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Faculty Profile - Wally Novakby Tom Runge • November 15, 2012 Share:
Name: Wally Novak
Your background: I grew up all over the Eastern half of the U.S. My father (also named Wally) worked for Digital Equipment Corporation and was transferred every few years. We last settled near St. Louis, where I graduated High School, joined the Army National Guard and eventually graduated from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. I headed to the University of California, San Francisco to earn my Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the lab of Dr. Patsy Babbitt. It was at UCSF that I also met my wife, Kathleen. We moved to Boston where I was an NIH postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Greg Petsko and Dagmar Ringe. We had three children in Boston: James, Kate and Carrie. We moved to Crawfordsville in the summer of 2009, just two blocks from campus. My wife currently works as a Pharmacist at Seton Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis, and our kids are active in the community with soccer, scouts and swimming to name only a few of their many interests!
Department and specialty at Wabash: Chemistry and Biochemistry. I am a biochemist by training and focus on transcriptional regulator proteins in pathogenic bacteria.
Favorite part of Wabash: What drew me to Wabash initially was the engagement level of the students, and that is what motivates me still today.
Favorite place on the campus: I love having coffee in the little garden area behind Caleb Mills, but spending time working on my research in the lab really energizes me.
Favorite food: It would have to be the occasional BLT with fries I treat myself to at the Scarlet Inn.
Something most people don't know about you: My wife and I are huge fans of the Survivor TV show. That show is currently in its 25th season (two seasons per year), and I think we managed to miss only one season during that time.


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Story highlights
- Cambodia doesn't hide from its brutal past, with evidence of Pol Pot's regime on show at Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields
- Khmer Rouge attempt to create an agrarian utopia left an estimated 1.7 million people dead
- Tuol Sleng's former chief, Comrade Duch, already sentenced to life in prison, other senior Khmer Rouge officials await trials
Few countries in Asia have suffered as much turmoil and internecine warfare in recent decades as Cambodia.
The "secret bombing" campaign in the early 1970s, orchestrated by the soon-to-be-impeached President Richard Nixon and his secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, the most contentious of Nobel Peace Prize winners, pushed many moderates towards the Khmer Rouge, who stormed into Phnom Penh in April 1975 to declare victory and begin a reign of tyranny that some historians have called the most radical experiment in communism ever conducted.
With an agenda of half-baked Maoism and class warfare that included emptying cities, banning money, and executing intellectuals -- or anyone wearing glasses -- the Khmer Rouge tried to create an agrarian utopia.
Instead, they wound up masterminding a genocide that left an estimated 1.7 million Khmers dead.
That legacy is on grim display in Phnom Penh's most popular dark tourism sites of the secret prison at Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields.
Textbook tortures
Known by the code name S-21, the former high school of Tuol Sleng became the Khmer Rouge's secret prison and the most potent symbol of its brutality.
Over the course of four years as many as 20,000 prisoners passed through here, including four Frenchmen, one Brit and two Americans.
Only seven survived.
Upon arriving at the prison, each inmate was photographed.
These black and white portraits hang in the second of four buildings. They are the most haunting part of this memorial site.
Some inmates are wide-eyed with fright. Others appear resigned to their fate.
Some are mere children. Others are women with babies.
All of them put a human face on what was an inhuman regime hell-bent on extinguishing every last spark of individuality and family loyalty from its citizenry, for the Khmer Rouge referred to itself only as "Angkar" (the Organization).
Its leader was a paranoid megalomaniac whom, as Philip Short recounted in his comprehensive biography, "Pol Pot: The History of a Nightmare," believed in preserving secrecy at all costs, to the point where his handwriting has never yet been identified.
Building A has been preserved exactly as the Vietnamese invaders, weary of Khmer Rouge attacks, found it in early 1979, right down to the bloodstains on the floor and the implements of torture left on the bed frames scabbed with rust.
In another building, paintings by Vann Nath, one of the seven survivors, illustrate in living colors how the prison's torturers went about their deathly business, extracting the most trumped up confessions through the most barbaric of means.
Far from being a museum piece, the tragedy of Tuol Sleng continues to play out in the last act of a UN-backed genocide trial.
The prison's former chief, Comrade Duch, the alias of Kain Guek Eav, has already been sentenced to life in prison for war crimes, while two other members of the Khmer Rouge top brass, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan wait in the wings for their trials to begin.
Burial grounds
The first time I visited the Killing Fields outside Phnom Penh in 2003, I was transfixed by a tree with a sign that read in Khmer and English: "Chankiri tree against which executioners beat children."
That was done to save bullets.
My driver pointed at nails sticking out of the tree -- they had been used to drive home the regime's barbarity and speed up the executions.
Just then, a little girl appeared beside the tree, her face peeking over an urn stacked with bones that went up to her neck.
She looked like a ghost, but in fact was one of the child beggars in the area.
The tree still stands, but the urchins have been evicted.
When local authorities renovated the Killing Fields in 2011, this series of mass graves, where the Khmer Rouge executed and buried the prisoners trucked in from Tuol Sleng, they turned it into a site that documents, with painstaking accuracy, the ultra-Maoists' atrocities.
Complete with a pagoda of skulls for an epicenter-piece, these burial grounds have a concussive impact on visitors.
Thanks to the refurbishments, you can listen to the strident battle hymns of the Khmer Rouge once blasted from speakers to drown out the cries of the condemned men and women being beaten to death with the axles of oxcarts, or having their throats slit with the serrated edges of a palm frond.
To really come to grips with Cambodia's dark past and understand why 70% of its populace are under 30, these two memorial sites stand as tombstones to those times of turmoil and the Khmers' courageous resilience in the face of peril.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Week-end in Hanmer Springs
Touchdown in Christchurch and make your way to this picture perfect destination, Hanmer Springs.
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Whether seeking a weekend getaway for indulging relaxation or family fun, Hanmer Springs is the picture-perfect destination. After flying into Christchurch, the best way to get to Hanmer Springs is by hiring a car. Along the drive, you can take in the beauty of the region's natural landscape dotted with a rugged coastline, lush forests, rolling hills of vineyards and towering mountains.
It's all about the spas!
The geothermal pools at Hanmer Springs are ideal for melting any stress, aches or pains away. The spa has a wide variety of pools for both fun and relaxation including 12 open-air thermal pools, six private indoor thermal pools, and three sulphur pools. All pools provide natural sparkling water of the highest quality, and you can enjoy the new heated resort-style pool with walk-in beach access and the Lazy River. Float the day away while resting in an inner tube in the Lazy River, while the kids enjoy some splashing fun in the Super Bowl and Aqua Play Area with a wide array of awesome water slides and toys.
For the ultimate in pampering, visitors can also enjoy beauty treatments and relaxing massages at the spa where aromatic facials, detoxifying body wraps and Swiss massages are just a few of the delightful services available. Amid all the fun, you can take time out for a bite to eat at the on-premise Garden House Café which serves up delectable lunches and fine a la carte evening dining.
With car hire, it's easy to explore the treasures and embark on some thrilling adventures in Hanmer Springs Village and Hurunui District without having to rely on alternative transport. For an adrenaline rush, take a drive over to the river canyon in Hanmer Springs for a bungee jump off the Waiau Ferry Bridge. Along with the stunning scenery of alpine surrounds, deep wall canyons and marble rocks, you can jet boat down or water raft the Waiui Gorge. If there's snow, you can carve up the Hanmer Springs Mountain on skis or snowboards.
