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Skiing tops bunny hopping in lunar races
So says ex-astronaut
Future lunar explorers should learn cross country skiing so they can explore the surface of the moon faster and with less effort.
Dr Harrison Schmitt, the ex-Apollo crew member making the recommendations, isn't suggesting that lunar landers carry skis with them, but that they learn to propel themselves forward, in the same way Nordic skiers do.
Dr Schmitt made his remarks at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), where he showed video footage taken during his 1972 mission to the moon. He told delegates that he was drawing on his own experience on the lunar surfaces, where he found the techniques of cross-country skiing very useful.
"When you're cross-country skiing, once you get a rhythm going, you propel yourself with a toe push as you slide along the snow," he said. "On the Moon, in the main you don't slide, you glide above the surface. But again, you use the same kind of rhythm, with a toe push."
He added that it would be nice to have poles "for stability", and explained that stopping would only require the astronaut to dig his or her heels into the soft lunar surface.
More traditionally, astronauts have bunny-hopped to get around on the moon. But Dr Schmidt says his method is better for getting somewhere in a hurry: he estimates his top speed as around 8mph, similar to that of a lunar buggy.
When he was in training for his lunar mission, Dr Schmidt says he tried to convince his fellow astronauts to learn how to ski, Nordic style, but that they were less than receptive to his ideas.
The BBC reports that Schmidt also thought there would be good downhill skiing to be had on the moon, especially on the eastern rim of the Sea of Serenity. ®
Sponsored: How to Process, Wrangle, Analyze and Visualize your Data with Three Complementary Tools


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Frigid overnight temperatures have put Southern California's agriculture industry, particularly avocado growers, on high alert.
Growers in Ventura County call it "make or break time." They said the avocados are sizing up nicely, but they need them on the trees a while longer before picking at the beginning of the spring.
It's a critical time for the industry if it wants to repeat the year avocados had in 2012 when 475 pounds were harvested and marketed by California growers.
Andy Coker is an assistant manager for the Limoneria Company farm in Santa Paula, a leading grower of avocados, lemons and oranges. He plans to be working "all nighters, all weekend probably for the next four or five days," trying to keep hundreds of acres of avocado trees warm.
He said the freezing temperatures expected in the area can destroy the fruit well before they are ready to be taken off the trees. Frost and freeze watches are in effect for overnight Friday into Saturday.
"If you can keep the roots warm that will keep the tree itself from completely dying," said Coker.
California has more than 60,000 acres of avocado orchards. Heavy cold or strong winds could destroy the livelihood of thousands of farmers and workers.
Limoneria has wind machines on hand to balance the feel in the air. Coker explained the cold settles at ground level and wind actually warms the air. If it gets really cold, irrigation systems are activated.
The energy of the running water can also protect from frost.
As the Super Bowl, and guacamole dipping season approaches, it's not only the farmers who have an interest in keeping these avocados on the trees.
"It's pretty much going to affect everybody because the market place will drop a lot and the consumer price of avocados will go up a significant amount," said Coker.

subset: commoncrawl


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Whats the Big Idea?
Business idea competition sparks creative inspiration
When Shanshan Mei '14 looked for a computer screen cleaner, she saw a void in the market. There were screen-cleaning wipes (too big and poorly designed), solution-based cleaning kits (you can't take it with you), and disposable wipes (bad for the environment). She wanted to develop a portable screen cleaner that not only worked well on computer screens and mobile devices but looked good, too.
"After all, if you don't even like the look, how willing will you be to carry it around with you?" she asks.
Enter the Mei, a portable screen cleaner that took first place in the product division at Ithaca College's first business idea competition. The competition was the culmination of a series of workshops that helped students cultivate their ideas and prepare to pitch them to a panel of judges. Chris Burch '76, chairman of J. Christopher Capital and cofounder of the Tory Burch fashion line, gave $5,000 in prize money to each of the winning teams in three categories. If the teams decided they wanted to pursue their idea, they would receive an additional $5,000 to help fund the project.
"Winning this competition makes me want to dive into this idea and really make it work," Mei said.
Mei is now taking the next step with her product. She's teamed up with another student to develop a business plan and build a brand.
Tom Schryver, lecturer in management and a judge at the competition, believes students took away more than just business skills from the competition. "After they graduate and find themselves moving into their careers, they're going to have to present their ideas more. I'm hopeful that they got a really good experience that they can draw on from a communications perspective as well," Schryver said.
Two graduate students in physical therapy won the web service category with their idea, RevoPT, which enables physical therapists to send exercise videos to clients.
A team made up of business and computer science majors won the software category with traceIT, which scans grocery store barcodes to see if a product was made with natural ingredients.
"This cross-fertilization of ideas and people is exactly what we are hoping to achieve with IC 20/20, the College's strategic vision," said School of Business dean Mary Ellen Zuckerman. "Such interdisciplinary activities promote creativity and innovation, which are at the heart of entrepreneurship."


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Amber really liked this stuff.
More posts
- Tenuta Torciano 2006 Cavaliere Rosso Toscano 2 in Cellar. Purchased in Florence, Backpacking trip April-June 2011. €39.00 Notes: The Giachi family has been around since 1720 and produced wine at this vineyard. Today we have the 13th generation working with the vines. The vineyard of Torciano has made an attempt to a "Super Chianti" with their blend of Sangiovise grosso and Merlot. The Sangiovisse growns on a soil bed of minerals and limestone, while the Merlot has a soil of clay and limestone at an altitude of 280m a.s.l. The ageing has been made through oak barrels of 50hl, and through a mix of casks of oak and chestnut of 2,2 hl, then finally a 6 month refinement in bottle before selling. The colour is intense ruby red with garnet shades. It's quite fruity in the nose. It has a full body, is quote soft and quite complex structure. It's quite tannic, quite dry, and loaded with dark fruits like blackberry and plums. Red meat, roast meat, wild game, pasta, and risottos with sauces made from game, young and medium aged cheeses, medium dark chocolate. Serving temperature 18-20 degrees. This wine needs to breathe a while before serving or use a decanter.
- My favorite next to Stella and a step above the Wild Vines Blackberry Merlot. Sweet and fruity and sparkly :-)
- Cheap and one of my fav's. Tastes just like the Stella Rosso with less bite. Just like juice.


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Our main craft room for the weekend.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Retreat 2012
Our main craft room for the weekend.
11 comments:
- Barbara said...
These gifts bags are lovely Jo!
- 20 May 2012 at 03:22
- Scrapcomber said...
Looks like you had a good time Jo. I just love the bags you made, how lucky are those that attended. You are a very talented lady.
- 20 May 2012 at 10:32
- Sandra (Stamping For Pleasure) said...
Pleased to hear all is going well for you Jo.
Looks like you've been extremely busy but having fun xxx
- 20 May 2012 at 10:37
- Julie said...
Looks just wonderful Jo - so glad everything fell into place and you are all having a wonderful time xx
Your goodie bags for the girls look amazing!
- 20 May 2012 at 19:06
- Margaret said...
Wow Jo those bags are gorgeous!!! Hope you had a great time
margaret x
- 20 May 2012 at 19:30
- Dee Tollaksen said...
These bags are darling! Do you have a pattern you can share?
- 21 May 2012 at 02:52
- StampinWithTara said...
Your projects are ALWAYS incredibly inspiring to me, a fellow demo from the US! Your work is so beautiful! I was wondering HOW you made the darling "handmade" stamped labels inside your adorable bags? I can't believe I've NEVER thought of creating tags like this! They are INCREDIBLY clever and have my mind SPINNING at the possibilities! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely ideas!
- 24 May 2012 at 23:06
- Sharon said...
FABULOUS gift bags Jo and love my jelly beans too. x
- 19 June 2012 at 09:30
Jo, the bags you made for retreat are so cute. Is there a pattern? Will you share or sell it?
- 15 August 2012 at 14:30
- Jackie Bultje said...
Would love a pattern for this bag too, looks so adorable! What a wonderful thing to do for your ladies.
- 25 August 2012 at 04:28
Hi this is adorable! Do you have a pattern for the bag that you would share?
- 16 September 2012 at 01:00


