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Was just wondering about who here used a holistic vet
Was just wondering about who here used a holistic vet
I currently use a regular vet but am considering switching to a holistic vet that is located one town away from me. I like my current vet and his office is just around the corner but I often worry about side effects of conventional treatments on a breed so prone to MVD and other problems.
That's just why we recently switched (among other problems with my old vet). I like that my new holistic vet recommends raw feeding (not the one he recommends though!) and always has alternative suggestions.... even to things my old vet told me for years. It's especially nice now that Izzy has been diagnosed with MV and TV murmurs but is not yet on medication, that he can recommend the supplements to give to her.
I just made a post under Diet in the supplement discussion about holistic vets. I'm shown as Guest though because I hadn't logged in.
I will never leave my regular vet -- loved her for 16 yrs and she does special things for me including letting me go into surgery with her. Not to mention the fact that she gives me reduced charges - no office visits, etc. And she is open to anything that I want to do and pretty much lets me call the shots (control freak that I am) BUT I have set a consult with Susan Wynn, nationally recognized holistic vet who specializes in diet, herbs, supplements, accupuncture. I'll be sure to report on that after it happens.
Pat B
Atlanta, GA
Ooo new name Hi Allyson!
Interesting discussion; I was just talking to another cavalier owner around the corner last noight and she mentioned she was taking Rusty to a new holistic vet. I have a friend who swears be hers; she has a very old golden lab she got from rescue at around 12 or 13 and she's lived three years now under his care which is pretty good!
One of the main syringomyelia neurosurgeons, Dr Harrington in Washington State, highly recommends acupuncture for SM dogs having pain. He believes it really helps them. I have heard good things about him. I'd never have considered acupuncture but now I think I would.
Cavaliers: Tansy : Mindy Connie Roxy Neasa Gus
In memory: My beautiful Jaspar Lucy Leo Lily Libby
We've already talked to our new vet about acupuncture... he has his license and he's very impressed with the results. He wants me to bring Izzy in for it to help the flow of the heart (there was a chinese technical term for it... but I don't remember ). Once we get Nikko calmed more too, he wants to try it on him to see if that will help as well. But at $40 a session, it won't be something we do often. I wonder though if that includes the vet going over the dog.... might be worthwhile then as its just a few dolalrs more than an appointment.
I wish that we had access to an holistic vet! There are only two homoeopathic vets in the whole of Scotland, one about 1 1/2 hours away who sadly is on long term sick leave, the other too far away to travel to.
I do try to treat the dogs holistically as much as possible, I'm very keen on homoeopathy and have a very good and knowledgeable supplier - I have been very impressed with the results.
Maggie, sorry to hear about Izzy's heart problems. Do you use Vit E? Peaches has a low grade murmur, she is on natural source VIt E 200 iu daily. I have also been recommended to try Co Q10, but understand that this is only effective for heart muscle, so maybe something to try in later stages of MVD - the advised dose was about 30mg per day. Also Taurine 500mg {twice weekly}- this is an antioxidant.
Peaches wears a magnotherapy collar too - magnotherapy has been proven to increase blood circulation.
I would recommend acupuncture - I have it myself on a regular basis for pain relief. Sometimes the needles hurt when they go in, but it goes off very quickly, and the results are worth it!
As Karlin said, some of the Syringo.-affected dogs are now receiving acupuncture, it will be very interesting to hear how they progress.
Nicki and Kayla (Shih Tzu )
Supporting www.rupertsfund.com and www.cavaliermatters.org


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Hell Prison
Hell Prison
Inner raging anger,
throat so very tight,
knuckles clenched, are white
and every muscle shakes.
as every muscle tenses.
Glaring of the eyes,
now there are no fences
to anger driven demons.
Still feeling no pain as temples pound,
gut boils like magma,
feet plod on solid ground.
Deliberate steps, deliberate moves,
the slash, a staring glance,
pierces like a lance
into innocent souls,
and not touching the guilty
without using ten foot poles.
The world has stopped and time with it,
with no way to tell
it seems I'm trapped in hell.
Timothy Landis
Copyright ©2003 Timothy Landis

subset: commoncrawl


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The Walled Garden at Barton Grange Hotel, near Preston, is proud to support Lancashire produce and, to go with one of their favourite ingredients, local fish, in a Your Food a couple of weeks ago, what could be tastier than Baked Alaska, using many locally-sourced ingredients?
500g Genoese sponge (can use Victoria or Madeira cake if you prefer)
4 eggs
120g caster sugar
120g strong plain flour
50g raspberry jam
6 egg whites
180g castor sugar
Half a lemon
500g Wallings raspberry ripple ice cream. (Any flavour can be used, just use your imagination, but this one is our favourite.)
250g raspberries
50g castor sugar
Half a lemon
1. Beat the eggs until ribbon stage, add the sugar and continue to beat for five minutes until the mixture has tripled in volume.