For those who enjoy activities with a slower pace, you can climb into the saddle for a horse trek through the countryside, venture along the forest trails or pay a visit to the local farmyard. Spend an afternoon shopping in the village and score a pick with some of the country's finest giftware, jewellery, beauty products and art.
Drive on down to the popular Hurunui hangouts, where there's plenty to do. At the Chamberlain Park, you can relax under tall trees, visit the bird aviary and have some fun on the playground, while Motonau Beach is idyllic for leisurely swims and renting a boat for a catch of the day.
Gore Bay
Head along the scenic surfing beach of Gore Bay, complete with great vistas of historic Port Robinson and the Cathedral Cliffs. For the perfect outdoor picnic, take a drive to St. Anne's Lagoon, where the picturesque reserve features family picnic areas along with walking trails dotted with majestic oak trees. The St. James Conservation Area is a must-see while in Hurunui. There are acres and acres of alpine tussock lands, tawhai forests, mountains and lakes. You can even take a four-wheel drive tour through the region or a bike adventure.
Hanmer Springs is the ideal place to relax, chill out and enjoy many adventures. A weekend getaway is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.


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Children are some of the best friends homeless people have.
Just ask Chris Eldridge, development director for the Rockford Rescue Mission which works with hundreds of homeless people. The mission does its work in spite of the view of most adults that homeless people are either lazy, addicts or drunks who want someone else to care for them.
Kids don't see it that way.
"When we grow up and look at a homeless person, we automatically wonder what they did to get there," said Eldridge of grown-ups. "When you're a child and you look at a homeless person, you just see someone in need.
"Compassion from a child is often more genuine and without the strings of compassion from an adult."
Eldridge has proof of that theory in the children and families who come to him with a desire to help. Earlier this year, the Register Star told about 9-year-old Natylee Sinkiawic of Machesney Park, who made and sold bracelets to raise more than $400, which she used to buy fleece fabric and make blankets for homeless people. Two children in another family, who wish to remain anonymous, gave up their birthday celebrations and instead collected $350 for the Rescue Mission.
Kids like that appear all year long, said Eldridge. The latest is 12-year-old Sadie Farmer of Roscoe, who is planning a Jan. 4 pancake breakfast to raise money for the mission.
Sadie learned about the mission from some family friends who work there. When she heard a teacher talk about a recent church fundraiser, she put two and two together and thought, why not?
At the suggestion of Sadie's mom, Julie Farmer, the sixth-grader called Applebee's restaurant on East State Street in Rockford. The restaurant agreed to make pancakes from 8 to 10 a.m. Jan. 4 if Sadie could provide a crew to seat people, serve them and clean up. Tickets would be $5 for pancakes, bacon and a beverage, with $4 of each ticket going to the mission.
Sadie has worked for months to round up volunteers, make and distribute flyers, and coordinate details. Her "bestest" friends from Stephen Mack Middle School are going to help her welcome and seat diners. Her dad, Rockford police officer Kenneth Farmer, and some of his police friends, will serve the food. Mom Julie will be on hand to help with tickets, and grandparents Dave and Kathy Northcott will bus the tables.
The maximum number of tickets that can be sold is 300. Sadie says there will be raffles, too, and donations, of course, are welcome.
Sadie is more excited, she said, about the pancake breakfast than her Christmas gifts or the get-togethers she has with friends when they paint their toenails, dance and listen to music by her favorites, Taylor Swift, Elvis, and the '50s-'60s group the Penguins.
The fundraiser is a big project, but typical for Sadie, the oldest of four Farmer children, said her mom.
"From the time she was little, she had a really big heart," said Julie. "When she heard about the Rescue Mission, she wanted to help people, especially children who don't have anything. She didn't think she could do this by herself, but she's pulling it together."
As for Sadie, deciding to help the homeless was a simple decision.
"Everyone should have a home and a meal and shelter. It's not fair that some people don't," she said.
The idea that homeless people are bums who don't deserve help makes her "sad," she added.
"Maybe some of them can't get a job right now and they just need a little help to get back on their feet," Sadie said. "Everyone deserves a second chance."
Geri Nikolai: firstname.lastname@example.com; 815-871-6850


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Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government)
Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale
The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament. There have been votes on moving away from a position where members of the House of Lords are either appointed or have inherited their seats to a system where members are elected.Photo: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
TheyWorkForYou has automatically calculated this MP's stance based on all of their votes on the topic. You can browse the source data on PublicWhip.org.uk.
Note for journalists and researchers: The data on this page may be used freely, on condition that TheyWorkForYou.com is cited as the source.
For an explanation of the vote descriptions please see the FAQ entries on vote descriptions and how the voting record is decided


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Nearly all of the homeowners on the blocks around the park have paved over their front yard to make way for additional parking, however is typically not enough with one or more floors rented out, many times illegally in an effort to pay rising property costs.
Matthew Crafa has lived on 75th Place for several years. He says he has three cars and his upstairs tenant has two, and they are not the only ones with significantly more cars than parking spaces.
"You can't put a car in the garage like you used to because cars and SUVs are much bigger than when they were when these houses were built," Crafa said. "Even if you can get it in the garage, you probably wouldn't be able to get out of your car."
Crafa estimates there are about three to four times the number of cars on the block than back when the houses were first built.
He said if he gets home late at night after a hockey game, he often walks four or five blocks back to his house after finding a spot.
"My hydrant is blocked every night and they end up sometimes just blocking my driveway," he said. "They would rather pay the ticket than walk the cold four blocks."
Crafa stood before Community Board 5 meeting at Christ the King High School last week and asked if the board would support the use of spots around the park for night parking.
Currently, they are off limits from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
CB5 chair Vincent Arcuri said they were originally removed years ago to crack down on drug dealers and crime in the area.
"There were two parking lots on Juniper South and Juniper North, and overnight it would be filled with drug addicts and beer drinkers in the picnic areas," Arcuri said. "They were starting fires and wrecking the park."
In addition to cutting back on crime, Arcuri said they kept the parking off limits because garbage would also collect along the park when people parked there for long periods of time.
"The question is now that that era is gone, do we still have to worry about drug dealers and crime?" Arcuri said, noting that the board was set to begin discussions about easing parking restrictions at its Transportation Committee hearing on Tuesday of this week.
Mary Hopkins used to live in the neighborhood several years ago, however whenever she comes back to visit friends she says she often parks about four blocks away.
"The general consensus is yes, they should open it up," Hopkins said. "It was a very nice place to live, you just can't park."


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Published at Saturday, June 15th, 2019 - 13:51:10 PM. Nattduksbord. By Albertina Sauer.