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Haren allows four homers as Nats fall to Reds
CINCINNATI -- Right-hander Dan Haren was often hit hard during Spring Training and it was believed that the exhibition season was too long and he would be all right once the regular season started.
Perhaps not. Haren pitched his first regular season game Friday night and was hit hard as the Reds shut out the Nationals, 15-0, at Great American Ball Park. It was Washington's first loss of the season and the most lopsided loss in Nationals history.
The Reds showed they were not the weak-hitting Marlins, who the Nationals swept to start the season. The Reds acted like the Big Red Machine of the 1970s, collecting 19 hits in the game.
Haren lasted four innings and allowed six runs on nine hits. Four of those nine hits came on home runs. The Reds were able to get to Haren in the second inning, when Todd Frazier and Zack Cozart hit back-to-back home runs with one out.
The Cozart home run was a questionable one because it looked like a fan touched the ball before clearing the fence. However, manager Davey Johnson didn't ask the umpires to review the home run. It didn't help that Bryce Harper and Denard Span didn't argue the call. After the inning ended, Johnson was seen talking to center fielder Denard Span about the home run.
According to Span, he and Bryce Harper thought the ball cleared the fence.
"From what we saw, we thought it was a home run," Span said. "I'm not sure what it said on the replay."
The following inning, the Reds added to their lead when Cozart hit a three-run home run that barely cleared the right-field wall to make it a 5-0 game.
In the fourth inning, Shin-Soo Choo hit what looked like a questionable home run over the right-center-field wall. This time, Johnson asked for a replay, but 3 minutes and 39 seconds later, the play stood.
After the game, manager Davey Johnson didn't seem to be worried about Haren, pointing out that he had a long layoff before he pitched his first regular season game. The last time he pitched prior to Friday was March 26th against the Marlins.
"He had a long layoff. That causes you not to be sharp," Johnson said. "It's just one game. He is a quality pitcher. He knows how to pitch. When you think of Spring Training, you are getting your arm in shape. He is working on a few things. Just move on."
Haren didn't have any excuses for his outing. After the game, he was talking to catcher Kurt Suzuki about the start and he came to the conclusion that he threw too many two-seam fastballs, which ran back over the plate. Haren now feels he should have thrown a few more four-seam fastballs. They have a tendency to move to the outer part of the plate.
"No excuses. I felt good," Haren said. "The first inning I felt great. Maybe I wasn't as sharp as I could be. The layoff definitely didn't hurt. When a game like this happens, I want to get back out there again."
Zach Duke replaced Haren and didn't fare any better. He allowed an unearned run in the fifth inning. After Frazier singled, he then stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by Suzuki. Frazier then scored on a sacrifice fly by Cozart, his fifth RBI of the game.
The seventh inning proved to be a disaster for Duke and Henry Rodriguez, who allowed a combined seven runs. Xavier Paul highlighted the scoring with a grand slam to make it 14-0.
"They were falling behind in the count," Suzuki said about Duke and Rodriguez. "They put them in good hitters counts. There is only so much you can do. You have to work on getting ahead and go right at them."
Cincinnati added another run in the bottom of the eighth inning against right-hander Ryan Mattheus. Frazier drove in his fourth run of the game with a single to left field.
"It was exciting, team-wise," Frazier said. "Cozart was doing his thing and everybody was contributing. It was pretty cool. You wish you could have those games every day. We can live in this moment for a little longer and then we've got another game tomorrow."
The Nationals couldn't touch Reds starter Homer Bailey, who lasted six innings and allowed just two hits. The only threat against Bailey occurred in the fifth inning. The Nationals had runners on first and second with two outs, but Jayson Werth flew out to center field to end the inning.
"Bailey was pretty sharp. Our guys were having problems picking up his fastball. We had a couple of soft tossers [from the Marlins pitching against us] and here is a guy [like Bailey, who] is throwing pretty good. But tomorrow is another day."
For Suzuki, it was hard not to think about the lopsided game on Friday.
"I take a lot of pride in my work, being behind the dish, calling pitches," Suzuki said. "When stuff like this happens, it seems like you are handcuffed out there. It's like nothing can go right."


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I was referring to these birds:
I was referring to these birds:
Everything looks absolutely magical Mike you've done a great job again.
'I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!' Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. 'The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Oh, Jacob Marley! Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Jacob, on my knees!' (Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol)
I think you might need to replace the light bulb just above the bird at the top of that photo.
Merry Christmas
lol it is a twinkling bulb. I had to replace about 50 bulbs this year
I am sorry for not posting any more pictures.I promise I will in the coming days....
I am having my annual Christmas party tonight so I will have pictures in the morning
Stunning Mike!!
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas


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Photos (with discussion) of hind limb rudiments found on modern day whales
Photo of hind limb bud on whale embryo
Photo of hind limb bud on dolphin embryo (dolphins are another member of the Cetacean family, along with whales)
DAVID TYLER writes:
Hi Ed,
Thanks for visiting the BCS web site and for your note. As it happens, the latest issue of "Origins", our journal, has an essay by Paul Garner on "The Whale that Wasn't". I'll forward your post to Paul.
BTW, we're quite comfortable with cetaceans having hind limb rudiments. They are mammals and they have a mammalian body design.
Best regards,
David J. Tyler, on behalf of BCS
From: "Ted Holden"
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 10:35 PM
Subject: Evolution of whales - vestigial hind limbs
There are several things which make whale evolution impossible and not just the question of legs to flippers.
The biggest problem as I see it is baleen. How is a normal predator which kills large animals with its teeth and eats them supposed to start straining plankton through its teeth and somehow or other hold on and survive until his teeth turn into whalebone, 10,000 generations later.
You've got to be seriously stupid to believe anything like that. In fact, the guy who believes that will make Mortimer Snerd look like Albert Einstein by way of contrast.
Ted Holden
Splifford the bat says: Always remember
A mind is a terrible thing to waste; especially on an evolutionist. Just say no to narcotic drugs, alcohol abuse, and corrupt ideological doctrines.
ED's REPLY TO TED HOLDEN:
It's always something with creationists like Ted. If evidence of land-based creatures moving to the sea isn't enough, now they want to know how teeth evolved into baleen. And they add, "baleen disproves evolution could have occured!" So they just keep drawing that line backwards. Now the line is drawn as "Baleen!" Heck, think about the line back when Duane T. Gish of ICR was pumelling even the possibility of whale evolution with his "Cow to Whale" slide.
Evolution's come a long way baby, and it keeps on a-commin.
Since whales are based on the "mammalian body plan" we would expect them to sometimes sprout rudimentary hind limbs on occaision when the plan sometimes gets messed up or mutated.
ED's REPLY:
It would appear that the creationist above has not read the entire article nor taken the time to examine the photos. I wonder of course how the above young-earth creationist might feel about this evidence if he could first be convinced that the world is indeed very old, and that fossil succesion has occured, and see for himself what comparative anatomical changes throughout time, imply.
He probably believes that all the whale fossils were of creatures that lived simultaneously with each other and with dinosaurs and trilobites and marine reptiles, etc. Though I would like him to explain why whales are found in the correct relative geological layers for their comparative anatomy to even suggest evolution from previously living land mammals with peculiar ear bones. Or why modern day whale fossils are not found in layers beneath their obvious precursors but only afterwards. Or why other large denizens of the deep that were reptiles from the age of reptiles are never found buried with the earliest whales nor above them but always beneath them? Those large marine reptiles certainly would have swam in the same environments as the cetaceans (whales and porpoises) if they all lived together. Indeed, with a Flood of the magnitude of the Bible there should be out-of-place-fossils galore, out of place fossil fragments too. Only long eons of time could have separated the fossils as they are separated so completely, right down to bone fragments and micro-fossils (single celled fossilized organisms).
Apparently even Duane T. Gish knows this, as he refuses to debate the age of the earth and has even admitted (much to his fellow creationists' chagrin) that the evidence for fossil succession is a challenge that his fellow young-earthers at ICR have not adequately met:
"When I visited the Institute for Creation Research towards the end of 1978... The associate director is Duane T. Gish, who has a PhD in biochemistry from Berkeley. ... Considering that I believe living things have a common origin and have evolved over a long period of time, and Duane Gish doesn't, there turned out to be a surprising amount of shared ground between us. ... Duane Gish and others of his standing are well aware of this problem [for their young-earth views, i.e., the problem of the age of the earth], but in the end they let their faith over-ride it. When I asked him what were the biggest difficulties for creationist science the points in a debate which he felt least comfortable in answering - he answered after a moment's thought that it was the apparently great age of Earth as shown by the fairly recent advances in radiometric dating; and that the the fossil record could be interpreted as showing ecologically complete ages - the age of invertebrates, the age of fishes, the age of reptiles, and so on up to the present. " [from Hitching F., The Neck of the Giraffe: Or Where Darwin Went Wrong, Pan: London, 1982, pp.115-121]
Of course, to creationist critics it's all merely "part of God's plan" to them, including "body plans" that go awry every now and then and sprout rudimentary hind limbs. And it proves nothing to them that land-based ancestors with special "water-hearing" ear bones preceded species that were more adapted for the water. Proves nothing to them that the earliest whales were so different from later more highly specialized and robust species. Proves nothing to them that the record shows it wasn't "Design," but work done in stages, tinkering with some land mammals over tens of millions of years, during which time most of those ancient species became extinct, rubbish heap designs.


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Nice is one of the most popular cities in France, after Paris. It's not hard to see why, situated on the Côte d'Azur in the South East of the country, the Mediterranean city is picturesque and charming. But with villas and rental apartments well within the budget of most families, Nice is one upmarket destination on the French riviera that needn't cost the Earth to visit.
As well as enjoying the warm Mediterranean climate and laidback French lifestyle, there is a lot to see and do in Nice apart from hitting the beaches. Many of the city's museums and galleries are free, including the Musée Matisse and the Musée et Site Archéologiques de Cimiez, where you can see the remains of the Gallo-Roman settlement which preceded Nice. There is a lot of history in this region, and discovering it can be much more fun than lying on a beach (especially as the beaches are largely covered in pebbles and quite uncomfortable). Of course, it goes without saying that you should not leave Nice without trying out the city's signature dish, a real salade niçoise! Nice is also well-served by transport links, so you can use it as a great base from which to explore the rest of the Riviera and Provence. A day trip to Marseille or Villefranche could also add variety to your holiday.
Prices vary according to the time of year, but you can certainly find a villa near the sea which will sleep four people for less than £900 a week, and there are many deals to be found which bring this cost down considerably. The advantages of self-catering in France go beyond merely having your own space to relax and enjoy, you can fully involve yourself with the French way of life, walking down to the nearest boulangerie every morning to pick up fresh French bread and local produce, a far cry from the plastic convenience of a hotel's continental breakfast. In fact, self-catering provides another opportunity to save money - eating out in Nice is generally very expensive, so if you have your own kitchen to prepare a few meals, your budget will stretch an awful lot further.