2. Sieve the flour and slowly add a third of the flour to the mix and gently fold in.
3. Once ALL the flour has been folded in spread out on to a greased baking sheet and bake for five minutes on 200oc, remove from oven and allow to cool.
4. Cut the sponge to shape, two pieces per person.
5. Spread the raspberry jam on to one piece and place the other piece on top, so making a jam sandwich, place into heatproof serving dishes and reserve until needed.
1. Place the raspberries in a bowl, add sugar and lemon juice and hand blend until you have a smooth puree.
2. Pass the coulis through a fine sieve and pour into small serving jugs (one per person), reserve until needed.
1. Place the egg whites in a large mixing bowl and start to beat, after 30 seconds add the sugar and lemon juice and continue to beat for five minutes until firm and shiny.
2. Place the meringue into a piping bag and reserve until needed.
1. Place the raspberry jam sandwiches into four dishes
2. Ball the ice cream and push it into the centre of the raspberry sponge
3. Pipe the meringue around the sponge base and then all the way up and over
4. Bake the meringue in a very hot oven (220oc) for four to five minutes until it goes golden brown in colour
5. Remove from oven, place on a large serving plate, add the jug of fresh raspberry coulis and serve,
If you don't want to use the oven, grill it or use a blow torch, but the oven gives the best results.


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Sir Anthony Hopkins is one of our greatest living actors, but might very well be the best bad guy of all time. So we're thrilled with the news that Hopkins is in final negotiations to play the villain in "Arabian Nights."
Many of us would have gladly sacrificed the liver of a census taker and a nice Chianti to make this happen.
A long way from Hannibal Lecter or even the crafty Richard in "The Lion in Winter," Hopkins will play an evil sorcerer who killed Sinbad's favorite mermaid and is looking to amass more magic for himself in "Arabian Nights," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Liam Hemsworth, who had it easy starring alongside Miley Cyrus in "The Last Song," will play a young commander who joins forces with Sinbad, Ali Baba and the Genie from the magic lamp to rescue their endangered queen from evil forces.
Having seen "The Last Song" and despite Hemsworth's mighty pecs, my money is on Hopkins, any day. One steely look and Hemsworth would run like the puppy dog he is. But the inevitable onscreen battle results remain to be seen. We cannot wait. An end of summer shoot looks to be in the works.


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The Crimson will open its 38th season of Ivy League play Saturday at Dartmouth (John Posey).
The Storyline
The Harvard women's basketball team will open its 38th season of Ivy League play when it takes to the court against Dartmouth on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. in Hanover, N.H. The Crimson are 20-17 all-time in Ivy League openers, including a 17-12 mark under Head Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith.
Live video, audio and stats will be available on the Web through DartmouthSports.com.
Last Time Out
Brogan Berry scored a game-high 17 points to become the 10th leading scorer in school history, and led the Crimson to a 56-44 victory at TCU Saturday night.
Berry entered the game needing just nine points to move into the top 10, and surpassed Sarah Duncan's '89 career total of 1,228 points midway through the first half. The senior finished her night with 17 points to move her career total to 1,236, shooting 5-of-10 from the floor and 3-of-5 from three.
Missy Mullins corralled a career-high 10 rebounds in her first career start, helping the Crimson to a 41-40 edge on the glass. Christine Clark and Victoria Lippert each added 13 points, and combined for 18 points in the second half.
Click here to watch highlights from the game.
History in the Making
Brogan Berry has been an impact player over the last four years for the Crimsson and has etched her name into both the Ivy League and Harvard record books. Berry currently ranks ninth in conference history and fourth in school annals with 457 career assists, and is the 10th all-time leading scorer for the Crimson with 1,236 career points. She needs just 144 more points to break into the Ivy League all-time top 30, and is on pace to join Emily Tay '09 (1,263 pts., 514 ast.) as one of only two student-athletes in program history to score 1,200 points and dish out 500 assists.
Click here to visit the Media Center on GoCrimson.com to access Harvard's most up-to-date career records.
Career Scoring (Harvard)
1. Allison Feaster '98 2,312
9. Emily Tay '09 1,263
10. Brogan Berry '12 1,236
Career Assists (Harvard)
1. Jennifer Monti '02 558
3. Jessica Gelman '97 485
4. Brogan Berry '12 457
Career Assists (Ivy)
1. Jennifer Monti '02, Harvard 558
7. Angie Soriaga '06, Dartmouth 462
8. Karen Force '04, Cornell 459
9. Brogan Berry '12, Harvard 457
Career Free-Throw Percentage (Ivy)
1. Angela Soriaga '06, Dartmouth 89.9
8. Brogan Berry '12, Harvard 81.8
Players of the Week
Senior co-captain Brogan Berry has earned two Ivy League Player of the Week awards this season, giving her five for her career and putting her one shy of entering the Ancient Eight's all-time top 10 for player of the week honors. She most recently earned the honor on Jan. 9 after averaging 14.5 ppg and 5.5 apg in wins at UMass and TCU.
