text:
Ten years ago, a voracious species of plankton-eating jellyfish appeared in the Caspian Sea, posing a serious threat to already declining fish stocks. One potential solution might be introducing a second jellyfish species to prey on the first. But the Caspian's five littoral states have yet to reach an agreement on how best to handle the problem -- leaving the sea in danger of suffering irreversible damage in the meantime.
Prague, 28 June 2004 (RFE/RL) -- When an animal species suddenly appears in a new environment, the consequences can be grim.
While some species may quickly die off, others thrive in their new surroundings, often to the point of posing a threat to the existing ecological order. Such is the case with Mnemiopsis leidyi, a fist-sized jellyfish that has spent the past decade menacing the waters of the Caspian Sea. The invasion of Mnemiopsis leidyi, or Leidy's Comb Jelly, has caused the Caspian's fish stocks to plunge, affecting the livelihoods of many local fishermen.
Zari Rustamov is from the village of Nardaran on Azerbaijan's Abseron Peninsula. He said his catches of sprats (kilki) have grown more and more meager in the years since the comb jelly first made an appearance. He said the jellyfish "is small [and transparent], like water. We didn't have this thing before. Sometimes you look at the water, you reach out and your hands are full of them. And when it's there, there are no fish. Fish avoid getting close to them."
The watery invader has a voracious appetite, devouring much of the Caspian plankton that provides the sprats' main sustenance. Furthermore, Mnemiopsis reproduces at an alarming rate. It can double its size in a single day, reach maturity within two weeks, and then lay as many as 1,200 eggs a day for as long as several months.
The dropping fish stocks have forced many fishermen off the job. Many owners of fishing vessels have been forced to sell their boats in order to pay off their debts. The spread of the Mnemiopsis is expected to eventually taper off. But that may come too late to save the Caspian's fish stocks.
Tariel Mammadli is chief adviser on Caspian biodiversity at Azerbaijan's Ecology Ministry. "If there is no fight against [Mnemiopsis], all living things may disappear from the [Caspian] Sea," he said. He describes the sea's ecology as like a chain. If the plankton link is broken, "everything disappears."
Mnemiopsis made its Eastern debut two decades ago, in the Black Sea, after being transported from the U.S. Atlantic coast in the hull of a ship carrying ballast water to maintain its stability. When the ship emptied its ballast water, the jellyfish began its feast on Black Sea plankton, causing a more than 80 percent decrease in fish stocks there.
The arrival of a second American jellyfish, Beroe ovata, marked an important change in the late 1990s. The newcomer began dining on Mnemiopsis, causing its almost immediate decline, and allowing a resurge in the Black Sea's valuable anchovy stocks.
But Mnemiopsis once again began to travel, and showed up in the Caspian Sea in 1999. This time the culprit is believed to have been the ballast water of a boat shipping through the Volga-Don canal linking the two seas. A decline in plankton quickly followed. In 2000 alone, scientists estimated that Caspian sprat stocks had decreased by 50 percent.
Could the Beroe ovata once again prove the solution? Hossein Negarestan works for the Iranian Fisheries Research Organization in Tehran. He told RFE/RL that studies have been conducted on the safety of releasing a second jellyfish species into the Caspian. As long as the process is handled carefully, he said, it should not create any new ecological problems.
"We found out that [Beroe] only eats Mnemiopsis leidyi and [that] when there are no more Mnemiopsis leidyi, [the Beroe] dies off. Scientists agreed that Beroe ovata can be the best solution to this problem. [However,] we need to be careful not to carry any other individual [species in] with the water. Scientifically speaking, all aspects have been cleared out," Negarestan said.
All five Caspian states -- Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran -- now have to endorse the introduction of the Beroe ovata to the sea. It is an expensive and technically difficult process.
Tariel Mammadli, from Azerbaijan's Ecology Ministry, said the Caspian states are close to an agreement, and that Iran and Russia have already promised to contribute funds. "This year, the Caspian commission on bioresources will find a positive solution to the issue," he said. The five littoral states must reach an agreement and then begin a search for funding.
(RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service contributed to this report.)
... Payvand News - 6/29/04 ... --


text:
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Which David do you prefer???
11 comments:
- Jogeshwar said...
A joke arounds like this, An officer asks his subordinate, that if given a chance to bring in reforms, what would he do? The subordinate says first of all he would bring standardisation in the department across the country and better coordination as well. The superior asks him to explain his point, subordinate replys by saying that in some places you can bribe by just giving a few bidis, so he feels it is very insulting to the department, some minimum standard for bribes should be fixed so as to uphold the 'naak' of the department.
- February 19, 2013 at 4:52 PM
- numerounity said...
Aila! Such a big title!!!
U r on my blogroll and suddenly I saw my footer going multifold!! and ask me to add...post adding him, he
- February 19, 2013 at 5:43 PM
- numerounity said...
PS: read my catty review of murder 3.
The link is here- http://ektakhetan.blogspot.in/2013/02/murder-3-is-rather-funny-film-review.html
- February 19, 2013 at 5:45 PM
- Leha Shiekh said...
Reading this fabulous article, reminds me of decent stalker's blog about India's PR.
- February 19, 2013 at 10:28 PM
- Ravi Patel said...
What an inexorable fall from grace for 'mere bharat mahan'! Now even this unabashed bunga bunga pervert and a crook to boot, the oh! so so a family man Silvio Berlusconi rubs it in by saying that bribing is the only way to do business in india. Either way one looks at it, both from within and from outside, it is the Italian hand that continues to haunt decrepit India!. Whatever else one thinks of the whole saga, at least I love this Italian geniality for summoning all his Einstenian genius to tell the world what has been obvious to us all Indians for far so long! I love you salacious Silvio. I love you very much!
- February 20, 2013 at 2:17 PM
- Satish Ashtaputre said...
I think now,we Indians should stop discussing corruption issue.From Bofors to now Agusta-Westland,none of the poitician or officer concerned with the scam,have been penalised.
So,it's just a waste of time !
In India,either pay up or suffer !
- February 21, 2013 at 8:45 PM
- Shainex TM said...
You have posted a very useful information on Packers and Movers . We really like it and enjoyed to read. Very useful information.
Shainex, is in the row of top Packers and Movers in Delhi. We are a certified packers and movers company.
Packers and Movers in Gurgaon
- February 28, 2013 at 12:17 PM
- Shainex TM said...
Packers and Movers is the best packers and movers company in India, top movers and packers company in India. We offers best services for packers and movers to their clients.
- March 21, 2013 at 3:11 PM
- Aditya said...
Amazing Article
Get Tech Updates at TechTantrik
Enjoy Funnier Side of Life at TheRoyalPoke
- December 16, 2013 at 11:38 AM
- Siva Cool said...
A truly motivational and life changing book
This book is really a good book which shows us right path. but i read
one more book named "ONE BOOK FOR LIFE SUCCESS" which is truly
motivational and life changing . .The writer has described in PlainEnglish with lot of examples which is easy to understand...For More
Please watch the videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biORjS8ngv0
YouTube video
- July 2, 2014 at 1:57 PM
- Blogger said...
If you want your ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend to come crawling back to you on their knees (even if they're dating somebody else now) you need to watch this video
right away...
(VIDEO) Have your ex CRAWLING back to you...?
- August 25, 2017 at 5:39 PM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The WhatObject is the name of a table or query.
Each condition is written as a SQL operation using the formula:
Column operator Value
In this case, the WHERE operator resembles a conditional statement. The Condition1 is the first that would be examined. If the first condition is false, the whole statement is false. If the first condition is true, then the second condition would be examined.
Here is an example:
SELECT Title, Director, CopyrightYear, Rating FROM Videos WHERE CopyrightYear = "1994" AND Rating = "PG-13";
To make the statement easy to use and read, you should include each part of the AND operation in its own parentheses. Here are examples:
SELECT Videos.Title, Videos.Director, Videos.CopyrightYear, Videos.Rating FROM Videos WHERE (Videos.CopyrightYear)="1994") AND ((Videos.Rating)="PG-13");
Here is an example that uses a BETWEEN operator:
BETWEEN [Enter a starting year] AND [Enter an ending year]


text:
And I must realize that for every minute I am in the virtual world of gaming, I am not doing anything for God's glory. Gaming needs to be limited. Extreme self-control needs to be exercised, and gaming should not take precedence over doing things that need to be done. For example if my car is trashed with dirt, McDonald's wrappers, Mt. Dew bottles, coffee cups, etc., I should not be gaming. If my grass needs to be cut, I should not be gaming. If the dishes are dirty or the laundry needs to be done, I should not be gaming. Parents, be the boss and come down hard on gaming if Johnny's grades are not where they should be or his bedroom is trashed. Set limits. If I haven't read my Bible, I should not be gaming. Do you know how many young men I see coming to church on Sundays exhausted from staying up late on Saturday watching movies, playing video games, etc.? Those choices scream that corporate worship is NOT important to me. I am more concerned with being successful in the virtual world of gaming than glorifying God with the body of Christ.
Last year in South Korea, a couple let their biological child die while they were taking care of a notional baby in a video game world (Newsweek, July 27, 2014). Imagine that! And of course, that isn't you. I know that's not you. You would never do that. But that tragic event points to the problem loud and clear. We have a growing number of people in all societies that would rather play basketball with a controller than an orange ball outside. Let's be clear: I am not saying a father and son playing 30 minutes of FIFA video soccer is a problem when it's raining outside. But when the sun is out—get outside and kick a real ball, shoot a real gun, throw a real ball, jump a real fence, run down a real path in the woods with air soft guns that actually sting when you shoot each other. Christians live in the real world. We are salt and light in the real world. Jesus did not have a 'man cave' where he retreated from the rest of the world and relived childhood fantasies. Learn a card game. Have a conversation with someone face to face instead of via a controller headset. Take a girl to the movies and then have a conversation about the movie face to face over a milkshake. The reason our social interaction skills are so often underdeveloped is that the boys are playing video games instead of conversing with girls.
Video games are negatively impacting our ability to do constructive things, read edifying articles and books, comprehend the written word, sustain legitimate conversations, accomplish productive tasks, fix things, exercise our bodies, play an instrument or sport, sing a song, pray, experiment, discover something new, and ultimately glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31). An entire generation is growing up without becoming real men—and without men a society cannot sustain itself. Men provide and protect in the real world, and too much time in the notional world directly and negatively impacts effectiveness, and even worse, the ability to survive and thrive in the real world. Christians should frequently fast from video games and dedicate the time otherwise devoted to gaming to something that will actually glorify God.