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Val Thorens: the highest ski resort in Europe is hard to beat for snow fans. At 2,300m, it has one of the longest ski seasons. It is situated at the head of the 3 Valleys – the largest ski area in the world. It has 100 percent ski-in ski-out accommodation with unbeatable skiing: powdery fields, perfectly groomed slopes – 600km of runs and snow guaranteed right through the season. The ski facilities are cutting-edge, with high-tech ski lifts that take you right up to the highest peaks with views over more than 1,000 mountaintops. The village atmosphere is informal and friendly for après ski with a wide variety of restaurants, clubs and a stack of other activities and it is
- 10597ftSummit
- 3051ftVertical Drop
- 7546ftBase
- 11
- 0
- 12
- 2
- 3
- 0
- 0
- 5
- 33Total
Beginner Runs
Intermediate Runs
Advanced Runs
Expert Runs
mi Pistes
93.2 mi
Terrain Parks
Longest Run
2.2 mi
Skiable Terrain
151 ac
Snow Making
119 ac
mi Snow Making
74.6 mi
More Info
The Mountain
Val Thorens (2,300m) is the highest ski resort in Europe. It also belongs to the largest lift-linked ski area in the world: the 3 Vallées (600km). The construction of the resort was inspired by gold medal skier Christine Goitschel and her husband, national team trainer, Jean Béranger in the 1970s. Val Thorens was a pioneer in the use of helicopter construction techniques.
The ski area is 99 percent located above 2,000 metres, the 'glide' quality is exceptional in this mountain amphitheatre which forms a playground adapted to all levels and styles. Good snow conditions are almost guaranteed November to May.
The Val Thorens/Orelle local ski area offers 150 kilometres of slopes - 78 pistes (11 green, 29 blue, 30 red and eight black). But more than just statistics the scenery is breathtaking: 32 fast, modern ski lifts, mean you spend more time on the slopes. The choice of itineraries on groomed slopes or off-piste are simply vast.
Heavy investment in state of the art lift equipment means queuing is kept to a minimum. The newest version of the twin cable super wind resistant Funitel de Thorens, which features two trains and two gondolas carrying up to 33 people in each, (a passenger flow of 1500 people per hour) now enables passengers to climb from the summit of the Portette chairlift (2,795m) to the col du Bouchet (3,000m) in less than two minutes. From here, skiers and boarders can take either the new Asters red run or the new Chocard blue run.
Powder Day
The excellent snow quality make certain slopes a must for experienced skiers: Col, Mauriennaise, Col de l'Audzin, le Blanchot and Tétras. The more skilled can discover the red and black slopes of la Combe de Caron, la Combe de Rosaël and Boismint, in the larger 3 Vallées ski area. Moguls enthusiasts will enjoy the Cascades slope. Eight black and 30 red slopes offer a lot of snow adventure as well as many easily accessible off-piste possibilities to make the most of your stay. Val Thorens is now an official training site for the French Ski Team.
Groomers and Family
In the heart of the domain there is a large area of easy skiing, equipped with four roof-covered magic carpets and free for beginners, allowing a gradual learning curve. Explore a wider area and take in the scenery at your own pace, there is a special ski pass for beginners to access eight ski lifts serving the easiest slopes - 50 percent off normal price. There are 11 green and 29 blue slopes of which the majority are perfectly groomed. Some start on the mountain tops such as the Tête Ronde.
The Junior Area is dedicated to young skiers - this one-kilometre-long slope '2 Lacs sector' is a challenge with riddles, to get to know mountain animals (marmots, ibex, blanchots etc).
There are many apres-ski activities to keep everyone amused including a complete range of toboggan runs starting with a free, safe and secure "baby fun" tobogganing area in the Place Caron at the middle of the resort for two year olds. For the over 10s, there is the longest toboggan run in France with a departure point at 3,000m, six kilometres in length, with a 700-metre-vertical and a 45-minute descent. Free for children between the ages of 5 and 10 that ride with their parents.
The Fun Park at the sports centre features trampolines, a bouncy castle, swimming pool . . . more than 600 square metres just for children.
The Snowpark (the Plateau sector) - 90 000 m² area divided in four zones: beginners, intermediate, expert and a Jump'Air (shock absorbing stunt man's mattress). There are different modules: whoops, wall ride, tables, handrails.
The Boardercross (in the 2 Lacs sector) offers skiers and snowboarders the complete range thrills and spills. The Ski Cross Europe & French Cup and the Snowboard Cross French Cup is held there regularly.
The Yannick Richard Stadium Slalom is currently organising slalom and giant slalom competitions after complete renovation and extension works.
Mountain bike on snow. Starting at 3,000 metres, hurtle down "Tête Ronde" blue slope: a vertical of 700 metres and length of six kilometres. This is available for experienced mountain bikers on three nights every week (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays).
Ice driving on the Alain Prost circuit is normally reserved for Trophée Andros racing drivers, but the Ice Driving Academy offers initial training and a first drive in a Renault Clio RS, Renault Mégane Sport, Cross car or Mitsubishi Lancers under the supervision of well-known drivers. The Alain Prost ice circuit, the highest in Europe, 980 metres in lenth, hosts the first Trophée Andros event at the beginning of December every year.
Visit the Cime Caron summit (3,200m) for the most beautiful view of the Alps. It offers a memorable panoramic 360° view over more than 1,000 French, Italian and Swiss Alps summits. On the peak, it is possible to have lunch in the sun and relax, and thanks to the special map you will be able to identify the Mont Blanc, and all the great peaks.
Major events in Val Thorens:
December: Trophée Andros and the SFR Freeskiing Tour
Feburary: Ski Cross European Cup
March: Slopestyle Snowboard European Cup
Auberge des Balcons offers a generous buffet breakfast based on French tradition and mountain specialties. Take your time enjoying good food and the panoramic view on the slopes from the inside or on the sunny terrace. Direct access to the pistes. Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com or +33(0)479-009-191.