Sophomore Christine Clark was named the Ivy League Player of the Week Nov. 28 after averaging 17.5 ppg and 7.0 rpg in a 1-1 campaign. This was the first player of the week award for Clark after having been named rookie of the week three times in 2010-11.
The Crimson held both UMass (47) and TCU (44) to under 50 points, marking the first time Harvard has done so in back-to-back games since March of 2008. Both the Minutewomen (26.6) and Horned Frogs (23.7) also shot below 30 percent, a feat which Harvard has not accomplished since at least the 2001-02 season, the last season for which complete game-by-game records are available.
What a Start
Sophomore Missy Mullins made her first career start at TCU in place of an injured Emma Golen, and pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds while adding four points and one assist in a career-best 24 minutes.
Just Like Home
Harvard has won two straight games on the road and with a win Saturday will have earned its first three-game road winning streak since January of 2011. A victory at Dartmouth would also improve Harvard to 4-4 on the road this season and would go a long way toward helping the team to its first winning road record since going 10-5 in 2008-09.
Haven't We Seen You Before?
Senior Brogan Berry will be making her 100th career appearance and 99th career start on Saturday. Should she appear in each of the Crimson's final 15 regular season games, she will finish with 114 career appearances, second only to Christine Matera's '11 115. If Berry starts each of Harvard's remaining regular season games, she will set the new program record for career starts at 114.
A New Season
Harvard will be opening its 38th season of Ivy League play on Saturday at Dartmouth and is 20-17 all-time in conference openers. The Crimson is 17-12 under Head Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith in Ancient Eight openers but just 1-3 over the last four years.
Media Savy
Head Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith participated in the Ivy League's annual media teleconference on Thursday to discuss her team's play heading into the conference slate. Brogan Berry, meanwhile, appeared on this week's episode of Inside Ivy League Basketball to talk about her recent personal milestones.
Click here to listen to Delaney-Smith's interview. Click here to listen to Berry's interview.
Doubling Up
Brogan Berry and Emma Golen have each recorded double-doubles this season, with Berry scoring 12 points and dishing out 10 assists at UMass and Golen notching 10 points and 10 rebounds against Boston University. Golen's double-double, the first of the year for the Crimson, was the team's first since Emma Markley's '11 22-point, 11-rebound effort against Brown on Feb. 12, 2011.
Miriam Rutzen, meanwhile, matched Golen on the glass with 10 boards against BU, making the two the first pair of Crimson student-athletes to notch at least 10 rebounds in the same game since Jackie Alemany '11 (13 rbs.) and Victoria Lippert (10 rbs.) did so at Cornell on Feb. 19, 2010.
Rollin' Golen
Junior Emma Golen has been on a tear over her last seven games, averaging 10.9 ppg and 6.1 rpg while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 51.9 percent from three. Golen has scored in double-digits six times during this stretch, the only six double-digit performances of her career, while helping her team to a 5-2 record in the process.
Join the Club
Junior Victoria Lippert has scored 907 career points and needs just 93 more to become the 16th member of Harvard's 1,000 point club. Sophomore Christine Clark, meanwhile, is more than halfway there with 540 points in just 41 career games.
Brogan Berry and Emma Markley '11 both joined the club last year, becoming the second duo in program history to reach the 1,000 point plateau in the same season after Erin Maher '93 and Deb Flandermeyer '93 did so during the 1992-93 campaign. Berry, meanwhile, became just the fifth student-athlete in program history to reach 1,000 points in her junior season.
Nationally Known
Harvard entered the weekend ranked fifth in the NCAA in free-throw percentage (79.5) and was 36th with a +6.9 rebounding margin. The Crimson also ranked ninth in personal fouls (13.0) and 75th in field-goal percentage (41.4).
Individually, Brogan Berry owned the 36th best assist-to-turnover ratio (1.9) in the land while her 4.6 apg were good for 59th. Christine Clark ranked 49th in free-throw percentage (84.6) with Berry coming in at 64th (83.6)
They're on Fire
Harvard currently leads the Ivy League in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage, connecting on 41.4 percent of its attempts from the floor and 79.5 percent at the line. The Crimson has led the league in free-throw percentage each of the last two seasons while finishing second in field-goal percentage over that same span.
Individually, Victoria Lippert ranks eight in the conference in shooting percentage (42.8) while Brogan Berry is 10th (42.4). Christine Clark has the fifth-best percentage at the line (84.6) with Berry coming in just behind her at sixth (83.6).
From Way Down Town
Emma Golen ranks second in the Ancient Eight in three-point percentage (41.5) while Brogan Berry ranks third (39.4) and Victoria Lippert sixth (35.8). Victoria Lippert ranks fourth (37.1). Lippert's 1.8 three-point field goals per game, meanwhile, are good for third in the conference with Golen's 1.4 makes per game ranking her ninth. The two have combined to shoot 43.9 percent from three over the team's last eight games, with Golen hitting on 14-of-27 attempts and Lippert nailing 15-of-39.