text:
Bootle flower delivery, order flowers online from Flowerbug Floral Design, we're a real local florist that actually delivers direct in Merseyside, we have many years experience in floristry designing and delivering our own stunning bouquets and arrangements 6 days a week by hand in our own delivery vans. Same day flower delivery in Bootle please order by 1pm Monday to Saturday, our bouquets can be ordered online or by telephone or you can visit our shop in person. Send flowers:-
We also deliver our own bouquets and arrangements to these nearby locations in Anfield, Everton, Ford, Kirkdale, Litherland, Orrell, Sandhills, Seaforth, Vauxhall, Walton.
© Copyright - All Rights Reserved.
Flowerbug Floral Design - 254 Woolton Road, Childwall, Liverpool, Merseyside, L16 8NE - Tel: 0151 722 0055
Registered Company Number 9970039


text:
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
JACKSON, Tenn. - As the saying goes, all great things must come to an end. That much is true for the Tennessee Tech baseball team as its record-breaking attempt at a tournament title ended Saturday afternoon with a 6-4 loss to Eastern Kentucky at the 2013 Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament.
The Golden Eagles will now sit and wait for a decision from the NCAA Tournament committee to decide whether or not to grant Tech with an at-large bid to a regional.
Tech looked comortable through the first three innings, outscoring the Colonels 3-0, led by a quick two-run first inning that saw Zach Stephens collect an RBI double to right center field. Stephens scored later on an error by the EKU second baseman.
In the third, Austin Wulf scored his second run of the game, chugging all the way from first base after an RBI double off the wall by Brandon Thomasson.
The Colonels stormed back in the bottom of the fourth, making it a one-run game with two runs.
Clinging to a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh and runners on first and second with no outs, Tech called on sophomore closer Seth Lucio to try and get out of the jam. He quickly forced the Colonels into a double play line out, leaving just one runner on first.
EKU used clutch two-strike hitting to open blow the door wide open, however, scoring four runs in the half inning to take a 6-3 lead.
The Golden Eagles had one more chance in the ninth inning to even things up, loading the bases with just one out and Wulf at the plate. The senior hit a sac fly to center field, scoring one run, before Cody Creamer shut the door on the Tech comeback attempt to send the Colonels to the championship game of the tournament.
Wulf finished just one hit shy of tying the all-time hits record set by Chad Oberacker back in 2010. Sophomore starter Jacob Honea pitched a solid game, throwing six innings while allowing just six hits and two earned runs. He walked four and struck out seven on 109 pitches.
EKU's Shane Grimm tossed a spectacular game, tossing 8.1 innings while allowing just three earned runs and seven hits on 124 pitches. He struck out three while walking just one.
The 2013 Tech squad finishes the season with the most wins in program history, going 40-17 with an OVC-record 24 league wins.
Senior ace Tristan Archer earned OVC All-Tournament honors for his great pitching performance in the Golden Eagles' first contest. Archer threw 8.1 innings while scattering seven hits and allowing just one earned run. With the win, he broke the all-time Tech record for career wins with 23. The righty struck out six batters, giving him a career-high 97 for the season.


text:
State Senator John Sampson was just arrested for embezzling $440,000 and now joins a long list of elected officials who think they are above the law.
These men and women in government have forgotten why they were elected, and that is to serve the people who put them into office. We need to elect people that are dedicated to those principles and values that best serve the people.
If I was elected to office, I would know why I was there. I would be dedicated to my fellow citizens who put their trust in me. Too bad there are few politicians who don't think like that.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village


text:
Story highlights
- NBC announced Thursday that the hour-long series finale of "The Office" will air May 16
- The finale will be "The Office's" 200th episode
- It's based on the British series created by Ricky Gervais
Mark your calendars for one last hour of workplace antics with Dwight, Pam, Jim, Andy, and the rest of "The Office" gang.
NBC announced Thursday that the hour-long series finale of the hit comedy show will air on Thursday, May 16 at 9 p.m.
Just as "Fringe" hit episode No. 100 with its series finale last month, "The Office" will reach a major milestone with its last installment — the finale will be the show's 200th episode, wrapping up nine seasons of the Scranton, Pa.-set mockumentary.
Based on the British series created by Ricky Gervais, "The Office" has racked up four Emmy wins since its premiere in 2005, including Outstanding Comedy Series for its second season.


text:
Thousands of Bikers, an AC/DC Tribute Band, All to Benefit Sick Kids. Sioux Falls Hot Harley Nights ROCKS!
When Jim and Lonnie Entenman of J&L Harley Davidson started Hot Harley Nights back in 1995 I don't think they could have imagined how big it would get. But the 19th annual event this weekend is an event that people from not only Sioux Falls looks forward to, but people from dozens of other states do too. It's the largest fundraiser of the year for Make A Wish of South Dakota and once all the numbers are crunched this year's contribution will push the total over $2 million in donations in the 19 year history!
This year's Hot Harley Nights expanded to four days, and got started Thursday with a Family Fun Night at J&L Harley. Friday included the ride in bike show, a live auction that raised over $8200 alone (an average 'wish' granted by Make A Wish now costs about $7000)
Each year the tiny South Dakota town of New Effington (population under 300) located 172 miles north of Sioux Falls, hosts a tractor rally and festival to raise money for Make A Wish. The founders then come down during Hot Harley Nights to present the check. This year, their fundraiser helped them present a check for $33,000! Bringing the total that New Effington has contributed to over $160,000! South Dakotans are simply the kindest people and are always willing to help.
And Saturday, the help continued with scenic rides in the rain in the morning, but by late afternoon the clouds moved out, the sun came out, and THOUSANDS of bikes lined up for the biggest parade in the state as we wound our way through the city to downtown where AC/DC tribute band Rock N' Roll Damnation was waiting to put on a great rock show for a great cause.
A pancake feed will wrap up the festivities on Sunday as plans are already in the works for the historic 20th anniversary of Hot Harley Nights. Mark your calendars now for July 9-12, 2015 and come out to support Make A Wish of South Dakota!
Thank you all for your continued support of this event!
The bikes are lining up for the parade!
Some of our Wish Kids who rode in the parade
Damnation singer Tim Bakke sometimes feels the need to be with the people
Sonia Larson won a 2014 Harley Davidson Softail Slim in the raffle this weekend!


text:
COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Georgia College men's basketball team (7-4, 0-2 PBC) led until late in the second half, but Columbus State University (7-5, 2-1 PBC) closed the game out on an 18-5 run to steal a 56-51 win Wednesday.
CSU took a 46-38 Bobcat lead with 6:36 left, firing up that late run for the 56-51 finish. Idell Bell hit a layup at the 2:57 mark and the Cougars never looked back to close the win.
Junior guard Quin Bivins (Macon, Ga.) led the 'Cats with 16 points, hitting half of his shots from the floor (6-12) including four threes. Senior forward Ryan Aquino (Roswell, Ga.) put up his eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Bell was the game's leading scorer with 17 points off the CSU bench, and Steve Peterson added 11 with six rebounds.
Georgia College hit more field goals than Columbus State (21-17), but the Cougars made more trips to the line (20-5) holding a 16-2 lead in makes.
The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, Jan. 7 at 3:30 p.m. traveling to Flagler College (6-6, 1-1 PBC). The Saints most recently lost to Lander University 100-83 tonight.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


text:
Bahrain Airport Company acquires Hochtief JV
Manama, September 11, 2013
Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) said it has taken full control of HOCHTIEF Facility Management Bahrain, its joint venture with the top German construction group, in line with its strategy to boost efficiency of airport's operations and maintain the quality of facilities.
BAC is the authority responsible for operating and managing Bahrain International Airport as a world-class airport.
Announcing this on Wednesday, CEO Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said the BAC after buying the entire 50 per cent stake in the Hochtief joint venture has now named it as BAC Facilities Management.
Al Binfalah affirmed that the move will not impact the operations of the company and business will run as usual. Effective from today, the company will commence operations under the new identify.
"This comes in line with BAC plan to improve the Kingdom's aviation capabilities; and cater to the growing number of passengers as well as the changing demands of the airport's stakeholders," said the top official after signing the acquisition agreement with Hochtief representative Burkhart Zaga.
Since appointed in 2010 by BAC to manage the airport's facilities, Hochtief Facility Management Bahrain Airport had been providing its' services at the airport terminal building, apron, fire building, hangers, cargo halls, and administration buildings.-TradeArabia News Service


text:
Alger, WA……..USAC Washington Honda Dirt Midget leader Chase Goetz of Snohomish, Wash. won Saturday night's 15-lap feature at Skagit Speedway. The race was cut to 15 laps due to pending weather as Goetz was trailed by defending series champ Jared Peterson, Ariel Biggs, Garrett Thomas and Speedmart Hard Charger and NWSPRINTCARHISTORY.com Rookie of the Race Dougie James. Goetz was the Elma Auto Racing Hall of Fame fast timer.
USAC WASHINGTON HONDA DIRT MIDGET RACE RESULTS (Presented by Ignite Fuels): May 25, 2013 – Alger, Washington – Skagit Speedway
HEAT RACE: (8 Laps) 1. Jared Peterson (#3s Stewart), 2. Chase Goetz (#91 Goetz), 3. Ariel Biggs (#11e Emery), 4. Garrett Thomas (#14 Thomas), 5. Todd Hartman (#21 Hartman), 6. Chance Crum (#91s Stewart), 7. Madison Hess (#5 Sherwood), 8. Dougie James (#29 James). NT
FEATURE: (15 Laps) 1. Chase Goetz, 2. Jared Peterson, 3. Ariel Biggs, 4. Garrett Thomas, 5. Dougie James, 6. Chance Crum, 7. Madison Hess, 8. Todd Hartman. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Biggs, Laps 2-15 Goetz.
NEW WASHINGTON HONDA DIRT MIDGET POINTS: 1-Goetz-271, 2-Thomas-221, 3-James-221, 4-Crum-197, 5-Robb y Vaughn-181, 6-Biggs-168, 7-Hartman-148, 8-Jeremy Miller-118, 9-Rene Angel-89, 10-Peterson-65.
NEXT WASHINGTON HONDA DIRT MIDGET RACE: June 1 – Elma, WA – Grays Harbor Raceway


