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Men with a family history (FH) of prostate cancer (PCA) and African American (AA) men are at higher risk for PCA. Recruitment and retention of these high-risk men into early detection programs has been challenging. We report a comprehensive analysis on recruitment methods, show rates, and participant factors from the Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program (PRAP), which is a prospective, longitudinal PCA screening study.
Men 35–69 years are eligible if they have a FH of PCA, are AA, or have a BRCA1/2 mutation. Recruitment methods were analyzed with respect to participant demographics and show to the first PRAP appointment using standard statistical methods
Out of 707 men recruited, 64.9% showed to the initial PRAP appointment. More individuals were recruited via radio than from referral or other methods (χ2 = 298.13, p < .0001). Men recruited via radio were more likely to be AA (p<0.001), less educated (p=0.003), not married or partnered (p=0.007), and have no FH of PCA (p<0.001). Men recruited via referrals had higher incomes (p=0.007). Men recruited via referral were more likely to attend their initial PRAP visit than those recruited by radio or other methods (χ2 = 27.08, p < .0001).
This comprehensive analysis finds that radio leads to higher recruitment of AA men with lower socioeconomic status. However, these are the high-risk men that have lower show rates for PCA screening. Targeted motivational measures need to be studied to improve show rates for PCA risk assessment for these high-risk men.
Prostate cancer (PCA) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States.1 Men with a family history of PCA and African American (AA) men are at 2–7 times increased risk for the disease.1, 2 PCA screening remains controversial in men at average risk. Recent randomized PCA screening studies reported either no benefit or marginal benefit to PCA screening.3, 4 However, multiple professional societies have recommended early detection measures for high-risk men (men with a family history and AA men) after careful discussion regarding PCA screening with their physicians.5, 6 Therefore, there is a particular need to study screening strategies in high-risk men in order to personalize early detection approaches and PCA risk assessment.
Recruitment and poor show rates to screening appointments pose major challenges to enrolling high-risk men for PCA screening studies. While several previous studies have reported on patient characteristics related to PSA testing for PCA or factors related to seeking PCA screening in high-risk men, none of these studies have specifically described the effectiveness of various recruitment methods for high-risk men for PCA screening. Spencer et al. evaluated self-reported rates of PSA testing for PCA in men with a family history of PCA and AA men using the 2001 California Health Interview Survey.7 While this study found that older age, higher socioeconomic status, and having a family history of PCA were predictors of PSA testing, this study was not based on a prospective screening population of high-risk men, a more motivated group of men seeking screening. Melia et al. evaluated recruitment of PCA patients through postal recruitment and recruitment through clinics to obtain permission to contact their first-degree relatives for PCA screening in England.8 While marital status was correlated with higher rates of PCA screening in first-degree relatives of PCA patients in this study, no other participant characteristics were analyzed with respect to recruitment method. Recruitment of a diverse population of high-risk men was also not performed. Taylor et al. conducted a randomized trial evaluating video vs. print material vs. a wait list control arm with respect to knowledge, decisional conflict and self-reported PCA screening.9 Self-reported screening rates did increase with any intervention, highlighting the importance of the communication of issues surrounding PCA early detection. This study did not specifically focus on effective recruitment methods to PCA screening studies, where PCA education can take place. Pruthi et al. studied the impact of knowledge of PCA on screening behaviors in siblings of men diagnosed with PCA.10 Improvement in PCA knowledge was found to be predictive of seeking subsequent PCA screening. Therefore, recruitment methods need to be evaluated for their effectiveness in recruitment and show rates for PCA screening studies for high-risk men.
The Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program (PRAP) at Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) is a prospective, longitudinal PCA early detection and education program for men at high risk. A 10-year analysis of cancer detection in PRAP found that approximately 9% of high-risk men were diagnosed with PCA at a mean age of 55.9 years for white men and 57.4 years for AA men.11 These findings support ongoing investigation of optimal PCA early detection strategies in high-risk men. However, significant efforts are involved in recruitment to PRAP, with 50–60% of scheduled men failing to show to the first appointment. A previous analysis from PRAP showed that radio advertisements resulted in higher recruitment of AA men. 12 AA recruitment was guided by a framework called Social Marketing where relationships are built with customers (men at risk for PCA in this case) in order to develop a value-creating exchange process. 13 One method of Social Marketing has been a focus of PRAP, Direct Response Radio (DRR). DRR is a marketing method that seeks to elicit a consumer response by having listeners respond to a toll-free number. Such social marketing strategies have historically been successful in communities where AA men reside.14, 15 Therefore, emphasis has been placed over the past ten years of the PRAP study to employ DRR to increase recruitment of AA men to PRAP.
This current analysis is a follow-up, comprehensive assessment of ten years of recruitment efforts to PRAP and is building on results from the previous analysis. We have also expanded on the previous analysis by examining show rates to the initial screening appointment by recruitment method in order to tailor recruitment approaches for these men in the future.
The objectives and design of PRAP have been described previously.16 Briefly, PRAP was established in 1996 with the objective of screening high-risk men for PCA and to provide medical and psychosocial interventions. Eligibility criteria include being male between ages 35 to 69 years and the presence of at least one of the following: (a) ≥ 1 first-degree relative with PCA; (b) ≥ 2 second-degree relatives on the same side of the family with PCA; (c) being AA regardless of a family history of PCA; or (d) having a known mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. The PRAP study is approved by the Institutional Review Board at FCCC.
Recruitment is defined as those who agree to participate and receive a scheduled visit date. Show rate is defined as those who participate in PRAP by attending the first visit.
Several recruitment methods have been used since 1996. Radio advertisements encouraging direct response (DRR) using a toll-free telephone number have been the primary recruitment method. Most of the advertisements aired in flighted segments three times a year in the Greater Philadelphia area. The spots run on AM and FM radio stations with majority AA listenership and have been previously described in detail.12 At the time of this analysis, PRAP was not advertised in the newspaper or on television; however PRAP has previously been promoted via news stories in newspaper or on television. PRAP has been publicized at various community events, health fairs, and in physician offices using a brochure designed by the FCCC Marketing and Communications Department. Since 1999, a printed newsletter specifically about PRAP has been distributed quarterly to a similar audience. Referrals (physician, family, friends, and acquaintances) have provided another major source of recruitment to PRAP. PRAP has been mentioned in FCCC generic newsletters (either Internet or hard copy) at least annually. Finally, although no direct recruitment to PRAP is done over the internet, PRAP is described on the FCCC website.
PRAP has also recruited participants from community Partner hospitals. Currently, three community hospitals actively recruit to the PRAP study. All recruitment materials at these sites are provided by PRAP and all intake materials are uniform throughout. This analysis focuses only on recruitment and show rates at FCCC due to variable missing data from Partner hospitals and to keep the analysis focused in one geographic region (the Greater Philadelphia area).
Figure 1 shows the flow of participants to their initial appointment. Demographic variables and recruitment methods are elicited using an extensive script in the initial phone intake. The phone-script data is entered by data managers into an Oracle RDBMS (Version 184.108.40.206.0) using custom-built Oracle Forms (Version 184.108.40.206.2).
For the statistical methods, a series of chi-square analyses were conducted to examine whether there were differences in participants' characteristics (age, ethnicity, education, marital status, employment status, income, health insurance coverage, family history of PCA) according to their method of recruitment (radio, referral, other). Chi-square analyses were also conducted to test whether the show rate for the initial PRAP appointment varied according to the aforementioned participant characteristics. These analyses were also repeated separately according to participants' ethnicity (white, AA) and recruitment method (radio, referral, other). For each group in which two or more participant characteristics were associated with the show rate, we conducted a follow-up multiple logistic regression analysis with the significant characteristics from the chi-square analyses included as independent variables and show rate as the dependent variable. We report the results of likelihood-ratio tests for each independent variable in these multiple logistic regression analyses. A cutoff of p < .05 was used to determine statistical significance for all analyses.
