness was always there. Bear in mind, I listened at fairly high volume levels.
Moving to my dedicated listening space, I had a very different experience. With the VISO on a small stand front and center, the soundstage became much larger. While you won't mistake it for a pair of full range towers placed eight feet apart, it certainly sounds much wider than its physical presence would suggest. Since it was completely free of obstruction, the tweeters became much more forgiving of the listener's position. Aside from a tiny bit lobing to the sides, I noticed very little change in sound as I walked around the room.
Another thing that becomes apparent in a well-treating space is the difference in quality between various recordings. If you use the VISO in a room like this, you will notice whether your music is compressed or not. The majority of my iTunes library is in Apple Lossless format but a few rips snuck through at 256 kbps. I could tell which ones they were instantly. They sounded muddy and poorly detailed, especially as the music became more complex. Since most users will stream music from their iPods with the VISO, I highly recommend using a lossless format for best results. This is not meant to be a negative comment at all. On the contrary; it cements the VISO's status as an audiophile-grade component.
I listened to a few tracks of Foo Fighters In Your Honor and quickly realized this was one of my compressed tracks. In fact, I immediately returned to my computer to re-rip the CD! It just didn't sound good past mid-volume. I knew right then that the VISO was a sonically-neutral product, just as any serious component should be. Things improved greatly when I pulled up my Van Halen remaster. Now we're talkin'! Eddie sounded fantastic as he soared and shredded his way through some of the best Eighties hard rock ever written. The detail was fabulous and that nice airy sound was back. Hearing individual pick attacks and ALL of the reverb in the vocals made the recording sound more like a live arena concert than a studio album.
I finished up with Mahler's Symphony No. 5 from the San Francisco Symphony's Grammy-winning SACD of 2006. I never tire of this amazing performance recorded live over multiple concerts. Here the VISO impressed me with good bass extension and a very wide soundstage. The timpani solo midway through the first movement was especially tasty as I could hear every pitch clear as day. Many lesser sound systems can't resolve that low-end detail at all.
Believe it or not, my favorite listening experience was in the kitchen! My main living area and kitchen are open to each other so the overall space is quite large. The VISO really hit its stride here. Even at moderate volume levels, I could hear tremendous transparency in everything I played from rock and metal, to classical symphonies and chamber music. I expect most people will use the VISO in this way and it's obvious the designers thought so too. It really is the best way to enjoy it.
Conclusions about the NAD VISO 1 AP AirPlay Music System
I really enjoyed my time with the VISO 1 AP. Its sound is far larger than one would expect from a box this small. The usability was first rate and it was super-easy to set up. There wasn't a single hitch during the several weeks I used it. Moving it to different locations in my home demonstrated a few different personalities. In the office, the sound was tight and detailed but somewhat small. Placing it in a corner really restricted its sonic capabilities. Once I moved it into either a large open room or a treated listening space, its true audiophile capabilities shone. It seemed to have no volume limit either. No matter how high I turned up the fun, there was no harshness or loss of detail. Thanks to some high-end amplifier technology, you'll never mistake the VISO for a boom box. Getting the same Direct Digital Amplifier design as the $6000 M2 in a $600 portable component is nothing short of incredible. Bass extension also exceeded my expectations greatly. While size does indeed matter when it comes to bass, NAD and Paul Barton have done a terrific job bending that rule in the extreme!
Thanks to the iPod and its tremendous influence on the music business, we now carry tiny music servers around wherever we go. When it's time to take out the earbuds, having a VISO 1 AP sitting on your counter seems like the ideal component in our miniaturized, portable world. As a lifestyle product, the VISO receives my highest recommendation.


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I love the refreshing lemon taste of sorrel. You can buy small bunches in gourmet stores, but anyone who has cooked sorrel knows you need more than a bunch.
In Riga, Latvia you can buy sorrel by weight and I made my first sorrel soup using smoked bacon and thick, rich sour cream. My friend Ilze, who has serious Latvian credentials, told me if I got sorrel started in my garden it would grow like wildfire, so I went searching for seeds. No luck.
Then my friends Bruno and Karen, who live in Poitiers, France and keep a patch of stinging nettles just so they can make pasta, sent me French sorrel seeds, which I planted at the end of last summer. Now I have two flourishing plots of sorrel, one in my deck planter and the other in my garden, where so far it has only been attacked by a few slugs as passersby fail to recognize it.
Sorrel is delicious with bacon, a natural with eggs, in a salad, or melt the leaves in butter to create a creamy purée. Now that the heat has arrived I am making cold sorrel soup, which has a wonderfully refreshing lemon acidity. My recipe is an adaption of Margaret Costa's. You might be tempted to use chicken stock, but I think it overpowers the soup, so I use a vegetable stock made from simmering pea pods and mint.
Cook a chopped onion in butter, then add 250g of peeled, diced potato (about 2) and 1 litre of vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and a pinch of sugar. Simmer, partially covered, until the potatoes are cooked then remove from the heat.


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Etowah County's unemployment rate declined for the second straight month in April, according to statistics released Friday
Etowah County's unemployment rate declined for the second straight month in April, according to statistics released Friday by the Alabama Department of Labor.
Alabama's statewide unemployment rate last month was 6.9 percent, down from 7.2 percent in March.
Etowah county's jobless rate fell to 6.1 percent from 6.9 percent in March. It was another significant drop from February's rate of 7.9 percent.
Etowah County's unemployment rate in 2012 was 6.3 percent.
The county's civilian workforce grew to 45,602 in April from 45,392 in March. The number of employed people rose to 42,841 from 42,245 and the number of unemployed people fell to 2,761 from 3,147.
Each Alabama county saw its unemployment rate drop in April, state Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees said.
The last time Alabama had an unemployment rate this low was in January. After that, the rate inched up and then began declining again.
Gov. Robert Bentley said the state saw positive signs in April with the civilian labor force increasing by more than 13,000 workers from March to 2.18 million. Bentley said that showed more people are regaining confidence in the job market and starting to look for work. The number of working Alabamians grew by more than 17,800 to 2.03 million, and the number of unemployed dropped by about 4,500 to 150,503.