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Learn more about Eric Tyler's past consulting projects here and contact him directly here.
Eric Tyler focuses on the intersection of economic development and technology in global markets through his work as the co-founder of Globality, World Bank CGAP consultant, and adjunct fellow with the think tank New America. More on his projects and writings below.
© 2019 Eric Tyler
Theme by Anders Norén


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The Primrose Inn...A Bar Harbor Treasure
Our romantic Bed and Breakfast is ideally located just a few blocks from the center of downtown Bar Harbor and one mile from magnificent Acadia National Park. When staying with us, you will be just a leisurely stroll away from all of the wonderful restaurants, shops, galleries, museums and activities that make Bar Harbor a world-class destination. Additionally our historic B&B is just a few minutes from the entrance to the park (by car or the free Island Explorer bus) and its miles of renowned carriage roads for enjoying hiking, biking, running, leisurely walks and even horseback riding.
Built in 1878, the historic Primrose Inn is decorated in an updated Victorian style with select antiques and enhanced with today's most requested guest amenities. Guests will enjoy the comfortable elegance of the spacious rooms, each with a private bathroom ("en suite"). Many of the rooms also feature cozy gas fireplaces, spa tubs, adjoining sitting rooms, as well as private porches and balconies.
The guest amenities in each room include luxurious 100% cotton linens and Turkish towels, flat-panel televisions, individually controlled air conditioning or heat, free wireless internet access.
Guests of the Primrose Inn will enjoy a hearty full breakfast each morning with a choice of hot entrees served fireside in our dining room or on our outdoor wrap-around front porch.
Our "Afternoon Tea," featuring an assortment of freshly baked treats from the Primrose Inn's kitchen, is very popular with our guests and many plan their day around returning to the inn to relax and enjoy it before dinner.
So journey to this wonderful island just off the coast of Maine and the natural beauty of Acadia National Park and, of course, a most memorable stay at one of Bar Harbor's treasures, the Primrose Inn.


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Difference between revisions of "Motor Vehicles (Consumer Recovery Corp)"
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Revision as of 22:18, 14 March 2011
The Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation (CMVRC) is a non-profit organization, which assists consumers who have not been adequately compensated from a California motor vehicle dealer or a lessor retailer during the purchase of a vehicle. CMVRC will provide payments to consumers with eligible claims for monetary losses suffered if a California motor vehicle dealer or lessor retailer has gone out business or has filed bankruptcy and has failed to do any of the following:
- Transfer license, registration and/or titling fees to DMV.
- Pay the agreed upon consignment amount after the sale of the vehicle.
- Pay off the agreed upon amount for the trade-in vehicle upon purchase or lease of a vehicle.
The CMVRC reviews and processes all claims made against the Recovery Fund. It is not a government agency or an insurance company. It is not associated with or controlled by any dealer or lessor-retailer of motor vehicles, nor does it represent any dealer or lessor-retailer of motor vehicles.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) have no jurisdiction or authority over the CMVRC or recovery funds paid by the CMVRC.
Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation
601 Van Ness Avenue, Suite E749
San Francisco, CA 94102
CMVRC Claims Administrator
PO Box 8060
San Rafael, CA 94912-8060
(800) 961-6175
Email - email@example.com
Claim forms can be found on the CMVRC website or on the Department of Motor Vehicles web site at www.dmv.ca.gov.
Publications available:Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery (English) and La corporacion de Recuperacion Por Vehiculos De Motorizados Para Consumidores (Spanish)
Consumer Resource & Referral Guide
Directory of State Agencies
Directory of Federal Agencies
Return to DCA Home Page


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Welcome Back
In today's post I will be reviewing;
Product Details
- Manufacturer/Brand; Making Memories/ The Slice
- Item number; #34854
- RRP at time of writing: Around £40
Reason For Buying
I have limited dexterity due to tendon problems, I knew I wouldn't be able to hold The Slice still and that even if I could the vibration would cause me pain. So I went straight in with the hands free kit. I chose the 12 x12″ double-sided glass mat as I figured I could cut more than one thing from a piece of card without having to keep removing and repositioning the card for each cut.
- As I'd hoped the 12 x 12″ mat works well for not having to reposition card so frequently
- This size mat also make positioning the Slice just where you want it easier
- Clear bright surface
- Plenty of room to allow you to use a smaller scrap and still get your Slice into postion.
- The magnet is very strong and works on both the glass side and the foam embossing side of the mat.
- Double sided, one side is glass the other foam to allow embossing if you have the embossing tips for your Slice.
I'm still struggling with glue at the moment. I have used the weenie tube that came with my Slice machine and not sure I've got a good enough coverage with it.
The magnets are VERY strong though, and with limited dexterity I find it hard work to remove the Slice.
Build Quality
Excellent. Really dense foam, on the embossing side, looks like it will last well. The glass side of the mat is very thick and sturdy. The coloured edging is also a sturdy plastic. A well made tool, that Making Memories do so well.
Value for Money
Good, for the quality of the tool, it is fairly priced.
Would I buy it Again?
Yes. A a friend of mine said if you don't have dexterity problems you may not need the hands free kit and she may be right, but the 12 x 12″ mat does make life easier.
Summing up
The 12 x 12″ glass mat makes life much easier than the 6 x6″ one, as you don't need to constantly reposition your paper. It is fairly priced for the quality of the product. Having the hands free option is really useful if you have dexterity problems as you don't get the vibration through your hands/arms as you would if you were holding the machine in place.
One thing to be aware of though, is that the magnets sure are STRONG. Even by rocking the Slice to the side to lift it up once its finished cutting, it's still quite a pull to remove it. You probably wouldn't struggle with normal dexterity, but it is a lot of effort if you have weak hands/wrists.
- Why Slice The manufacturers dedicated website to all things Slice related.
Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon
Billie 🙂


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Senator Charles Schumer announced last week that the MTA will receive approximately $329 million for repair work and $74.5 million for mitigation work on the tunnels.
Schumer, the main architect of the Sandy relief bill, worked to include language in the bill that will allow FEMA to reimburse the MTA for repair-and-resiliency work on vehicle tunnels.
"As a result of this investment, we will be able to rebuild and modernize two of the most vital arteries — not only in New York, but in all of America — better and stronger than they were before Sandy," Schumer said. "This massive and appropriate reimbursement by FEMA enables the MTA to repair the catastrophic damage wrought when the Sandy-surge completely submerged the Battery Tunnel and flooded the Queens Midtown Tunnel."
Included in the mitigation work are flood walls, portal flood protection, the elevation of select mechanical equipment and flood-proofing at pipe galleries. All of the mitigation work done will be designed to protect the tunnels against a 500-year flood event.
To repair and restore the tunnels, the MTA will conduct an environmental cleanup, repair the electrical, lighting, traffic control, communication, ventilation and drainage systems, and lay down roadway slab.
The MTA will also work on the ventilation buildings and service buildings at the Hugh L. Carey tunnel.
Along with the FEMA grant, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a major overhaul to the city's Sandy recovery effort. His administration released a comprehensive report outlining the steps the city would take to reshape the currently active recovery programs.
"Let's be blunt, it's been overly complex and it's been confusing for homeowners over the last year and a half," de Blasio said at the Staten Island Built It Back center last week. "We know we have to do things differently, better, faster. We have to serve people in need right now."
The report outlines the ways in which the de Blasio administration will work to provide financial relief and expedite recovery for homeowners and better engage local communities in the rebuilding process.
Some of the goals listed in the report are improving the experience of homeowners navigating the pre-construction process, expanding eligibility for acquisition and reimbursement, providing additional financial support to impacted residents, and improving the business recovery effort and public communication.
Staten Island Borough President James Oddo thanked the mayor for his efforts to fix the recovery programs, but reminded everyone that the work is far from over.
"I want to say to the mayor publicly what I have said to him and his staff privately," Oddo said, "and that is to implore him and to beg him to personally see that we get this right. We need that sole-minded, laser-like focus that we've seen this mayor demonstrate on some of the victories he's had in the first few months on this issue. And he's made that commitment and we need that commitment to get it right after 18 months."