text:
Message Queue offers various connection services using a variety of transport protocols for connecting both application and administrative clients to a broker. This chapter describes how to configure and manage these services and the connections they support:
Broker configuration properties related to connection services are listed under Connection Properties.
Figure 6–1 shows the connection services provided by the Message Queue broker.
These connection services are distinguished by two characteristics, as shown in Table 6–1:
The service type specifies whether the service provides JMS message delivery (NORMAL) or Message Queue administration services ( ADMIN).
The protocol type specifies the underlying transport protocol.
Service Name
Service Type
By setting a broker's imq.service.activelist property, you can configure it to run any or all of these connection services. The value of this property is a list of connection services to be activated when the broker is started up; if the property is not specified explicitly, the jms and admin services will be activated by default.
Each connection service also supports specific authentication and authorization features; see Introduction to Security Services for more information.
There is also a special cluster connection service, used internally by the brokers within a broker cluster to exchange information about the cluster's configuration and state. This service is not intended for use by clients communicating with a broker. See Chapter 10, Configuring and Managing Broker Clusters for more information about broker clusters.
Also there are two JMX connectors, jmxrmi and ssljmxrmi, that support JMX-based administration. These JMX connectors are very similar to the connection services in Table 6–1, above, and are used by JMX clients to establish a connection to the broker's MBean server. For more information, see JMX Connection Infrastructure.
Each connection service is available at a particular port, specified by host name (or IP address) and port number. You can explicitly specify a static port number for a service or have the broker's Port Mapper assign one dynamically. The Port Mapper itself resides at the broker's primary port, which is normally located at the standard port number 7676. (If necessary, you can use the broker configuration property imq.portmapper.port to override this with a different port number.) By default, each connection service registers itself with the Port Mapper when it starts up. When a client creates a connection to the broker, the Message Queue client runtime first contacts the Port Mapper, requesting a port number for the desired connection service.
Alternatively, you can override the Port Mapper and explicitly assign a static port number to a connection service, using the imq.serviceName.protocolType. port configuration property (where serviceName and protocolType identify the specific connection service, as shown in Table 6–1). (Only the jms, ssljms, admin, and ssladmin connection services can be configured this way; the httpjms and httpsjms services use different configuration properties, described in Appendix C, HTTP/HTTPS Support). Static ports are generally used only in special situations, however, such as in making connections through a firewall (see Connecting Through a Firewall), and are not recommended for general use.
In cases where two or more hosts are available (such as when more than one network interface card is installed in a computer), you can use broker properties to specify which host the connection services should bind to. The imq.hostname property designates a single default host for all connection services; this can then be overridden, if necessary, with imq.serviceName. protocolType.hostname (for the jms, ssljms, admin, or ssladmin service) or imq.portmapper.hostname (for the Port Mapper itself).
When multiple Port Mapper requests are received concurrently, they are stored in an operating system backlog while awaiting action. The imq.portmapper.backlog property specifies the maximum number of such backlogged requests. When this limit is exceeded, any further requests will be rejected until the backlog is reduced.
Each connection service is multithreaded, supporting multiple connections. The threads needed for these connections are maintained by the broker in a separate thread pool for each service. As threads are needed by a connection, they are added to the thread pool for the service supporting that connection.
The threading model you choose specifies whether threads are dedicated to a single connection or shared by multiple connections:
In the dedicated model, each connection to the broker requires two threads: one for incoming and one for outgoing messages. This limits the number of connections that can be supported, but provides higher performance.
In the shared model, connections are processed by a shared thread when sending or receiving messages. Because each connection does not require dedicated threads, this model increases the number of possible connections, but at the cost of lower performance because of the additional overhead needed for thread management.
The broker's imq.serviceName. threadpool_model property specifies which of the two models to use for a given connection service. This property takes either of two string values: dedicated or shared. If you don't set the property explicitly, dedicated is assumed by default.
You can also set the broker properties imq.serviceName. min_threads and imq.serviceName. max_threads to specify a minimum and maximum number of threads in a service's thread pool. When the number of available threads exceeds the specified minimum threshold, Message Queue will shut down threads as they become free until the minimum is reached again, thereby saving on memory resources. Under heavy loads, the number of threads might increase until the pool's maximum number is reached; at this point, new connections are rejected until a thread becomes available.
The shared threading model uses distributor threads to assign threads to active connections. The broker property imq.shared.connectionMonitor_limit specifies the maximum number of connections that can be monitored by a single distributor thread. The smaller the value of this property, the faster threads can be assigned to connections. The imq.ping.interval property specifies the time interval, in seconds, at which the broker will periodically test ("ping") a connection to verify that it is still active, allowing connection failures to be detected preemptively before an attempted message transmission fails.
Message Queue brokers support connections from both application clients and administrative clients. See Configuring Connection Services for a description of the available connection services. The Command utility provides subcommands that you can use for managing both connection services as a whole and individual services; to apply a subcommand to a particular service, use the -n option to specify one of the names listed in the "Service Name" column of Table 6–1. Subcommands are available for the following connection service management tasks:
Pausing a connection service has the following effects:
The broker stops accepting new client connections on the paused service. If a Message Queue client attempts to open a new connection, it will get an exception.
All existing connections on the paused service are kept alive, but the broker suspends all message processing on such connections until the service is resumed. (For example, if a client attempts to send a message, the send method will block until the service is resumed.)
The message delivery state of any messages already received by the broker is maintained. (For example, transactions are not disrupted and message delivery will resume when the service is resumed.)
The admin connection service can never be paused; to pause and resume any other service, use the subcommands imqcmd pause svc and imqcmd resume svc. The syntax of the imqcmd pause svc subcommand is as follows:
imqcmd pause svc -n serviceName [-b hostName:portNumber]
For example, the following command pauses the httpjms service running on the default broker (host localhost at port 7676):
imqcmd pause svc -n httpjms -u admin
The imqcmd resume svc subcommand resumes operation of a connection service following a pause:
imqcmd resume svc -n serviceName [-b hostName:portNumber]
You can use the imqcmd update svc subcommand to change the value of one or more of the service properties listed in Table 6–2. See Connection Properties for a description of these properties.Table 6–2 Connection Service Properties Updated by Command Utility
Port assigned to the service to be updated (does not apply to httpjms or httpsjms)
A value of 0 means the port is dynamically allocated by the Port Mapper.
Maximum number of threads assigned to the service
The imqcmd update svc subcommand has the following syntax:
imqcmd update svc -n serviceName [-b hostName:portNumber] -o property1=value1 [[-o property2=value2]…]
For example, the following command changes the minimum number of threads assigned to the jms connection service on the default broker (host localhost at port 7676) to 20:
imqcmd update svc -o minThreads=20 -u admin
To list the connection services available on a broker, use the imqcmd list svc subcommand:
imqcmd list svc [-b hostName:portNumber]
For example, the following command lists all services on the default broker (host localhost at port 7676):
imqcmd list svc -u admin
Example 6–1 shows an example of the resulting output.
The imqcmd query svc subcommand displays information about a single connection service:
imqcmd query svc -n serviceName [-b hostName:portNumber]
For example, the following command displays information about the jms connection service on the default broker (host localhost at port 7676):
imqcmd query svc -n jms -u admin
Example 6–2 shows an example of the resulting output.
To display metrics information about a connection service, use the imqcmd metrics svc subcommand:
imqcmd metrics svc -n serviceName [-b hostName:portNumber] [-m metricType] [-int interval] [-msp numSamples]
The -m option specifies the type of metric information to display:
ttl (default): Messages and packets flowing into and out of the broker by way of the specified connection service
rts: Rate of flow of messages and packets into and out of the broker per second by way of the specified connection service
cxn: Connections, virtual memory heap, and threads
The -int and -msp options specify, respectively, the interval (in seconds) at which to display the metrics and the number of samples to display in the output. The default values are 5 seconds and an unlimited number of samples.
For example, the following command displays cumulative totals for messages and packets handled by the default broker (host localhost at port 7676) by way of the jms connection service:
imqcmd metrics svc -n jms -m ttl -u admin
Example 6–3 shows an example of the resulting output.
For a more detailed description of the use of the Command utility to report connection service metrics, see Connection Service Metrics.
The Command utility's list cxn and query cxn subcommands display information about individual connections. The subcommand imqcmd list cxn lists all connections for a specified connection service:
imqcmd list cxn [-svn serviceName] [-b hostName:portNumber]
If no service name is specified, all connections are listed. For example, the following command lists all connections on the default broker (host localhost at port 7676):
imqcmd list cxn -u admin
Example 6–4 shows an example of the resulting output.
To display detailed information about a single connection, obtain the connection identifier from imqcmd list cxn and pass it to the imqcmd query cxn subcommand:
imqcmd query cxn -n connectionID [-b hostName:portNumber]
For example, the command
imqcmd query cxn -n 421085509902214374 -u admin
produces output like that shown in Example 6–5.
The imqcmd destroy cxn subcommand destroys a connection:
imqcmd destroy cxn -n connectionID [-b hostName:portNumber]
For example, the command
imqcmd destroy cxn -n 421085509902214374 -u admin
destroys the connection shown in Example 6–5.


text:
Simple Process, Personalized Service
We do everything possible to keep the admissions process simple and quick. The online application takes less than 20 minutes to complete. You will receive the admission decision within one week of providing all the application documents.
You will receive an email within one business day that confirms we have your application and connects you with an admissions counselor - the person responsible for helping you every step of the way.
You then send the application supporting documents, usually as email attachments. Things like your high school or university transcripts. Once you have provided all the necessary documents the admissions committee will review your application and notify you of the admission decision within one week under normal circumstances.
Then you can start planning your time as a Webster student!