Cleaning the Glass
The Crimson has outrounded its opponents in 12 of 13 games this season, including each of the last 10. Harvard had not outrebounded opponents in 10 straight games since the 2006-07 season, when it went 15 straight games with a rebounding advantage. Harvard's 40.2 rpg rank second in the Ivy League while its 33.3 rebounds allowed are first. The Crimson also rank second with a +6.9 rebounding margin.
Individually, Miriam Rutzen ranks sixth in the conference with 6.2 rpg.
Triple Threat
Returning All-Ivy selections Christine Clark, Brogan Berry and Victoria Lippert are each averaging over 10 ppg and are among the Ivy League's leading scorers. Clark has netted 15.5 ppg, which is good for third in the conference, while Berry ranks eighth with 12.7 ppg and Lippert ninth with 11.5 ppg.
You Can Count on Clark
Christine Clark has scored in double-digits each game this season and in 15 straight dating back to last year. In 41 career games, Clark has scored at least 10 points 34 times and has been limited to under five points only once.
In the Clutch
Harvard has played several games this season which have been decided down the stretch, and two of the team's leading scorers have stood up to the challenge. Christine Clark is shooting 57.1 percent (4-7) with less than two minutes to play while going 19-of-22 from the line for a total of 27 points. Brogan Berry, meanwhile, has totaled 21 points on 55.6 percent shooting (5-9) while going 11-of-13 at the charity stripe.
A Tale of Two Halves
Harvard has thrived in the first half of games, averaging 33.5 points on 42.8 percent shooting while allowing 29.1 points on 40.9 percent shooting. In the second half, however, the Crimson is scoring 32.4 points on 39.9 percent shooting while allowing 34.9 points on 39.3 percent shooting. Additionally, Harvard has made 52-of-139 attempts from three before the break but just 21-of-113 after.
BIG Time Win
Harvard's 63-56 win over St. John's on Dec. 22 was the team's first over a BIG EAST opponent in exactly eight years, following a 73-59 win at Providence on Dec. 22, 2003. It was also Harvard's first win over a BIG EAST opponent at Lavietes Pavilion since a 79-76 triumph against Syracuse on Nov. 22, 2002, and its first over a BCS conference school since an 82-81 win over Boston College on Nov. 14, 2009.
And the Award Goes To...
Brogan Berry was named the CollegeSportsMadness.com Ivy League Player of the Week on Jan. 9 after averaging 14.5 ppg and 5.5 apg in wins at UMass and TCU, marking the third time this season the award has gone to a Crimson student-athlete. Emma Golen earned the honor on Dec. 4 after posting her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Boston University, and Christine Clark was named player of the week Nov. 13 following the Crimson's appearance in the Hawkeye Challenge to open the year.
Now Starting for Harvard...
Harvard has posted a 6-6 record this season using the starting lineup of Brogan Berry (98 career starts), Christine Clark (41), Victoria Lippert (59), Emma Golen (12) and Miriam Rutzen (25), and is 1-0 with the starting five of Berry, Clark, Lippert, Missy Mullins (1) and Rutzen. Golen had started each of the first 12 games this year but was forced out of the lineup at TCU after suffering a concussion.
Player to Watch
Senior co-captain Brogan Berry, who has posted 15.0 ppg and 4.7 apg season, was featured on Graham Hays' list of mid-major players to watch on ESPN.com.
"The 5-8 Ohio native averaged 4.6 assists per game as a junior and ranked ninth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. She's not all pass, holding onto the ball often enough to lead the Crimson by averaging 13.6 points per game and shoot 39 percent from the 3-point line."
Captaining the Ship
Seniors Brogan Berry and Lindsay Louie were chosen by their teammates as captains for the 2011-12 season. Berry is a three-year starter and two-time team MVP, while Louie earned the Harvard Pride Award following the 2009-10 season.
Catch the Crimson in 2011-12
Harvard fans can watch each of the team's 12 home games in 2011-12 live online through GoCrimson.com. A women's basketball pass costs just $59.95 and this year also includes audio broadcasts for the team's games at Providence, New Hampshire and Brown. Click here to sign up today.
Inside Ivy League Basketball
"Inside Ivy League Basketball," an online radio show dedicated to talking basketball in the Ancient Eight, launched Thursday, Nov. 10 on BlogTalkRadio.com. "Inside Ivy League Basketball" takes an in-depth look at all the news and notes surrounding Ivy men's and women's basketball on and off the courts. Click here to listen now.


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Teddy Purcell is the Kings' healthy scratch tonight, with Peter Harrold going back in the lineup. We'll see, shortly, how the lines look…
Teddy Purcell is the Kings' healthy scratch tonight, with Peter Harrold going back in the lineup. We'll see, shortly, how the lines look…
Born: September 13, 1996
Birthplace: Kramfors, SWE
Position: LW
Handedness: Left
Kempe was selected by the Kings in the first round (29th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Born: December 21, 1993
Birthplace: Eden, NY, USA
Position: C
Handedness: Left
Iafallo was signed by the Kings as an unrestricted free agent on April 18, 2017.