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Our Ghost Sundays are free of admission. However, if you'd like to have an even more magical experience, consider going VIP! Your visit is catered to by a concierge and includes a tour of the inside of the Field of Dreams farmhouse. Click any of the links below for more details and to claim this memory limited to 13 lucky people per show.
Learn More and Book Online Now!
Also, Save the Date for our premier event each year, Team of Dreams! In 2018, that happens on Sunday, September 2. You can get a head start and buy your tickets today as this event sold out in 2017! Reserve Your Seats Today


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Adventures on the water
The Brecon Beacons National Park offers an array range of options for paddlesports, from the tranquillity of canals and reservoirs to extreme kayaking over jaw-dropping waterfalls. Get ready to design your own adventure!
Come to the Brecon Beacons National Park and you can have fun paddling a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, raft or even making and paddling your own coracle. With waters graded from from Grade 1 (easy) up to Grade 6 (extremely hard), we really do have something for everyone.
Further information
Canoe Wales (www.canoewales.com) has details of access points to help you decide where to go.
The Wye and Usk Foundation (www.wyeuskfoundation.org) has information on accessing the River Wye and the River Usk, including webcams showing current water levels.
The Canal and River Trust (www.canalrivertrust.org.uk) has information on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
The Environment Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk) has information on current water levels in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Canoe clubs
Did you love your paddling experience? Would you like to get into the sport? Joining a club can be a great way to learn more and meet like-minded people.
Local clubs include Brecon Canoe Club (www.breconcanoeclub.org.uk) and Glasbury PaddlersCanoe Club (search on Facebook for Glasbury Paddlers
For other clubs in the area, visit the Canoe Wales website (www.canoewales.com).
Be prepared, be responsible, stay safe
For important advice on good practice and safety including the Check, Clean, Drain, Dry routine, see our Be prepared and stay safe section.
Local Businesses6 of 24
Pro-Active Adventure
Pro-Active Adventure is a respected and experienced provider of Outdoor Act...
Taff Valley Quads
Guided open canoe& kayak river trips, Gorge Scrambling Experience, Stan...
Way2go Adventures
Way2Go Adventures is located in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley an Area o...
Black Mountain Activities
Black Mountain Activities has been providing adventure activities for over ...
Llangorse Boat Hire
We hire rowing and fishing boats on Llangorse Lake, we also hire kayaks, st...


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RIP James L, Kelly
Las Cruces Sun-News
June 30, 2016
James Leroy Kelly 74 of Silver City, New Mexico, died on June 28, 2016, following a brief illness. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Bright Funeral Home. Jim was born in 1942 in Washington, D.C. His father was killed during combat about three years later, following the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Soon after, the family, which included a sister, moved to California, where Jim was introduced to theater and acting. He received his first membership card in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and got a role in the movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Kelly recalled recently that it involved little more than yelling an alarm. "I wasn't even clearly seen on the screen."
Following college at Cal State Hayward, where he received a degree in English and journalism, Kelly began a full time career as a reporter and columnist for several Bay Area newspapers, while also acting in summer stock and other theatrical performances.
In the 1970's Jim worked as a character actor on the famed TV series, "Little House on the Prairie." He also appeared in "Father Murphy." Later, he worked as a researcher for the famed "Follies" in Palm Springs, California.
Kelly and his wife, Linda, moved to Silver City in 2006, where Jim performed volunteer work for several organizations, including serving as a board member for the Silver City Museum. He created the Silver City poet laureate program and was a co-founder of the Southwest Festival of the Written Word. He also helped produce a Christmas play that was performed at WNMU in 2014. Most recently, he volunteered at Single Socks.
A Navy veteran, Jim was always blessed with a sharp wit and sense of humor. He enjoyed the companionship of like-minded friends, especially a group he shared a beer with once a week.
Jim Kelly is survived by his wife, Linda; a sister, Pat Springer, of Lothian, Maryland; and a brother, Roy Jamerson, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, "Traditional Services and Care for your family and friends", 210 W. College Ave., Silver City, New Mexico, 575-388-1911. To send condolences login to www.brightfuneral.net
KELLY, James L. (James Leroy Kelly)
Born: 1942, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Died: 6/25/2016, Silver City, New Mexico, U.S.A.
James L. Kelly's westerns – actor:
Little House on the Prairie (TV) – 1982 (foreman)
Father murhoy (TV) - 1983


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Greenway, AR Rent to Own Homes
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RentUntilYouOwn.com is the #1 provider of Greenway, Arkansas rent to own homes listings.
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Game 4, UMBC vs. American Game Notes
America East Game Notes
BALTIMORE – UMBC women's basketball looks to get back to its winning ways when it closes out its homestand against American on Wednesday, Nov. 20 as part of a UMBC basketball doubleheader. The Retriever women open up the evening with a 5 p.m. tip-off against the Eagles, while the men's team follows with a 7:30 p.m. meeting against Loyola. All the live action at the RAC Arena will be available on UMBCRetrievers.tv courtesy of the America East digital network.
SCOUTING THE RETRIEVERS (1-2): UMBC has dropped two straight after winning its season-opener against Eastern (Pa.). In their latest contest, UMBC was defeated, 68-45, by UMES, as the Lady Hawks drained 12 three-point baskets. Freshmen forward Sara Tarbert led the Retrievers in scoring for the third consecutive game and came one rebound shy of her second double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and nine rebounds. Fellow freshmen Taylor McCarley notched her first double-digit scoring performance of the year, shooting four-of-eight from the floor for 10 points, while forward Amanda Hagaman provided a spark off the bench, chipping in eight points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Tarbert earned America East Rookie of the Week after shooting 50 percent from the field and averaging team-bests in points (20.3) and rebounds (8.0) in three games. The first-year forward scored 20-plus points in two of her first three games and added a double-double in her collegiate debut. Freshman point guard Emily Russo is averaging 3.0 assists per game, to go along with 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. Sophomore center Bridget O'Donnell is shooting a team-best 60 percent from the floor through three games and is scoring 7.3 points and pulling down 5.0 rebounds per game.
Head coach Phil Stern is in his 12th season at the helm of the Retrievers' program and is 12 victories away from becoming the program's all-time winningest coach, a mark Sue Furnary amassed while coaching the black and gold from 1980-1993 and posting a 152-193 record.
The Retrievers, who were picked to finish seventh in the America East Coaches' Preseason poll, own the youngest roster in the America East, as the squad features nine newcomers, while returning one senior and a pair of sophomores. UMBC returned eight percent of its scoring from a year ago and had a combined 21 Division I starts on its roster coming into the season, all coming from senior captain Dana Lewis.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES (2-0): American has won back-to-back contests to start the 2013-14 campaign, including Sunday's 82-59 victory against UMass. For the second-straight game, four players reached double-digit points for the Eagles, led by a career-high 15 points from junior forward Arron Zimmerman, who also chipped in a team-best eight rebounds.
American is turning over its opponents 19.5 points a game and is outscoring them by 15 points through two games. Zimmerman ranks second on the team in points per game (13.0), surpassed only by senior guard Alexis Dobbs, who is shooting 60 percent from the floor and averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 assists. Senior forward Sarah Kiely leads the team on the glass, pulling down 9.5 boards per contest, while junior guard Jen Dumiak has corralled 7.5 rebounds a contest.
INSIDE THE SERIES: American has won back-to-back meetings and leads the all-time series, 8-5, against the Retrievers. The Retrievers are 3-2 against the Eagles on UMBC's home floor. UMBC's last victory against American came on Dec. 1, 2005.
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST THE EAGLES: UMBC shot 52.2 percent from the floor in the opening half in last season's 85-57 loss to American. The Eagles used a 10-0 run over the final minutes of the first half and continued by scoring the first eight points of the second half to break the game open. Bria White and Raven Harris each finished with double-digit points for the visiting Retrievers, while American's Jen Dumiak led three double-digit scorers with a game-high 21 points.
ON THE HORIZON FOR THE RETRIEVERS: After playing three of their first four games at home to start the season, the Retrievers hit the road for four consecutive games, starting with Saturday's contest at Robert Morris on Saturday, Nov. 23. UMBC travels to Towson prior to the Thanksgiving break on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and follows up the holiday with a pair of games at the Navy Classic on Nov. 29 and 30.


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Dell Zhang placed third in Wikipedia's Participation Challenge and agreed to give us a peek into his process.
What was your background prior to entering the Wikipedia Participation challenge?
I got my PhD in Computer Science from the Southeast University in China 9 years ago, and then moved to Singapore to work as a postdoc research fellow under the supervision of Prof Wee Sun Lee. It was very kind of him to send me to the first-ever Machine Learning Summer School in 2002 - that's when I discovered the fascinating world of machine learning. Since then my research has been centred around using statistical machine learning techniques to improve information retrieval and organisation. I am currently a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Birkbeck, University of London. I have also joined the Royal Statistical Society and learned loads of interesting stuff done by statisticians.
What made you decide to enter?
Being a busy academic I can no longer spend much time on coding as I used to, but I still enjoy getting my hands dirty and playing with data now and again. So when I got some time this summer, I decided to take part in a Kaggle competition to brush up on my rusty coding skills. The Wikipedia Participation Challenge attracted me most because as a heavy user of Wikipedia I felt obliged to do something helpful for the community.
What was your most important insight into the dataset?
The most important insight was that most user's future behaviour can be largely determined by his or her recent behavioural dynamics - how the number of edits and the number of edited articles change in the last period of time.
Were you surprised by any of your insights?
I am a bit surprised that dynamics features alone can go such a long way when we choose proper temporal scales and employ a powerful machine learning method.
Which tools did you use?
I used Python to write small programs for analysing data and making predictions. I like the simplicity of Python - simple is beautiful. The machine learning methods that I have tried all come from two open-source Python modules: one is scikit-learn, and the other is OpenCV. Finally, Gradient Boosted Trees (implemented in OpenCV) outperformed the other methods. I must mention that the parameter tuning was carried out on a big validation dataset shared to all participants by Twan van Laarhoven. "Such a nice guy", indeed!
What have you taken away from the competition?
A lot of fun, and a few lessons 🙂 I cannot wait to see others' secret weapons for tackling this problem. Long live Wikipedia!
Thanks very much Dell and congratulations on a great performance!
Dell has posted a detailed write-up at:
And source code at:


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Apparently a Magnetic pulse is going to greatly improve body fluid circulation in the treated area.
This equates to reducing inflammation.
A de-polarising affect on body fluids is observed via microscopic review.
This EMF application will therefore assist the absorption of substances on your skin.
According to Dr Robert Becker, "Body Electric, research the presence of colloidal silver
in the body triggers the production of Stem cells. He regrew limbs in his research in India.
Apply the herb Comfrey and Colloidal Silver to the dead muscle area and its Cell repair and
accelerated growth ability might regrow that dead muscle. Your PEMF is just the thing to restore your
hands to full functionality.
Can you adjust the pulse rate?
North Pole towards the skin is the excepted orientation.
Why? I don't know.