The biggest job gains were 7,100 in leisure and hospitality with the approach of the summer tourist season and 2,200 in construction. Government jobs declined slightly, mostly in education.
Bentley told chamber of commerce executives from across the state on Wednesday that his administration has announced more than 40,000 jobs from new and expanding industries since January 2011, and he expects to keep seeing a decline in the unemployment rate as those industries open.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates in April were Shelby at 4.0 percent, Lee at 4.9 and Blount at 5.0. The counties with the highest rates were Wilcox at 14.8 percent, Perry at 11.7 and Dallas at 11.4.
Figures compiled by the Department of Labor showed the counties with the highest rates tended to be in the southern two-thirds of the state. Only one county north of Jefferson County had a rate exceeding 7.7 percent — Winston at 8.0.


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City codes and ordinances protect the health, safety, and quality of life for Austin residents. We provide easy access to codes and ordinance online and tell what you need to do to report a code violation. If you don't see what you're looking for, use the search bar above or let us know what you were looking for on this page.


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Story highlights
- Mxit is South Africa's most popular social media platform
- Alan Knott-Craig recently stepped down as CEO
- He describes mobile as a "revolution" in Africa
- "You can build a big global tech company out of Africa," he says
When it comes to social media's heavy hitters, there are no bigger players than Facebook or Twitter, right? Not if you're in South Africa.
Mobile network Mxit claims to have nearly 10 million users in the country, making it South Africa's most popular social media platform by far, eclipsing Facebook's six million users and Twitter's 1.1 million subscribers.
Founded seven years ago by Namibian-born software developer Herman Heunis, Mxit has grown from an instant messaging application into a global mobile social network.
The handset-agnostic network is tapping Africa's booming mobile market to serve a growing community of users and developers. Mxit users can chat with their contacts, exchange photos and use a digital currency to buy virtual goods, while aspiring entrepreneurs can find a large audience for their applications and services.
Speaking to CNN before his recent resignation from the business he bought in September 2011, former CEO Alan Knott-Craig said he was still astonished by the power of mobile and how engaged the millions of Mxit users are.
"Firstly they're looking to meet people, secondly they're looking for attention, they want to be heard or want to be seen," said Knott-Craig.
"And lastly, people are looking to have fun, they're looking for entertainment and there's only one thing in their life: the cell phone -- there's no iPad, PC, XBox or TV, there's just the phone and Mxit is that escape."
The company says its users transfer between 500 and 850 million messages every day. That's roughly double the number of tweets sent daily on a global basis. The average user now spends 85 minutes a week using Mxit and logs on up to four times a day.
Knott-Craig says the statistics prove that the growing popularity of mobile internet has transformed the way people communicate across Africa.
"Before mobile Africa really was a dark continent -- I mean literally people couldn't communicate," Knott-Craig explained.
He added: "In South Africa 17 years ago, before mobile phones came along, there were five million phones out of a population of 35 million people. Now there are 60 million phones out of a population of 60 million people.
"So literally, with the advent of mobile, it's gone from almost a billion people not being able to talk to anyone except those they see, to being able to talk to anyone regardless of where they are.
"So that's the first revolution. We have no legacy. No existing cable operator or TV player or ADSL -- there's nothing, there's just mobile.
"The other thing is the fact that credit cards are just non-existent. You'll never build a big business by billing people via credit cards in Africa and probably in all emerging markets, and again that problem is being solved within an African context by trying to build the systems to sell prepaid airtime.
"Mobile succeeded in that because it unlocks the communications grid of the continent. The next step is to unlock the economic grid via mobile payments."
So how does Mxit make money? Its primary revenue isn't generated through advertising, which is unusual compared to other social networks. Instead it makes most of its money by selling content to its users.
The site acts as a marketplace for hundreds of millions of micro-payments using its digital currency, Moola. Around 13% of active users are spenders and use Moola to buy skinz, wallpapers, games and music.
"We make money in the same way that Facebook makes money, which is basically advertising and content, except we do it in an inverse ratio," said Knott-Craig.
"I think they make 90% of their money from advertising and 10% from content -- we make 70% of our money from selling third-party developer content, and 30% from advertising."
Knott-Craig stepped down as CEO in October 2012, citing a difference of opinion with shareholders. "While the shareholders and I share the same vision, we differ on how to get there," he said in a statement.
But although he's left the company, Knott-Craig has described Mxit as Africa's biggest tech success story -- and one he believes will continue to grow.
"You can build a big global tech company out of Africa. It doesn't have to come out of San Francisco and I didn't know that before because I hadn't seen that before," he said.


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Car Hire Destinations in Turkey
Car Hire Location in Turkey
Jul 4, 2013
British Car Hire. Car Hire Location in Turkey
Discover Urgup with a rental car from Top Gear Car Hire
Retype the city name to view more offices
Turkey lies in both Asia and Europe and offers a unique blend of culture, archeology, nature and sunny beaches. Besides the wonderful climate and the landscape, Turkey also has a friendly and hospitable inhabitants that welcomes their visitors regularly with a delicious cup of tea or a bite to eat.
The climate of Turkey is all throughout the year very nice. Which makes it perfect for holidays outside the season.
Renting a car online with Top Gear Car Hire at Urgup will provide you with security and flexibility, so you can explore Turkey in your own vehicle, very often with free mileages.
A search at Top Gear Car Hire allows you to compare instantly all the local suppliers prices.
Renting your car at Urgup is easy and safe. In only 2 steps you will find a car that suits your needs.
Booking online gives you also the opportunity to ad an extra driver or reserve a baby-booster, GPS (satnav) you can even take an extra insurance to cover tires, glass and loss of keys, this will also cover zero excess.
Top Gear Car Hire offers low rental car prices, and connects you with all major car rental companies. There normally is a wide choice of vehicles, which include 4x4, standard economy rental cars, luxury automobiles and vans.
In many places Top Gear Car Hire offers One way hires which allow you to collect at Urgup and return your vehicle at another location in Turkey, or across boarders (where permitted) to another country.