Delices Cafe: Simple and delicious cuisine known for its excellent pancakes. Enjoy your hot chocolate in the center of the station just at the departure point of the slopes. Contact: +33(0)479-011-568
Aiguilles de Peclet at 3000 metres proposes homemade traditional cuisine with Savoy specialties like beaufort tart, tartiflette and fondue. A typical lunchtime meal might be Savoyard hotpot, diots with a polenta and beaufort mousse. Even non-skiers can enjoy a good meal by taking the Funitel de Péclet (eight minutes away), admire the mountain views on the way. Contact: Tel:+33(0)479-000-376
Face West Cafe has easy access for both skiers and walkers, a beautiful, south-facing terrace and panoramic views at any hour of the day. Try the succulent pizzas, grilled meat, club sandwiches and delicious homemade pastries on offer. Warm mountain atmosphere and interesting modern design. Contact: Hendrik Van Heek +33(0)479-000-594
Oxalys (2,300m) is the highest (two) starred Michelin restaurant in Europe under élite chef Jean Sulpice. Maximum freshness, maximum flavour savoured on uncovered walnut wood tables from original and contemporary earthenware plates. Relaxed atmosphere, very attentive service, panoramic views of the mountain. Lightness, freshness, a taste for adventure . . . putting mountain herbs back in vogue - meadowsweet, gentian, burnet, berse, calament, and beautiful wild sorrel, known as oxalys in French. The Oxalys can be reached on skis or even on foot to enjoy a unique culinary experience. Contact: Jean Sulpice firstname.lastname@example.com; +33(0)479-001-200
Epicurien is a very unusual restaurant offering flavours from five continents. Jérémy Gillon, the passionate gourmet chef features a fine modern cuisine. Great emphasis on using the best seasonal products, selected from small producers. An intimate atmosphere and excellent service for an exceptional experience in the mountains. Contact: email@example.com + 33(0)479-002-130
Steak Club boldly mixes French cuisine based on grilled meats and Asian flavours such as Thai curry prawns but respects the harmony and quality of its creations. The Steak Club is a comfortable place where you enjoy your dinner in cosy, elegant and modern interiors. Some evenings jazz musicians offer a lively performance. Contact: tel. + 33(0)479-013-119
Pizz'Burger is a good option for a cheap night out when your credit card needs a break. This fastfood burger-pizza joint is relaxed and fun. There is free internet and a big screen to watch sporting happenings. You will find it in La Gallerei Caron. Contact firstname.lastname@example.com +33(0)479-010-421
From 3 p.m, the slopeside open-air club The Folie Douce enjoys a party atmosphere with DJ, show and very cold drinks! Its south-facing aspect means holidaymakers can have fun under the sun. Lounge décor by Starck. Contact: +33(0)633-680-934
Mongolian Yurt has been erected by The Chalet de la Marine at 2,500m on the Dalles blue run. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening the chalet offers an exceptional evening for holidaymakers seeking a brand-new experience. In a cosy, warm and authentic area you can sample Mongolian dishes (ragout, deep-fried dumplings, salted milk tea) prepared by the chefs and dropped off on the antique stove just before the partygoers arrive. A breathtaking view of the twinkling lights of the resort. Accessible on skis via the Cascade chair lift last ascent between 5-5.30 p.m) or on snowshoes (accompanied by a ski guide).Torch-light descent also possible. Contact: Chalet de la Marine: firstname.lastname@example.com, +33 (0)479-000-186
Le Pandora is in the heart of the resort. This bar/restaurant has a magnificent panoramic view of the Aiguilles de Péclet, Cime Caron and Masse. Its cosy terrace gets a lot of sun until sunset. With its dominant red and gold colors and lounge atmosphere, this 3-floors place is open from 10am to 2am and proposes: pleasant lunch on the cosy terrace's sofas; after skiing relax inside or outside animated by a DJ. Contact: Jonathan Tranquille (it's his real name!) +33(0)669-045-935
Snowfall History
Important Dates
- Projected OpeningProjected Closing11/23/201905/03/2020
- Days Open Last Year
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- Years Open
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Val Thorens
Maison de Val Thorens
Phone: +33 (0)4 79 00 08 08
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text: John P Report post Posted August 27, 2011 10 Albums that changed Eddie Trunk's life Eddie Trunk eats, sleeps and breathes hard rock and heavy metal. He knows stuff about groups that even the members don't know, or at best, have forgotten. Thankfully, Eddie uses his superpowers for good, not evil, as host of VH1's "That Metal Show," Sirius/XM's "Eddie Trunk Live" and the syndicated "Eddie Trunk Rocks" on New York's Q104.3 FM. His new book is "Eddie Trunk's Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal," which, trust us, really is an essential volume you need to add to your music library. Here's a look at the music that changed Eddie Trunk's life. 1. Raspberries, "Go All The Way" — "Go All The Way" was the first time I ever heard distorted electric guitar and power chords. I was a kid in my parents' back seat, and it came through the AM radio, and my hair stood up. Raspberries were the first real rock I ever heard, and I was consumed instantly. 2. KISS, "Destroyer" — The first real heavy rock I heard and the band that really started it all for me as a crazed fan. This was my first Kiss album. I remember dropping the needle, hearing "Detroit Rock City" and starring at the cover of the album. I was 12 and Kiss changed my life and set me on a path of rock obsession I'm still on! 3. UFO, "Strangers in The Night" — One of the greatest live album of all time and one of my favorite albums ever. Tragically underrated melodic hard rock by one of my all-time favorite bands. This is them at their peak. 4. Aerosmith, "Toys in the Attic" — I actually like "Rocks" better, but "Toys" was my first, and after KISS, Aerosmith became my next big obsession. 5. Billy Squier, "Don't Say No" — The first album I ever cued up on a college station while still in high school. Billy is a tremendous talent, and this is one of his greatest albums. 6. Metallica, "Kill 'Em All" — The first real thrash I ever heard. I was in my first year of metal radio and Jonny Z drove to my studio and asked me to play this when nobody else would. I did, had no idea what I was hearing, but knew it was a game changer. 7. Judas Priest, "British Steel" — Classic British metal at its finest from one of the gods of the genre. 8. Ace Frehley, "Frehley's Comet" — The first artist I ever had a hand in signing to a label and working in the studio with. Nine years after my first show ever (KISS @ MSG), I had signed the band's lead guitarist to his first solo deal and was in the studio with him. 9. Black Sabbath, "Heaven & Hell" — The Dio Sabbath was my introduction to the band, then I went back and discovered the other stuff, but this album is amazing, and Dio was a god. 10. Van Halen, "Van Halen" — I remember getting this album from a record club. I knew I was hearing something that was going to change everything instantly. —Goldmine, September 18, 2011 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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When it comes to online marketing, copywriting isn't usually the top focus or priority. Most people think about SEO or PPC strategies first, as well as design, conversion optimization and other sexier or more technical topics. But the fact is, you can't do any kind of online marketing without engaging in copywriting. Even banner ads needs a call to action! And most of what marketers do to get found – and make sales – on the web involves much more extensive and nuanced copywriting.
Persuasive copywriting is an art, and strategic content marketing is a valuable skill. You shouldn't assume that just because you were an English major, copywriting for the web is easy and obvious! The rules are different in the online space, and quickly changing industry trends and practices require even copywriting masters to devote some time to education. So if any of your marketing duties involve writing, we recommend you add some of these blogs to your regular reading list.
In addition to the great resources listed here, we've also provided you with some handy tools so you can get the most out of the list:
- A custom Google search engine (available below)
- A Blekko slash tag
- An OPML file so you can add all the blogs to your favorite reader
- A Twitter List so you can find all the awesome bloggers below on Twitter and see what they're sharing
We've also created a badge for the winning sites:
Without further ado, here are our favorite blogs with a focus on copywriting and content development and marketing. Just like our Best PPC Blogs list, this is meant to be a living list, so if we've missed one of your favorites, please let us know in the comments (even if it's your own blog)!
Probably the most well-known and widely followed copywriting blog out there, Copyblogger operates under the philosophy that "compelling content is the new advertising." Brian Clark, the CEO of Copyblogger Media, has been named one of the web's most influential marketers, and Copyblogger ranks among the top marketing blogs of any stripe. Topics include content marketing, SEO copywriting, email marketing and keyword research.
3 Posts We Like From Copyblogger:
- The Inigo Montoya Guide to 27 Commonly Misused Words
- Why No One Links to Your Best Posts (And What to Do About It)
- The Art of Writing Great Twitter Headlines
SEO Copywriting Blog
Heather Lloyd-Martin is a pioneer of the SEO copywriting field; she runs a training and consulting firm, SuccessWorks, and serves on the boards of SEMpdx and PubCon. On her blog, she writes accessible advice about both freelance and in-house copywriting, blogging, direct response copywriting, reputation management, working with clients and more.
3 Posts We Like From SEO Copywriting Blog:
- 10 Stupid Business Mistakes Smart Writers Make
- So What "About Us"? How to Awaken This Conversions Sleeper
- 3 Ways SEO Can Ruin Content
The Content Marketing Institute
The Content Marketing Institute, or CMI, is a resource available through Junta42, a content development company that matches content vendors with content clients. The CMI hosts case studies, original research, a magazine and annual events, as well as daily blog posts that revolve around content marketing trends and strategies.