text:
In case you missed the Life and Work of Bertrand Goldberg tour during Tour Day 2010, the Chicago Architectural Foundation will hold a second tour this Saturday, December 11th.
Best known for his curving concrete structures, Bertrand Goldberg was a native Chicagoan who "broke the box" and brought new ideas and philosophies to mid-century Modern design. A student of Mies van der Rohe, Goldberg began experimenting early in his career with new shapes and materials that differentiated his work from the rigid rectilinear style of his mentor. Goldberg was passionate about revitalizing cities, and we'll see projects he designed that were intended to inject vitality back into Chicago's urban fabric as he saw it begin to decay in the 1950s. By visiting Marina City, Hilliard Homes and River City, you'll see how Goldberg envisioned Chicago recreating itself as a modern American city. As a special bonus, we'll tour the interiors of Marina City and River City and see why they are still regarded as some of Chicago's most beloved modern icons. We'll also visit Prentice Hospital, an endangered example of the innovative designs Goldberg developed for hospitals and medical centers.
To register for the tour or for more information visit the Chicago Architectural Foundation.
For more information about the preservation efforts to save Goldberg's Prentice Hospital visit: www.saveprentice.org


text:
Course Details
ENG302 Technical Writing
A study of the fundamental principles of technical writing as a professional tool. This course aims to prepare specialists in various professional fields to write clearly and effectively on their subject of nonspecialist audiences. Includes practice writing feasibility studies, proposals, abstracts, instructions, correspondence, and other kinds of writing ordinarily required in professional careers. Junior or Senior standing recommended. Prerequisite: ENG 102
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ENG102


text:
Reservations are now being accepted for limited edition flu shots; each shot comes with corresponding certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.
-That phrase is taken from the press release for Get the Flu, Mark Benson's current exhibition at Ever Gold Gallery in San Francisco. A registered nurse was on site during the opening to administer real flu shots as part of a symbolic gesture to accompany the show, which focuses on themes surrounding the human need for control. It's too hot?- turn on the air conditioner. Don't want to get sick?- here, have a flu shot. Benson's ability to present his commentary in such a unique, but direct way is really impressive.
Find some images from Get the Flu (on view til the 27th), below. And if you're hankering for a further dose from the artist, you can still pick up a copy of Beautiful/Decay Book 7 right here which features a spread by him.


text:
Spank PornWitness a slut have the shit fucked out of her and get her big fat ass spanked until its red as a tomato
70s PornThrowback images and porn consisting of all natural disco bitches with unshaven pussies being fucked real hard.
Foot Fetish XXXBrowse our site and take in every possible fetish one can imagine in one place. From giant tits to a whore jerking off someone with her feet, you won't be disappointed.
Adult Machine SexInterested to find out what a slut looks like bent over her husbands workbench with a fuck tool ramming her a100 times over? Who needs a man when you can be fucked by 20 horsepower of raw machinery?
Twins Porn XXXThe ultimate place view hot young teen twins sucking cock, ass fucking and squirting their juice half way across the room.
Chairs for SexAmazing quality pictures and videos of horny housewives sitting on and bending over chairs to be fucked hard is found right here at Sex Chairs.
Sex HoroscopeReading your horoscope has never been more fun now that Sex Horoscopes has come along and spiced things up in a new and sexually exciting way.
Porn PantyhoseAmazingly hot bitches wearing sexy black pantyhose can be found rubbing their clits and turning you on in ways you never thought possible at Free Porn Pantyhose.
Free Porn Panty HoseFree Porn Panty Hose is the number one destination for pantyhose lovers who love seeing everything from school girls to secretaries display their sexy undergarments.
Tease StockingsTease stockings represents the best collection of stockings fetish porn that will tease and tantilize you with incredible scenes you will never forget.


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
Lancaster County saw a drop in its unemployment rate last month, though state and national numbers went in the opposite direction.
The county's July jobless rate was 12.7 percent, a drop from the 12.9 percent it posted in June. The county's July 2011 rate was 13.9.
Last month, of the 30,593 people in Lancaster County's workforce, 3,874 of them were unemployed, according to figures recently released by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the The Lancaster News, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
|ZIP Code:


text:
Industrial espionage by Chinese "state-affiliated actors" was responsible for one in five data breaches reported to Verizon by customers and through a range of global police forces, the company's annual Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) has found.
The 2012 DBIR pains a complex picture of attack frequency, motivations, methods and targets, but the relatively new theme of Chinese hacking is more apparent than it has ever been.
In total, during the year Verizon recorded 47,000 security incidents using its Vocabulary for Event Recording and Incident Sharing (VERIS) methodology, from which it was able to confirm 621 verified data breaches.
In total, 19 percent of these 621 breaches were attributed to "state-affiliated actors," or put another way, state-sponsored hacking by a single country, China.
Because only three quarters of externally-directed breaches could be pinned to a country of origin, the real level of Chinese-based hacking could be higher still.
Thirty-seven percent of the breaches were reported in the financial sector, 24 percent in retail (including restaurants), and 20 percent manufacturing, utilities and transport.
Three quarters involved stolen or compromised network credentials, half involved hacking, and 40 percent involved malware.
Outsiders accounted for 92 percent of all breaches which Verizon agrees flies in the face of the widespread belief that insiders perpetrate a lot of data breach incidents. It could be that the 'internals' are simply not being detected.
"China is far above everyone," said Verizon's global investigations manager, Dave Ostertag, with disarming bluntness. "There is definite evidence leading to China as being the source of [these] attacks."
The relationships discovered by Verizon in terms of the targets and methods are so striking that it sometimes looks as if they could be analysed using an unwritten algorithm to spot the telltale signs that mark one actor from another.
Chinese hackers, for instance, have a penchant for targeting infrastructure and of course government, which they attack using information and credential-harvesting tools pointed towards things like mail servers. By contrast, Eastern European attackers tended to be motivated by financial reward which leads to a different attack design.
The point of such complex data sets might simply be this; far from being inscrutable chaos, hacking might by 2013 have generated more than enough data for the most important patterns to be clear.
The Chinese attacks often used similar methods over and over, presumably because they worked, said Ostertag.
"A lot of the techniques they're using we've seen for years," he said.
As the company reported in an early draft of the report in March, successful breaches often lie undiscovered for at least months and sometimes longer.
Verizon has published its DBIR for six years although year-on-year comparisons are becoming difficult to make due to the way the company has gradually widened its source material and adjusted its 'Vocabulary for Event Recording and Incident Sharing' (VERIS) methodology.
This year, for instance, the company complemented data from its own customers with that from 19 different organisations, including a wide range of global police forces. One used last year - the UK's Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeU) didn't participate due demands placed on it while it merges into the new National Crime Agency (NCA). This makes trend analysis more difficult.
Verizon has also gradually downplayed the significance of expressing breaches in terms of the number of records compromised, mainly because not all sources record breaches using this metric.
These combined factors make it difficult to test the contention that data breaches are getting worse, or that more attacks are being launched. It is just as likely that more are being detected and then reported to national police forces.


text: Where to Find Skunks Getting rid of skunks in the area will lower your risk of getting sprayed by a skunk and is important in preventing skunks from coming to your home. Skunks focus on breeding in the spring and looking for food in the summer, which is when you will see skunks roaming around. They often look for shelter in storage buildings, cabins, houses, decks and sheds. After noticing a skunk problem, contact an expert that is trained in getting rid of skunks. How to Identify a Skunk Problem Getting rid of skunks in the area first requires identifying the creature. Skunks are usually hard to miss, especially with the black and white striped body, bushy tail and scampering gait. If you encounter a skunk, pay close attention to whether it stomps its feet as this is a pre-spraying warning sign. Skunks start to move around in the springtime when temperatures get warmer and they begin their search for a mate and food. Since skunks can accurately spray between 10 to 15 feet, it's important to move as far away as possible as they may assume you pose a threat. Getting rid of skunks can be challenging, but the skunk experts at Critter Control can assist with getting rid of skunks using a harmless method. Why Skunks are Important Skunks eat a lot of the creatures we strive to keep out of our homes, so they are important animals. They often eat bees, mice, wasps, beetles, crickets and other creatures that are not welcome. Getting rid of skunks in the entire area would be a bad idea, but removing them from your home will prevent the problems often associated with skunks. Contact a skunk removal specialist at Critter Control to learn the best methods used in getting rid of skunks. Why You Find Skunks in the Yard and Skunks Around the House Skunks often look for food and shelter around houses in the area. They normally eat insects, wild fruit and rodents, but skunks will alter their diet to include lawn insects, garbage and garden crops when available. Getting rid of skunks needs to be a top priority if you notice skunks around your home, because they do not normally leave on their own. Critter Control experts can provide advice on getting rid of skunks and preventing them from returning. What Damage and Hazards are Caused from Skunks Most people notice the appalling stench when skunks spray, but fewer people understand the damage they can cause to homes and the potential to carry rabies. Skunks often try to enter a home through a crawl space or basement and can also try to get into sheds and others locations on your property that provide ample shelter. Skunks will get into garbage cans and dig up lawns while looking for food. It is unusual for skunks to come out in the daytime, so if you notice one wondering around contact Critter Control experts for advice on getting rid of skunks. Getting Rid of Skunks When homeowners try getting rid of skunks on their own they often end up getting sprayed and scaring the skunks. This can make getting rid of skunks more difficult because the skunks will find a new location in the same area. Instead, homeowners should contact a Critter Control skunk removal expert who is knowledgeable in getting rid of skunks. How to Prevent a Skunk Problem Preventing skunks from entering your home is the key to maintaining a skunk-free home. A skunk removal expert will help put barriers in place for getting rid of skunks and may recommend setting up a fencing system around your home and garden and seal any holes and entrances. A skunk specialist will know how to prevent a skunk problem and how to deal with getting rid of skunks. Contact Critter Control for all your skunk removal needs. We can help you get rid of skunk problems. Call today: 1.800.274.8837. Critter Control of South Bend/Elkhart Service Area Bristol Elkhart, Goshen, Granger, Lakeville, Middlebury, Millersburg, Mishawaka, Nappanee, New Carlisle, New Paris, North Liberty, Notre Dame, Osceola, South Bend, Wakarusa, Walkerton and Wyatt. Niles, Edwardsburg, Union, White Pigeon in Michigan. This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Sam Helton Enterprises, LLC, dba Critter Control of North Central Indiana