Urgup is one of many locations throughout Turkey, where Top Gear Car Hire provide service to airports, railway stations, harbours, Hotels and city centers.
The Author of this article Felix McClan
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A bone density test measures how strong bones are. The test will tell you if you have osteoporosis ("os-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sis"), or weak bones.
Women are at higher risk for osteoporosis than men, and this risk increases with age.
If you are at risk for osteoporosis, your doctor or nurse may recommend you get a bone density test every 2 years.
Men can get osteoporosis, too. If you are a man over age 65 and you are concerned about your bone strength, talk with your doctor or nurse.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease. It means your bones are weak and more likely to break. People with osteoporosis most often break bones in the hip, spine, and wrist.
There are no signs or symptoms of osteoporosis. You might not know you have the disease until you break a bone. That's why it's so important to get a bone density test to measure your bone strength.
A bone density test is like an x-ray or scan of your body. A bone density test doesn't hurt, and you don't need to do anything to prepare for it. It only takes about 15 minutes.
Anyone can get osteoporosis, but it's most common in older women. The older you are, the greater your risk for osteoporosis.
These things can also increase your risk for osteoporosis:
Visit these websites to learn more about osteoporosis and bone health:
If you have osteoporosis, you can still slow down bone loss. Finding and treating this disease early can keep you healthier and more active, lowering your chances of breaking a bone.
Depending on the results of your bone density test, you may need to:
Learn about medicines used to treat osteoporosis.
Your doctor can tell you what steps are right for you. It doesn't matter how old you are – it's not too late to build stronger bones.
Take these steps to protect your bone health.
Ask your doctor if you are at risk for osteoporosis and find out when to start getting bone density tests.
Print these questions for the doctor about preventing osteoporosis and take them to your next checkup.
Screening for osteoporosis is covered under the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law passed in 2010. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get screened at no cost to you.
Check with your insurance company to find out what's included in your plan. For information about other services that are covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov.
If you have Medicare, find out about Medicare coverage for bone density tests.
If you don't have health insurance, you can still get a bone density test. To learn more, find a health center near you.
You need both vitamin D and calcium for strong bones.
Calcium helps keep your bones strong. Good sources of calcium include:
Use this calcium shopping list to help you find foods high in calcium.
Vitamin D helps your body absorb (take in) calcium.
Your body makes vitamin D when you are out in the sun. You can also get vitamin D from:
Find out how much vitamin D you need each day.
Physical activity can help slow down bone loss. Weight-bearing activities (like running or doing jumping jacks) help keep your bones strong.
You don't need special equipment or a gym membership to stay active. Check with your local community center or senior center to find fun, low-cost, or free exercise options.
If you have a health condition or a disability, be as active as you can be. Your doctor can help you choose activities that are right for you.
Smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol can weaken your bones.
Falls can be especially serious for people with weak bones. You can make small changes to lower your risk of falling, like doing exercises that improve your balance. For example, try walking backwards or standing up from a sitting position without using your hands.
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Tired of using drops for glaucoma? Ask your Physicians Eye Clinic doctor if you're a candidate for laser treatment.
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Thunder Phobia Dog
I have read through the other threads on this topic, but because the questions I want to put out there isn't on how to fix or cure my dog's phobia, but on the effects of phobias like this, I thought it would be OK to start a new thread.
My girl Honey is a 13 year old Brittany Spaniel. She has always been a bit of a nervous girl, but mostly spunky and happy. She went 10 years without caring about storms or rain, but when I married and my husband and I blended our dog families, his German Sheppherd's VERY slight thunder bark (he wasn't phobic, just barked after every thunder rumble - and his bark was massive) caused my Honey to become frightened. That wonderful big dog passed two years ago, but Honey's fright remains. She is now diagnosed with a pretty serious phobia.
When thunder happens, she starts to shake REALLY HORRIBLE and pant REALLY HEAVILY. She is restless and can't calm down. And this panic goes on and on until at least a hour or two AFTER the storm has passed - and she stays on edge and very alert for 12 to 24 hours afterward. She wants to run, but there is no where to go so she ends up sitting somewhere and just shaking and panting. It get's so bad that I become terrified that she will have a heart attack. My vet assures me that the odds of that happening are beyond slim - that her health is good and her heart is healthy. I also worry about dehydration because she won't drink until the storm is over - and for example - last night the storms started at 9PM and didn't stop until 3AM. Her tongue was huge from panting - like a soup ladle. When she did drink - she wouldn't stop. We had to take the water away just to make her slow down, and give her sips every few minutes for a half an hour.
We have tried a safe-room/crate with a blanket over the top and her toys - doesn't help - she doesn't want to be anywhere confined (even though the crate door is wide open). We have tried a special yummy smelly chew that she LOVES to distract and busy her, but it doesn't help - she doesn't want it. We have tried consoling and holding her - makes her shake more and pant harder. We have tried the Thundershirt - doesn't help. We have tried Benadryl - didn't help. We have tried acting like everything is completely normal - doesn't help. The only think that did seem to help a little was turning on several loud fans, turning the TV up to irritating levels, and talking to each other loudly - but the only reason that helped was because she couldn't hear the far off thunder. Once she hears the thunder - forget it - full-on phobia.
She has a vet appointment in a couple of weeks but until then... And the weather has been nuts around here. Tons of April storms and thunder almost every couple of days. I haven't slept more than an hour at a time for a few days - not that I care. It's is Honey I'm worried about. She is elderly and I am still so scared of the amount of cortisol pumping through her during an episode. I'm worried about her heart. I'm worried about all the different kinds of serious conditions that can be a result of flooding her with cortisol and adrenalin so often and for so long.
So my question is: Are there any fur-kid parents out there whose dog suffers the way Honey does, and has had a resulting medical condition because of it? And - is there anything we can do as fur-kid parents to prevent these resulting problems? Stopping the phobia seems almost impossible, so how can I protect her health - her organs - her health from the systemic exhaustion these attacks can very possibly cause.
I will be discussing this with Honey's doctor when we go in - but until then - I just wanted to see how others with phobic dogs felt on the subject of overall health.