3 Posts We Like From the Content Marketing Institute:
- The Content Questionnaire: How to Uncover Key Details for More Effective Content
- Write a Book and Change the World: 11 Steps to Creating a Successful Business Book
- How to Turn Your Analytics into Actionable Tasks for Content Marketing
Angie's Copywriting
Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) is a professional copywriter and writing coach who blogs about SEO, social media, customer relations, and general tips for the marketing copywriter, including detailed guides and "master classes."
3 Posts We Like From Angie's Copywriting:
- Creating a User Generated Content Strategy
- The Fine Art of Creating a Guest Posting Strategy
- Fun, Free Tools for Writers
Men with Pens
Men with Pens is a web design and content development firm that blogs about blogging, freelance copywriting and other topics relevant to the web marketer. The cheekily named site is actually run by a woman operating under a male pseudonym (James Chartrand), following in the grand tradition of George Eliot.
3 Posts We Like from Men with Pens:
- How to Wrestle Deadlines and Win
- Why Your Excuses Won't Fly – Or Get You What You Want
- Should You Use a Pen Name or Pseudonym?
Haden Interactive
Haden Interactive is a web firm specializing in content development, search engine optimization and social media. Their mission statement is "We believe that SEO is all about web content." Owner Rebecca Haden writes about better blogging, multimedia presentations, link building, article marketing, press releases and email copy on the company's blog.
3 Posts We Like From Haden Interactive:
- Updating Your Own Content: Things I'd Like to Say to Clients
- Making Your Point on Your Home Page
- Lab Report: Optimizing Your Site for a Particular Keyword
Web Ink Now
Web Ink Now is the blog of David Meerman Scott, frequent speaker and author of The New Rules of Marketing and PR. He writes about copywriting best practices, content marketing trends, brand journalism, crowdsourcing, Facebook, and corporate blogging, as well as offering case studies and book reviews.
3 Posts We Like from Web Ink Now:
- When failure is cheap, why not give it a go?
- Marketing ROI and what you should measure
- Switch from features to buyer personas results in 3x click-through for Brand Regard
Sparksheet is an attractive, engaging B2B website that describes itself as "an award-winning online magazine committed to exploring the ongoing convergence of story, media and marketing across new and traditional platforms." Blog topics include "return on engagement," design, publishing and relationships; the site also features regular Q&A's with media industry experts, like Slate editor David Plotz.
3 Posts We Like from Sparksheet:
- Cause Marketing in the Digital Age
- Advocates Are More Important than Influencers
- Engagement Checkup: Are Corporate Blogs Still Relevant?
Straight North Internet Marketing Blog
Director of Content & Social Media Brad Shorr authors this blog on content strategy, social media, and SEO copywriting. Other topics include blogging, branding, communication skills, PR, and SEM.
3 Posts We Like From Word Sell:
- Remarketing, or Retargeting, Explained
- How Corporations Should Adjust to New Social Media Realities
- Why I'm Getting Tired of LinkedIn
ConverStations (so named because author Mike Sansone believes blogs are hubs of conversation)is a blog focused on using blogging and social media in business, education and the nonprofitsphere. Sansone is a writing coach, consultant and speaker who advocates using the web to build communities.
3 Posts We Like from ConverStations:
Perry Marshall
Perry Marshall is a world-renowned copywriter and expert on Google AdWords. His website provides resources including AdWords guides and videos and a course on how to write a white paper. On his blog, Perry writes about various ways to get and keep the attention of prospects and customers – as well as his unconventional worldviews.
3 Posts We Like Perry Marshall:
- Inspiration Never Comes When Your Fists Are Clenched
- The Enemy Within: Self Sabotage
- The Gigantic Horrible Lie About Education
The Copywriter's Roundtable
The Copywriter's Roundtable is a blog and e-newsletter run by John Forde, with posts on creativity, psychology, writing headlines and offers, getting clients, getting paid, using science to sell, knowing your audience and other topics related to writing marketing and sales copy.
3 Posts We Like From The Copywriter's Roundtable:
- 7 Easy Ways to Get More from Writers
- Which Sells Best, Stories or Stats?
- What Copywriters Should Know About Copyrights
Level 343
Level 343 provides copywriting and SEO services for small businesses, and the company's blog covers content development, branding, social media, and search engine optimization. Writers for the blog include Gabriella Sannino and Jahnelle Pittman. Level 343 also publishes an annual list of Top SEO Women.
3 Posts We Like From Level 343:
- Comment Spam vs. Comment Links: What's the Difference?
- Web Usability: Color, Layout, and Writing
- Five Craphat SEO Techniques that Just Won't Die But Should
The Marketing Rebel Rant
John Carlton is a freelance copywriter and teacher of writing sales messaging. His blog has a very distinctive personal voice; you can almost imagine that he's talking to you from a podium. In addition to offering marketing copywriting advice, John shares wisdom on general strategies for getting ahead in life, money management and more.
3 Posts We Like From the Marketing Rebel Rant:
- How to Critical Think, Part 1
- Confessions of a Story Junkie
- Top 10 Secrets to Make 2011 Your Best Year Ever (All of Which You're Currently Ignoring or Screwing Up)
Michel Fortin
Writer, speaker and consultant Michel Fortin's blog on "copywriting, marketing and life" covers strategic internet marketing, direct response copywriting and personal development skills. He's a proponent of Claude C. Hopkins' book "Scientific Advertising," written in 1923, which advocates testing and measuring for more proven results.
3 Posts We Like From Michel Fortin:
- Forget Benefits, And You Will Sell More
- The Need for Long Copy and Other Stupid Myths
- Does Your Copy Have Personality?
Kristen King's blog is directed at freelancers and other copywriters, offering tips and perspective on getting work, working with contracts, blogging, and professional conduct. She also writes about conferences and events, muses on inspiring quotations about writing, and does relevant book reviews.
3 Posts We Like from Inkthinker:
- Top 100 Books for Freelance Writers
- 7 Heinous Freelance Writing Practices You Should Stop Immediately
- The Fine Line Between Writing and Being a Writer
World Copywriting Blog
This blog, written by David Garfinkel, owner of Overnight Marketing, focuses on tips for making your copywriting more sales- and conversion-friendly.
3 Posts We Like From World Copywriting Blog:
- The Seven Secrets of Persuasive Copywriting
- How You'll Know When You're Ready for Explosive Growth
- How to Calm Your Fears About the New FTC Advertising Rules
Bob Bly
Copywriter Bob Bly's blog delivers quick-hitting posts on advertising, direct marketing, blogging, branding, PR and writing for the Internet. Bob Bly has written over 70 books on these topics. One of his pet topics is the supposed "death" of direct marketing methods.
3 Posts We Like From Bob Bly:
Ryan Healy, who is one of the lead writers for BoostCTR, keeps a blog about copywriting best practices, advertising and business growth. He's been blogging regularly for years, covering topics like overcoming writer's block, getting inside the prospect's head and the ethics of marketing copywriting. He also publishes interviews with well-known writers.
3 Posts We Like from Ryan Healy:
- 3 Easy Ways to Start Writing an Ad
- 12 Books that Changed My Life
- Does Frequent Blogging Encourage Bad Writing?