text: Ok, I have finally gotten a website to resolve to the internet using Fedora 14 x86_64 with ISPConfig 3. Here is my problem. According to the ISP manual, my reseller clients and end user clients should be able to access their ISPConf. Control panel using my webserver name, which is: webserver.example.com, then apply :8080 to the end. Doing this takes users to the router login. I have checked open ports for the modem. They are all fine. Also, here is a list of commands I have run (inside the network) for open ports according to what Linux sees: netstat -vatn netstat --listen lsof -i -n | egrep 'COMMAND|LISTEN' All of these resolve ports 8080 and 8081. I am stumped. If this means anything, they typically show like such: :::8080 :::8081 Thanks in advance


text:
One thing that the SL-6000L has over the SL-C1000 is a reset hole!! It is so inconvenient to have to remove the C1000 from its case, and remove the battery cover to reset after trying out a software that does not behave nicely.
So I took the battery cover off of the C1000, and set it aside.
Use a permanent fine tip marker to make a mark right beside the reset switch.
Put the battery cover back on, and mark the cover right beside the mark you made previously.
Remove the battery cover, and carefully file (with a fine square hobbie type file) a notch about 1/16 of an inch each direction.
Be very careful not to break that little plastic nub that sticks out of the battery cover. It looks very easy to break.
Use hand lotion or baby oil to remove the marks from the marker.
Voilá, Now I can reset the C1000 without removing the battery cover.
Next mod was not so easy.
Modding (he-he-he) the PDair leather case.
My hole in that does not match exactly, but is close enough, and still works. (I missed by less than 1/16 inch in one direction.)
I just used a ruler to measure from the back edge and left edge of the Zaurus, and measured the PDair case to match (sort of).
Carefully make a hole with a drill bit in a hand held handle (NOT an electric drill). I used a 1/16 inch bit for the starter hole, and a 3/16 inch bit after that.
To make that hole as nice as possible, you need a really fine round file to clean up the jagged edge left by the drill bit.
Then a black permanent marker will color the gray edge of the hole.
It ain't perfect, but it looks nice and it matches me. (I'm not perfect either!)
And now I can reset without taking it out of the case OR removing the battery cover.


text:
Car Forums / Audi / Audi A4
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Meet your fellow owners in our Owners Clubs
2009 Audi A4
kduda1 Posts: 15Cracking the windows does not help w/ my '09 A4 3.2 either. I love the car with the exception of the road and wind noise, which are pretty big issues.
I'll never again test drive a car in the city only. The first time I drove my new car home (after waiting 8 months after putting down my deposit to get it), I kept looking for a motorcycle which I just "knew" was around me causing all of the noise. I finally called the salesman and asked if roadnoise was a known is and was told it was not. What to do now?
My 11-yr-old Infiniti J30 was quieter than my brand-new Audi, and the sunroof NEVER made the rumbling sound w/ all windows tightly up.
An aside, my side-view mirror makes a whistling sound which eventually annoys me to the point of adjusting it to a less-than-ideal position.
Moral - If you live in the country where things are quiet and you can accelerate over 40 before having to stop again, test drive the car all the way to your house rather than just a quick jump on the interstate for a few miles while you're testing out the stereo system.0
I'm surprised you are having a noise problem. With all windows and the sun roof closed my A4 is very quiet at highway speeds. A agree that the sun roof is way loud when open.0
Yeah, previous A4 (B7) model had quieter sunroof. (road noise, imho, was louder though).
When i drive at speeds between 35 and 55mph i have to turn the sunroof knob 2 clicks down to get rid of the rumbling... above 55mph it can be fully opened again. but it still is louder then previous model.... that is a shame, but not that big of a deal to not like the car.0
There is a demarcation on the sunroof knob -- if you want the windows up, you crank the sunroof control to that position and you should be fine.
If you open the sunroof further, you will need to have at least one of the windows part way open.
I believe this "feature" (the demarcation) is documented in the manual -- not that that alone makes it OK, since, apparently, your expectations were that you could crank it fully open.
The two click demarcation point, however, is "nearly fully [almost] open."0
The lease on my wife's '07 X3 3.0siA isn't up until NEXT July, but the government's cash for clunkers has got me thinking. While our X3 is far from a clunker, my 1990 E30 BMW 325iA (83,000 miles) fits the definition according to the EPA's website (It is less than 25 years old and gets a combined 18 mpg). So as long as I replace my E30 (which I bought as a project car last April) with a new car that gets an EPA combined 22 mpg or higher, I'll get $3,500 as a trade in credit.
A few cars fit the bill that have made my short list: Honda Accord EXL-V6 NAV, Acura TSX V6 TECH (I think), the Volkswagen Passat, & the A4 2.0T Quattro.
The car we get will replace my wife's X3 as her car (my 2001 Honda Prelude Type SH has over 112,500 miles and will be with us for quite some time). So the 2 biggest criteria we will be looking for is interior space & trunk space. We have 2 very handsome men under the age of 3 (One will be 3 in September & the other is 3 months old) and she has a "side by side" double stroller she brings everywhere with her. The thing that caught my eye about the A4 (other than the 258 lb-ft torque FSI turbo engine) is the seemingly gigantic trunk.
mark: I've been following your posts for years & have tremendous respect for your opinions about Audis & driving in general. I think your wife still has an X3 if I'm not mistaken. How would you compare the trunk space of the X3 (seats up) to the trunk space of your A4?
The thing that concerns me about Audi is their reliablity & dealer network. My Mom had an '02 A6 3.0 Quattro that had a transmission issue that was never resolved in the 3 years she leased the car. The dealer (PALISADES AUDI in West Nyack, NY) was just plain awful (3 week wait for service appointments, 4 week + wait if you need a loaner car) and Audi customer service wasn't much better. After complaining about the transmission NUMEROUS times, we were granted time to see the regional customer service guy. The guy backed the car out of the parking spot it was in, drove it maybe 15 feet to another parking spot, got out, and said there is no problem with the car.
The A4 I'm interested in for my wife would be a 2.0T Quattro with Automatic & the S-Line Package. I'm eager to hear everyone's opinion!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
We have both a 2008 X3 and a 2009 A4 2.0T quattro.
The space in the A4's trunk is the same as or slightly bigger than the X3 -- at least if you move things between the cars as we do sometimes. There is, however, a difference in how they get their space.
The X3 isn't as deep but it is taller.
It seems to me the A4 is deeper, less tall and a "smidge" wider.
Both have flat floors.
If hauling, with the seats down, was what you would be doing, perhaps the X3, overall, would seem to swallow more.
The driving experience of these two vehicles is similar, but the X3 shows its age -- the steering seems a bit more sluggish than the A4 (but our A4 has ADS plus the 19" sport package; while our X3 has the SAV package which offers 18" wheels and tires but no sport suspension -- both cars have servotronic steering but the Audi has adaptive steering, the X3 does not.)
The X3 is great. It seems "older" technology wise, however. A bit more truck like.
The A4 is fresh and is brimming with brand new technology -- it steers and can respond like a "go cart."
Both cars were north of $48,000. Both have maintenance included. The torque of the A4 is the winner in performance. The X3's engine is, well, it is a BMW engine -- it is, however, lower in torque and it is quite thirsty.
You will not dislike either vehicle -- if you want, "the best of both worlds, however, get a brand new Q5 -- it feels more like an A4 but it is like a newer technology X3 -- with this meant in the most flattering way one could mean.
The new Audi (2010) will even have 3G MMI, mine, alas, has 2G MMI -- not a huge improvement, but a significant one nonetheless.
Test drive them both (the A4 and the Q5). Now, however, the new Q5 will have more power than the current X3, but the torque of the Q5's V6 is 15 foot pounds lower than that of the A4's 2.0T i4.
Report back, if you would, please.
Thanks. :shades:0
Thanks for your quick reply. Your feedback helps a lot. I've always thought our X3's trunk space is a bit too narrow and a little too short (believe me, we make due). The X3 puts a premium on rear passenger space over trunk space.
We have an X3 now (metallic paint, rear climate pkg, heated front seats, bluetooth/BMW Assist). My wife likes it but thinks she wants a car for her next car and not an SUV. The seats are always up due to the fact we have 2 car seats buckled into the LATCH system.
The Q5 looks like a nice truck. I'm starting to see more of them around, but it doesn't meet the fuel economy requirements (22 city/highway combined) for me to get the $3,500 cash for clunkers credit.
I am excited to go over to the dealer and test drive the car.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
Drove the A4 Avant Friday afternoon at New Country Audi of Greenwich, CT. Interior is drop dead gorgeous. The ride was compliant & smooth, but not floaty. Didn't get to "get on the gas" because the test drive loop was pretty short. Our side by side double stroller fit in the back and space seemed comparable to our X3.
I just don't know about the wagon. The rear glass of the car is so raked to make it sporty that it almost defeats the purpose. Maybe when I take my wife to look at the car we'll check out a Q5 too.
I might forgo cash 4 clunkers and wait till the lease is up on our X3 next July. Maybe by then the Twin Turbo X3 will be out & the Audi Q5 2.0T will be out. I'm still considering an E60 5er as well.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2015 Infiniti Q40 AWD, 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD0
I just bought a brand new Audi A4 about a month and a half ago. Aside from a fuel pump problem requiring 3 trips to the dealership to fix, it's cute and it's good. I know nothing about cars, but it's the amenities and the style that are important to me. But I have to say that I love the way this car handles. If I can avoid speeding tickets, I'll be golden.
I love love love the amenities. The sound system is awesome. The navigation is scarily accurate. The backup camera is a total lifesaver. I suck at parking, so this is easily one of the coolest and best features on the car. The beeps have saved me from denting my car already. I am now addicted to my Sirius radio and love the ability to plug my iphone in and play my music. The bluetooth feature also works perfectly.
I'm hoping that all will continue to run well (minus a little hiccup with the fuel pump) but so far, it's the style and the amenities I love the most.0
On the subject of parking, have you noticed the feature that rotates the right mirror down to see the curb when in reverse? The mirror selection knob has to be turned to the right for it to work.0
hdtvdsl Posts: 2Very GOOD to know! Thanks!0
Really? OMG. I'm going to go try that out. Thanks a lot!
I love discovering all the new stuff on the car. I should've read the manual, but it's so thick that I can't really get past the few things that interest me.0
Agreed. My car is very quiet, too. (I do live in a big city, though.) My sunroof isn't loud, although my music is usually very loud when I'm bumping down the highway with the sunroof open. So I may not notice it if it is...
Nothing about new cars really surprises me anymore, though. If that poster had a problem with something it may be par for the course in a new car.0
ponjaps Posts: 1Did anyone have an issue with the oil? Brought my car at the dealer from october of last year to present maybe about 5 times (including the first service) just for the oil. I've never heard such a thing n they kept on telling me that all german cars burn a lot of oil, well any BMW owners, do u have the same issues with the oil too? and plus they expect me to buy and top the oil every month to a BRAND NEW CAR!!!! Isn't that rediculous!!!!0
My 2009 A4 2.0T does not burn any appreciable oil. I've never heard that German cars burned oil. On the contrary, they are known for precise clearances and engineering.
What manufacturers find acceptable in oil consumption is often very liberal. I've heard standards of one quart per 1000 miles, which is nuts. You will want to find the official Audi standard in writing.0
Nope, never had problems with excessive oil consumption -- not with my previous A4 (2007), nor current (2009).
Weird thing about oil though, when i brought mine in for the 5k mile service, dealer set computer to require next oil change in 5k miles (at 10k) although the next maintenance is scheduled at 15k. Per Audi manual oil should be changed at maintenance time -- 5k, 15k, 25k etc., and not any more often than that.
That is the schedule i had with my previous A4, it was different dealer back then.
I guess it;s just dealer playing tricks to earn some bucks. Hopefully they at least put in the right grade of oil... :confuse:0
Dealer gives an extra quart with the oil change and says I can add it whenever I want when the graphic on the dash is below half of the OK range. In 18k miles, then, I have added a grand total of one quart.
None in the first 5K miles
One in the next 10K miles
None since then0
I was curious as to the amount of oil represented by the dash display. The oil was reading at the mid point, and I added exactly 8 ounces. From where the display went and assuming a linear read out, I'd guess the display range is from 24 to 32 ounces. I would not ever add a full quart even if the display was on the bottom. I would do it in stages.0
My A4 has the worst dark brake dust on the front wheels of any car I've owned. This is with light braking and no rain. Is this an Audi thing? Does it get better over time?0
It does not get any better over time. But, we have, currently, one BMW (2008) and one 2009 Audi -- they both do this.
They both have, however, excellent brakes.
I bought an unlimited car wash pass and I wash the car (which power sprays the wheels) regularly.
We ended up putting Kleen Wheels on the Bimmer -- wish they were offered for the Audi.
And, no, we have had NO adverse effects from the Kleen wheels, they are ventilated.
Now, perhaps, were we to track these cars, the Kleen Wheels would be an issue -- but, for me, Kleen Wheels are the best way to go.0
nano8 Posts: 1Does anybody have problem bringing the car to a slow smooth stop without jerking your head back and forth? The braking problem is worst in stop and go traffic. I brought my complaint to the dealer. The dealer's service supervisor test drove my car for almost half an hour and could not bring the car to a smooth stop without spilling the coffee or yanking your head back and forth. Most surprising to me was how the dealer viewed this problem. The dealer said the jerking problem is normal as A4 has a strong brake that makes smooth stopping impossible. In fact the service supervisor told me he had driven Audi for many many years and was never able to bring the car to a smooth stop. He said Audi is not designed to be driven like a taxi or limo. It is designed for people who wanted to stop in hurry and don't mind head jerks or yanks. I found their explanation unbelievably unprofessional as if there is a giant cover-up for possible systemic brake design problems and wanted to avoid recalls.
I wish to find know if any one on the forum has similar problems? Or am I crazy in trying to drive a German car like a normal American car? I am truly baffled by this simply and yet very annoying problem of my 2009 A4.0
I call BS. This is sometimes called the TADT syndrome, They All Do That. BMW is legendary for that dodge. My 2009 A4 (FWD) has very smooth and progressive brakes that are easy to modulate. That said, as you approach the last stages of a stop, you have to ease up on the pedal a bit, because the same pressure applied to reduced forward inertia will produce an increasing rate of deceleration. The kind of person who buys an Audi is going to know how to modulate brakes.0
the weirdest story...
im driving 2009 A4 quattro and have no problems stopping smoothly.
why dont you test drive any other A4 at the dealership and see if it handles any better? at least you'll know if the problem is with a car (and your dealer too in this case) or your foot is too heavy.0
i had my heart set on the a-4 until the dealer sold both of my 2 choices out from under me, no chance of a deposit---salesman dragged his feet, now claims he's getting my '09 from across the country. there is no audi dealership closer than 75 miles--this worries me. after reading the many posts, and the problems experienced, red lights are going on----would i be better off buying a car that i can have serviced locally? i'm getting bad vibes on my dream car---- [my 2007 honda accord has has no problems at all, and i'm considering their most expensive model instead of the audi]
i need some advice quickly!0
I wouldn't be concerned about being 75 miles from a dealer. That would be true of many brands like Mercedes, BMW, VW and Audi. Service is infrequent. My Audi dealer is 90 miles away and my BMW motorcycle dealer is 150 miles away. I would be concerned about a car coming from very far away because of how it might be driven to get it to you. I like to baby a new car, although I know that some people say to drive it like you stole it to seat the rings. In 5,000 I have had no service issues with my A4.0
i would have gone for the a4 until i learned the only dealer within 100 miles is a crook---it's a shame. they didn't level with me from the get-go---financing is a scam, especially since we are eligible for 3.99%----didn't even offer us that deal---my score is 797--hubby's 755---and they think we'll accept 6.39%--lol
they keep changing cars that are available---audi needs to have a dealership in savannah---keep these guys on their toes when there's competition.
so long, audi....for now
On a recent trip one of the heater control knobs (temp, fan speed, seats, etc.) fell off. It's almost a 200 mile round trip to my dealer, so it would be nice if I could fix it myself with a new part. Any one else have this happen?0
cxg Posts: 1Just try to know if this plan worth the price of $740.
The MSRP of the audi care plan for new A4 is $740 and it will cover "Any scheduled maintenances not completed within 5 years from the original in-service date are excluded".0
audidad5555 Posts: 3There is a TSB on the sunroof wind buffeting. The fix is quick and warrentied. Here it is.
60 08 33
December 23, 2008
Affected Vehicles
60 Buffeting noise in cabin
Rhythmic pressure wave or buffeting noise is heard in cabin with the sunroof open to the comfort position and a road speed range of 35 mph to 45 mph .
Technical Background
Figure 1
The shape of the sunroof wind deflector may make this symptom occur within this speed range.
Production Solution
Figure 2
An effective solution is to replace the current wind deflector with wind deflector 8D9 877 651 A.
All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.
Required Parts and Tools
Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.0
Any idea what this new wind deflector looks like? In other words, is it ugly?0