Thanks all.
We have more storms on the way - and are under a tornado watch right now. The line of storms will start this afternoon and wave after wave until tomorrow morning. I am going to go and try to prepare the garage for the impending phobic episode. :eek:
My dog is terrified of storms as well, like your girl he just shakes really bad. I use the "rescue remedy" which is a flower essence - it works for some pets and for others it doesn't but it has no side effects -
PetAlive also has a homeopathic remedy called Pet Calm, but I have not tried that one yet.
Lavender is also good for calming dogs.
Thank you so much for your suggestions. I'll look into those tips.
I just called the pharmacy in town and had them put a bottle of Melatonin 3mg tablets on hold for my husband to pick up on his way home. Honey's vet said to give it a try if the Benadryl doesn't work. I researched it and found that some dogs do benefit and there are very rarely any side effects in healthy dogs. It's worth a try.
I have the garage all set up for escape. A fan, a humidifier, and the air purifier all make a comforting hum that seems to help block out rain sounds some distant thunder sounds. I will also play some piano classical music or click on the TV at a good volume.
These storms are getting close and I'm actually feeling panic. I think I am getting a bit of a phobia of storms because of Honey's phobia. Maybe it is a phobia of her phobia. I'm pretty spooked of what is to come.:cry:
Hunker down - here it comes!! Wish us luck.:fingerscr And again - any others out there with thoughts on preventing negative health effects of cortisol flooding in phobic dogs - I'd love to hear them.
You have to try to stay calm as well. I've seen online where you can get recordings of storms to help desensitize the dog/cat etc. That's about all that I can suggest. I have one cat who doesn't like storms and will go find a cupboard to hide in. My first dog didn't like storms but she'd just shake a bit and come sit near me. Bayley (dog) isn't affected at all.
Have you ever heard of Thundershirts. We have a member here that probably knows more than I do and hopefully she will stop by but here is a link. Maybe you could just google Thundershirts.
Good Luck
She does have a Thundershirt actually - unfortunately, it seemed to help a tiny degree a year ago, but it does nothing for her now. Thank you for the thought though.
I was looking at Mutt Muffs but reviews seem to be 50/50 - and having half the people say they are a rip off makes me tend to think they are probably right. The other half say they "are cute" and things like that. I don't care I Honey looks ridiculous - or even I look ridiculous - I just wish for a little peace and comfort for her. I would do anything to take this from her.
The first round of the storm is almost on top of us. I have turned on all the fans, blinds are closed, TV up loud. She had a nap earlier so I'm happy she had some rest from last nights trial. She is dozing right now. I will get the washer going the moment I hear the first rumble.
All the appliances going might raise the hydro bill a little but anything for my little goombah.
First line of storms started breaking apart as they approached. Ended up to be nothing serious at all. A couple of distant rumbles and a bit of rain. But Honey is in full on freak out. Trembling terribly, panting very heavily, eyes bulging and looking around for something to help or somewhere to go. I'm acting like nothing is different at all. Our other dog Daisy enjoyed a chew, played tug with me, and is now napping on my foot.
I have no idea why this has become so bad for her so rapidly.
Two more lines of storms coming. 1 in a few hours - 1 overnight. Here's hoping they will break apart too. And here's hoping the melatonin takes a bit of the edge off for her.
These storms are getting close and I'm actually feeling panic. I think I am getting a bit of a phobia of storms because of Honey's phobia. Maybe it is a phobia of her phobia. I'm pretty spooked of what is to come.:cry:
Lavender and the rescue remedy are good for people too ;)
A Small Success
The melatonin seemed to have worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Although the next two waves of storm activity that came through last evening and night were not nearly as bad as the media has warned - there was still a couple of rumbles of thunder and lots of very heavy rain. Normally Honey would have been totally freaked - even with just the rain. Twenty minutes after I got one - 3mg tablet of melatonin in her, she relaxed completely, laid down, gave herself a wonderful foot bath, and went to sleep. She had a tiny bit of anxiety at bedtime (she has connected bedtime with scary thunder and panic attacks), but after a few minutes she sprawled out and went back to sleep. I was prepared to give her her second dose at 1AM, but she didn't need it - she slept through the night, had a couple of barky dreams, snored a lot, and woke up spunky and hungry.
We don't know if the melatonin worked because there were no big booming thunder rumbles with the rains, but the rains were heavy and she always freaks when it rains, so I am extremely optomistic. We will need another BIG storm to pass through to know for sure but so far....:thumbs up:dog:
I will continue to post how she is with melatonin during storms in hopes that maybe this can help other dog's that panic the way Honey does. I'll also post how her vet appointment goes. Maybe Honey's journey to find something that helps will help other pooches.
I've used melatonin myself as a sleep aid a couple of times. Seemed to help.
I'm glad you spoke to your vet about this and that you got a safe dose for your particular dog :highfive:
Oh of course! I would never give any of my dogs anything medicinal (or even otherwise) without the OK from their doc who knows their histories and each of their specific needs.
Hi, thought I would pop in and give some info on how you may be able to help Honey not only when there is Thunder but as a daily treat for her and you. I am a Tellington TTouch Practioner and I have seen wonderfull things happen for any of our companion animals. I have posted a youtube video to start you on your way with TTouch. Honey will love you for this. Sasha asks for TTouch every morning before we get out of bed so be careful becasue it can be addictive :cloud9::lovestruck:.
Still Frightened
Unfortunately, the melatonin isn't the magic cure that I had hoped. Even though we haven't had any storms or even any rain since last weeks trials, Honey is still having panic attacks. Because a couple of storms happened after bed-time, she now has made the connection between her bed and being terrified and has a panic attack One evening there was a boom of thunder just as she started eating her dinner - for two days afterward she didn't want to come to her bowl to eat. And as well as bed-time, night in general after we go to bed scares her. I have to give her a melatonin an hour before bedtime and so far it seems to take a bit of the edge off, but I don't know if those were just good nights for her or if it is really working. Last night she got into her bed all by herself and curled up for the night. After 30 minutes a truck went by and the trembling started - then soon after, the panting and full on panic attack. I got a melatonin in her and it took an hour for her to calm - but she left the room to stay out in the living room.