Born: August 24, 1987
Birthplace: Jesenice, SVN
Position: C
Handedness: Left
As the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar became the first Slovenian to play in the NHL. Kopitar has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings, and following the 2015–16 season, was named the Kings' captain. Noted for both his offensive and defensive play, Kopitar was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL in 2016.VIEW ANZE KOPITAR POSTS
Born: December 8, 1989
Birthplace: London, ON, CAN
Position: D
Handedness: Right
Bio: Doughty is a Canadian defenceman who was selected second overall by the Kings in the 2008 Draft. Doughty made his NHL debut in 2008 as an 18-year-old and was named to the All-Rookie Team. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Kings, a two-time Olympic gold medallist with the Canadian national team, and a Norris Trophy finalist.VIEW DREW DOUGHTY POSTS
Born: January 1, 1985
Birthplace: London, ON, CAN
Position: C
Handedness: Right
Carter began his hockey career playing in the Ontario Hockey League in Canada before joining the AHL and playing for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was then traded to the Colombus Blue jackets before joining the LA Kings in 2012, where he has since won two Stanley Cups with the Kings.VIEW JEFF CARTER POSTS
Born: January 21, 1986
Birthplace: Milford, CT, USA
Position: G
Handedness: Left
Bio: Quick is the current goaltender for the LA Kings and was selected by Los Angeles at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Previously, Quick was a silver medalist with USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He's won two Stanley Cup championships with the Kings, along with being the most recent goaltender to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.VIEW JONATHAN QUICK POSTS


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Reminiscing of past times when frilly dresses, ribbon tied hats and white gloves were reserved for Sunday outings, this chair has a style that is as natural as rolling hills yet begs to be noticed. Designed to be paired with a coordinating table, this traditional chair beckons you in with carved ribbon-motifs, elegant turned legs and a padded seat cushion, perfectly padded for an addition of comfort. This chair is available in an arm chair and side chair option.
The Leesburg Splatback Arm Chair with Traditional Style by Hooker Furniture at Belfort Furniture in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland and Fairfax VA area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
This collection harkens back to a time of simple comforts and grand occasions. A time when traditional mahogany furnishings were the backdrop of gatherings enriched with Southern hospitality. Each piece in this group has been elegantly designed to create a fresh take on timeless, traditional furnishings. A rich mahogany and antique white finish pair together throughout the group to cast a look that is as time honored as front porches and neighborhood gatherings. Signature pieces include an upholstered bed bordered with mahogany wood and detailed with diamond shaped tufting. Dining chairs have a carved ribbon-motif back that pulls one back to times of frilly dresses paired with delicate hats and gloves reserved for Sunday outings. This collection of mahogany veneered furniture is a fresh way to welcome the styles of the past into your home.
The Leesburg collection is a great option if you are looking for Traditional furniture in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland and Fairfax VA area.
These images are representative of this group as a whole and may differ from this item.
Browse other items in the Leesburg collection from Belfort Furniture in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland and Fairfax VA area.
This item has been tagged as: Dining Chair, Dining Room Chairs, Arm Chair, Dining Arm Chair, Side Chair, Dining Side Chair, Dining Room Set, Dining Table and Chair Set, Kitchen Chair, Kitchen Dining Chair, Dining Room Furniture
Nothing on this page may be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.


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Why? In budgeting, OpEx costs are more predictable. With the current problems in the federal budget, contracting officers, program managers and CIO staffs are putting a premium on cost predictability and ease of provisioning.
As a result, there is a real dichotomy developing now between how the government wants to buy and how the manufacturer needs to sell. In particular, because of the increasing preference for cloud-based offerings within government, we're starting to see a gradual transformation from point products to services. This is clearly evident in the federal move to cloud computing. The latest report from the Office of Management and Budget, for example, shows that 40 of 78 projects targeted for movement to the cloud already have made that shift.
[Related: Federal Agencies Poised To Move Mission-Critical Apps To Cloud ]
The desire among government professionals to spend OpEx instead of CapEx dollars means that budgets will increasingly be geared to existing programs. Any new projects or programs will be harder to get off the ground.
So it's time to rethink demand generation and channels of distribution in light of these new customer requirements. Companies selling into the government have to take a hard look at how they position their products, channel and direct sales strategies to go after operations and management dollars.
Technology vendors should redouble their efforts to show why their solutions offer the best value in the current climate while making it easier for the benefits of their products to be delivered in alternative models. These companies are increasingly looking to the channel to provide that translation from product to service.
It's also time to take a harder look at compensation. Despite this shift in federal budgeting and procurement, manufacturers have neither changed the way sales reps get paid nor the way companies recognize revenue. There must be a new way of recognizing revenue, especially for large companies.
Technology vendors need to create a multipart strategy to figure out how they can bring their products to the market space from a business, sales and technical perspective. An important part of this strategy is having answers to some fairly specific questions:
* What sales activities are required to bring the technology to the market?