Table 1 displays the frequencies for the participant variables in the full PRAP cohort and according to recruitment method. In the full sample, there was considerable variability in age (M = 48.7 years, SD = 8.6), education, and income. Three-quarters of the participants were AA, under two-thirds were married or partnered, and most reported being employed full time. More than three-quarters of study participants reported having health insurance and just over half had a family history of PCA. More individuals were recruited via radio than from referral or other methods (χ2 = 298.13, p < .0001). There were statistically significant differences in several participant characteristics according to recruitment method. Compared to referral or other recruitment methods, individuals recruited via radio were more likely to be AA, less educated, not married or partnered, and were less likely to have a family history of PCA. Participants recruited via referral were more likely to have a higher income compared to other individuals.
Table 2 displays the show rates for the initial PRAP visit by participant characteristics and recruitment method. Across all participants, the show rate for the initial PRAP appointment was 64.9%. Characteristics associated with a lower show rate included being AA, low education, not being married or partnered, lack of employment, low income, and having no family history of PCA. Each characteristic, with the exception of family history of PCA (p = .998), was also significantly associated (ps ≤ .027) with show rate in a multiple logistic regression analysis. In subgroup analyses, the show rate for white participants (83.2% show rate overall) did not differ significantly according to the other participant characteristics. However, AA participants (overall show rate = 59.7%) were less likely to attend their initial PRAP appointment if they had a low level of education, were not married or partnered, lacked current employment, or had a low income. Each of these characteristics remained significantly associated with the show rate in a multiple logistic regression analysis (ps ≤ .036).
In the full sample, individuals recruited via referral were more likely to attend their initial PRAP appointment than those recruited by radio or other methods (χ2 = 27.08, p < .0001). In subgroup analyses, the show rate among individuals recruited via radio was lower if they were AA, had a low level of education, were not married or partnered, or did not have a family history of PCA. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the lower show rate for African Americans (p = .006) and those not married or partnered (p = .008) remained significant, but neither education (p = .086) nor family history of PCA (p = .695) was associated with the show rate. Among individuals recruited via referral, the only participant characteristic associated with the show rate was employment status, with a lower show rate found among individuals not currently employed. The show rate for individuals recruited via methods other than radio or referral did not vary according to any of the participant characteristics.
The importance of studying PCA risk assessment in high-risk men is coming to light in order to discuss PCA screening and gain knowledge of how to personalize approaches to diagnose aggressive PCA at a curable point. Studying PCA screening strategies is of particular importance given the controversy surrounding PCA screening for the general male population.3, 4 Recruitment of high-risk men to PCA screening studies should lead to a careful discussion between doctor and patient regarding the pros, cons, and unknowns regarding PCA screening in high-risk men. However, there are significant challenges in recruiting high-risk men to take part in screening studies. Enhancing show rates to early detection studies will help to educate high-risk men to make an informed decision regarding PCA screening. In this report, our objective was to identify participant factors that are associated with recruitment to PRAP and show to the first visit by recruitment method. To our knowledge, this is the first such comprehensive analysis regarding high-risk men recruited to a PCA early detection program.
Radio advertisements led to the majority of recruitment to PRAP, with 63.5% of men recruited via radio recruitment efforts. In addition, we found that radio advertisements resulted in the recruitment of high-risk men who have less education, are less frequently married, and have lower rates of a family history of PCA. Therefore, radio remains a viable avenue for conveying health information to underserved populations, many of whom are at high-risk for PCA. However, the dilemma arises that these same underserved, minority males recruited through radio advertisements have lower show rates to their initial PCA screening visits. Targeted measures that enhance men's attendance at screening visits should be studied. Such measures may include mailed educational material regarding PCA early detection, discussing fears related to PCA screening tests, and tailoring radio advertisements by including the importance discussing PCA screening with medical professionals. We plan in the future to evaluate radio messages that stress the importance of discussing PCA screening with medical professionals because, while PCA screening remains controversial, it is still the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in US men. 1
Referrals remain an important recruitment method for PCA screening studies for high-risk men. In our study, 22.6% of men recruited to PRAP were by referrals, the majority of whom were white men. Show rates to the first PRAP visit were enhanced if men had a higher income and/or were employed. This is likely related to having health insurance coverage for PCA screening services. Men who were recruited to PRAP via referrals did have higher show rates to the first appointment. This highlights how personal communication with high-risk men from doctors, family, friends, religious advisors, and others may enhance men's seeking and showing for PCA education and discussion of screening.
Health insurance coverage remains a barrier to participation. AA men represent a large subset of high-risk men without health insurance. In our study, AA men were less likely to have health insurance coverage than White men (χ2 = 7.05, p = .005). Ironically, these AA men are also primarily recruited via radio advertisements by which more AA men are recruited to PRAP. Our findings remain of concern since one report found that health insurance is a determinant of the stage of presentation in men treated with radical prostatectomy for localized PCA.17 Continued efforts are needed to provide AA men access to PCA screening studies where the pros and cons of PCA screening can be discussed.
Our report has several limitations primarily related to missing information. There were varying degrees of missing information regarding each of the demographic variables (Table 1 and Table 2), which is likely due to information being obtained via phone intake and by questionnaire. Another limitation was that data from the Partner hospitals were not able to be included due to the amount of missing information. Barriers may exist at the community level regarding adherence to high-risk screening protocols and acquiring demographic information from participants via a self-reported questionnaire. Data regarding health insurance information was limited as health insurance coverage was not required for entry into PRAP prior to 2003. Health insurance coverage remains a key factor to study regarding access to PCA early detection studies.
Participation of high-risk men in PCA screening studies is necessary in order to gain knowledge of how to personalize the early detection of PCA, educate high-risk men regarding the disease, and discuss the pros and cons regarding PCA screening. This analysis found that radio advertisements led to the highest recruitment, while referrals led to superior show rates. Radio resulted in higher recruitment of AA men and those with lower education status. These men also have decreased show rates to the initial appointment. Education and personal communication from physicians, family, and friends should lead to improved follow-through with show to PCA screening visits in order to discuss the issues regarding screening. Studies regarding targeted recruitment methods to motivate high-risk men to show to PCA risk assessment visits are needed in the future.
We are grateful to all participants of the Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program.
Supporting Grants:
PA Department of Health Grant #98-PADOH-ME-98155, NIH CCSG (CA06927)
Institutional Review Board Approval:
The Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program is an approved study by the Institutional Review Board at Fox Chase Cancer Center – IRB # 96-091
PubMed Central Canada is a service of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) working in partnership with the National Research Council's national science library in cooperation with the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the U.S. National Library of Medicine(NCBI/NLM). It includes content provided to the PubMed Central International archive by participating publishers.