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NCP unhappy, but will not walk out of UPA
The Sharad Pawar-led party, which had decided to pull out of the UPA government in protest against the way the party was being treated by Congress, said the functioning of the government has not been according to their expectation. "We are in UPA and will continue to be a part of it in the future as an ally. Central government gets our support every time and will continue to get it in future," senior NCP leader Praful Patel told reporters at the airport here on his arrival from Delhi with the NCP supremo.
Patel said NCP was of the view that a progressive and secular government should stay but lamented that his party`s views were "not considered". "The functioning of the government has not been according to our expectation. Our views are not considered," he said after a meeting Pawar had with top party leaders of Maharashtra including his nephew and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, state NCP chief Madhukar Pichad, Home Minister R R Patil and others.
NCP, a stable ally of Congress for the last eight years, created a crisis of sorts for the government when Pawar, Minister for Agriculture, sent a communication to the Prime Minister expressing his decision to quit along with Patel, Minister for Heavy Industry. Patel said the situation in Maharashtra, where it is part of the Congress-led ruling alliance, was "no different".
"Unfortunately, the functioning has been without coordination. The situation is same in Maharashtra," Patel said, adding party leaders from the state had told Pawar about this. "We want the mechanism of coordination to be put back in place so that important issues are discussed and decisions taken. With this we can provide a good government. Our leaders here say that due to the lack of coordination decision-making has been affected," he said.
Patel said, "In Maharashtra, NCP is equal partner in government and coordination needed to be strengthened to improve governance." When asked to comment on Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan`s statement last night that his equation with state NCP leaders was excellent, Patel said, "Individuals were not discussed. We want effective coordination."
While rejecting allegations of inadequate coordination between the two allies in Maharashtra, Chavan had yesterday said, "Coordination Committee meetings have taken place…. If they are unhappy about specific decisions, they can discuss it with us." The NCP in Maharashtra is said to be irked by Chavan`s decision to bring out a `white paper` on irrigation projects.
The irrigation department is headed by NCP`s Sunil Tatkare. There have been allegations that the irrigated area has grown by a measly 0.1 per cent over a decade despite pumping in a whopping Rs 50,000 crore. NCP`s PWD minister Bhujbal is also facing allegations of corruption in construction of Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi.
A meeting of senior NCP leaders has been convened in Delhi on Monday where the party`s future course of action will be decided and communicated to the Congress, Patel said apparently referring to the decision to pull out of the UPA government. He said NCP has, however, already conveyed to the Congress leadership that it will remain part of the UPA.
Rejecting suggestions that Pawar was miffed at not being accorded the No. 2 status in the UPA government, Patel said, "Even though we are a small party, UPA should take benefit of Pawar`s stature and seniority. The NCP wants the UPA government and the coalition government in Maharashtra to do well and complete their full term".


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App Review: Cooking Dash by PlayFirst, Inc.
by Dorothy on
September 5, 2009
Filed under Daily App Reviews, Entertainment, Games, Kids
Time management apps seem to be making quite a mark on the iPhone app market. There have been several popular and very successful ones to hit the iTunes App Store. Cooking Dash by PlayFirst, Inc., now one of the top ten best selling apps, is another great game in this genre. It is fun to play and highly addictive. In this game, you become the head cook for a diner, filling in for another chef. Cooking food and keeping customers happy is sure to keep you on your toes. Serve your customers as quickly as possible. Fast, accurate service equals happy customers, and happy customers equal more money for you. Customers that get too upset will leave. Lose too many customers in one day and there is no way that you will meet your quota for the day and win the level.
As in many other time management apps, the controls are simple. When a customer enters the diner, touch and drag them to a seat. Match the color of the customer to the color of the seat for a bonus. The more times in a row that you match the color, the bigger the bonus gets.
After you have seated a customer at the counter, they will look at the menu and decide what they want. The food that they decide to order appears in a thought bubble. You must find the corresponding items in the kitchen. Many of the items have to be prepared or cooked. To cook an item, grab it and place it in the proper appliance. When the food is done cooking, the timer turns green. You must then grab the food before it starts to burn. You get a bonus for serving food that is perfectly cooked. When you have the correct food items on a plate, the thought balloon for the customer will light up. This function serves to help you find the right customer to deliver the food too, as well as reassuring you that you got the order correct. If the bubble does not light up like you think it should, you may have messed up the order. Wrong orders can be disposed of in the trash bin. However, you will be penalized for wasted food.
When the customer has finished eating, tap on them to cash them out. Then, collect their dirty dishes and deposit them in the bin. You cannot sit another customer in their spot at the counter until the dishes have been cleared. If you don't move fast enough in your service, customers will begin to stack up. It is important to prioritize tasks and perform them in an efficient order to keep customers moving. A good way to rack up points is to perform the same task more than one time in a row. This will earn you chain bonuses.
At the end of each level, you can use the money that you have earned to upgrade the look or functionality of your kitchen. I would highly recommend first buying those upgrades that will help you serve customers more quickly, as that is the name of the game. There are many unique types of customers and they all want something different. Some are more patient and tolerant of noise. Others want peace and quiet while they eat. The more you can be aware of that, the better you will do.
The only difficulty I ran into with Cooking Dash was that when I moved onto the second stage, things got a lot more difficult. Yet, because I was working in a new diner, I lost all the upgrades that I had previously bought for the first diner. Without these upgrades, winning levels proved a lot more difficult than before. It would be nice to be able to carry a few things forward to help you with the more difficult tasks. Overall, Cooking Dash is a great game. It is sure to be a hit with a wide audience.
Developer's Website: http://www.playfirst.com/game/cookingdash/iPhone


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List of award winners (searchable)
Complete NCAA release
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – For the second consecutive year,
Tennessee Tech's softball and women's golf teams are
among those who received Public Recognition Awards Wednesday from
the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for top
academic performance.
The awards are given to teams scoring in the Top 10 percent nationally in the Multi-Year Academic Progress Rate (APR), which is part of the NCAA's academic reform program.
"We take a great deal of pride in the academic success of all our teams, and especially this latest news of the Public Recognition Awards for softball and women's golf," said Mark Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics.
"It verifies, once again, that we are successfully
fulfilling our mission toward our student-athletes, and it speaks
to the diligence of our student-athletes," he said.
"Our students are coming in better prepared when they enter
Tennessee Tech, and they are staying on track to earn their
Golden Eagle softball coach Bonnie Bynum said the goals of the softball program remain lofty, both on the field and in the classroom.
"I am excited to learn that softball has won the APR Public Recognition award," she said. "It's a testament to how hard our kids work year round. Coach (Tory) Acheson put a high emphasis on academics, and I look forward to continuing that reputation for our softball program in the years to come."
Golf coach Polk Brown echoed Bynum's thoughts.
"The girls on the team work very hard on and off the
course, but they place the highest importance on what they do in
the classroom which is reflected in them receiving this award for
the second consecutive year," Brown said. "I am very,
very proud of them, and they embody what the term
'student-athlete' is all about."
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester or quarter by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
The APR awards two points each term to student-athletes who meet academic eligibility standards and who remain with the institution. A team's APR is the total points earned by the team at a given time divided by the total points possible, multiplied by 1,000. It includes four years (this year's numbers included the school years of 2008-09 and 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12). High-performing teams receiving public recognition awards posted APR scores ranging from 978 to a perfect 1,000.
This year 976 teams (594 women's teams, 382 men's or mixed teams) were publicly recognized for high academic achievement. In all, 268 institutions (out of 346 Division I schools) placed at least one team on the list. Last year 954 teams were recognized.
"These kinds of APR numbers continue to point out that our student-athletes and our staff continue to take seriously our goal of stressing the importance of academic success," Wilson said. "Our coaches, our academic support system and personnel, and our student-athletes are doing a good job."
Twenty-three (23) Ohio Valley Conference teams were among those
who received Public Recognition Awards. The 23 awards are the most
awards the league has earned in the eight-year history of the
awards, eclipsing the 22 honors earned in 2004-05. In total, eight
different OVC member institutions earned at least one award, the
same number as a year ago.
In addition to the two Golden Eagle squads, OVC teams honored include seven from Belmont (baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's golf, women's soccer, men's tennis and women's tennis), four from SIUE (men's cross country, softball, women's soccer and women's tennis), three each from Eastern Illinois (men's golf, women's golf and women's tennis) and Morehead State (women's tennis, women's outdoor track and field and volleyball), two from Murray State (women's basketball and men's golf), and one apiece from Austin Peay (women's golf) and Jacksonville State (women's tennis).
Multi-year APR scores for all Division I sports teams, including the teams receiving public recognition awards, will be announced on June 11. That announcement will also include immediate and historical penalties for low-performing teams.