* What types of partners are necessary in this new budgeting and procurement ecosystem?
* What activities are best suited for the manufacturer to perform?
* What are the go-to-market plans that compensate the partners for performing these activities?
The upshot of this is you need to not only refocus how you're promoting your products to the government -- namely, as services that can be tied back to existing programs and objectives for mission fulfillment -- but also be sure you're fairly compensating the partner that will get you there.
Keep in mind also that there are new partners in the game. Cloud brokers, service providers, carriers, managed service providers and even leasing companies may have a play in your new strategy, because alternative financing models need to be considered in getting to these operational expense dollars.
Channel partners have an opportunity to take a new look at the space they play in and how they sell point solutions into that new space. A huge opportunity exists for the companies that can figure it out fastest. Companies that can better market and position the move to the cloud will be better set up for success.
Skip Liesegang is vice president of the government channels division of immixGroup, which helps technology companies sell to the federal government. He can be reached at email@example.com.
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2012 INFINITI M37 Reviews and Ratings
Sedan 4D
Expert Reviews
The 2012 Infiniti M line of luxury sports sedans with rear-wheel drive enters its second year of production, the sweet spot according to some. The Infiniti M37 and Infiniti M56 were completely redesigned for 2011, so they carry over to the 2012 model year mostly unchanged.
However, a new Infiniti M Hybrid has joined the lineup for 2012. The 2012 Infiniti M35h uses a hybrid gas-electric powertrain that pairs an electric motor with a 3.5-liter V6 good for 360 net horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 2012 M35h holds the Guinness World Record for the world's fastest-accelerating hybrid. Yet the Infiniti M Hybrid gets an EPA estimated 27/32 mpg City/Highway, or 29 mpg Combined.
The Infiniti M37 makes a class-leading 330 horsepower from its 3.7-liter V6 engine, while the 5.6-liter V8 in the Infiniti M56 is good for 420 hp and 417 foot-pounds of torque.
The M37 and M56 come with a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All Infiniti M models use a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual shift override, which yields satisfying acceleration in the lower gears, and four driving modes including Normal, Sport, Economy and Snow. Infiniti M models with the Sport package get magnesium paddle shifters with blip-throttle downshifting.
The Infiniti M comes loaded with active and passive safety features include a lane-departure warning system that alerts a driver who veers toward a dividing line, and a blind spot warning system that, when ignored, will apply the right front brake to guide the car back into the lane in which it belongs. There's Active Trace Control, which adjusts engine torque and the control of the braking to individual wheels to help the car get around a corner in a skid. There's an Eco Pedal that gives the driver feedback to encourage eco-driving behavior. And there's the Forest Air system, which helps reduce the intrusion of unpleasant odors into the cabin and provides a natural breeze-like airflow. Infiniti designed this as a true luxury car and, based on our experience, there is nothing luxurious about unpleasant odors in the cabin. We know this, we are automotive experts.
Active noise control is used to quiet the cabin, a dual microphone system that listens to the ambient noise created by the powertrain, the mirrors, the body, and the tires and produces sound waves that cancel those noises. It doesn't cancel out voices, however, so if you shout you will be heard by the other passengers. But this is indeed a quiet car, even at full-throttle while going a hundred miles per hour it's quiet inside.
For audio enjoyment, there are three different sound systems on the M cars, including two Bose upgrades. The Premium Package includes a two-channel, 10-speaker sound system by Bose, the Deluxe Touring Package adds a 5.1 surround sound system with a subwoofer and 16 speakers arrayed throughout the interior.
Competitors to the 2012 Infiniti M line include the Lexus GS, Acura RL, Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and BMW 5 Series.
The 2012 Infiniti M lineup includes the V6-powered, rear-wheel drive M37 ($47,700), the all-wheel-drive M37X ($49,850), the V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive M56 ($59,200), all-wheel drive M56X ($61,700), and the new hybrid-powered M35h ($53,700).
The Infiniti M37 comes with leather upholstery, heated eight-way power front seats with driver memory function, power lumbar support, power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio capability, single CD player, iPod connector and auxiliary jack, bi-xenon headlights, a sunroof, fog lights, power-folding heated mirrors, automatic wipers, rearview camera, keyless ignition/entry, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 18-inch alloy wheels.
The Sport package ($3,750) includes 20-inch wheels, a unique front fascia, summer tires, sport-tuned suspension and brakes, four-wheel active steering, sport seats and steering wheel, and distinct exterior trim. The Sport Touring package ($2,000) adds a power rear sunshade, air filtration system and 16-speaker Bose surround sound system.
The Infiniti M56 includes everything on the M37 plus heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic and weather updates, as well as an upgraded, 10-speaker Bose audio system with digital music storage. The M56 Sport package ($5,650) includes 20-inch wheels, unique front fascia, summer tires, sport-tuned suspension and brakes, four-wheel active steering, sport seats and steering wheel, distinct exterior trim, power rear sunshade, air filtration system and 16-speaker Bose surround sound system.