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I've had some time to build the antenna and then to run a few quick tests on it as well.
The setup was the antenna with about two feet of 300 Ohm twinlead, then a connector to about three feet of 75 Ohm coax. The connector either had a transformer in it or not.
This was then fed into the HVG-950Q tuner stick running the WinTV Ver 7 software and the Digital Signal Monitor software both from Hauppauge:
USB WinTV-HVR-950Q stick:
Hauppauge Computer Works : WinTV-HVR-950Q Product Description
Digital Signal Monitor Software, Free:
Digital Signal Monitor - Hauppauge
1. It seems to be better than the small vertical antenna that came with the WinTV HVR-950Q USB stick. I'll have to test longer to see if I can get a good average of the improvement.
2. It also seems to be better to not use a 300-75 Ohm impedance transformer.
For #2 the points are preliminary. It seems clear that I'll have to do the tests again and over a longer time base for each individual point for a better approximation of the changes due to not using the transformer. In one case I may also need to use an attenuator to lower the signal since it topped out at a SNR of 27 for both the min and the max values.
In any event, here are the preliminary results:
Without the transformer:
Best: +10 - could be more since this topped out at 27 both min & max
Worst: -4
Average: +2
# Stations that improved: 8 out of 10
# Stations that worsened: 2 out of 10
I'm still working on the best way to use the tuner and digital signal monitor so hopefully the test results will be clearer. I also plan on testing a few snap on RF blockers to keep the coax from becoming part of the antenna system which may or may not help in clarifying the test results.
Until next time...
All the readings I've taken with this antenna comparing it to my standard bowtie antenna show that the two are neck and neck with each one being a bit better than the other at certain frequencies.
That being the case I would suggest trying to build a simpler Turnstile-Bowtie antenna. I'll have to get a photo of one I built back in 2002. I wrote an article about it at the time which was published in Popular Communications, January 2003, p 6-10, "Phil's Easy Way To Improve Your UHF TV Reception"
After picking up the Digiair Pro ATSC Signal Analyzer, from SolidSignal.com I tested the Fractal antenna and a simple bowtie antenna of the typical 8" element length. That's 16" bent in half with a V shape with the ends being 3" apart as one side of the bowtie.
The bottom line for this test was simply that the Bow Tie antenna was better, there was unfortunately nothing "magic" about the Fractal antenna. I heard back from the author and he felt that removing the "instructable" was called for since these results were so clearly contradictory to his hopes.
NOTE: That the Digair channels are the REAL Channel numbers meaning the FCC channel numbers/frequencies so you can look up the actual frequencies,
The results for the stations tested are:
As of Aug 25, 2013 it looks like the author put the Instructable back up. I have the new link to it above in the original article. I updated that link on 05/22/2014. -PhilK
Since you have such an interest in building Home Brew antennas, I have to wonder why you haven't built some reference antennas to measure the gain of your projects?
It didn't take much effort to do this and get results within a dB of the published gain for the antenna under test, with the channels in this area.
Yes, this has been done now. I have three antennas, the standard 8" (16") bow tie, a 12" (24") version and a 16" (32") version which I've tested to see how the longer elements compare to the standard 8" element version. Those results will be published eventually. The 8" version is my standard and it was the one used above to compare with the Fractal antenna.
I also selected a location to do my tests from and a standard height so I'll be able to compare different antennas at different times/days, though I'll probably take the standard antenna with me to make sure everything is still the same, and if not then I'll have to record the new readings to do a valid comparison.
I'm presently in the process of evaluating the results of the 8, 12, 16 inch bow tie elements along with the 8" quad design. Next I will build a dual section (four elements, making two bow tie antennas connected together) antenna with the three sizes of elements. If I get one which is noticeably better than the others then I may turn that into a turnstile design and go with it for my home antenna.
To let you know what's coming I will say that so far it looks like the 16" element version compares about the same as the quad 8" element version.
The Digiair measures in dBuV. I tested my "good" attenuators and noticed no glaring problems, so if I use a 6dB attenuator in drops the signal level measured by the Digiair by 6 dBuV.
To be better I'd have to test every attenuator against a constant source which I don't have.
I also do not have either repeatability or reproducibility numbers on the Digiair. There is no way I'll be able to test for reproducibility since I only have one unit, but I can make a stab at the repeatability by using a clear day, a clear shot at one or more DTV signals, and simply repeating the test for a set amount of time. I do have plans to run such a test to at least get some kind of repeatability numbers. They won't be perfect, but they will be real-world numbers. Perfect would be to test a unit (a number of units) against a known dBuV source, with a constant output, over a known distance and take hundreds of measurements. I think we can assume that the transmitters do not change their outputs, at least not significantly, we know that atmospheric conditions can and do effect UHF signals so even on a day-to-day basis the signal levels received will vary. While I don't know the exact distance, I can at least place my antenna in the same spot +/- a foot or two over a distance of about 26 miles, so I think we can assume that will be pretty much the same. I can also measure the humidity and temperature so we have that, and if I ever get the chance I'll try to measure on a significantly different kind of day to see what effect it has on the numbers.
I will see about building a "standard" antenna. Since almost all designs I've seen on the web and many manufactured units use about 8" I'll standardize on that length for the "standard" bow tie antenna.
So, to answer your question the units will be dBb - dB vs. standard 8" bow tie antenna.
I will not be taking hundreds of data points I'm planning on a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25, I'll see how I feel about doing all this once I get into it.
Once I have even this level of repeatability number I should be able to then test each of the attenuators, or at least some number of them, and see how they fare.
Suggestions and ideas are welcome.
I took a much simpler approach by going back to basics.
I don't need to know the signal strength. I just need to have one.
The simplicity of dBd is that it's referenced to a dipole.
Building a dipole for a given frequency is easy.
I built seven: 2 for my VHF channels and 5 to cover the my UHF.
I used a crude USB tuner stick and pads to keep it within it's linear range.
Measured the delta of the SNR between my dipoles and a Winegard.
Compared my result with Winegard's and found I was within 1 dB.
This is as "home brew" as I could be.
If you want to have a "standard antenna", you might want to follow these steps to characterize it.
Thanks again for your input. I may be missing something, or a number of some things, but from my experience the signals here vary too much for me to say any number is within 1 dB of anything but the repeatability of the measurement.
As can be seen on my repeatability measurements, located at: Solid Signal Blog - Bow Tie Element Length Evaluation using the Digiair meter I see stations with repeatability within minutes of each reading being +/- 1 dBuV, while other stations are better, or worse. To be completely rigorous I'd have to characterize each station I'm going to use and keep the repeatability measurements for each of these stations.
At present using the 8" quad bow tie I found at least 34 stations, channel 10 was just measurable at 30.4 dBuV and would probably not be usable for tests unless an antenna improved the signal level and brought it up significantly.
Your basing everything on a dipole is very good and if you could publish your data then we could all see it. I do not intend making dipoles for each channel bandwidth since you have already done it for your channels. If I find that I cannot reconcile my findings with yours I may cut my own dipoles to see if I can duplicate your numbers and if not, then figure out why not. I am standardizing on the 8" bow tie since it is, by theory, a wideband antenna. Also, when comparing to manufactured antennas I'd much rather have one standard antenna to compare against rather than 34 or more dipoles.
My test location is not at home, it is up on Mt. Airy ridge in a school parking lot which makes putting the base and mast up at the same location very easy. It also has a much cleaner path towards Baltimore and Frederick than my home location, the path to Washington is still somewhat blocked but seems to still be better than my home location.
All channel numbers correspond to the FCC mandated channel frequency bandwidths as published before the DTV conversion. From now on I will call the identification "channel numbers" IDs so a channel transmitting on channel 48 may have an ID of "4" as does our Washington DC NBC Channel 4 TV station which is now transmitting on the channel 48 FCC frequencies. So, again Ch # is the real channel corresponding to the FCC published frequency bandwidths, ID, if used, is the number still used by a station that changed its frequencies but not its original channel number as its identification number.
I believe this is the only way to match up our frequencies since using the stations' channel ID numbers will not always insure that we are talking about the same frequencies.
Here are the channels the Digiair receives in this test location:
Quad 8" using the
300 to 75 Ohm
10......30.4 - Min
41......81.1 - Max
Average: 51.4
Spread: 47.8
This project turned into just a feasibility study, as my interest faded after proving I could "match" the gain results of the antenna manufacturer, by simply building dipoles.
I've followed your articles, but they've seemed to lack a reference (point). Sort of like dB to dBm, where the latter is power, but the former is "unit less".
Antenna gain is either in dBd, or dBi, and you've explained how to compare/convert.
Building dipoles is something your readers can do [if they're interested] and have repeatable results to a common reference.
From this the various antenna designs should be able to be compared and repeated by others, by either using power meters, or as I did, using a USB tuner stick and measuring the SNR. This method required "pads" to attenuate the signal to keep the software within it's linear range.
In my younger days, testing was my interest, but after 30 years, my interest has waned to the test setup & methodology for valid results.
I understand perfectly about waning interest. I'll try to put together an adjustable length dipole from two adjustable length radio antennas so I can compare the 8" bow tie to a dipole to see what we have.
Some, if not all, of my basic assumptions about a bow tie antenna have been proven wrong by my research and these experiments. I like the idea of having a reference point to something we know, and I can certainly make one or two adjustable dipole antennas which should allow me to compare against. I'll first do the calculations to see what is needed as far as length is concerned, I've done this before and sort of remember that the longest wavelength for channel 7 is around 68 inches meaning a dipole should be around 34 inches so that means I need adjustable elements that can extend to 17 inches each. Then they have to compress to at least 8" and possibly 5" but I'll have to look at the channel 50 frequencies again.
I'm glad to hear you're watching the blog and any time you want to chime in, please do. All ideas and corrections are welcome. Our discussion really motivated me to test my assumptions and the present and future articles will show the fruits of that endeavor.
Another "tidbit" copper is better than steel.
My first round was with coat hangers and measured gain was 1dB better than published for UHF and 1.5 dB for VHF.
A "spot check" using copper matched the published gain much closer, leading me to believe copper should be used.
My guess would be that they used aluminum not copper for any antenna they're testing but I don't really know for sure. The antenna manufacturers definitely use Al but scientists doing the tests? You're probably right that they use copper. I don't doubt that using copper is better but I'll have to use what I have which will be whatever they make those extendable antennas out of, though it might be good to do the tests with one copper antenna for one channel to see what the difference is, if any.
Thanks for the heads up.
Copper & aluminum may be close, but using steel looks to lower the gain of the dipole by 1 + dB, so comparing to "the other" antenna makes it appear to have more gain than it does.
What I didn't get to was making a long dipole and then cut it shorter as I moved up the frequency range.
This might work for you if you're trying to characterize an antenna that will become your reference for other antennas.
I hope to build this over the next few days. I've also ordered a few smaller extendable antennas so I can make a version to get to the top frequencies of the UHF TV band. By the way, a dipole antenna, if cut to the correct length for a given frequency, has a free-space impedance of about 73 ohms. This is common amateur radio knowledge and every article I've read has confirmed that. No doubt as we add elements, as in a Yagi-Uda design or in a Log-periodic design, this changes. I've stated elsewhere what I've read about the design impedance of both of these. By the way, I tested out the 16" bow tie elements in a vertical arrangement so I could use them on the amateur radio, ham, 2-meter band. It worked very well and the impedances I measured with my antenna analyzer were between 40 and 60 ohms. Hams try to design antennas to match a nominal 50 Ohms since that is what most manufacturers design the antenna inputs of ham radios to use.
The only antennas I know of with an inherent 300 ohm impedance are the folded dipole and loop antennas. This impedance is only for the frequency of design, which means the over-all length of the wire, which is a full wavelength long for the frequency of interest/design. As far as I know, no TV antenna is based on a folded dipole or loop antenna. The loop is a very common antenna for shortwave listeners (SWLs) to use for a number of reasons and it is also used by hams in a number of arrangements as well. I did once build a full-wave loop antenna for a neighbor and friend and it worked quite well for her back in the pre-DTV days. I had to design it for channel 2 frequencies at the time since that was the longest wavelength to be received. As hams and SWLs have found, this antenna receives very well from all directions and for all frequencies at and smaller than the design frequency. So, her TV reception with the antenna tacked to the ceiling of her den brought in stations from transmitters to her east and south from the closest two cities.
I am damn sure about it....