text:
The Tree Preservation Program enforces Chapter 27 Article XIV of the Broward County Pollution Control Code, titled "Tree Preservation And Abuse Ordinance". This article has Countywide authority, although it is not enforced in municipalities that have as stringent regulations.
Municode Link to Broward County Code of Ordinances
Currently the Tree Preservation Program covers the following Areas of Responsibility and Specific Municipalities: Unincorporated Broward County, Broward County controlled properties and facilities, Broward County Environmentally Designated Lands (LAPC, ERL, NRA NFC), The School Board of Broward County, FL. controlled sites and the Cities of Lighthouse Point, Tamarac, Lauderdale Lakes, Lazy Lake, North Lauderdale, Pembroke Park, Town of Lauderdale By The Sea, Town of Hillsboro Beach, Village of Sea Ranch Lakes and Wilton Manors.
Tree Preservation Brochure (PDF 349KB)
The Tree Preservation And Abuse Ordinance regulates the following:
Other activities of the Tree Preservation Program:
To obtain further information about trees, the tree removal application process or to schedule a tree removal inspection contact the Tree Preservation Program directly at 954-519-1483. For all after-hours complaints concerning tree abuse, unlicensed tree removal activity or any other violation concerning trees please contact the Environmental Complaint Hot Line at 954-519-1499.


text:
Melanie's Little Loft Bedroom
Like this entry? Favorite it below!
- Name:
- Melanie
- Location:
- Montreal Canada
- Division:
- International
- What do you love about your bedroom?:
- I love the high ceilings, large windows and the mainly white color palette with pops of turquoise...it feels calming, airy and happy!
- What are your tips for creating a beautiful, healthy and organized bedroom?:
- I like the effect of mixing old with new and incorporating meaningful objects to make the space feel personal. I think it's important to keep the bedroom tidy and uncluttered to promote a restful and calming atmosphere - purge stuff you don't need, dedicate a place for everything and take advantage of storage under the bed and vertical space in closets.
- In modern homes, bedrooms have become more than just a place to sleep; they can be a retreat, a home office, a library, a relaxation zone. What are some ways you make the most of your bedroom?:
- I live in a small studio loft so every square inch of space counts! To free up floor space for a desk area, I changed the orientation of the bed, positioning the long side against the wall. This also makes the bed feel more like a daybed, creating a more casual space that can be used for lounging and relaxing. Since I have no walk-in closet, I carved out a dressing area between the closet and the bed and repurposed my old china cabinet as a storage unit for jewelery and accessories.