Jeff Sexton Writes
Also part of the BoostCTR writing team, Jeff Sexton blogs about writing marketing and advertising copy and persuasive rhetoric, as well as website optimization and social media. He believes in combining clear, powerful content with aggressive testing and analytics strategies for the best results.
3 Posts We Like from Jeff Sexton Writes:
Write to Done
Write to Done, authored by Leo Babauta and Mary Jaksch, is a blog about craft, creativity, and productivity for bloggers, journalists and other business writers.
3 Posts We Like from Write to Done:
- 31 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your Writing
- Learn from the Greats: 7 Writing Habits of Amazing Writers
- How Planned Disconnectors Create Powerful Articles
Dianna Huff's B2B Marcom Writer Blog
A guest blogger for Content Marketing Institute, Dianna Huff specializes in business-to-business marketing strategy and copywriting. On her own blog, she offers common-sense advice and tactical tips on writing for the web and leveraging social media.
3 Posts We Like from Dianna Huff:
- 57 Things You Can Do Right Now to Improve Your Website
- 25 Very Smart Business Women to Follow on Twitter
- You Wouldn't Date a Shallow Person, So Don't Write Shallow Content
InteractMedia Content Marketing Blog
This media company's blog shares advice on content marketing, management and strategy, as well as SEO and blogging best practices. Writers include chief content officer Beth Hrusch.
3 Posts We Like from InteractMedia:
- Get More from Your SEO Press Release
- 10 Reasons Why Content Marketing Is Not Working For You
- Are You A Content Hoarder?
Marketing Words
KaronThackston's Marketing Words copywriting blog includes tips on creating all different flavors of online marketing copy.Karon is a savvy marketer who has written books on writing with keywords, e-commerce copywriting and successful PPC ad writing, as well as the popularStep-by-Step Copywriting Course.
3 Posts We Like from Marketing Words:
- Small Business Owners: Create an Easy Trail to More Sales
- Answers to 3 Questions Every New Copywriter Asks
- Think Keyword Density Is Still a Factor? Prove It!
Ben Settle is a web marketer, copywriter and email specialist who offers daily marketing tips with a focus on copywriting for emails.
3 Posts We Like from Ben Settle:
Freelance Copywriters' Blog
This UK-based blog maintained by Sally Ormond shares web marketing basics like how to write effective sales copy, how to avoid common writing mistakes, how to use social networks for business, and how to optimize your writing for the web.
3 Posts We Like from Freelance Copywriters' Blog:
- Simple SEO Checks Any Small Business Can Make
- Getting More Quality from Your Web Leads
- How Many Keywords Should You Target?
The Urban Muse
Blogger Susan Johnston is a freelance writer who shares tips for living the freelance lifestyle on The Urban Muse. She also offers an e-book based on her blog called The Urban Muse Guide to Online Writing Markets.
3 Posts We Like from The Urban Muse:
- 5 Telltale Signs of a Bad Editor
- Cash in on Industry-Specific Writing
- 10 Tips on Querying Magazines and Websites
Author Dean Rieckis an expert in writing for business. His ProCopyTips blog includes tips on design, creativity, copy editing, business smarts, freelancing, psychology, productivity and writing tools, as well as checklists, interviews and how-to guides.
3 Posts We Like fromProCopyTips:
- Fascinations: The Art of Writing Compelling Teaser Copy
- The Freelancer's Quick Job Hunting Guide
- 117 Tested Advertising Headlines that Made Money,
Freelance Writing Success
Nick Usborne has written books about productivity for writers, making money in social media and other copywriting topics. His website offers advice for freelancers and those who hope to turn writing into a career.
3 Posts We Like fromFreelance Writing Success:
- Keyword research isn't about finding the best words and phrases, it's about finding relevant topics
- How to grow and balance your streams of income as a writer or copywriter
- Why I Love the Math of Big Crowds
The Writer Underground
Tom Chandler is a veteran copywriter who now does consulting and blogs about creativity, productivity, tools for writers, and other topics of interest to professional scribes.
3 Posts We Like from The Writer Underground:
- Writing Video Scripts For No Good Reason (And Some Very Cool Free Software To Help You Do It)
- How To Write More Good (or, Writing Advice So Bad, You'll Get Fired… And Laugh About It)
- Writing Multiple Projects? This Top Screenwriter Uses Soundtrack to Focus…
The Copywriter's Crucible
This blog, which bills itself as "a melting pot of punchy, persuasive copywriting," is the work of freelance copywriter Matt Ambrose. As the subtitle implies, Matt focuses on the art of persuasion, as well as SEO, email marketing and subject lines, blogging, and B2B copywriting. He often includes a quick note about what he's been reading as well as what he's been working on at the bottom of his posts.
3 Posts We Like from The Copywriter's Crucible:
- Why Complex Copywriting Can Give Your Product the WOW Factor
- How to Write Email Subject Lines that Get Your Emails Opened and Devoured
- Why Brief is Better When it Comes to B2B Email Copywriting
Miguel Alvarez's blog covers topics including SEO copywriting, persuasion and influence, blogging, video and general copywriting for the web. His website includes additional resources like lists of copywriting and SEO tools, training courses and a community forum.
3 Posts We Like from Copywriting.com:
- Copywriting for Twitter
- 3 Easy Steps to Become an Online Authority
- Top 10 Ways to Drive Traffic to a New Blog
The Word Well
Nikki Cooke authors this blog about copywriting, internet marketing, email marketing, SEO, social media and business networking, offering tips to improve the style and effectiveness of your web copy.
3 Posts We Like from The Word Well:
- How Active Are Your Verbs?
- The Smart Guide to Writing Your 'About' Page
- The Simplest Way to Captivate with Your Sales Copy
Marketing Bullets
Gary Bencivenga is one of those legendary copywriters whose name gets passed around again and again. He doesn't have an active blog, but the archives of his "Marketing Bullets" site ("short, fast and powerful") are a good evergreen resource.
3 Posts We Like From Marketing Bullets:
- The 3 Greatest Copywriting Lessons I Ever Learned
- How to Name Your Product (Including 21 Examples of Great Names)
- The Secret "Trigger Word" that Makes More of Your Prospects Say Yes than Any Other Word in the English Language
The Total Package
Clayton Makepeace, like Gary Bencivenga, is no longer actively blogging, but his archives are still accessible. Clayton is another renowned copywriter who made the transition from direct marketing to online copywriting.
3 Posts We Like from Clayton Makepeace:
- Make Your Product's Benefits Sparkle
- The 3 Most Common Blunders Even "A" Level Copywriters Make
- The Human Brain: An Owner's Manual
Know someone we missed? Drop a line in the comments!


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Hair cut!
I don't know if they are joking in these articles or not. I think probably not, which is so pathetic it makes me laugh uncomfortably. Basically, these men believe a woman is not allowed to cut her hair.
Quote from the second one: "Whether the intention is to beautify themselves for the sake of their husbands or for some other ulterior and immoral motive is a different matter. While the former intention will not justify the haraam act of hair-cutting, the latter motive will aggravate the prohibition."