subset: commoncrawl


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Price: Free
sniper shot – strike force 3D
Android Game Review by AndroidAppsReview.com
Somewhere between taking advantage of the advanced gaming capability of the Android platform and not quite polished enough to be a blockbuster, you'll find Sniper Shot – Strike Force 3D by brazuka.
This is a thrilling new Android first-person shooter game built on the Unity platform. While there's a lot to enjoy about this game there are also a few somewhat substantial holes, so let's get into it.
Concept and Functionality
You play a sniper, assigned to retrieve five keys from a factory all while taking out the assorted guards lurking about a factory.
The factory itself is one of the ways in which this game shines. By utilizing the Unity toolset, the developer has constructed a fully 3D environment to explore, which really plays well on both phone and tablet.
The controls are fairly standard for a shooter – two virtual thumbsticks are available on the left and right, controlling movement and aim respectively.
Also located on the right are your zoom, reload, and shoot buttons. For the most part, the controls work smoothly and are rather accurate to the touch. You can adjust the sensitivity of the aim side in the menu.
You face off against immobile AI controlled opponents who are actually extremely tame. They do not fire at you until you are within a preset distance and, even then, their aim is demonstrably off.
In our tests, we stood directly in front of them and were not shot perhaps nine of ten times. This is an area in which the developers should at least provide a difficulty toggle as the challenge was very limited by this factor.
The "sniper" in Sniper Shot comes into play when you use the zoom function. Like a sniper taking aim, you can scope out your target with one tap and control the zoom further by sliding up and down on the button while you're in zoom mode.
Here, however, is where the second of the holes shows up. The center of your screen holds a crosshair which allows you to target where you fire. However, the aim is substantially off with a leftward pull, meaning you always have to fire slightly to the right of the target you want to hit.
You earn a rank on the stage based on how many of the enemies you find and kill and how many of the keys you retrieve. Earn a high enough rank and you unlock new weapons to use in your next attempt.
Overall Value
Despite its flaws, Sniper Shot – Strike Force 3D has a lot to offer as a casual attempt at an entry into the shooter genre. With further development, something the Unity toolset will offer in spades, we have no doubt this game will be excellent.
sniper shot – strike force 3D requires Android 2.3+. A small expedite fee was paid to speed up the publication of this review.
AndroidAppsReview's Rating:
Find your next Android Game at AndroidAppsReview.com
What do YOU think? We'd love to hear your comments, try it and let us know!


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Doing a two-fer question here:
1. When I go to the Straight Talk site and punch in my home zip code, it only offers me "AT&T Compatible Micro SIM Card" or "AT&T Compatible SIM Card"; no T-Mobile option and I can't see a way around it. I'm in suburban Detroit if that matters. I was leaning towards going with AT&T anyway, but was thinking of trying both before settling down.
B. In this weeks AC podcast, Phil (IIRC) spoke about how you could possibly get better prices if you went into an actual B&M location and discussed plans vs. mucking about with what's on the site. ($30 web-exclusive excepted, I'm guessing, not that I can make it with only 100 mins of talk. I'm not THAT much of a misanthrope.) I don't know if he was referring to the Value Plans - which actually would be cool if the 500 mins + unlimited text/data was a no-contract deal monthly deal - or what. Anyone have a clue about this?


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Breast Augmentation Question From Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Breast Augmentation Question
One of the perennially popular topics we address at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics is that of breast augmentation, particularly breast implants. This week's ACA Question of the Week for "Ask Dr. Pane" comes from a viewer in Palm Beach Gardens, and is concerned with downsizing one's implants. The viewer says, "Hi there. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am wanting to downsize from 600cc's to about 350ccs with an exchange as well as a lift. I had an augmentation done six years ago. They were always too big to me. I am concerned about the pocket under the muscle. When I lay on my back my breasts both lay on my sides. So my concern is if he puts a smaller implant what's to keep it from swimming around? Is there a way to go OVER the muscle? Is that usually more costly?"
Dr. Pane points out that especially in cases where larger initial augmentations are done, the breasts falling to the side when the patient lies prone is quite common. Women who have large breasts either naturally or through surgical means often find this is the case, to varying degrees depending on a number of factors. However, in women with larger implants, over time the tissues surrounding the implant can and often do stretch under the force of gravity and daily activity, pronouncing the effect significantly.
In this case, Dr. Pane says that an implant placed over the muscle is an option, but it may not may deliver the most optimal outcome for this particular situation. This is because placing the implant over the muscle would require the formation of a new scar capsule and make it more likely that the implant would tend to "swim" or move around while the capsule forms. Instead, the better choice may be to place the replacement implant into the old scar capsule and then tighten up the capsule around the new implant. This would help reduce the chance of the implant moving and make the replacement procedure more comfortable and likely to succeed than the over-the-muscle procedure.
One concern many patients raise is whether a given surgeon will perform a replacement implant procedure, particularly when reducing the size of the implant. Dr. Pane says that many will not, largely because any revision surgery increases the likelihood of complications. Additionally, with implant reduction and replacement, many surgeons are not comfortable trying to remediate the scar capsule to fit the new implant after it has spent several years sizing itself to the initial implant. Dr. Pane points out that this is a procedure he is comfortable doing and with which he enjoys an excellent success and patient satisfaction rate.
In many cases, there is no "wrong" procedure or surgical route to a given outcome, only which route is most likely to produce the desired result with the least amount of risk. As Dr. Pane notes, pictures, physical descriptions and even a complete set of medical records can only tell so much about what a given patient can expect. There is really no substitute for an in-person clinical evaluation, as in this case, to determine how the current implants are resting within the scar capsule, what the patient's intended outcome is and what surgical options will best suit the patient's needs safely.
Because revision and remediation procedures tend to carry greater risks of postoperative complications, it is even more important to follow sound aftercare procedures as assigned by the surgeon or clinical staff. These protocols help reduce the risk of infection and exposure to environmental irritants while facilitating the healing process. It is also critical to maintain contact with the surgeon and/or staff both before and after the procedure and to make sure to report any potential warning signs of a problem or complication right away. In most cases, patients find there is nothing abnormal occurring, but it is better to be seen for a "false alarm" than to not be seen for a complication that could be dangerous or even fatal if not addressed quickly.
If you have a cosmetic surgery-related question for Dr. Thomas A. Pane or the staff of Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we're always pleased to talk with current and prospective patients about their needs, desires and concerns. Simply email us at http://acplasticsurg.com, follow our Facebook and Twitter pages or call us at (561) 442-4116. Your question may even be the next ACA Question of the Week, answered live in an upcoming "Ask Dr. Pane" segment on a live Google Hangout. These questions are valuable because they help us answer your question while getting the word out to others who share your interests and concerns. Remember, at ACA we believe the only bad question is the one you don't ask!
Our new location!
Atlantic Coast Aesthetics
4360 Northlake Blvd. Suite 106
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(561) 422-4116
*Individual results may vary


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Just as there's Yelp for foodies, there's Leafly for people on the hunt for pot. With the drug now mostly legal in two US states and 21 states accepting the use of medical marijuana, Leafly is one startup like many others that's getting the jump on the relaxing state laws.
Leafly describes itself as the "world's largest cannabis strain resource," as it features over 50,000 different kinds of marijuana, plus over 20,000 dispensary reviews. Since it's difficult to know where to start, on a daily basis Leafly highlights one of its thousands of strains on its home page, showing off its reviews and ratings. As well, users can search for a particular strain in reverse by looking up its attributes, effects or recommended medical uses. When you join Leafly, there's also the option to filter the strains by your favorites, as well as ones you have and have not yet reviewed.
Weed-Reviewing Websites
More Stats +/-
Hippie Cannabis Photography
Ganja Rebranding Projects
Pot-Infused Snack Packaging
Marijuana-Infused Pizzas
Web-Savvy Cannabis Clubs
Leafly Helps Users Find and Review Over 50,000 Marijuana Strains
- By: Laura McQuarrieApr 23, 2014
References: leafly & fastcompany
References: leafly & fastcompany