So I've basically tried everything I can try without our vet appointment and perhaps some prescription help. She can't live this way - and neither can I. It kills me that I can't comfort her or help her. I'll be researching all the possible precription drugs her vet might suggest and make sure that whatever he thinks might work, will be something I can be comfortable giving her. I hope I don't get tackles with a lot of disapproval from people. To just let Honey suffer this way is what would be wrong. And I would never give her anything that would be in anyway dangerous to her. But she is an old girl and she deserves to enjoy her last few golden years feeling relaxed, comfortable, and content. If a tiny bit of anxiety drugs is what is needed to reach that place for her, then that is what we have to do for her.
Thank you to everyone for all the great suggestions.:)
Honey's vet appointment went well; she is in great health. Her doc actually said she is looking amazing for a senior her age.
BUT because she is older, he didn't want to get into any heavy blood pressure altering drugs if he didn't have to, and gave us a trial amount of valium (diazepam). I am to give her 2 or 3 tabs two hours before a storm. The dosage can be elevated slightly if needed. And if the valium doesn't work, we'll try something else.
We have a front coming through tomorrow so I'll be giving Honey her first dosage. I hope it will help her.
BTW - the reason I keep posting is to possibly help others out there that have a dog with the same phobia. Maybe our experiences and trials can help others know what to do and be of some comfort.
[QUOTE=pattymac;1056622]You have to try to stay calm as well. I've seen online where you can get recordings of storms to help desensitize the dog/cat etc. That's about all that I can suggest. I have one cat who doesn't like storms and will go find a cupboard to hide in. My first dog didn't like storms but she'd just shake a bit and come sit near me. Bayley (dog) isn't affected at all.[/QUOTE]
I agree with you about having to stay calm too. My Standard Poodle was frighten of thunder too and Finlay would look at me to see how I was acting . When he saw me acting calm he would get less frighten and settle down.
We actually haven't had any rain at all in over a week!!! For Honey, she is just her happy-go-lucky self having a wonderful Spring. She still won't come to bed though - she stays out in the living room. If that is where she is comfortable, than so be it.
We have rain coming in a few days so I'll be able to try the diazepam. And yes, I will stay calm. I made a joke to the vet about the valium...
1 for Honey
2 for me
1 for Honey
4 for me
We had a bit of a laugh. But seriously - for her, I will be very calm - like nothing is happening at all.
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Date Chicken with Olives
It may be almost sacrilegious to say at this time of the year, but a turkey is not right for everyone. While the big bird (sorry Sesame Street fans) parked on your dinner table, roasted to perfection looks great, if you're having an intimate gathering it can just be too much.
A beautifully roasted chicken is a completely reasonable option, and I've shared one today that uses a sumptuous combination of Medjool dates, date syrup, date molasses and green olives. If you follow the instructions carefully, your chicken will turn out moist and succulent, and more important, won't have you pining for what Benjamin Franklin suggested as our national bird. You can thank my citizenship test prep for that reference!
Yields: 4 servings1 (3-pound) whole chicken with skin
1 tablespoon salt
2 whole shallots, peeled
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon red chili powder
3 cups orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tablespoon green, pink, black peppercorn medley, freshly cracked
2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon date syrup
2 tablespoons date molasses
10 Medjool dates, pitted
½ cup whole green olives (see tips), pitted
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon green papaya, blended into a paste
4 celery stalks, optional
1 bunch fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons olive oil
In a mortar and pestle, grind the colored peppercorns. Add the dry spices and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until well combined.
Separately coarsely chop the dates and olives.
Clean the chicken thoroughly. Remove the fat chunks near the bottom of the chicken. Leave the skin on so the meat remains moist.. Pat dry with a paper towel.
Season the chicken with 2 teaspoons of salt (don't forget inside the cavity). In a food processor, mix the garlic, chopped olives, green papaya, date syrup and baking soda; be sure they're well incorporated. Add the spice mixture and stir well. Place the whole chicken in a baking dish. Wearing gloves, carefully separate the skin from the flesh without tearing it. Spread all the mixture under the skin, in the cavity and on the outside of the bird. Rub evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. You can marinate the bird for up to 2 nights.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes ah head of time to bring it back to room temperature before placing in the oven.
Fill the inside of the cavity with the chopped dates and fresh cilantro.
Brush a roasting pan with olive oil. Using a rack or celery stalks (cut them in half if necessary so they fit the pan), place the chicken into the roaster. Drizzle both sides of the chicken with a tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with more salt. Place the chicken, breast side up, on top of the celery. Add orange juice to the bottom of the pan.
Roast for 40 min. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil with date molasses. Whisk well. Open the oven and baste the bird with the date mixture. Increase the temperature to 400°F and roast for 10 more minutes to brown the chicken. Flip the bird, baste that side and continue cooking for an additional five minutes until the other side is browned as well.
Remove the chicken from the oven. Loosely cover with foil (don't entirely wrap it or the skin won't be crispy). Let it rest for at least 10 minutes.
A thermometer should register 165°F in the thickest part of the bird or the juice should run clear when you crack around the thighs.
Reserve drippings at the bottom of the roaster, discarding as much oil (fat) as possible and serve on the side. Garnish with more fresh cilantro.
Bon appétit!
You can find dates, date syrup and date molasses in any Middle-Eastern market.
I used whole Castelvetrano green olives. They are firm in texture. Unlike other olives, these are brined in salted water (not vinegar). They taste similar to extra-virgin olive oil.
For more poultry recipes, check out the link.Published By: on November 21, 2012.


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What to know about the Body Zone King Bed Set
Rest Assured Body Zone is a No Turn mattress with a Memory Blue-Gel Filling we call Euro Top for a plush feeling due to the memory foam. Memory Blue-Gel foam technology absorbs heat or regulates your body temperature. The Tempered sleep support system that provides the mattress with stable spinal support offering a perfect sleeping posture all night. Interlocking coils also absorbs motion, meaning minimal to zero disturbance to your sleeping partner through the night. The sleep surface area of the king mattress is made up by firm, reconstituted foam, high density foam and fibre to give you a luxurious yet supportive feel to your body.