Hybrid M35h models come with all standard features found on the M37 plus unique display screens. It also comes with Infiniti's Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP), which generates sound to alert passersby (to compensate for the car's quietness).
Options include a Premium package ($3,450) that adds a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, a navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic and weather, as well as a 10-speaker Bose audio system with streaming Bluetooth audio and digital music storage. The Deluxe Touring package ($3,900) adds a power rear sunshade, an in-car air purifier, upgraded leather upholstery and interior trim, and a 16-speaker Bose surround-sound stereo. A Technology package ($3,050) includes adaptive headlamps, an Eco pedal that provides driver feedback to encourage fuel-efficient driving, a blind spot warning system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning system. Standalone options include 18-inch alloy wheels ($650), a rear decklid spoiler ($450), midnight black grille ($430) and an aerodynamic kit ($2,000).
Safety features that come standard on all models include dual-stage front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, side-impact air bags, and roof-mounted curtain air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection. Active safety features on all models include anti-lock brakes (ABS), and electronic stability control.
The Infiniti M echoes other Infiniti designs with its flowing, curvaceous lines that are swoopy and sophisticated, yet strong and muscular. The body and underbody are aerodynamically pure, leading to a very low 0.27 drag coefficient, and that leads to a quieter interior, among other things.
The long hood and short rear deck conveys that the Infiniti M is a rear-wheel-drive sedan, with the severely laid-back windshield and the flowing fenders and body lines accentuating its sportier nature. Illuminated door handle cutouts make the Infiniti M stunning in the dark.
Everything in the cockpit of the Infiniti M is luxurious to see, touch and use. The steering wheel is substantial yet feels manageable in hand, and the wheel controls are within easy reach. The navigation screen is easy to read and has an attractive interface. Bluetooth phone pairing is easy.
We found the voice recognition system can be unreliable, however. It took us multiple tries for the system to understand our commands, even without any cabin noise. It can also be rather laborious to get through all of the system's prompts, but it gets faster once you become familiar with the setup.
The center stack is loaded with buttons. Their layout is logical, though we found oddities. The HVAC power button and fan controls are in the center beneath the navigation screen, while the temperature controls are off to the sides.
Cargo space in the M37 and M56 is average for the class at 14.9 cubic feet. But due to the battery pack in the M35h, trunk space measures a mere 11.3 cubes. The trunk release button will unlock the deck lid, but not pop it up, which requires some clawing and fumbling, especially with full hands.
The intelligent key system used on the Infiniti M incorporates the normal unlocking and locking features but adds audio setting, climate control settings and navigational settings to the memory in the key, an interesting and useful feature not offered on most luxury cars.
An auto entry/exit system lifts the steering wheel and slides the seat back to create more space when the driver opens the door or turns off the engine. While this might be convenient for tall drivers or those of larger stature, it can be tough for smaller drivers to depress the brake pedal, necessary for starting the car, with the seat back so far.
Similarly, the seats accommodate those with large frames well, but average and petite-sized females may find it difficult to get comfortable.
We found the Infiniti M56X to be a strong performer. The added weight of the all-wheel-drive system is more than overcome by the additional 95 horsepower and 81 foot-pounds of torque from the new, larger engine and the deeper gearing in the silky-smooth, quick-shifting 7-speed transmission.
One drawback for both the V6 and V8 versions, however, is that both of these more powerful engines require Premium gasoline.
The 5.6-liter V8 engine's sound is muffled back to provide the car with a luxury feel, and the 7-speed double-overdrive transmission certainly lowers engine rpm at highway speeds; nevertheless, the throttle response is extremely quick, and the M56 accelerates with authority. And it does so quietly. This is not the 5.6-liter V8 used in the Nissan pickup trucks. Rather, is a larger version of the Infiniti 5.0-liter V8, the division's first engine fitted with direct fuel injection cylinder heads and other technologies such as variable valve timing and intake valve lift, and a variable intake tract, yielding a combination of low-end torque, high-rpm power, and very good fuel economy for an engine this size in a heavy luxury car.
The Infiniti M56X has a heavy steering feel aided by its heavier nose and tendency to understeer, but it acquits itself quite well on curvy roads, with lots of help from the suspension system, which uses mechanical twin-piston shock absorbers instead of electronic ones. It's plush and sporty at the same time without the harshness added by the 20-inch tires and wheels that come with the Sport package.
We found the braking to be exemplary, with a nice, high pedal, progressive actuation, and excellent ABS performance on panic stops. The standard brakes on our M56X were 12.6 inches front and 12.1 inches rear, but the Sport package brakes are huge: 14 inches front, 13.8 inches rear. Infiniti M brakes come with ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Quick Brake Assist.
We found the lane departure warning system to be unnecessarily aggressive. In congested urban areas like Los Angeles where constant maneuvering is a way of life, the system's incessant beeping proved irksome. Like the townsfolk in the "Boy Who Cried Wolf," after awhile we stopped listening.