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5 Specific Tricks for Organizing a Small Kitchen Space
This has to be my favorite room in the house and I love just going into it and organizing all of the cabinets. If you are not like me you may need a little help when it comes to this room. Lucky for you I know all about making the most of a small kitchen space.
1. The first thing you need to look at is if you have an area for a dining table. If you do not and you do not have a dining area in your home you still have a few choices. If there is an island in the kitchen area simply placing a few bar stools around it will allow you to have a place to enjoy your meals without taking up any extra space. If you do not have an island consider purchasing a small table. You do not have to have a huge table to eat your meals at and if there is no space at all for any sized table, some simple TV dinner trays will do the trick.
2. Now you need to look at the amount of cabinets and drawers that you have. Decide what you will need cabinets for, food, dishes and of course under the sink can be used for cleaning supplies. You also need to consider what you will need drawer space for. This could be silverware, small packs of sauces or maybe kool-aid packs, notebooks, pens and bills may also be items that you want to keep in these drawers.
3. Get a small rolling cart to help provide some extra counter space for when you are preparing meals. Another option for this is to use your kitchen table for prep if you have space for one. You can use a rolling cart for your microwave, can opener, coffee pot and toaster providing you get one with several shelves. This can also be used for your kitchen wash clothes, hand towels or pot holders.
4. Use the wall space. There is no reason for you to have 20 coffee cups, so grab some hooks and hang up your favorite 4 on the wall. Hang shelves on the wall to keep items off of your counter so that you will have more space to work.
5. Use a pot rack to free up cabinet space, display your pots and pans and add a little bit of flare to your kitchen.
It only takes a little bit of creativity when it comes to finding extra space and taking advantage of it in your kitchen. Try using the top of your refrigerator for storing items that you do not use on a daily basis, such as your blender or bread maker. I like to keep my bags of dog food on top of the fridge Doing this keeps it away from the dogs and keeps the dog food from taking up extra space in my home. Get creative and when you see space that you can use for storage, utilize it!
Credit : Stevens, Riley (2015-04-24). 50 Ways To Maximize Your Small Space In 50 Minutes.
Tag : Kitchen organization, Kitchen declutter,Kitchen space saving, Kitchen space, Small space, Kitchen storage, Kitchen storage idea, Organizing Kitchen


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Accession Number : ADA329265
Title : Machine Learning for Military Operations.
Descriptive Note : Final technical rept. Apr 93-May 96,
Corporate Author : SRI INTERNATIONAL MENLO PARK CA
Personal Author(s) : DESJardins, Marie E.
PDF Url : ADA329265
Report Date : JUL 1997
Pagination or Media Count : 43
Abstract : This report covers the application of Machine Learning Techniques to building planning operators. Specifically, developing intelligent tools for acquiring, refining, and validating knowledge bases for operations planning systems.
Descriptors : *MILITARY OPERATIONS, *LEARNING MACHINES, *KNOWLEDGE BASED SYSTEMS, SIMULATORS, METHODOLOGY, VALIDATION, PLANNING.
Subject Categories : Computer Systems
Distribution Statement : APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces that it is investigating claims against Amec Foster Wheeler plc ("Amec Foster" or the "Company") (NYSE: AMFW) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.
To get more information about this investigation, please contact Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or by email at email@example.com.
On July 11, 2017, Amec Foster disclosed that the UK Serious Fraud Office commenced an investigation into the Company and its officers and employees for past use of third parties and "suspected offences of bribery, corruption and related offences." When this information was announced, shares of Amec fell in value.
Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.


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Delivery and returns
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- £3.99 Next day home delivery* - NEW now order up until 10pm
- Free standard home delivery on orders over £50 - get your clothing, home, beauty and wine order within 3-5 working days.**
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Fortifying marine collagen, nourishing provitamin B5 and hydrating botanicals help prevent and repair styling damage to deliver maximum shine. Refreshing eucalyptus and cool mint awaken the senses.
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- Marine collagen improves moisture absorption and retention to refine hair's texture, vitality and strength
- Provitamin B deeply nourishes hair and contributes to silky feel and shine without buildup
- Moisture-rich marine botanicals, including wakame, sea lettuce and sea fennel,
- deeply hydrate to repair and protect hair from environmental stress
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text: Dear Educator: As you all know I am quite new to H bags. Is there such things as an official LIMIT to the no. of bags we are allow buy in US per color per style??? I was just told yesterday that I can NOT buy too many even if they are different style by my local H-store??? Is this true?! I am in a "Hermes Fever" now and I need to know so I won't spent too much effort if these are things that $ can't buy and also risk of DH finding out.... Pls. help a LOST gal.... Thank you, Morgan Pls. educate me so


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Just curious if anyone else out there is into photography. If so, what type of equipment are you using and what type of pictures do you usually shoot? I'll go first, I typically shoot landscapes, have been starting to try and do portraitures, and I use my Canon T5i
Most Helpful Girl
I use a Nikon D3 with a SB-300 Speedlight. Equipment is expensive I can't afford more at the moment, so I work with what I have. I'm not a "professional" by any means just good with a camera. For me, it's a passion/hobby.00|00|0
Same with me, I can't afford anything more than just my camera body, lens, a few filters and a tripod. I hate how expensive it is, but it's such a fun hobby. What kind of shots do you usually go for?
- Show AllShow Less
Naw, the only thing I really have is an Instagram
Thank you for MHO.


text: www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-nyt-unnoticed-death-webdec05,1,5318024.story chicagotribune.com Neighbors reflect on woman's death no one noticed By Andy Newman New York Times News Service 2:11 AM CST, December 5, 2007 NEW YORK For the last years of her life, Christina Copeman kept to herself. She stopped answering the door shortly after her estranged husband died in 1990. She turned away from her friends and neighbors in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, ignoring their hellos. So when Copeman dropped out of sight altogether, people were not immediately suspicious. Perhaps she had gone back to Trinidad for a vacation, they said. Maybe she had gotten sick there, or decided to stay. That was a year and a half ago. Outside Copeman's tidy brick row house on East 92nd Street, the days grew longer and shorter again. Mail piled up in the vestibule behind the glass front door. Neighbors collected trash from her porch so she would not get summonses. Copeman was upstairs, dead, curled in a fetal position in the hallway, where the police found her skeletal remains on Monday morning, said Peter Bishop, her nephew. She was dressed to go out, in a coat and a beret, Bishop said. "Winter clothes on," he said Tuesday, "so I guess she died in the winter." Copeman had died of heart disease, the medical examiner said Tuesday. The police said she had been dead between a year and 18 months. It seems impossible for a person to fall through the cracks like that, to die in her own home and go undiscovered. New York is a big city, but it is impersonal only at a distance. People have neighbors. They have relatives. But Christina Copeman, who would be 70 if she were alive today, managed to slip away almost by sheer force of will. "It's a shame," said her next-door neighbor Ruby Fulmer, 92, a retired nursing professor who said she had been calling 311 for more than a year trying to figure out how to solve the mystery of Copeman. "But I think it's also part of the way she lived the last few years of her life." Althea Bishop, who is Copeman's sister-in-law,said she could not figure out how to get help for her. "What am I going to do, call the cops and say there's a lady inside who doesn't want to talk?" she said. "If she couldn't walk or see or hear, it would be one thing. But she was fine. She just didn't want to deal with us." Another neighbor, Dolores Harvey, said she had called the local precinct, the 67th, in summer 2006 after smelling an intermittent foul odor from Copeman's house, but that two officers who went to the house the next day told her they smelled nothing amiss. "They said that if she had passed away in the house we would have smelled it," said Harvey, 49. "They said there was nothing to do; they couldn't break down the door." The police department's chief spokesman, Paul J. Browne, said Tuesday that the police had reviewed the last 20 months of records and found no calls to Copeman's address until Saturday, when the police checked on her at Peter Bishop's request but did not break down the door. When Peter Bishop accompanied the police to the house on Monday, they forced their way in and found her inside, Browne said. Copeman, who emigrated from Trinidad as a teenager and worked for years at a bank in Manhattan, was a quiet woman to begin with, her relatives and neighbors said. "She just liked to work, and come home, didn't have too many friends coming over," said Peter Bishop, 50, who lived with the Copemans in the 1970s. "Maybe watch a little TV. She read love stories." After her husband, Joseph Copeman, left her in the 1980s, she grew more withdrawn and depressed, Fulmer said. Then Joseph Copeman and Christina Copeman's father died in quick succession. Soon, Fulmer said, "she stopped talking to everybody. I'd see her right on the front step and say 'Hello, Christine' and she'd turn her head. If you saw her coming halfway down the block and said 'Hey Christine, wait up,' she'd roll her eyes and turn the other way." Althea Bishop said she last spoke to Copeman in about 1991. "She stood behind the curtain and she talked through the door. 'I'm fine, you all could leave now.'" Bishop recalled her saying. Subsequent visits from the Bishops were greeted with either silence or a call to the police, she said. Fulmer said she last saw Copeman alive sometime in 2005. "She was wearing a coat, kind of sweeping around her front porch," Fulmer said. "She didn't talk to me then, either." Another neighbor, Lester Watson, said he ran into Copeman on the street around the fall of 2005. "She told me she was going away for a little while," he said. Months passed. Bills came and went unpaid. Con Edison officials said that they canceled Copeman's account last year but left her power on, and that there had been no power use at the home for more than a year. The pile of unclaimed mail grew, puzzling neighbors. A spokeswoman for the postal service, Patricia McGovern, said that while mail carriers often take it upon themselves to notify the authorities when a customer does not seem to be collecting the mail, there is no requirement that they do so. In 2006, Copeman's roof began leaking into Fulmer's house. Fulmer called 311. The Department of Buildings sent an inspector who documented the house's condition in impressive detail. "Large holes in roofing paper at various locations on roof," the report reads. "Flashing at sides broken. Large holes observed. Facia board rotten at front of building." The department issued Copeman a violation in April 2007. "Remedy," it said: "Make safe immediate repair." The yellow violation notice fluttered in the cold breeze on Copeman's front porch Tuesday, half-buried beneath phone books and business cards and fliers for furniture sales long past.