text:
Watch monthly live webcast - Like us on Facebook - Subscribe on YouTube
|Scientific Classification
The mammoth is an extinct form of elephant. There are three different types of mammoths whose skeletons have been found in North America. The woolly mammoth (M. primigenius), the Columbian mammoth (M. columbi), and Jefferson's mammoth (M. jeffersonii). They are about the same size as modern day elephants, contrary to the common belief that they are much larger. However their tusks could get up to about 16 feet long. They reproduced sexually, giving birth to one young at a time, and lived to be about 60 years old. They were strictly herbivores and ate mainly grass. Mammoths have very special teeth that God designed specifically for eating grass.
People often think of mammoths as huge, giant beasts, who are much larger than modern elephants. [1] However, this is a very wrong presumption. Actually, they were about the same size as today's elephants. A full grown mammoth would weigh about 6-8 tons (between 5500 and 7300 kilograms) and grow about 10-12 feet(between 3 and 3.7 meters) tall. Mammoths adapted quite well to their surroundings, especially those living in freezing tundras. The most obvious adaptation is the extremely thick coat of shaggy hair. They even had a flap of skin covered by fur protecting the anus from the cold. Their skin had exactly the same thickness as today's elephants. However, they had special glands called sebaceous glands, which would release greasy fat into the hair, improving the insulation. Beneath the skin, they had a layer of fat up to 3 inches thick, which aided in warmth. Unlike modern elephants, mammoths had extremely long tusks. The tusks could attain a length of 16 feet, and had a definite curve to their shape. One guess as to why this adaptation occurred is that the mammoths may have used their tusks to clear snow off the ground so that they could reach the grass below. [2]
Mammoth Teeth
The teeth of a mammoth are very different than almost any other creature on earth. Compressed enamel plates which are held together with cementum, make up the main composition of the teeth. The end result is an extremely strong, tall, and weather resistant eating tool. From the gum cavity, a tooth will emerge, which the animal will use to grind rough and coarse vegetation, such as grass. This oral exercise results in low enamel ridges where the plates have been worn, and a flat top. Most of the resistance of wear on theses teeth is credited to their unusual height. This is excellent because mammoths mainly feast on grass, and grass is a very tough material to eat. There is a "glass-like" substance in its leaves known as silica. To a much less resistant tooth, it would be like eating sandpaper grit, which would cause the tooth to wear away very quickly. [3]
It is said that mammoths mated and reproduced almost identically as that of modern day elephants. The gestation period is guessed to be about 22 months. They would only have one baby at a time, and in some cases only one baby in their whole life. It would take about 10-12 years to reach sexual maturity. Their average lifespan was about 60 years long. [4] Despite initial assumptions that the two genera of mammoths could not interbreed, Woolly and Columbian mammoths interbred.[1]
According to some scientists, there were three different species of mammoths that lived in North America at the time of the last Ice Age. These included the woolly mammoth ('M. primigenius), the Columbian mammoth (M. columbi), and Jefferson's mammoth (M. jeffersonii). The midwestern United States is the site of where the woolly mammoth and the Jefferson's mammoth have been identified. Grasslands, savannas, and tundras (during the last Ice Age) are the prime locations of finding the fossils of these great mammals. The first of these animals to come to America journeyed from Eurasia, perhaps from crossing the Bering Strait (at that time, sea level was much lower than it is currently), and sometime later, they all became extinct (possibly from over hunting and/or climate change). Mammoths are guessed to have been herbivores eating mainly grass. [5]
The Mammoth is divided in 9 known species, they are:
- Mammuthus meridionalis - Southern mammoth
- Mammuthus trogontherii - Steppe mammoth
- Mammuthus columbi or Mammuthus imperator or Mammuthus jeffersonii - Columbian mammoth or Jefferson's Mammoth
- Mammuthus primigenius - Woolly mammoth
- Mammuthus exilis - Pygmy mammoth
- Mammuthus lamarmorae - Dwarf elephant
- Mammuthus africanavus - African mammoth
- Mammuthus subplanifrons - South African mammoth
- Mammuthus creticus - Cretan dwarf mammoth
woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)
- ↑ Oard, Michael J (2012). "Woolly and Columbian Mammoths Likely the Same Species". Journal of Creation 26 (2): 12-13. ISSN 1036-2916.
Related References
Secular References
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth
- http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/larson/mammuthus.html
- http://ladywildlife.com/animal/hairymammothinfo.htm
Creationist References
- The extinction of the woolly mammoth: was it a quick freeze? Oard, M.J., 2000. Creation Ex Nihilo Technical Journal 14(3):24–34.
- Whatever Happened to the Wooly Mammoths Seminar by Michael Oard
- The Great Mammoth Mystery...SOLVED! Webcast featuring Michael Oard, Ken Ham, and Carl Wieland.
- Mammoth—riddle of the Ice Age by Jonathan Sarfati
- The Wooly Mammoth & the Ice Age By Wayne Jackson
- Frozen in Time by Michael Oard
- Life in the Great Ice Age by Michael Oard


text:
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Pulse for a few seconds and then pour into a large mixing bowl.
Add the shortening and knead it into the flour with your hands until it is crumbly. Add the milk all at once and mix in with a spatula until it begins to come together. Lightly flour your hands and the countertop and turn the dough out onto the countertop. Knead the dough ball, folding over 10 to 20 times. Using a rolling pin roll the dough to 1/3 to 1/2-inch thickness, then cut into rounds using a 2 1/4-inch ring. Roll each round as thinly as possible or to 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling onto the dough, brush the edges of half of the dough lightly with the egg wash, fold over and seal the edges together with the tines of a fork, dipping it into flour as needed. Gently press down to flatten and evenly distribute the filling and snip or cut 3 slits in the top of the pie. Dock pies that are going to be deep-fried, instead of snipping or cutting slits.
To pan-fry pies, place a medium saute pan over medium low heat along with 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable, canola oil or butter. Once heated, place 2 to 3 pies at a time into pan and saute until golden on both sides, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. Allow to cool 4 to 5 minutes before serving.
To deep-fry pies, heat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or a large heavy pot to 375 degrees F. Once hot, add 1 to 2 pies at a time and fry until golden brown, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
To bake pies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place finished pies onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
To make toaster pastries:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Divide dough in half and roll out to less than 1/8-inch thick. Cut into 4 inch by 5 inch rectangles. Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling onto center of one piece of dough. Brush the edges with egg wash and top with second piece of dough. Seal edges by pressing together with tine of fork. Gently press down to flatten and evenly distribute the filling and dock the top of the pie. Repeat with second half of dough.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to cool completely and place into zip-top bags until ready to toast. The pies will not be brown until toasted.
Place all of the ingredients into a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a bowl and place in refrigerator to cool completely before using as filling.
For each pie place 1 to 2 tablespoons onto the center of the dough. Follow directions above.
Yield: enough for 10 to 15 pies
Place the sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and butter into a large zip-top bag and squish to combine. Cut a whole in 1 corner of the bag.
For each pie, pipe 1 to 2 tablespoons of mixture onto the center of the dough. Follow directions above.
Yield: enough for 10 to 15 pies


text:
Earlier this month, former Packers and Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren shared with Peter King the thought processes that prompted Holmgren to once stick with a struggling Brett Favre.
But Holmgren, who likewise argued that teams in need of quarterbacks should select them high in the 2014 draft, seems to have real concerns about the incoming rookie quarterback whose playing style most closely resembles Favre's.
A cover quote for the cover story on Johnny Manziel has Holmgren saying that Manziel is "too playground, too freelancey."
It's possible that the full context includes some positive remarks from Holmgren. If so, it's arguably unfair to Holmgren (and to King, who wrote the story) to highlight the obviously negative portion of the assessment.
(And here's a prime example of what it truly means to take something out of context. If, for example, Holmgren said, "At times I think he's too playground, too freelancey, but like Favre, Manziel delivers," Holmgren's quotes will have been grossly taken out of context. If the four words appearing on the cover are fully consistent with Holmgren's message, then it's a fair quote.)
For now, with only the four words to go on, it's curious to say the least that Holmgren would knock a guy who possibly could, with the right coaching, thrive like No. 4.
"I went down, thought about it, called [Favre] in the next morning, told him he was the guy," Holmgren previously said about the time that he decided to stick with Favre over benching him for Mark Brunell. "I told [Favre], 'We're either going to the top of the mountain together or we're going to the dumpster together. But we're in this together.' That's what you have to do. I'm convinced of it. Absolutely convinced."
Fine. They why give up on Manziel before someone has a chance to make that same commitment to him? It doesn't make any sense, especially in light of a personal experience that gave Holmgren the only Super Bowl ring he won as a head coach or high-level executive.


text:
Quotes I Like*
Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them.
*Your mileage may vary. Some quotes are puns, or require historical or technical literacy to appreciate. If you miss the humor, please re-read the Internet and then try again.
More About This Website
Dr. George's Science Web is 100% kid-safe, pro-Christian and pro-Free Software. Read more about DGSW here.
As you slide the dust-covered piano bench away from the keyboard, it visibly sags. You decide it would definitely not hold you up. You have never taken piano lessons, but you have enough musical ability to play a fair rendition of the Munsters theme.
Suddenly a loud "Sprooiiiing" assaults your ears; you step back in surprise, tripping over the door in the process. As you clatter to the floor in a cloud of dust and debris, you realize that a piano string has broken.
Fortunately you do not appear to be badly hurt. You stand up and dust yourself off. Perhaps playing that old piano was not such a good idea after all...
The living room smells musty; dust is everywhere.
Wait here until morning and hope nothing happens...
Go through the door beside the couch.


text:
Reverb Protection has you covered. We provide a safe, secure community for finding the records you want.
List as many items as you want for free and only pay a 6% fee when a listing sells, one of the lowest around.
Shop used, new, and rare records on the go.


text:
Seven Hills Hotel near Topkapi Palace Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the most important of Istanbul's many historical structures. It was one of the first buildings constructed after the Turkish conquest of the city and it was the uninterrupted seat of the Ottoman Empire until the building of Dolmabahce Palace in 1856.
Immediately after conquest of the city in 1453, Mehmed the Conqueror had a palace built for him in what is now the district called Fatih. This turned out to be too small however and so he began the construction of Topkapi, the first stage of which lasted from 1472 to 1478. The palace was built around four courtyards leading one into the next.