If you apply more pressure to the mattress, the upward response will be greater, reducing pressure points for max comfort. The pressure points are the heavier parts of your body like your knees, hips and shoulders. What makes this interlocking design unique is the 150% more continuous working coils which makes the mattress sturdier and more durable than other conventional working units.
Allergy Free
The Body Zone is 100% odour free and contains zero chemicals that cause regular human allergies such as sneezing or clogged up sinuses which makes this bed allergy free. A combination of luxuriously soft foam and tough coils in the mattress creates the perfect King Bed Set.
- Rest Assured Infinity Collection
- Infinity Coil System
- Medium Comfort
- Gel Memory Foam
- Euro Top
- 105kg Per Person
- Yes
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- King Bed - 183cm Width
- Standard Length - 188cm Length
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Blacks & Hypertension Link Persists Across Age and Economic Status
Release Date: June 1, 2012 |
- Blacks are at higher risk for developing high blood pressure after age 50 than Whites or Mexican Americans.
- Hypertension risk persists for Blacks even when controlling for smoking, chronic disease and socioeconomic status.
African-Americans are at higher risk for developing hypertension than Whites or Mexican Americans, even if they've managed to avoid high blood pressure earlier in life.
A new study released in Ethnicity & Disease found that Blacks were 30 percent more likely to develop hypertension after the age of 50 when compared to Whites and Mexican Americans and they need to be made more aware of their risk.
"According to our findings, African American individuals and their health care providers should remain vigilant and engage in efforts to prevent hypertension even into old age," said lead author Ana Quiñones, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of public health and preventive medicine at Oregon Health and Science University.
Quiñones and her colleagues used data from 9,259 adults aged 50 and older who participated in a Health and Retirement Study and reported having no hypertension at the start of study. Over an 11-year period, 51 percent of the Black people studied were diagnosed with hypertension compared to 43 percent of Whites and 42 percent of Mexicans. In fact, Blacks were more likely than Whites or Mexicans to develop high blood pressure even when factoring in smoking status, body mass index, socioeconomic status and the presence of chronic disease.
Hypertension is the most common form of cardiovascular disease in the United States and a significant contributor to heart disease and stroke. Overall, 25 percent of adults over the age of 18 were told in 2010 that they had hypertension, according to a national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thomas A. LaVeist, Ph.D., director of the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said that health education is one of the most important things to do to prevent hypertension among Blacks of all ages.
"The higher rate of hypertension is pretty widely known among African Americans," he said. "However, that fact is often presented within a narrative suggesting that this is some how inheritable through genetics. It is more likely that what is passed from generation to generation are the health behaviors that produce hypertension. It should also be stressed that hypertension is completely reversible and if you are African American, you are not necessarily fated to be hypertensive."
TERMS OF USE: This story is protected by copyright. When reproducing any material, including interview excerpts, attribution to the Health Behavior News Service, part of the Center for Advancing Health, is required. While the information provided in this news story is from the latest peer-reviewed research, it is not intended to provide medical advice or treatment recommendations. For medical questions or concerns, please consult a health care provider.
# # #
Reach the Health Behavior News Service, part of the Center for Advancing Health, at firstname.lastname@example.com or (202) 387-2829.
Ethnicity & Disease is a quarterly medical journal studying the ethnic patterns of disease. For more information, contact firstname.lastname@example.com or visit http://www.ishib.org/ED_index.asp
Quiñones AR, Liang J, et al. (2012). Racial and ethnic differences in hypertension risk: new diagnoses after age 50. Ethnicity & Disease, Vol. 22, Spring.


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YANGON, BURMA— Burma ordered 452 prisoners freed Thursday in an apparent goodwill gesture ahead of a historic visit by President Barack Obama, but activists criticized the move for failing to focus on hundreds of political detainees.
It was not immediately clear if any political prisoners were among those granted freedom, prompting rights groups to renew calls for the government to shed light on one of the world's most opaque prison systems. Burma's government has long insisted that all prisoners are criminals and releases no official information on who is a political prisoner, where they are detained and how many remain jailed.
"This is extremely disappointing because we haven't heard of any political prisoners being released. This is a shame," said U Naing Naing of the Central Social Assistance Committee, which helps families of political prisoners.
Other groups that monitor political prisoners gave similar reports. Many political detainees are in remote areas where communications are difficult, so the extent of the release may not be known for several days.
Past releases have included both prisoners of conscience and common criminals.
The announcement in the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper came ahead of a visit Monday by Obama, who will become the first sitting American president to visit the once-pariah nation. State media said some of the prisoners to be released are foreigners who will be extradited, but gave no details.
The administration of President Thein Sein has made freedom for political prisoners a centerpiece of its reforms over the last year and a half to seek international favour after almost five decades of repressive army rule.
Earlier prisoner releases helped convince Western nations, including the United States, to ease sanctions they had imposed against the previous military regime.
Under the now-defunct junta, rights groups said more than 2,000 activists and government critics were wrongfully imprisoned.
Burma's main opposition movement estimates that at least 330 political prisoners remain incarcerated, according to Nyan Win, a spokesman for Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party.
Nyan Win said he believes the latest release is "a goodwill gesture" ahead of Obama's trip. "We want all political prisoners to be freed," he added.
New York-based Human Rights Watch accused the government of using strategically timed prisoner releases to appease the international community.
"The government of Burma has said they are committed to releasing all political prisoners. So why haven't they?" said Phil Robertson, the group's deputy Asia director. "This whole process is being drawn out unnecessarily to maximize the Burmese government's leverage with the international community."
The last release took place in September, a week before Thein Sein visited New York for the UN General Assembly.
Thein Sein's government has spearheaded a major transition toward democracy, easing harsh media censorship, signing cease-fire deals with armed rebel groups, and opening the country more to Western investment.