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The Problem With Typical Direct Mail Marketing
For years direct mail was a great way to get your message out in a personal way to hundreds or thousands of people in your target market. But as it got more and more expensive over the years and more and more saturated, it became less and less effective.
People's mailboxes became overcrowded and people quickly developed an 'A' pile and a 'B' pile system. Anything that looked like 'real' mail went in the A pile and got opened. Anything that smelled of 'junk' mail went in the B pile and got tossed.
A lot of direct mail advertising ended up in the B pile and the return on investment just wasn't there.
One type of direct mail has survived and that's Val-Pack coupons and similar advertising concepts. If you are not familiar with these programs, they are basically sending out an envelope of coupons in the mail to homeowners. Advertisers benefit by sharing mailing costs. It sounds good but there are some problems with this type of advertising as well which we'll see shortly.
The Solution – 9×12 Co-Op Postcards
So far we've talked about a few different problems when it comes to advertising…
- The advertising needs to be inexpensive enough to turn a substantial profit
- The advertising needs to be in a place where people will actually read it
- The advertising needs to grab people's attention and interrupt those who may not have been looking for what you are offering previous to them getting your advertising
The solution to your advertising problems are our new 9×12 Co-Op Postcards. They are inexpensive (as you'll see shortly), they grab people's attention long enough to get your message across and they actually get read.
They are new, innovative and exciting so they rise to the top of the homeowners mail pile, over top of the B pile and even above the A pile.
Let's learn more about our 9×12 Co-Op Postcards and how they work…
What Are 9×12 Co-Op Postcards?
Our post cards are HUGE:
They are a full 9 inches tall by 12 inches wide and printed on quality stock paper. That's slightly bigger than a standard sheet of writing paper. They are glossy and in full color so they are sure to get people's attention when they land in their mailboxes. Homeowners just aren't used to seeing these types of ads so they are very attention getting. In fact these post cards are likely the first thing your prospective customer will look at when sorting the mail because they are so unusual and attractive.
You'd imagine that a postcard like this might be very expensive but you'd be wrong. The magic is the co-operative nature of the cards…
How Do 9×12 Co-Op Postcards Work?
Even though these postcards are an amazing attention getter, they'd simply be too costly for most businesses to use all on their own. You've likely heard of the term co-operative advertising before. Basically it's when non-competing local businesses share advertising expenses rather than paying the price all on their own.
Small and big companies do it all of the time. You'll see large companies like McDonald's sharing an advertisement with Coke perhaps. On a smaller, more local scale you've probably seen and maybe even advertised in Val-Pak coupons. In case you haven't seen them, Val-Pak (and similar companies) send envelopes to homeowners stuffed with local coupons.
Val-Pack is a great idea except that they have become old news – fewer and fewer people look at them and there's so much stuff in there that it's hard for you to stick out. Most of these types of programs seem to take everybody and anybody, which ruins the integrity of the program.
Our 9×12 Co-Op Postcards are different. Instead of an envelope full of junk, we'll send out 1 beautiful looking postcard with carefully chosen, non-competing advertisers. The cards get looked at immediately because they are so unique and your offer gets read immediately.
In fact, our postcards are so unique and of such high quality that many homeowners will place them on their fridge so your message will stay in front of them for weeks at a time.
And, due to the co-operative nature of these postcards, you'll be pleasantly surprised at just how small the investment is…
So, How Much Do 9×12 Co-Op Postcards Cost?
By now you should be able to see how effective our 9×12 Co-Op postcards are but you are probably wondering if they are cost effective. After all, great advertising isn't so great if it costs you a small fortune.
First let me tell you exactly what we do when you become a customer….
- We take care of all of the design work. Of course we'll probably ask you for some stuff you already have like photos or logos etc. but other than that we take care of all of the design. This helps to keep an attractive look while working with different advertisers who might have different preferences. Your advertisement will obviously be unique but it will have a similar look and feel to the others creating a harmonious appearance.
- We'll help you develop a winning offer. Your ad will only do as well as the offer that is on it. The right offer can make your campaign while a bad offer can ruin it. In order not to leave anything up to chance, our marketing experts will work with you to develop the right offer for your business. This could simply be a coupon or something more complex like a contest. We'll figure it out together.
- We'll help you put tracking mechanisms in place. Advertising is only good if it provides you with a return on investment. And it you're not tracking where your sales are coming from, how can you be sure what your return on investment really is? The right tracking to use depends largely on what type of business you are. We are experts at tracking and we'll help you put the right mechanisms in place so you can fully understand what your return is on this advertising. From things like coupon codes to special tracking numbers, we've got you covered.
- We take care of getting the list. Who you send your advertising to is as important as what you send them. We make sure our postcards are sent to the right neighborhoods – to people who fit your target demographics. If you were a jeweler, you wouldn't want an advertisement for high-end jewelry going to a struggling neighborhood would you? We take care that your ad gets to the right demographic.
- We take care of the printing and mailing. This advertising is totally hands off for you. We print the cards on our high quality printers and we get them mailed as quickly as possible so there's no delay in getting sales rolling in from your advertising.
As you can see there is a lot time, care and support that goes into our 9×12 Co-Op Postcards. Everything is handled for you in a timely, professional manner. Nothing is left to chance because we are as invested in your success as you are – we want you to be an advertiser for many years to come.
We mail our postcards to 10,000 homeowners in your area. Prices start at only $ 0.045 cents per household. That's printed and delivered. Finally there's an inexpensive yet effective way to advertise your products or services.
But are our 9×12 Co-Op Postcards right for you…
Who Are 9×12 Co-Op Postcards For?
First, we service the following areas: Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and San Fernando Valley. If your business targets one ore more of these areas then our advertising may be perfect for you.
You might be wondering what types of businesses these postcards work best for? We've found the best success with businesses that have non-emergency types of products or services. If you offer emergency services like plumbing then you might get lucky timing wise but you probably won't see the big return on your investment like non-emergency businesses.
Typical businesses that do very well with this type of advertising are:
- Restaurants
- Take out pizza places
- Retailers (such as jewelers, health food stores, clothing stores etc.)
- Spas and salons
- Services like massage, chiropractic, dentists etc.
- Home services like painting, landscaping, pool services etc.
- Real estate companies, mortgage brokers, insurance agents etc.
And there's plenty more, those are just a few examples. If you are not sure if our 9×12 Co-Op Postcards are right for you, simply give us a call for a free no-obligation consultation and we'll let you know honestly if we think they will work for you or not.
So, in summary…
What Are The Main Benefits Of 9×12 Co-Op Postcards?
Let's take a moment to recap the main benefits of our 9×12 Co-Op Postcards versus other forms of advertising…
- Our postcards get read. The sheer size of them along with the attractive design virtually guarantees that they will get read versus other types of mailings like small postcards or flyer coupons.
- Our postcards get kept. Again, these are so unique that people will hold on to them for weeks or months. While advertising via coupon packs get sorted over the trash bin, your message stands a good chance of landing on your prospective customers fridge. This ensures it will be looked at often so if the timing isn't exactly right for them to purchase today you'll still be front and center when it is. In fact when our postcards get put on the refrigerator, often other family members and friends will see your ad when visiting so the reach is potentially far greater than just the number of households the postcards are mailed to alone.
- We help you with the marketing. As we mentioned, we'll help you with the offer for your advertising, we'll take care of the graphics, we'll help you put tracking in place and we'll take care of the printing and mailing. We know your time is valuable and this is a hands-off thing for you.
- Our postcards are inexpensive. At only 7 cents per household, our 9×12 Co-Op Postcards are about as an inexpensive form of advertising as you can get. The leverage comes in the co-operative nature of the cards.
- Our postcards are effective. Instead of advertising passively like the Yellow Pages or the Internet and waiting for somebody to need your products or services, our postcards reach out into the community and aggressively advertise what you have to offer. That's effective advertising.
- Our postcards are exclusive. If you are a pizza place then you don't have to worry about competing with another pizza place on our cards. Likewise if you are a car dealer, you'll be the only one. We don't believe in pitting our advertisers against each other.
Here's How To Get Started
Getting started advertising in our 9×12 Co-Op postcards is simple. If your business targets consumers in Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and San Fernando Valley then simply give us a call at 818-937-3042 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
First we'll make sure you are not a competing with another of our advertisers and then we'll let you know honestly if with think we'd make a good fit together.
Give us a call at 818-937-3042 and we'll get started.