text:
Mom Review: Medela Pump In Style® Advanced Shoulder Bag
Product: Medela Pump In Style® Advanced Shoulder Bag
Buy it Here
Medela Pump In Style® Advanced is a daily use breastpump designed for moms who pump several times a day. All Medela Pump In Style® Advanced breastpumps offer portable convenience for quiet, discreet pumping anywhere.
· Adjustable speed/vacuum dial lets mom choose her most comfortable setting.
· Includes four BPA-free breastmilk bottles with lids, one wide base nipple and travel cap for feeding and storage.
· Removable PVC-free cooler bag with contoured ice pack keeps milk cool for up to 12 hours.
· Battery pack powered by 8 AA batteries (sold separately) lets mom pump anywhere, anytime. (Optional 9 V vehicle lighter adapter available.)
· Three bag designs let mom choose the right bag for her lifestyle.
· More milk in less time with 2-Phase Expression® technology*.
Reviewed By: Resident Mom™ Dayna
Resident Mom™ Says:
When I got the Medela Pump In Style® Advanced Shoulder Bag I immediately thought, "Wow, this bag is sassy!" What impressed me right away was that it truly is a nice bag. You would never know it was a breastpump if you didn't unzip it. It's also roomy inside and comes with a nice stylish little cooler and a large ice pack, as well as 4 storage bottles and a battery pack (batteries aren't included- you need 8 AA). It has an automatic letdown which switches to slower & stronger pumping, but you can also control the suction yourself by pushing a button and/or adjusting the dial to make yourself most comfortable. I also like that I can pump one breast at a time or double pump; I am a nursing mom of twins and occasionally if I'm concerned about how well one of my babies nursed- I may need to pump only on one side. Overall, I think it works great and efficiently. It isn't too noisy and I like that all the parts that come into contact with breastmilk are BPA-free.
Pros: Very efficient (which is great when you're nursing two babies!); stylish; BPA-free.
Cons: Expensive; no rechargeable battery pack
Rating: A
Reviewed By: Resident Mom™ Allie
Resident Mom™ Says:
I love breastfeeding my son (who is 2.5 months) but there are times when pumping is necessary, especially when he isn't in the mood to nurse! I used the Medela Pump In Style® Advanced Shoulder Bag at least once a day for a week and was very pleased with it. I love how this pump was easy to setup and use. The pressure was very comfortable at each pressure stage. I loved how after two minutes (or whenever the amount of milk began to decrease) that the suction changed to match what my son would naturally do. The cleanup is easy and takes little to no time at all. The storage compartment has more than enough room to hold everything I need for the pumping process. The handbag design makes it less obvious that I am carrying a breast pump, which is nice! I would definitely recommended this model and brand of breast pump to any mother who is considering breastfeeding.
Pros: Lightweight; easy assembly and cleanup; easy for stow-and-go; effective/fast pumping.
Cons: More expensive than manual pumps.
Reviewed By: Resident Mom™ Desiree
Resident Mom™ Says:
Medela has certainly made a name for themselves amongst breastfeeding mom's everywhere. Along with their choices of stylish bags, Medela breast pumps are also known to be the most efficient breast pump out there. The suckling motion of the pump is said to be the closest thing to an actual baby suckling at the breast. Among portable breast pumps, the price tag can be on the higher end as well. So, imagine my excitement when I am asked to review one for myself!
Unfortunately, my excitement was quickly subdued after a week of pumping. My first annoyance was with the accessories. There are so many different pieces that need to be assembled that it becomes quite a chore. The breast-shield itself breaks down into four different pieces, which means four different pieces that have to be taken apart, washed, dried, and then reassembled everytime you pump. That is not including the bottles in which you store your milk. That was my major complaint regarding the pump. Being the mother of a preemie, my son does not exclusively breastfeed just yet, which means that I pump more than I breastfeed. I'd rather spend my day with my son, than washing, drying and assembling pieces to my pump.
On a lighter note, the pumping motion IS much gentler than any pump I've tried so far. There is a two-minute period in the beginning where the suckling motion is faster to help stimulate letdown. It then slows down to efficiently pump most of the milk out of each breast. You can push a button to activate letdown mode again, as well as turn it off when you begin.
While I felt that I was able to get more milk out at first with this pump, I was disappointed when the pump started to make a clicking sound when I increased pump speed. It didn't seem like it was pumping correctly. I also noticed that there was less milk each time I used it. I took the motor out of the bag, took off the front cover and inspected. I was unable to see anything that looked out of place and subsequently reassembled. The pump still makes the noise, and I still feel feel as though I'm not getting my full stock of milk.
Overall, while I was ecstatic to get a high-end portable breast pump, the Medela Pump In Style Advanced did not live up to my expectations.
Pros: Gentle pumping motion
Cons: Too many pieces to assemble
Rating: B-
« Resident Mom Review: Summer Infant Slim & Secure Video Monitor next:
Awesome School Essentials »


text:
Tom Ricketts got it done. He got Theo Epstein to the Cubs.
It always seemed like it would happen. The Cubs agreed to pay him $18.5 million, after all.
It also seemed like it would never happen. The more stories that come out of Fenway, the more it seems like the Red Sox are serving at the pleasure of Kim Jong-Henry.
But it finally happened late Friday night. Full marks for Ricketts.
Because we have little to do than repeat ourselves, it bears repeating that the five best reasons to love the endless Epstein episode are Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard.
That's four All-Stars, an MVP and a potential future closer, all drafted and developed by the Red Sox under Epstein.
There are some other names Cubs fans need to know. Jason McLeod, for one. He's the newest whiz kid coming out of San Diego's front office expected to join Epstein here. He's credited with drafting Pedroia, Ellsbury, Buchholz and Bard. The backs of their baseball cards are the backs of his baseball card.
You've probably already read about Jed Hoyer, the Padres general manager expected to take that spot under Epstein. Hoyer was the co-GM of the Red Sox when Epstein left for a couple months and took the opportunity to cut the deal for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell that helped win the second of two World Series on Epstein's watch.
That's why Epstein wants to get the band back together. Of course, given their ages, it's like getting the boy band back together. The Cubs' new front office will need a treat parent.
But it's going to take time, maybe even more time than the Epstein deal took. The Cubs and their fans aren't used to waiting. Aren't used to winning World Series, either. Connect the dots, people.
There is still the matter of compensation, and with Bud Selig and Major League Baseball entering the Cubs-Red Sox talks, I believe compensation for Epstein will be determined by the league that wins the World Series.
But whatever way it goes, Ricketts got it done. He made a defining move in his family's ownership of the Cubs. Full marks.


text:
Real-World Review
2013 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe: Subdued Excitement
Recently, we had the chance to drive the new 2013 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe. Equipped with the slick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, one could consider this to be quite a sleeper sports car. And after only a few minutes behind the wheel, I couldn't help but be reminded of my current daily driver, a 1995 Acura NSX.
When it came to the market in 1991, the NSX was considered to be somewhat of a sleeper itself. Known as the Honda NSX outside of North America, it was originally designed as a direct competitor to the Ferrari 348. The original NSX was a rear-wheel-drive, mid-engined car that was among the first to feature the all-aluminum body panels that have become more and more common in today's vehicles. Using many lessons learned from Honda's F1 motor sports history, the NSX made supercars not only more reliable but more affordable too.
The Acura NSX was canceled during the 2005 model year after only a few hundred vehicles were sold, leaving the Honda S2000 as the company's lone sports car. Itself a victim of slowing sales (helped along by the automotive crisis of 2009), the S2000's departure left the company with no real option for those looking for a little fun to go with their daily commute.
With the 2013 redesign of the Accord, Honda has brought back some of that missing magic. Marginally smaller and lighter than the car it replaces, the new Accord EX-L V6 Coupe is both quicker and more responsive. While still retaining all the comfort and amenities that have made the Accord a top-selling family car for decades, the new version is actually quite capable of elevating one's heart rate.
Of course, on paper a 1995 Acura NSX and a 2013 Honda Accord Coupe could not seem more different. The NSX is a rear-wheel-drive, mid-engined supercar, while the Accord is a front-wheel-drive, midsize car with the engine up front. The NSX is old enough to vote and still has a working cassette player, while the Accord is just learning to walk and can play your music via Bluetooth. The Acura has side mirrors that are about as big as an iPhone, while the EX-L-trimmed Honda comes standard with LaneWatch. When positioned side by side, the 2013 Accord makes the NSX look like a toy car.
But once you turn the key (or, in the Accord's case, push the starter button) and head off, the two are strikingly similar. While its larger stature allows one to skip the feats of contortion needed to enter the low-slung Acura, the newer car appears to shrink once you get situated behind the wheel. Both cars are deceptively quick, if not downright fast. The Accord's 6-speed transmission seems to be the logical evolution of the Acura's older 5-speed; both are precise and a joy to shift.
On the road, both cars feel planted and eager to tackle the next turn. The power-assisted steering does feel a bit artificial in both, but not worryingly so. The acceleration is instantaneous and can become somewhat addictive. Both V6 engines make wonderful noises, with the NSX sounding more like an F1 car compared to the Accord's more guttural, throaty rumble.
There is one glaring difference between these two Honda-produced vehicles. It's something I call The Look. Heck, it's one of the reasons I bought my Acura NSX in the first place. Obviously, with fewer total sales in 15 years than the Accord sells in a single month, the rarity of the NSX means it turns heads everywhere it goes. This is in direct contrast with the new Honda, which goes virtually unnoticed and overlooked, in part due to its subdued appearance. But, with the 2013 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe, just because some might think it looks unexciting doesn't mean that it is. But let's keep that between you and me.


text: THE PARTY Hundreds hit the House of Blues Downtown for a two-steppin' good time at the Giving MS the Boot fundraiser. The event, chaired by Debbie Clemens, Susan Plank and Megan Sutton-Reed, benefited country-music star and Beaumont native Clay Walker's nonprofit Band Against MS. THE SCENE The singer, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996 and has been an activist for MS research since, performed hits while a denim-and-plaid-clad crowd savored margaritas and barbecue. He had the crowd dancing to tunes like "Dreaming With My Eyes Open" and "Live Until I Die." THE HIGHLIGHTS Texans Matt Schaub and Owen Daniels, and their pretty wives Laurie and Angela, mingled with Lee and Faith Majors and the evening's honoree Paul Somerville. The event raised nearly a quarter-million for Walker's charity. Photography by Daniel Ortiz


text:
State Sovereignty
Sheriff Richard Mack explains that states have authority over the land, and despite the federal government's attempt to usurp that authority. They don't own the land, our water, or other resources. He also tells a story about how he stood up to the feds under threat of arrest. They couldn't arrest him- they lack the authority.