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Category 3 is the performance level for voice and data transmission up to 16 MHz or 10 Mbps, such as 4-Mbps Token Ring and 10BASE-T.
Categroy 4 is the performance level for voice and data transmission up to 20 MHz or 16 Mbps, such as 4-/16-Mbps UTP.
Both Category 3 and 4 are unsuitable for today's high speed networking standards and will need to be replaced with Cat5 cable as a minimum if you intend to run 100baseT Ethernet.
Learn more:
Category 5 and 5e cables
Get in touch and stay in touch with Black Box Network Services:
»Contact us
»Join our mailing list to receive white papers, case studies, and special offers
Black Box Network Services offers comprehensive communications and infrastructure solutions. Find out what we can do for you:
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Find high quality products at the right price. Search and buy from our product catalogue:
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Black Box Network Services is the world's largest independent provider of communications, infrastructure, and product solutions.
»Company Information


text:
2007 INFINITI M35 Reviews and Ratings
Sedan 4D AWD
Expert Reviews
The 2007 Infiniti M series is enough to give German automotive engineers insomnia. The M35 and its more powerful sibling, the M45, demonstrate that Japanese luxury brands are steadily learning from their mistakes, improving their product and posing an increasing challenge to the traditional luxury cars from Europe.
The Infiniti M successfully blends aggression and sophistication for stylish visual flair. Its rosewood-trimmed interior is luxurious, with comfortable seats and a full array of standard safety equipment. Every model features the requisite luxury accoutrements, including keyless push-button starting.
The M35 can be rewarding to drive. Its V6 engine is one of the most powerful available. Enthusiast drivers will particularly like the M35 Sport, which features a firmer suspension and active rear steering. The V8-powered M45 delivers even stronger acceleration; the M45 is also available as a Sport model.
Those who live in slushy, snowy climates should be wary of the Sport versions of either M, however. These cars are equipped with sticky speed-rated tires, which are designed for lots of grip on dry pavement, and aren't much good for anything in snow. Better to choose the all-wheel-drive Infiniti M35X, which comes with general-purpose, all-season tires. The M35X adds an element of confidence and security in sloppy climates, without sacrificing the smooth, quiet running drivers expect in luxury sedan, or extracting a significant toll in reduced fuel economy.
Sedans in the $50,000 range comprise one of the most competitive chunks of the new car market, loaded with good cars like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac STS, Jaguar S-Type, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lexus GS, and Acura RL. The Infiniti M leans toward the sportier end of this spectrum, particularly in Sport trim. We strongly recommend a look at the Infiniti M35 or M45 for anyone looking for a car in this class.
The 2007 Infiniti M offers a V6 or V8 engine in five different models. All are equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission.
The Infiniti M35 ($41,450) is powered by a 275-horsepower V6 engine. The M35X ($44,550) is an all-wheel-drive version of the M35.
Leather seats with heating and ventilation come standard on the M35, and the driver's seats offers 10-way power adjustments. Also standard: Brazilian Rosewood trim, a 160-watt six-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo with 6CD changer, power sunroof, Bluetooth cell phone interface, voice activation of many controls and a seven-inch LCD screen that displays most vehicle information. Standard wheels are 18 inches in diameter.
The M35 Sport ($44,250) is, as the name suggests, a sportier version of the rear-drive M35. The Sport adds a sport-tuned suspension with Rear Active Steer (RAS), 19-inch alloy wheels, aluminum interior trim, and auto-leveling high-intensity xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), which swivels the lights to shine around in turns.
The M45 ($49,100) and M45 Sport ($50,550) are identical to their M35 counterparts, except that each is powered by 325-hp V8.
An available Premium Package ($8,900) includes almost every available option: navigation system, RearView camera, Lane Departure Warning, intelligent cruise control, DVD-based Mobile Entertainment System for rear passengers, heated and power-reclining rear seats, power rear sunshade and rear passenger climate and audio controls.
Standalone options include XM or Sirius satellite radio ($350); the DVD entertainment system ($1,500), 18-inch chrome wheels ($1,000), an aerodynamic body kit ($1,590) and a rear spoiler ($290).
Safety features include dual-stage front airbags, front-passenger side-impact airbags, and curtain-style head-protection airbags for all outboard seats. All Infiniti M models feature Vehicle Dynamic Control skid-management electronics, traction control, and an advanced ABS system. Optional safety equipment includes the lane departure warning system, RearView camera, preview braking and pre-crash seat belts. In front-offset and side-impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the M35/45 got Good ratings, on a scale that includes Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor.
Luxury automakers increasingly strive to present a strong family resemblance among various models. Witness BMW or Jaguar: Most of their cars are instantly recognizable worldwide as BMWs and Jags. That hasn't always been true of Infiniti. The last generation M45, for example, did not really look like any other Infiniti model.
No more. Infiniti created a distinct identity with introduction of the stylish G35, and the new M series follows through. The M looks like a bigger brother to the G35 sedan. It has the distinct Infiniti badge located in the center of its grille, with familiar horizontal bars and a chrome lip at the top. The edge of the hood cuts into the headlight cover with three jeweled lamps behind, creating a sophisticated yet fairly aggressive look.
The back edge of the hood is high enough to hide the windshield wipers, and it helps the top of the fenders flow back and up into the A-pillar. The wedge-like side profile continues front to rear and ends in a high trunk height, creating something like a hatchback look in the rear. A short overhang at both ends of the body helps give the M its aggressive look.
The rear of the car is perhaps its weakest feature from a design point of view, although the LED light clusters and quad tail pipes generate some visual interest.
The titanium-hue, five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels on the Sport models are particularly striking, as each spoke is made from two thinner spokes. Sport, indeed. The blacked-out headlight backgrounds help differentiate the Sport models in front. Apart from these small differences it's possible to tell any of the M models apart.
Infiniti likens the shape of the M sedan's dashboard to an elongated and flattened letter M. It's unusual, but in a positive manner. The switches and knobs for climate controls, sound system and other functions are all placed on an almost horizontal surface in the center of the dash, below a large LCD screen and dual vents. They're all easy to see and operate. This big multi-function control knob in the center is simpler and more intuitive than the systems in some of the other cars in this class, such as the BMW 5 Series, thanks to its clear layout and markings.
Infiniti, like an increasing number of automakers, has gone quaint on us. Harking back to olden days, one has to push a starter button to fire up the engine. That's possible because the M comes with an intelligent key that does not have to be inserted in the ignition. The car senses its presence in your pocket or purse and automatically unlocks the doors for you. Whether we're all going to like this technology enough to embrace it, we're not sure. On the upside, the key can also be programmed to deliver various functions such as pre-opening windows and setting seat and mirror positions.
The standard M35 and M45 have subtle, real rosewood trim with a subdued semi-gloss finish. Sport models have genuine aluminum trim in place of the wood, although the rosewood is available as an option ($600). Chrome trim rings around buttons and gauges subtly enhance the luxury look.
The driver's seat proved comfortable, especially in the Sport model, which features larger side bolsters. It's easy to find an ideal position with the 10-way power adjustments. The ventilated seats warm or cool the derriere with a fan.
There's lots of technology available here and it works well. The optional Bose two-channel audio with Studio Surround sound is exceptionally good. Audiophiles should get it.
The navigation system works well. We like using the birds-eye view, which presents the map in a 3D format that creates a sense of distance and perspective. The voice activation system works well, too, if not quite as well as the system in the Acura RL.
Rear-seat passengers will be happiest with the Premium Package, which adds heated, reclining back seats. The controls are located inside the rear-seat center armrest. The package also includes a DVD system with an LCD that folds out of the ceiling and is controlled with a remote. Separate rear-seat climate control is included with this package.
Even without the Premium Package, the rear seats offer plenty of leg and headroom.
Although the exterior appearance makes the trunk look large, its 15 cubic feet capacity is barely average for this size car, and the opening is on the small side as well. Worse yet, when equipped with the optional full-size spare tire it only holds 11 cubic feet of cargo. At least it has scissor type hinges, which, unlike gooseneck hinges, don't intrude into the usable space. A pass-through opening is provided for carrying skis and other long items.
Overall, we found the living quarters in the M very pleasant. People who bought last year's model agreed. They loved its interior and features, according to a study by J.D. Power and Associates, the market-research firm. In Power's Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) study, the 2006 M cars ranked first in the mid-size premium segment, ahead of the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Lexus GS.
The Infiniti M does not drive like a big car at all. Part of the reason is aluminum. The hood, trunk lid and doors are all aluminum, reducing the body's weight and helping lower its center of gravity. Also, the electrically controlled rack and pinion power steering is precise, with good road feel.
We spent most of our time in the Infiniti M35 Sport model. This car has one of the stronger V6 engines available, and its relatively low weight helps the V6 propel the M35 at a decent rate. The five-speed automatic transmission works well and shifts quickly. Drivers who want more control can use the manual mode, which works better than similar systems in some cars, thanks to a short-throw shift lever more akin to that of a manual transmission in a sports car.
We were satisfied with the performance of the V6 until we drove the V8-powered M45. It's almost a rocket ship, and it gives you the urge to floor the gas pedal just to feel the exhilarating acceleration. What's more, the fuel mileage is only a couple of miles per gallon lower than the V6.
The Sport models feature what Infiniti calls Rear Active Steer (RAS). Don't worry, because RAS doesn't mean the rear wheels turn to any great degree. They move a maximum of only one degree, which can't even be seen. The actuator that turns the rear wheels is powered and controlled electrically. What it does is adjust the rear toe angle in either an opposite phase going into a corner or the same phase exiting a corner, and it only operates at mid- or high-speed.
All this helps turn the car into a corner more quickly and helps stop it from sliding out on exit. Without trying two cars back to back it's difficult to determine how effective RAS is on the road. We haven't done that, but what we can say is that the Sport model proved to be very stable, handling more like a good lightweight sports sedan when purposely doing some abrupt lane changes at speed.
The optional Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system uses a camera to detect lane markings and warns a driver with a buzzer when the car starts to wander into the next lane. It only operates above 45 mph and is de-activated when the turn signals are used. It also accounts for the amount of steering wheel movement in order to avoid warnings when purposely changing lanes. The system is valuable, especially when driving late at night on empty freeways or toll roads, although it was tricked once by stripes of tar on the road and thought we were straying from our appointed lane. This is a relatively new technology, however, and at this point there's no empirical evidence that such a system reduces accidents, as there is with other systems like electronic stability control.
The M35X comes with the same all-wheel-drive system found in the G35X and the FX35. During a short drive in an M35X we didn't notice any differences in ride quality from the rear-drive models. Nor did we notice much difference in handling, though we only drove at a sedate pace. The M35X could be an excellent choice for those who regularly drive in very wet or snowy locales.
The RearView monitor system is impressive. It has a camera located in the back bumper that projects a view toward the rear onto the in-dash LCD whenever the driver shifts into Reverse. It's a great safety item as it can help a driver see objects or children behind the vehicle that are otherwise hidden from view. Infiniti's version goes one step further and displays a line on the screen that indicates the course of travel as the steering wheel is turned. It's a neat idea that works. Drivers still need to pay attention to ensure nothing is behind the car using traditional driving techniques, but rearview cameras provide the driver with useful information when backing up.
The 2007 Infiniti M35 and M45 offer luxury, sports sedan performance, and user-friendly technologies that make for compelling packages. They're good looking, interesting, and comfortable. We consider the Infiniti M lineup among the best cars in a class full of good cars.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent John Rettie is based in Santa Barbara, California.