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The Movies: The Sixty-Year story of the world of Hollywood and it's effect on America...1000 wonderful pictures
first edition
1957 · New York
by GRIFFITH, Richard and Arthur Mayer
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1957. Very Good/Very Good. First edition. Illustrated by Griffith, Richard and Arthur Mayer. About Very good in near Very good dustwrapper. Hinges loose, top of front hinge starting to crack, some light foxing of pg edges, surface Tears on inner panels, dustwrapper some tearing on bottom spine end--see notes. Hinges shakey. Scrapes to pastedowns where tape has been pulled off. Dustwrapper has 3-4 1/2" tears along bottom edge, rubs at spine ends. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information. (Inventory #: 132234)


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|Spa Hotels & Hotels in Goa is a microsite of www.BestGoaDeals.com and features spa Hotels and hotels based in Goa. We have featured six Hotels namely Taj Exotica Beach Hotel & Spa Goa, The Leela Palace Hotel & Spa Goa, Intercontinental The Lalit Goa Hotel & Spa, Taj Aguada Beach Hotel , Taj Holiday Village Beach Hotel & Spa Goa and Park Hyatt Beach Hotel & Spa Goa. Each of the Spa Hotels and Hotels featuring on the site is best in its category and ensures you have a very memorable stay while in Goa, India.
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text:
The Symbolic Uses of Politics
The symbolic manifestations, purposes, and uses of politics are revealed in this provocative analysis of the institution of politics and man as a political animal.
Unlike the conventional study of politics that deals with how people get the things they want through government, this book concentrates on how politics influence what they want, what they fear, and what they regard as possible. In examining politics as a symbolic form, it looks at man and politics as reflections of each other.
"Written with clarity and preciseness uncommon in the social sciences, . . . The Symbolic Uses of Politics is a classic statement of a theme whose importance is inescapable."--The Activist
"This is a truly social-psychological study of politics, done in an unconventional, imaginative, and appealing style."--Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
To order online:
To order by phone:
(800) 621-2736 (USA/Canada)
(773) 702-7000 (International)
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Celebrate Environment Week by joining the EcoLiving Tour
Whether you are building a new home or retrofitting an existing home to be more sustainable, you will want to join the EcoLiving Tour, Saturday June 9, as EcoLiving Events celebrates its 10th year in offering these informative tours. This year it is held on the final day of "Canadian Environment Week" and we are happy to report that there are many more places to visit than ever before. All indications are leading us to believe that the built environment is becoming more sustainable.


text: Section: Wanted Title: uRs4 lowering stuff Price: 500.00 Location: New York Date: November 01, 2006 Contact: Mike Email: acmlny at taconic.net Phone: Description: NO PICTURES. Looking for used but solid H&R or Eibach as well as Koni's or Bils. I'll pay up to 500.00 . H&R's have to be from a snow-free zone. URL: http://www.audifans.com/marketplace/show.php?table=pm_audifans_Wanted&id=2113 -- [ This is an automated message ] [ You are receiving this message ] [ because you signed up for the ] [ Marketplace email notification. ]


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Bad Dads We Love: Diddy (A Halfhearted Defense)
June 14th, 2010 | by Christopher | Published in Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Diddy (formerly Puffy, formerly Puff Daddy, formerly P. Diddy, formerly various other names) bought his kid a Maybach for a sixteenth-birthday present. List price is $360,000, though given the amount of press he's getting, and given that it'll pop up on an MTV show shortly, I wonder if he paid anything for it.
Of course this is a terrible idea–most kids wreck a car in their new-license days, and it'd be a shame to see this thing wrapped around a tree. (Unless the kid gets a driver in this deal?) But I refuse to argue against this birthday gift on children-are-starving-in-Africa grounds, or even he-didn't-work-for-it grounds. If you live in a getting-and-spending culture (as I certainly do, and virtually every American does, except for a few scattered off-the-grid Kaczynski folks), then you can't say that Diddy is crossing some invisible line of too-much-ness. Yes, the kid probably has a bent sense of values and a shortage of inner life; he was going to be that way from the get-go, given his upbringing, and only if he happens to become a certain type of thinking adult will he ever discover that. Odds are, he won't. Crazy birthday presents are just the visible details.
The problem here is not excessive spending; the problem, such as it is, is being vulgar about it, and all that distinguishes vulgarity from actual elegance is a set of invisible class signifiers that function as secret handshakes. (You're allowed to buy a massively expensive car, but add some chrome hubcaps and suddenly you're Not Doing It Right.) It's why arrivistes wear Oxfords with giant Ralph Lauren logos but old preppies get their shirts, sans trademark, at Brooks Brothers. The latter can be spotted by its cut and the roll of the collar, and you have to know what to look for, whereas the former is obviously spendy. Either way, it's a brand name, just a more subtle one. I say, if we're going to live this way–and I ruefully admire his lack of self-consciousness about the details of how he'll be perceived–we have to just let the kid enjoy his awesome wheels.
Though it definitely screws up the curve for most of us in the birthday-present game. Fortunately, my wife and I have an out: we have no car, so we can't very well be expected to buy our son one. He's welcome to his very own MetroCard when he turns 16, though. That, and the sense of moral superiority that goes with it: It's not that we're broke, it's that we're pro-mass-transit, even when it's a huge pain.


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This is a great hotel. I would recommend it to anybody. We got a Groupon for a discount price. So we took eight people to the hotel for an overnight. (6 adults, 2 children.) There are things to do from age 1 to 100. Check-in was smooth and pain less. Melissa was great on check in and Marry was great on check out. (Marry did remember us from the day before. Even before we said anything! (Very impressed with that.) The water park has a kiddy pool on one side. A playground feel, but with water. 5 water slides. Sizes that fit the appropriate age. 2 of the slides go outside and at night this is AWESOME! Total darkness. The slide they call "Sasquatch" everybody else calls "The Toilet Bowl" (No disrespect!) The lazy river is nice. The only problem is people just leave the river and not take their tube with them. Lots of clutter on the river. If I have to say anything bad about the water park is the lifeguards. Half of the lifeguards are more worried about how they look and talking to friends than watching the people in the water. (Lazy River.)
Now about the rooms. Large rooms for a hotel room. Great beds. I like the idea of using your room key to run the Heat/AC. Saves energy when not in your room. Good thinking. When it was sleepy time, you could not hear anything outside your room. At 8:pm they have story time with "Bernie the Bear" WITH milk and cookies. Stephen, who read the book, put up with a lot. When the cookies and milk where brought out, the rush was on. And they ran out of cookies. At 9:pm they have movie night for the older kids. The breakfast buffet was ok. Nothing outstanding, but filling. Stephen, who was also our server for breakfast, found some extra cookies for our son. Little extra things like that are great. This shows that they will "go a little further" for the guest. I have stayed at a couple of Waterpark/Hotel in Wisconsin, and this ranks on the top. We had an hour and half ride home and the kids sleep all the way. (Also some of the adults.) This is a great place and would drive that again to go here. I will skip the Tundra lodge that is only 20min from our home.
Keep up the good work!!
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- The Grand Lodge Waterpark Resort is a hotel located just outside of downtown Wausau, WI in the cozy neighborhood of Rothschild. The hotel is located near the Granite Peak Ski Area and has a reputation as one of Wausau's best hotels. The hotel offers everything that you need for a pleasant stay, including cozy rooms,food service, and Internet access. Our hotel is a unique destination with a "Northwoods" themed decor that is suited for business and pleasure alike. The Grand Lodge is home to one of Wisconsin's most exciting waterparks - Logger's Landing. This 50,000 square foot fun zone is full of excitement and adventure for the entire family. The Grand Lodge is one of the area's premier hotels. ... more less
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, Expedia, Priceline, Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity and getaroom.com so you can book your Grand Lodge Waterpark Resort reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.
- Also Known As:
- Grand Lodge By Stoney Creek Hotel Rothschild
- Hotel At Cedar Creek
- Lodge At Cedar Creek
- At Cedar Creek Rothschild