The reason for this "prohibition" on cutting a woman's hair is that cutting hair is immitation of the kuffar and also because of the fact that beauty is not allowed (from the second article). The first article also adds the reason that cutting hair equals immation of men. The first article is pretty mild compared to the second one, saying:
"It should be noted that, if the hair is cut, then it should be well below the shoulders, and this permissibility is only to cut it slightly. If the woman is married, then this should be done with the consent of her husband."
Basically only a trim is permissible but even then better to avoid and the husband has to approve of the trim. That's the liberal of opinions. After reading the second article fully, I seriously find them VERY liberal. The second article ends with:
"The views and opinions of those who conflict with the Accepted Opinion of the Shariah is utterly baseless. The consequence of such baatil is the Wrath and Punishment of Allah Ta'ala."
Even if I don't accept this opinion, my voice probably doesn't count, I'd bet.


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LU recognized for excellence in minority education innovation
(Lamar press release)
Lamar University has been recognized for excellence in the field of minority education innovation by the P-20 Initiatives for African American Student Success.
Lamar received this recognition at the 2013 "Every Student Can" Developmental Education Course Redesign Summit hosted by the P-20 Initiatives for African American Student Success in conjunction with the Texas Higher Education Journal in Austin on July 15-16.
"I think it is an honor that we have been recognized for some of the things we are doing at Lamar," said Oney Fitzpatrick, associate provost for student retention. "It is particularly rewarding because it is based on an outside entity that has independently looked at the data and sees we are making progress."
The recognition was based on Lamar's minority enrollment and retention rates as well as the many programs established to help students succeed. Lamar is ranked third among public institutions in Texas in enrollment and retention of minorities and disadvantaged students and fourth among public institutions in Texas in minority graduation rates.
Fitzpatrick represented Lamar at the summit, the purpose of which was to discuss potential changes to developmental education and highlight ways Texas universities are making an impact by helping students make the most of their education. Fitzpatrick's presentation highlighted Lamar's multifaceted approach to student success, including Student Advising and Retention Services (STARS), TRiO Student Support Services (SSS), the McNair Scholars program, the Lamar 1101 University Success Seminar, the National Pan-Hellenic Council College Mentoring Program, and the new Undergraduate Advising Center.
"Many of our students have experienced limited academic success in the past, and many were given little chance to be successful," Fitzpatrick said. "Programs that can help them hone their academic skills, connect them to resources and support on campus, and allow them to become more involved in the culture of Lamar increase the probability that they will remain here and finish."


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Signs increasingly implicate BP oil in the die-off, although scientists caution that they cannot yet draw a definitive link
Dying dolphins and whales in the northern Gulf of Mexico provide a grim reminder that the ecosystem there still has not recovered two years after the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.
More than 600 dolphins have been found fatally ill or dead since oil reached the Louisiana shoreline following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig on April 20, 2010. This year alone, nearly 100 have washed up dead or deathly ill, mostly in Louisiana's Barataria Bay, where oil lingers in the marshes and sediment.
Signs increasingly implicate BP oil in the die-off, although federal scientists caution that they cannot yet draw a definitive link. The dolphins' illnesses are consistent with what marine biologists would expect from oil exposure: weight loss, anemia, low blood sugar, lung and liver disease, and dangerous hormone imbalances.
Dolphins remain healthy in areas of the Gulf not touched by oil, including Sarasota Bay, where scientists have tested for similar problems for comparison.
"We are concerned that many of the dolphins we evaluated in Barataria Bay are in such poor health that they are not likely to survive," Lori Schwacke, lead investigator for the dolphin studies and chief of the National Ocean Service's Oceans and Human Health branch, said during a recent news conference.
Dolphins are among the most visible casualties of the disaster, which killed 11 people and sent more than 200 million gallons of crude into the Gulf. They also serve as sentinels for the entire ecosystem, which sustained damage beyond what is visible from shore or even the surface of the sea.
The oil killed deep-sea corals, poisoned plankton that forms the basis of the food chain and caused lesions on popular sport fish, among other reported observations. But scientists expect damage from the spill to reveal itself over time measured in years — perhaps even decades.
Besides the dolphins, whales, sea turtles and other creatures that scientists found dead in the months after the spill, many more likely died at sea, out of sight, said Matthew Huelsenbeck, a marine scientist with the environmental advocacy group Oceana. Citing past research, he estimated that the 600 dolphins stranded since the disaster represent 2 percent of the overall number killed.
Craig Savage, a BP spokesman, emphasized the unknown and said federal scientists still need to evaluate more data before making conclusions about the dolphin deaths.
Fate of the oil
The Deepwater Horizon explosion severed a riser pipe that tapped into an oil reservoir a mile deep and about 60 miles offshore of the Mississippi Delta. Oil erupted from the pipe for three months, spoiling the Gulf with more than 200 million gallons of crude, one of the planet's largest oil spills.
Nearly 2 million gallons of toxic dispersants were applied at the pipe and at the surface to dissolve the oil. Despite the heavy use of dispersants, oil coated about a thousand miles of coastline in the northern Gulf from Texas to the Florida Panhandle.
Only a fraction — about 15 percent of the oil and gas released — made it to the surface, federal scientists estimated in a report this year. Most of it lingered in underwater plumes that left large parts of the gulf bottom littered with a thick rain of oily debris. The fate of about a quarter of the oil is still unknown.
BP will pay tens of billions of dollars in civil settlements and government fines and penalties for the environmental, economic and human health damage caused by the spill. On Wednesday, BP agreed to pay $7.8 billion to resolve claims from 100,000 individuals and businesses for economic, property and medical losses, according to the Associated Press.
Federal, state and local governments around the Gulf are still collecting evidence of spill damage to make sure BP pays to restore lost natural resources — a cost likely in the tens of billions of dollars. BP will also be liable for fines under the Clean Water Act up to about $20 billion.
While most of the visible oil has vanished, some of it still lies in marshes and sediments; stormy weather continues to deposit tarballs on beaches.
Research by Jeff Chanton, a professor of oceanography at Florida State University, shows that oil settled in sediments generally southwest of the spill site.
Evidence of oil was also found in the bottom of the food chain, particularly in Louisiana estuaries, where plankton, oysters and catfish contained traces of oil carbon.
"Somehow the oil carbon is getting into the food web of the Gulf," said Chanton, whose work did not focus on toxins.
Sick dolphins
In August, researchers evaluated the health of 32 dolphins in Barataria Bay, which received heavy and prolonged exposure to the oil.
"The dolphins that we sampled from Barataria Bay were overall not in good health," Schwacke said. One of the evaluated dolphins was found dead on Grand Isle in January, severely emaciated.
They had anemia, low blood sugar, liver disease, lung disease and, most importantly, low stress hormones — a symptom of oil exposure documented in experimental studies on mink.
Stress hormones are critical for essential body functions, and imbalances can lead to organ failure and death.
Similar health evaluations are under way in Alabama and Mississippi, where dolphin deaths also remain higher than normal. Scientists did not have data available from that work.
It is not surprising that dolphins are still sick and dying, said Huelsenbeck, the Oceana marine scientist.
Because oil remains in the sediments, the dolphins are still getting exposed to it and eating other animals that are still getting exposed to it, he said.
"They are basically going out and sampling different species," Huelsenbeck said. "They're constantly having to live in the environment. Imagine having to live in a living room with trash and eating that trash, too."