But rights groups say Thein Sein has not yet consolidated the political and economic reforms. The military is still dominant and is implicated in rights abuses. It has failed to prevent outbreaks of communal violence in the west of the country that have left scores dead.


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J. Stephen Shi
B.S., Georgia State University
J.D., University of Georgia
LL.M., University of Virginia
Military Law
Georgia Law alumnus J. Stephen "Steve" Shi currently is semi-retired from the practice of law and now assists military veterans on a pro bono basis in connection with claims matters with the Department of Veterans Affairs as an accredited representative. He is also a Peer-to-Peer counselor for the VA at the local clinic in Athens. Additionally, he is the owner and operator of a firearms training school.
Prior to opening his own firm, he was a partner in the Environmental Law Practice Group in the Atlanta office of a large multinational law firm.
Shi is also retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served for 34 years as regular and reserve officer. Initially he was an infantry and special operations officer, which included a combat tour in Vietnam, and later he was a judge advocate. Shi has been recognized several times as one of "The Best Lawyers in America."


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Firefighters will stage a 24-hour strike on Wednesday.
The Fire Brigade's Union (FBU) said the strike is part of a long-running dispute over pensions.
And it accused ministers of "misleading" parliament over what will happen to its members who fail fitness tests.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "Firefighters are outraged at the behaviour of the Westminster fire minister Penny Mordaunt and her boss Eric Pickles, who misled Parliament by falsely claiming that they had introduced a statutory guarantee that a firefighter failing a fitness test through no fault of their own would receive a full and unreduced pension.
"After investigation, it is now clear beyond doubt that no fire service employer agrees that any such guarantee exists. The response from the fire service employers have shown very clearly that Parliament has been misled to allow the government to force through attacks on firefighter pensions.
"Firefighters cannot accept these pension changes as they take no proper account of the real work firefighters do. It is outrageous that the only way the government could win a vote on this is by blatantly misleading MPs."
The strike will be followed by a period of action short of strike on Thursday, February 26.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said cover will be provided by those not striking and by less qualified community response operatives.
Assistant chief fire officer Dave Walton said: "It is extremely disappointing that we once again find ourselves planning for yet another period of strike action by our firefighters.
"It is now 18 months since the first strike occurred and since then there have been 48 occasions when the people of West Yorkshire have not been protected by the normal level of highly skilled staff.
"There appears to be no end in sight to this ongoing and damaging dispute - each time a strike occurs the public are once again placed at risk."
Firefighters last staged a strike over the same issue on December 9 last year.


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Garmin TOPO U.S. 24K Great Lakes Pre-Programmed Data Card - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio & Wisconsin
Detailed 24K topographical mapping for the Great Lakes states!
Garmin International and Tiger GPS are pleased to announce the TOPO U.S. 24K for Great Lakes, now available on preprogrammed microSD card with SD adapter.
This plug and play preprogrammed card provides up-to-date detailed 24K topo coverage. Built-in DEM (digital elevation model) data supports terrain shading and route elevation profiles in compatible units. With routable roads and trails, getting to your destination is made simple with turn-by-turn directions on compatible units. Plus, you can search for points of interest by name or proximity to your location. This product contains the highest level of topographic detail available, and with the incredibly dense contours, TOPO U.S. 24K will ensure you're ready for your next backpacking, hiking or camping adventure.
Use with Garmin's Colorado and Oregon series navigators to unleash the full feature set of TOPO U.S. 24K, including full 3-D view and terrain shading.
Standard compatibility with the following units: Astro 220, eTrex Legend Cx and HCx-series units and eTrex Vista Cx and HCx-series units, GPSMAP 60C x-series units, GPSMAP 76C x-series units, Edge 605 and 705, Rino x- series units and zumo.
TOPO U.S. 24K provides:
- Detailed topo 24K coverage for Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio
- Points of interest with thematic icons: parks, campgrounds, boat ramps, airports and others
- 3-D terrain shading (on Colorado/Oregon series only)
- Elevation profile of routes, so you can estimate terrain difficulty (on Colorado/Oregon series only)
- Routable roads and trails
- Searchable points of interest including visitor's centers, camping and picnic areas, wilderness campsites, and more
- Detailed hydrographic features, including wetlands
- National, state and local parks, forests and recreational areas including conservation areas
- BLM Township and Range Section overlay; USGS quad name overlay
Garmin Topo 24K Pre-Programmed Data Card FAQs
Q: What kind of card is it?
A: This Topo 24K data comes on a pre-programmed microSD card with an SD adapter, so that it will work on any of the units listed above. The microSD card is often packaged inside the adapter; just follow the instructions and pull the smaller card out of the bigger one.
Q: Can I get this detail onto my PC?
A: Not at this time. The Topo 24K card contains a lot of data, and is pre-loaded onto the card to make using it with your GPS unit easier. Of course, if you have any Garmin PC software, you can load and store waypoints and tracks; but the 24K topo detail will only be available on the card in the compatible unit.
Q: How does this Topo 24K card differ from a Garmin Topo 24K CD-ROM?
A: The Garmin Topo 24K CD-ROMs contain 24K data only for the major and National Parks listed; this Topo 24K card contains 24K data for the entire states listed, including the major parks.
Q: How does this Topo 24K card differ from Garmin City Navigator?
A: Garmin City Navigator is still the software to use for driving, or walking around in urban areas. The Topo 24K card does contain road information and can plan out routes, but most of the points-of-interest data is centered towards campgrounds and geologic features. There will be restaurant listings, for example, especially near the park, but not as many as you'd find on City Navigator maps.
Q: What is "24K" anyway?
A: "24K" refers to the map scale: these maps are comparable to the 1:24,000 scale paper charts provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, the most detailed topographical data available from government sources. Regular Garmin Topo software, and most other companies' software, is 1:100,000 scale; this means that the Topo 24K maps have more than four times the detail of the standard topo maps!
Q: Do I still need this Topo 24K card for my Garmin Colorado 400t or Oregon 400t?