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Today, Grace, the girl who stole our hearts from the very first moment we laid eyes on her, turns 11.
I know that I'm her Mom, so of course I'm partial, but she is awesome. Eleven years ago, I never could have foreseen the wonderful girl she's turned into. As much as I want to stop time, I also can't wait to watch and see where she goes from here. I just know it will be somewhere amazing and I just feel blessed to be along for the ride. Here's what we are loving about her right now...
She's an outdoor lover and nature girl. She loves adventure, and I foresee a lot of them in her future.
She's the kind of girl that when she asks what's for dinner and I respond that's it's cream of cauliflower soup she says, "Ooh, yummy."
She's kind and she thinks of others. When we were making her birthday treat to take into school she was a little worried about fashioning the pretzels into a letter "G." I thought it might be because she was embarrassed to take in the homemade pretzels, but it turns out she just didn't want to make it all about her! Also, she leaves love notes around the house for everyone.
When she's reading a book she becomes completely involved and pretty much wants to inhabit that world. Like mother, like daughter I say (I still want to be invited to Hogwarts).
She really loves her "red" hair and gets very worried when it starts to look blonder during the summer.
She hasn't yet asked for a phone, or to be on Instagram, or for an itouch. I'm sure it's coming, but I'm so glad we are not there yet.
She gravitates towards boys as her good friends. Ever since I can remember she has always had good boy friends. She says they are interesting and fun and don't have so much drama.
She loves traditions and family time.
Her brother is her "best buddy." He may drive her crazy at times (and he does!) but she still prefers him above all others as her playmate.
She's been slightly obsessed with The Lord of the Rings for the past year.


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Nearly one month ago, on the anniversary of September 11, terrorists attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens. The Obama Administration's failure to take bolster security in advance of the attack and its muddled response since then will be the subject of a congressional hearing at noon today.
In advance of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing, Heritage will convene a panel of experts today at 10 a.m. to highlight the severity of the security and intelligence breakdown.
Though the Obama Administration originally claimed that the attack was due to an anti-Muslim video, it quickly became clear that these well-armed and well-organized attacks were anything but spontaneous mobs. The conflicting and often incorrect assertions from the Obama Administration reveal a potentially systemic breakdown in communications, intelligence, and embassy security.
Panelists at today's 10 a.m. event include Peter Brookes, senior fellow for national security affairs and Chung Ju-Yung Fellow for Policy Studies at Heritage; Fred Fleitz, managing editor at Langley Intelligence Group; security consultant Thomas Varney; and Morgan Roach, research associate for Africa policy at Heritage.


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WARSAW, Poland, June 10 (UPI) -- The Polish Defense Ministry announced a tender for 16 training aircraft to replace those in use by the Polish air force.
The Polish air force deploys TS-11 Iskra trainers manufactured by Poland's PZL Mielec, World Aeronautical Press Agency reported Friday.
The tender calls for the successful bidder's new aircraft to be equipped with fly-by-wire flight control systems, long-range radar and anti-jamming capabilities and the new trainers must be capable of carrying laser-guided Paveway II and Mk82 bombs.
The Polish government has budgeted $450 million for the new aircraft and related maintenance services.
Firms bidding on the tender include Italy's Alenia Aermacchi, putting forward its M-346 "Master" plane; British BAE Systems with its Hawk AJT trainer; the joint-venture Korea Aerospace Industries-Lockheed Martin T-50P; the Czech Republic's Aero Vodochody offering the L-159T1 aircraft; and the Finnish manufacturer Patria promoting its Hawk Mk51/51A.
Tender conditions state the first eight trainers would be delivered by Nov. 30, 2014, with another eight aircraft scheduled for delivery by 2016, after which the first batch will be reconfigured for use in combat missions.
The deadline for the bids is July 29.


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- The BCCG BULLETIN 2019 (pls. click),
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text: Latin for "something said in passing." When judges put comments in opinions that are extraneous to the line of reasoning that leads to the decision in the case, the comments are said to be "obiter dictum" or "dicta". Comments such as this are not binding authority. See, e.g. Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292 (1993).


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dublin city gallery the hugh lane | admission free | DÁNLANN CHATHAIR BHAILE ÁTHA CLIATH
Wednesday 25 September 2013 at 11am
Portrait of Eva Gonzales (1870) by Edouard Manet
Speaker: Ciaran WoodsTalk followed by tea/coffee with lecturer. Fee €5. To book please contact the Gallery Reception on 01 2225564.
Timpeall an ChúinneTagann Leanaí ar an SaolAnseo an Nua-Ealaín
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"We are in this period of cacophony with food, where people are more engaged and more confused."
– The New York Times, 2013
Diet fads come and go, leaving us confused as to what information is current and what has been written off.
As a registered dietitian, I routinely return to the basics when it comes to nutrition and human metabolism. One "fad" that has been around for a long time, and never been discounted, is we need to eat more produce. In fact, this advice continues to gain importance through the years.
We need a variety of basic, good quality foods to get the variety of nutrients our bodies need. Yes, certain diseases put extra demands or restrictions on our diets, but the research continues to reinforce the need for basic foods. If an entire food group is eliminated, those nutrients have to be found elsewhere, or the "complex machine" starts to break down in various subtle ways.
The interrelationship of food, nutrients and our bodies fascinates me. The research about the impacts of foods and nutrients always returns to the original basic needs. When standing in the grocery line, I must say the grocery basket contents (and cost) of some people amazes me – common sense must take a vacation sometimes. So much processed food and then bottles of various vitamin or mineral supplements to "be healthy."
Yes, food production practices have changed, but can you honestly say you have tried even a few days of eating real food and experimented with the great variety of its choices, flavors and benefits.
Produce continues to provide an amazing array of options. In general, foods most strongly associated with reducing the risk for chronic disease are described as green/leafy, yellow/orange, citrus and cruciferous items. These foods can combat conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease (including high blood pressure and heart disease), certain cancers and even generic stress. Overall, it boils down to the deeper the color of produce, the higher the nutrient content and the higher the health benefits.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control printed a listing of specific powerhouse fruits and vegetables (http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.130390). These "miracle" choices have miracle consequences. The article lists 40 produce selections (of the 47 evaluated) strongly associated with reducing the risk for chronic disease. They provide, on average, 10 percent or more of the daily recommended value of 17 key nutrients.
The evaluation did not take into account all nutrients or compounds, such as anthocyanins, associated with the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer and the decline of cognitive functioning. But it is interesting that many of the "high value" nutrients are included in the items on the CDC list. The key thing to take away is not to limit your intake to those 40 powerhouse items. They are powerful but not all encompassing.
Remember: I am what I eat! I am not cheap, phony or quick. I will last a long time if simple needs are met. My needs are basic though an occasional splurge is OK. Give me at least the level of care and attention that you give your dog, cat or livestock. That is all this body asks.
Storage of your produce is important. I will discuss the best options next time.
email@example.com or 382-6461. Wendy Rice is family and consumer science agent for the La Plata County Extension Office.