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By Gini Bramlett
For the Calapooia Food Alliance
So, what do you do with the empty spaces in your vegetable garden when something is harvested? My garden has gaps here and there from my spring lettuce. I also have a fairly large space from the kohlrabi that is almost done.
It'd be a shame to waste the space with so much great weather yet to be. Planting a fall, winter and early spring garden is the answer. There are lots of plants and seeds that can be planted right now and on into the fall.
Seeds that can still be planted in July, with some even later are beets, carrots, cilantro, collards, fennel, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, overwintering-type onions, parsnips and spinach. For carrots, buy seeds that are specifically for storage and winter harvest.
In August, plant lettuce and arugula every couple of weeks to have a longer harvest. And, believe it or not, fava beans, the most hardy of the bean family, can be planted from mid October through November for harvest the following June, either fresh or dried on the vine.
Some nurseries offer a small selection of vegetable plants this time of year, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower among others.
Winter fertilizing methods vary from summer in that the microorganisms that are seriously active in the summer slow down in winter rendering manures or granular fertilizers inadequate. Use liquid fertilizers such as manure or compost tea or fish fertilizers and do it weekly for heavy feeders such as broccoli, cabbage cauliflower and Brussels sprout. Otherwise every couple of weeks is adequate.
Some overwintering plants may need some sort of protection if freezing temperatures threaten. Sometimes it's as simple as throwing a light covering over the plants, such as a sheet of light plastic or fabric. Whatever works for you is fine, as long as it gives a little protection from harsher weather.
Two great local resources for winter gardening are Adaptive Seed at www.adaptiveseedscom, or 541-367-1105 and Territorial Seed at www.territorialseeds.com or 1-800-626-0866.
An Invitation to the Community Garden
The Calapooia Food Alliance is inviting the community to join them in a visit to the community garden to see what's happening on Wednesday, July 29 from 6-9pm. Refreshments will be served. This open event is a great opportunity to learn about how the garden works, how it helps feed our community, and to introduce children to gardening and connecting with the natural world.
Activities include an art table, Build-a-Bouquet, garden games and more. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy an evening in the garden. No alcohol or smoking please.
For more information about the Calapooia Food Alliance and what it does, visit gocfa.com.
Also, visit our Brownsville Farmer's Market Facebook page for information about our new Thursday Market day from 3-7pm. In addition to locally grown produce and other local products, look for lots of fun activities and live music throughout the summer at the market on Main St. See you there!


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Almost 1500 men, women and children died when the Titanic slipped into the dark cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean some two hours after having been struck by an iceberg on the evening of April 14, 1912. The body of an unknown child was pulled out of the ocean some five days later and was sent to lie with many of the other victims in a cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it remained until some ten years ago.
Incorrectly identified twice before, researchers now believe that they have finally established the identity of the child as 19-month-old Sidney Leslie Goodwin from England. Ryan Parr, an adjunct professor at Lakehead University in Ontario, spearheaded the efforts to identify the child using genetics.
In 2001, the unknown child's remains as well as those of a few other unidentified children were exhumed and DNA was extracted. Hopes ran high but results were inconclusive and doubts remained. Parr attempted the identification again, this time using the US Armed Forces DNA Identification laboratory.
In one less-mutation-prone section of the mitochondrial DNA, Parr found a matching difference that separated Goodwin from the other missing children. Another section of the DNA revealed that same difference.
The entire Goodwin family perished on board the Titanic and in 2008, relatives held a touching memorial by the unknown child's headstone. A cousin read aloud the names of about 50 children who had also perished when the Titanic went down. As a bell softly rang for each name, a gentle rain began to fall and it persisted until the last of the names were read when it suddenly stopped. The family decided to leave the tombstone unnamed to honor the memory of all the lost children.
For the Goodwin family, answers at long last.


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Speaking with E! News at the 2015 Fragrance Foundation Awards in New York City this week, Kenny said that she expects nothing but "good things" to come out of Cait's show.
"I think that he can honestly do so much good with everything and I'm excited for it. If he's excited, I'm excited for him," she told them.
While Kendall has been nothing but supportive of Caitlyn and her transition, she did take a little bit of heat on Twitter for misgendering her during the interview.
The model also spoke about her parents' influence on her and how Caitlyn played a huge role in helping her become the person she is today. "They raised me," she said. "My dad especially was hard on Kylie and I when we were kids and taught us how to be mature adults at a very young age. And we grew up with sisters who are 16 years older than us, so we grew up with that sense of maturity...but I try and be a kid sometimes too."
Between her role as the new face of Estee Lauder and Calvin Klein AND traveling all around the world for high-profile modeling gigs, we can't imagine how she finds the time.
Want More? Like us on Facebook
Gallery | Kendall Jenner's Model Moments


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…Introducing the Wine Enthusiast Evolution Series compact cellar. Sleek in design, state-of-the-art performance, and creating a great way to showcase your investments. * An affordable form-and-function solution, offering the features of larger, more expensive refrigerators in convenient space-saving…Our Price: $249.00
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* Exterior digital touchscreen with temperature display * 16-bottle capacity* * Reflective smoked-glass Thermopane door with recessed handle * Interior LED lighting * Dimensions: 20" H X 17" W X 19" DOur Price: $219.00
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Personalized Reclaimed Wine Barrel Head with Wine Cellar and Wine BottleOur Price: $349.00
Extra Large Red Wine Stem Cooler
* This smaller version of our popular giant wine stem, is still large enough that it will get your party started right * At 20 inches high, this statuesque wine stem will hold all of your favorite beverages on ice * Fill it with a fabulous punch and watch your guests gather round and the…Our Price: $129.95
Kelvin K2 Smart Wine Thermometer
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Napa Vintner Stackable Wine Rack - Rectangular Bin
* The Vintner Series offers a wide variety of racking options, along with the ability to mix and match racking heights and styles. * This wine rack collection was designed to accommodate wine bottles that are 3 - 3 1/2" in diameter.Our Price: $99.95
EuroCave Tete a Tete Cellar
* The first wine bar in a wine serving cabinet! * The Home Wine Bar Cellar allows you to bring 12 bottles to an ideal serving temperature and store 2 opened for up to 10 days by protecting them from oxidation * very trendy with its panoramic glass door and tactile temperature control panel *…Our Price: $1695.00
EuroCave Rolling Tasting Shelf (Performance & Comfort Series) (Sapele)
* The EuroCave Rolling Tasting Shelf** rolls out and holds 20 bottles* upright for easy access. * There are no tools required for installing, moving or removing the shelves. * Wood trim is the darker Sapele Wood.Our Price: $99.95
EuroCave Rolling Tasting Shelf (Performance & Comfort Series) (Beech)
* The EuroCave Rolling Tasting Shelf** rolls out and holds 20 bottles* upright for easy access. * There are no tools required for installing, moving or removing the shelves.Our Price: $99.95
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How to Choose Natural Bamboo Flooring?
Designing a home can take months to complete. We all want to choose only the best products which look fascinating and add beauty to our home. Almost every part of your home needs equal attention when you are designing but we usually either leave the floors unattended or do not pay much heed to what we have put on them. Flooring adds to the elegance of a home and makes it look luxurious if you have made the right selection. If you are looking forward to choosing the best flooring for your home then you should definitely have a look at natural bamboo flooring.
Natural bamboo flooring is designed by shredding bamboo into small pieces which are then put together in shape by using adhesive and other compounds. The compounds used to keep the bamboo shreds together are free from toxins like Urea-formaldehyde which makes the flooring harmless. Hence strand woven bamboo flooring looks natural and is highly stable unlike the synthetic flooring made of plastic which does not stay together for long. Any hardwood floors manufacturer can assist you with your need of natural bamboo flooring but you should check the details before buying them.
As using natural products is in vogue these days and engineered recycled flooring is highly popular and you can also find a lot of websites offering strand woven bamboo flooring. Hardwood flooring is just like using real wood for the floors and it smells like the wood it is made of. If you like to work on designing your home yourself then you can get your hands on DIY hardwood flooring and install it yourself. You will get an interactive manual guiding you through the process so you will not have much issueputting it together.
Strand woven bamboo is the most reliable flooring due to use of real bamboo stalks in it. The bamboo stems are the strongest part of the whole grass tree and they can withstand heavy pressure for years. Natural bamboo flooring is conditioned in the manufacturing plants for months which make the output as strong as the real wood. You can choose an expert hardwood floors manufacturer on the web and get the best deals available on DIY hardwood flooring and natural bamboo flooring. Most of the manufacturers comply with the standards of engineered recycled flooring so you would not have any issues getting the right design and type of flooring for your home.
Alena Vespa - About Author:
The writer offers natural bamboo flooring on the web. He is a popular hardwood floors manufacturer and an expert at strand woven bamboo.
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