A: The topo maps pre-loaded on the Colorado/Oregon 400t are 1:100,000 scale, so this card will be a very useful accessory if you're in one of the states it covers. The other Garmin Colorado and Oregon models don't have any detailed topo data pre-loaded, so this card is definitely what you'll want for coverage in the states listed above.
Q: What does this Topo 24K card do on my Garmin Colorado or Oregon that it won't on the other units it works with?
A: The Garmin Colorado/Oregon series supports 3D view and terrain shading, and also provides an elevation profile over time, so you can see what the terrain will look like across your entire route before you head out!
"Garmin Topo 24K FAQs" Copyright © 2008 TigerGPS.com, Ltd. All rights reserved.
You May Also Be Interested In...
- Wrist / Fitness GPS
- Automotive GPS Units
- Handheld GPS Units
- Chartplotters / GPS
- Fishfinders / GPS
- Motorcycle / ATV GPS
- Two-Way Radio / GPS
- Safety & Tracking
- Camping & Outdoors


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Sarah, great card making, she went all out with posters too for what looks like a supre fun party. Wish I could go! Here's her Pirate Booty Day & here's what she has won!
This month is almost over! Can you believe it? I can't! So let's hurry and move onto this weeks challenge spotlight. How about Julies Word Lovers for Sept.! Do you sometimes struggle with the right words to put on you're layout? How about trying a definition!
Check out these wonderfully defined layouts!
Says just the right thing don't ya think? Want to make your own defined layout? Great head on over to Julie's Word Lovers for Sept. challenge! Then come back here and post the link to your LO in the gallery and post it in a comment here. Next week I'll randomly select one and that person will win a prize from ME! (Harmonystar).
Bonus – I will give a Brownie point to everyone who comments with their LO link.
CT & those who have already done the challenge are elligable. Let me see those comments!


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"How many deaths will it take till they know, that too many people have died?"
— Bob Dylan
"Blowing in the wind"
Professional football was shocked by the news that Kansas City linebacker Javon Belcher had shot his fiancée nine times, before driving to the Chiefs' training facility and killing himself.
Belcher left his infant daughter an orphan. Media outlets were filled with talking heads conjecturing what the cause had been and the consequences on the Chiefs season. Life went on without anyone stating a basic truth: guns kill people.
The ease of simply pulling a trigger finalizes conflict, which might otherwise be resolved. It transforms rage, which might manifest itself verbally or in fist fighting into the most extreme form of violence. This was not the first incident of gun violence associated with anger and it will not be the last.
Sports figures have the ability to serve as role models and trigger imitative behavior. They could serve as powerful figures campaigning against the excessive availability of automatic weapons.
Instead, large numbers of athletes own firearms in the belief that it will help protect themselves.
History shows that more people are killed misfiring or spurring a violent response from intruders in a home invasion than lives are saved by guns' "protection."
Instead of the Belcher tragedy being a spur to a review of the availability of guns, life went on.
Not along ago a disturbed individual terrorized a Portland shopping center with his gun.
Last week an almost unthinkable tragedy involving young children occurred in a Connecticut elementary school, 26 deaths (20 of them children), all from gun violence.
Right in our backyard a man fired 54 shots in the parking lot at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Saturday.
When is enough, enough?
What kind of atmosphere do we want prevailing in this country?
If someone wants a rifle to hunt, they should have it. If someone wants a gun for self-protection, they should have it. But where in the Constitution or in public policy does it state that an unrestricted flow of automatic weapons is a protected right?
The Second Amendment states clearly that state militias have the right to bear arms. This is because our founders feared the re-emergence of a potential federal tyranny. They did not want a future King George to leave citizens helpless and enslaved.
Nowhere in the thought process of our Founding Fathers was the individual right to bear arms contemplated. This is an invented right that the National Rifle Assn. has propounded. They were able to convince an extreme Supreme Court to validate that right. They have a stranglehold on Congress and legislatures across the country. Even President Obama and otherwise enlightened leaders go along with the charade of constitutionality out of fear of the NRA wrath.
Our most sacred duty is to protect our children from harm.
The parents in Connecticut were powerless to do this because of the availability of automatic weapons to psychologically imbalanced individuals.
This has nothing to do with depriving hunters or fearful citizens of their weapons.
I am just in the process of re-launching my practice and representing athletes again. If I did have clients in critical positions, I would be urging them to speak out.
My father used to say, "there is no 'they' that will cure problems or fight for what is right. The 'they' is you and me."
LEIGH STEINBERG is a renowned sports agent, author, advocate, speaker and humanitarian. His column appears weekly. Follow Leigh on Twitter @steinbergsports or blog.steinbergsports.com.


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Using the CGI Form-Mailer
You can use the CGI form mailer depending on the type of hosting account you have. For more information, see What type of hosting account do I have?
Note: These scripts are no longer being supported by GoDaddy.
- Linux Deluxe and Unlimited Shared Hosting accounts can use the CGI form mailer.
- Everything else cannot. For any other type of hosting account, see Using Our PHP Form Mailers on Web & Classic Hosting.
Note: The
cgi directory of your hosting account is reserved for cgi scripts. Do not upload the HTML file that contains your Web form to the cgi directory.
Remember to specify the email address you want to use with the form-mailer in your account manager. For more information, see Specifying an Email Address for the CGI Form-Mailer.
To Use the CGI Form-Mailer
- Create your Web form and assign unique names to your form items.
Note: TIP: Our form-mailer script sorts the names of your form items alphabetically when it composes the email message. The order of precedence is: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers.
- Type "/cgi/gdform.cgi" as the form action line. For example:
- Type "post" as the form method.
- In addition to the fields you create in your form, the following fields must be included:
- Subject — This field controls the subject line in the form email.
- Redirect — This field controls the page that your visitors will see after they submit the form.
- Email — This field controls the return address for the form email.
Here's an example:
- Save and upload your form to your hosting account.
If you are using a secondary domain name (Manage hosting account domains), your redirect should point to:
/folder is the folder on your hosting account you use for the site and
thankyou.html is the file you want to redirect visitors to.
For information on reinstalling your default scripts, see Reinstalling the Default Scripts Directory on Linux Shared Hosting.