The Infiniti M35h doesn't feel much different from other hybrids. Hybrid gas-electric powertrains aren't known for feeling seamless. In the case of the M35h, you can feel the system kick in when the gasoline engine takes over, when the regenerative brakes kick in, and when the fuel-saving stop/start system engages. Drivers who are used to this type of ride won't find it any more or less obtrusive here.
Shifting into the different driving modes in the Infiniti M35h hybrid makes for very different driving experiences. Selecting Eco mode renders the M virtually gutless, creeping off the line and slogging along at low revs; Eco is the most efficient mode. In Sport mode, instant torque from the electric motor combined with ready power from the 3.5-liter V6 make for a snappy getaway, but those eager on the throttle should beware of obnoxious wheel spin off the line. Normal mode strikes an appropriate balance between power and economy.
The Infiniti M is a solid alternative in the entry-level, midsize sedan market. Its attractive yet understated good looks, pleasing driving dynamics and bevy of available technology make it a good choice for those looking to take the road less traveled. Options can run the price up fast, however, and the M35h hybrid comes with a premium price.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Laura Burstein reported on the Infiniti M35h from Los Angeles, with Jim McCraw reporting on the M56X from San Diego.


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D10: Mayor Bloomberg On Why Tech is Harder in Government than Business
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg checked in via video at this morning's All Things D conference and spoke about the role of government and business in a digital era.
Above: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks via video interview
Bloomberg joked that the difference between government service and business is that "business is a dog eat dog world, and government is just the opposite."
He said government, like business, has the ability to use technology for all sorts of things, such as to converse with people and to gather data. It's harder, however, to explain the life cycle of technology in government, where "mission creep" sometimes allows technology to start on a longer term project earlier. Businesses can understand that, but it's more difficult for government because it answers to people on a daily basis.
In government, politicians must specify in advance all the things they are going to use the technology for, which makes it harder, he said. To get around this, he advocated public-private partnerships to demonstrate the advantages of technology.
When asked about the "digitization of cities," Mayor Bloomberg said there are some functions you can digitize, but you still need a cop on the street. You can, however, use cameras to deter crime and technology to help prevent fires. In the end, though, "you can't automate everything and you shouldn't try," he said.
Everyone agrees technology is something we should have in the schools, and everyone agrees math and science are important. Unfortunately, most of the teachers are liberal arts graduates with limited math and science knowledge. Technology in the classroom is an important learning aid, but on the other hand, kids often use technology to avoid looking at the teacher, which is why New York City schools have banned mobile phones in the classroom.
While Mayor Bloomberg appreciates experiments such as Kahn Academy, in some cases, he thinks educators are putting the distribution method in front of the curriculum. He strongly believes models like Internet course delivery will never replace great teachers in the classroom. Overall, he said, technology in schools is great, but it certainly has its limitations. What really matters, he repeated, is "teacher quality, teacher quality, teacher quality."
It's not the technology but what people do with it, the mayor asserted, and the quality of a city is more defined by individuals like teachers, policemen, and sanitation workers.
As the founder of a big media company, Mayor Bloomberg highly regards quality journalism, pointing to reliable sources like the Wall Street Journal and the Economist. As you get down to less serious subjects, he said, there are lots of different sources, so the business models get trickier.
He rattled off the long list of magazines he reads, and admitted that while he has a tablet, he still very much prefers print. He often gets behind in reading the magazines on the tablet, but when they are in print the "tyranny of the pile" forces him to read through them.
He also stressed the importance of newspaper editors suggesting to readers what is important through page layout and the size of the headlines.
On other issues, Bloomberg doesn't think it is the government's responsibility to force carriers to provide Wi-Fi everywhere. He would rather see that left to the public sector, but he is open to opposing views.
When asked what has led to increasing partisanship in Washington, Mayor Bloomberg said that redistricting has forced representatives to the extremes. Improved transportation means representatives head home for the weekends instead of hanging out with each other. The 24-hour news cycle has urged people to take positions too early, and social media just exacerbates that. People used to have time to study issues and then vote, but now there are constantly real-time elections on every single issue, thanks to the Internet and social media. Because journalism now has fewer fact-checkers and older, more experienced reporters, there is less of a focus on putting things in perspective.
Bloomberg also talked about his plan to ban the sale of sodas larger than 16 ounces in some public places. Obesity is a growing problem and this ban is similar to restricting smoking in public, which has helped extend the average life span of New Yorkers to three years beyond the national average. "If all you people in California want to live longer, I suggest you move to New York City," he said.
Mayor Bloomberg, who is in his last term, believes he has the best job in government and is unsure what he'll do when he leaves office. He said he won't run for president and there is no government job that would be right for him. His company, Bloomberg, is also better off run by the current executives.
Although many people in tech want Mayor Bloomberg to run for president, he laughed and remarked that there aren't that many people in tech. Being pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-immigration, opposed to guns in the hands of criminals and minors, and a believer in science makes it tough to get elected nationally, he stated.