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Just weeks after campaigning for openness as the "cornerstone of ensuring the public trust," Bob Filner met with his new mayoral staff to strategize about how to keep information from going public, according to meeting notes obtained by U-T Watchdog.
The effort continued throughout his brief administration, according to notes taken by Lee Burdick, legal adviser and later chief of staff to Filner.
Lee Burdick meeting notes
"No one talks to the news media without clearance," say Burdick's notes from a staff meeting on Dec. 3, the day Filner was sworn in. The words "no one" were in all capital letters and underlined twice.
The staff was given a stock phrase to tell reporters: "I'm not authorized to speak on behalf of the mayor on this topic."
Staffers were also told not to discuss politics, government or media on social media.
On Jan. 29, a smaller group met to discuss how to respond to public requests for city documents. Filner was at the meeting, the notes show, as well as then chief of staff Vince Hall, and Kelly Avilés, a top official with Californians Aware, an open government advocacy group. Burdick took notes.
"Do I have a duty to answer a question if I know it?" Burdick's notes say. "No. Only entitled to docs."
The legal advice was given because state law gives the public access to certain government meetings and documents, but does not technically require officials to answer questions asked by the public or the media.
The notes also claim that telephone records are "not required to be disclosed," and says text messages in the Filner administration were to be routinely deleted even though they are public records.
"Text messages: technically public records," Burdick's notes say. "Delete in ordinary course of business."
U-T Watchdog sought release of Filner's text messages on July 15, the same day Filner's ex-fiancee told the U-T she broke up with him in part because he was "texting other women sexually explicit messages and setting up dates while in my presence and within my line of vision."
The request was denied last month, with city officials saying that "text messages by their nature are not city records, they do not fall within any local retention schedule, nor are they required to be retained under state law."
A recent court case in San Jose indicates otherwise — more along the lines of the legal advice spelled out in the Jan. 29 Burdick notes of "technically public records."
Avilés said she was at the meeting to provide guidance to the Filner administration on how to be more open. She said that she urged at the meeting greater openness and laid the groundwork for a system of responding to requests for records.
"The basis of my representation is more access, not less," Avilés said.
Absent from the meeting on Jan. 29 was Donna Frye, the former San Diego council member who had come on as Filner's director of open government.
"I was not included and not told about this meeting by the mayor or any of his staff," Frye told the Watchdog. "I have no idea what their intentions were. I was not invited."
Indeed, Frye quit on April 2 and was one of the first three allies to sound the alarm concerning sexual harassment about Filner, which would ultimately drive him from office. She said the office's lack of transparency dismayed her.
"It was one of the greatest disappointments for me," she said. "I attempted to have open government, records retention rules, distributed. It was not met with welcoming, open arms.
"It was made very clear I would not be handling public records."
The Watchdog reported last month that nearly half of 30 public records requests filed by the U-T had not been fulfilled. The story noted other media organizations and members of the public were having similar problems.
For that story, Burdick said the city was releasing a steady stream of documents, and "it doesn't seem to me that we're not being transparent." She could not be reached for this story.
Interim Mayor Todd Gloria has said one of his top priorities upon taking over the mayor's office is to deal with the backlog of requests for public records. Gloria's chief of staff and communications director are scheduled to meet today with the city workers who oversee public records requests as part of the effort to break that logjam.
City Councilman Kevin Faulconer, now a candidate in the Nov. 19 special election to replace Filner, responded to the Watchdog story by calling for an audit of how the city responds to public records request. City Auditor Eduardo Luna said that he would get that audit underway.
"The tone the mayor sets determines how accessible city hall is to the taxpayers it serves," Faulconer said. "The default response should be openness, not secrecy. Public records should be shared, not hidden. The Filner administration clearly preferred to hide the ball."
The notes from the meeting suggested nothing illegal, according to Leila Knox, an attorney for the First Amendment Coalition, an open government group that advocates for public access.
She did note one red flag: the suggestion that text messages should be deleted.
"That's problematic," Knox said. "You would hope that cities would do their best to be transparent and open."


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Hi all. I want to know if maybe anyone cant help me. Im so bad in Java, just I programm in C or Phyton, but I need make a web aplication for can send commands to a GPS (Skypatrol TT8750), just need 3 datas: IP, Port, and a box for write the command, these command have to be convert to hexadecimal, and have add 00010400 at the start for exaple: the messege is hi, in hexa is:6869 then I have to send 000104006869 in the messege, I want to have the option for write the IP and Port.
I dont know if these is a hard work, but I really need help in that. I hope anyone can help me with these java code.


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President-Congress showdown reaches high court
WASHINGTON — Still wrestling with the weightiest decisions of its current session, the Supreme Court accepted Monday what could be the most important case of its next one: a colossal power struggle between the White House and Congress over government appointments.
President Obama and Senate Republicans set the stage for the showdown during the past 2½ years as they fought over Obama's proposed nominations to a little-known federal agency, the National Labor Relations Board. That battle is a microcosm of the broader war over the nomination and confirmation process — one that dates back over several presidencies.
The story line is simple: Obama's nominees were blocked by Republicans, just as many of President George W. Bush's choices were blocked by Democrats. So in January 2012 — with the Senate meeting every three days in pro-forma sessions but not conducting any business — Obama used the Constitution's "recess appointments" clause to install them without Senate approval.
Or so he thought. He was taken to court — and thus far, he's losing. But the battle isn't over until the Supreme Court sings.
On the surface, National Labor Relations Board v. Noel Canning is a labor dispute over the Yakima, Wash., Pepsi bottler's dealings with its Teamsters union. The company challenged the board's pro-union ruling in a collective bargaining dispute on the grounds that Obama's nominees were not legally appointed.
On a broader level, however, it's a power struggle between the executive and legislative branches of government. That it will take the judicial branch to solve it hearkens back 210 years to Marbury v. Madison, when the Supreme Court first declared itself the ultimate arbiter of such disputes.
Despite the gravity of the dispute, lower-court rulings and the briefs filed at the Supreme Court make it seem at times like a debate over linguistics. The ultimate ruling, in fact, could hinge on how the justices interpret two words: "the" and "happen."
The recess appointments clause of the Constitution reads: "The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session."
For decades, presidents have made such appointments when lawmakers are on extended breaks. But the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that "the recess" meant the singular break between annual sessions of Congress.
And for nearly 200 years, presidents have used that power to fill any existing vacancies. But the court ruled that "may happen" meant only positions that fall vacant during the same recess.
"It turns out that 'happen' can happen to have more than one obvious meaning," says Trevor Morrison, dean of New York University Law School and an expert on constitutional law and the executive branch.
Peter Shane, a law professor at Ohio State University who specializes in the separation of powers, says the D.C. Circuit judges engaged in "semantic cherry-picking." While the Supreme Court may not be so rigid, he says, under Justice Antonin Scalia's influence it has been "unduly fetishist about these precise dictionary meanings."
But Tuan Samahon, another separation of powers expert who teaches law at Villanova University, says the D.C. court judges' decision isn't radical when judged against the Constitution.
"They've offered some fairly persuasive textual and structural reasons why that is the best interpretation," he says.
Presidents have used the recess appointments power to name hundreds of people in the past — including Cabinet secretaries and judges, a United Nations representative, CIA director and Federal Reserve chairman. Ronald Reagan was the champion on the practice, with at least 232 such appointments, according to the Congressional Research Service. George W. Bush had about 171.
In its decision, the three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit noted that no president had tried to make a recess appointment for 80 years after the Constitution was ratified, and until 1947 only three were made during annual congressional sessions.
Obama has made 32 such appointments. "He is like the least recess-appointing president of the 20th century," Shane says.
Under the D.C. Circuit's reasoning, more than 300 recess appointments made during congressional sessions in the past could have been invalidated. In this case, though, only the labor board and perhaps Obama's selection to head the Consumer Finance Protection Board, Richard Cordray, are directly threatened.
The three-judge panel said that if a president could decide when the Senate is in recess, he would have "free rein to appoint his desired nominees at any time he pleases, whether that time be a weekend, lunch, or even when the Senate is in session and he is merely displeased with its inaction."
And in a separate defeat for the administration, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in May that if Obama truly had such power, "then the president could circumvent the Senate's constitutional role simply by waiting until senators go home for the evening."
Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, in his brief requesting that the Supreme Court take the case, said the D.C. Circuit ruling would render unconstitutional hundreds of recess appointments made since World War II.
For that reason, Morrison says, "it would well be an occasion for the court to address what weight should it give to decades and decades of practice between the executive branch and the legislative branch."
Noel Canning, as well as Senate Republicans, won their request to have the justices consider the much narrower issue that prompted the Obama-GOP showdown: whether the president can make recess appointments when the Senate is gaveling itself in every three days for pro-forma sessions.
To represent them in the case, the Republicans hired Miguel Estrada, whose nomination by Bush to the D.C. Circuit appeals court was scuttled by Democrats in 2003 after a 28-month standoff.
That episode hardened the battle lines on both sides, and for the past 10 years, Bush and Obama have had a hard time getting their most controversial nominees through the Senate. As a result, the court fight will have political as well as legal ramifications.
Unlike many cases in which the Supreme Court splits along predictable ideological lines, this one offers no such road map.
Most of the justices nominated by Republican presidents, such as Scalia, are strong defenders of executive power, so they could wind up on Obama's side. Justice Stephen Breyer, a Clinton nominee, spent his early career working in the Senate, so he could tilt the other way.
Still, experts on both sides are willing to take their chances in search of a bright line that can guide future presidents and Congresses.
Says Samahon: "It is better to have bad fixed rules than no fixed rules."
Follow @richardjwolf on Twitter


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The team gather to pitch their ideas, however the question is, can the Guardian launch a divestment campaign when its own savings are bound up in fossil fuels? In order to try and put our own house in order Alan Rusbridger meets with the board to convince them that we too should consider divesting.
Click to Launch the Consider Divesting podcast