Sarasota Bay
Sarasota Bay's dolphins are playing an important role in the oil spill research, primarily because they were not exposed.
Federal researchers consider Sarasota Bay dolphins a reference population.
"The idea is, you're trying to look for significant deviations from an unperturbed population," said Randall Wells, director of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory.
The health differences between the dolphins in Sarasota Bay and the dolphins in the northern Gulf are very clear, Wells said.
The biggest question is how much of the illness in dolphins to the north can be attributed to the Deepwater Horizon oil and how much is due to chronic exposure over time. That question will be difficult to answer because the dolphins in the northern Gulf were not well studied before the spill.
An unusual spike in dolphin strandings began about three months before the Deepwater Horizon accident, further complicating the issue. The carcasses of those animals were more decomposed, making it difficult to determine whether they suffered from the same illnesses, scientists said last year when several dolphin tested positive for brucellosis.
"It's very tricky to try to sort out what is going on up there," Wells said. "The importance of having longer-term studies in place is something that doesn't receive the appreciation that it should."


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Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Meanwhile, a little late (my bad) but never mind, here's notice of the BSFA meeting in London next week, where I'll be the guest interviewee. Very nice of them to ask me and make me the focus of attention. If you're in the neighbourhood, it should be a most enjoyable evening.
11 comments:
- BigWill said...
Have a good flight.
Hope to see you there.
I have just bought a fresh new copy of Eisenhorn that needs to have your name on it,again :p
- 5:42 pm
Good luck mate have a great time!
- 5:58 pm
- Madclaw (Chris) said...
I'll see you there. Have a safe flight.
- 6:36 pm
- Lightbringer said...
Baltimore! Ever seen The Wire, Dan? If not, watch it immediately, it's better than chocolate coated platinum! If I were going there I'd be tempted to wander around the Corners like a stupid Wire tourist, and probably end up getting shot! :-) Enjoy your trip!
- 10:43 am
- Rob said...
Dan, Nick, and Matt Churchill:
I know that due to his increasing size, the Army is likely going to be called out on poor Pilgrim pretty soon--and likely Mayhem too for giving aid and comfort to a giant rampaging kitty.
However, if they both had sets of Cat Armor, they could shrug off those tank rounds no problem. (They also have sets for mice, so the rodents of the house aren't disadvantaged against a heavily-armored feline.)
- 6:21 am
Wow! Armoured cats! And I got excited enough by the Baltimore photos of Huron Blackheart in his cat armour! GW needs to make more cat models, far too many dogs as it is.
- 12:35 am
- e.molinski said...
holy cannoli, i am in love with the cat armor!!!
- 3:15 am
- Rob said...
I'm particularly fond of the "Persian" armor.
Also, I noticed that under the tab "New Stuff" in the Gallery section, he has a set of Elven Cat Armor.
How can you beat that?
- 7:19 pm
Persian armour is my profile picture on Facebook. Σ:-3
- 10:12 pm
Oh, trust you to arrive on the East Coast just after I departed it for the year...
Anyone else visiting Birmingham for the UK edition next month? I'm gonna try and get the day off work while somehow also retaining all of my external genitalia. Haven't quite figured out how, yet.
- 9:25 am
- Dan Abnett said...
Good to see you there, Will, Liz and Chris!
Lightbringer - I'm about to start watching The Wire, but I have been watching its genetic precursor Homicide, which is why we went to Fells Point.
Rob - Pilgrim is getting hisself some of that shit (he told me).
sredni - see you in Birmingham!
- 4:01 pm


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ROCKFORD - Rockford bid farewell Monday to 2013's scheduled games, although not fondly.
With the IceHogs ending the year on an 0-5-1-0 slide, 2014 can't come soon enough, having dropped a 3-2 decision to the Charlotte Checkers in front of a BMO Harris Bank Center audience of 4,599.
Perhaps flipping the calendar page will help.
"Maybe," head coach Ted Dent said. "We've been playing decent the last two games. We can't get frustrated. We've got to stay positive and get through this."
Rockford led 1-0 on a goal by Brandon Pirri, who later suffered a lower-body injury and is day-to-day. The 'Hogs tied it at 2 on a Brad Winchester score 26 seconds into the third period on a carryover power play.
But Austin Levi's first goal of the season on a long wrister gave Charlotte the game-winner at 2:59 - and starting goalie Kent Simpson the rest of the game off.
"It's the same old thing. We let in at least three goals," Dent said. "Two point shots, whether they're deflected or he didn't see them, we need to stop them. We've let in at least three goals for nine straight games, and that's too many."
Charlotte's second tally, by Chris Terry on a power play, came from a point shot. The puck caromed off 'Hogs defender Theo Peckham.
"The puck hits me. I'm standing two feet wide of the net and it hits me in the chest and goes in," Peckham said. "When you're in a slump like this, those are the breaks that are going to happen."
On offense, Rockford launched 43 shots at goalie Anton Khudobin, making his second rehab start with the Checkers to get ready to return to the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes.
"We're getting shots," said Winchester, who collected his team-leading 10th goal of the season. "We have game plans and guys are executing them, and we're implementing things we've worked on in practice.
"We have to have confidence that we can build on those things and combine it with hard work to get out of this."
Rockford's problem with the Checkers has come on the penalty kill: Charlotte connected on 10-of-26 power plays after converting on its first effort Monday.
Rockford outshot Charlotte 43-40, giving the 'Hogs 124 shots in their past three games but only six goals.
That's 10 straight games for Rockford with at least 30 shots on net.
Reed Schreck: firstname.lastname@example.com


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NL should not pass on tax-reform chance
New London has come too far to abandon a proposal that would allow it to experiment with a different property tax system, one that would reward property improvements, not penalize them, and motivate commercial property owners to renovate their buildings, not mothball them waiting to cash in on revitalization.
The approach is land value taxation (LVT), which shifts a greater percentage of the tax burden to the land itself. It rewards economic activity, in the form of revitalized buildings and development of empty lots, rather than punish it.
A group of local citizens, with backing from the City Council, lobbied the legislature to change state laws to allow LVT as an alternative to the traditional property tax system, in which every renovation or new construction means a higher tax bill. The result was a state law giving New London alone the opportunity to try LVT on a pilot basis.
But now this promising innovative approach may pass New London by without being given a chance. By the razor-thin margin of 4-3 the Land Value Tax Pilot Committee, created to come up with a plan to undertake LVT, has instead concluded that it "is not a model of taxation that can benefit the city of New London."
We disagree.
The committee began with a fundamentally flawed premise that LVT, if undertaken, should apply on a citywide basis, rejecting the option of implementation in a specific location. Yet pilot programs, by their very definition, are limited. By trying LVT in one location the city can asses the effectiveness. This information would then help the city determine whether to expand, modify or abandon the new approach. That is what pilot programs are all about.
This citywide approach drove the conclusion that LVT was not good for New London. LVT would penalize some businesses, such as car dealerships, because they must leave much of their land undeveloped for car inventories, the majority found. So too with shopping centers and their expansive parking lots, concluded the committee.
This is not reason for a blanket rejection of LVT. In a minority report, three committee members urge the council to proceed with a pilot program in the City Center District (CCD), or downtown, with a modest 10 percent shift in assessment to land holdings. The CCD does not have the car dealerships or expansive parking lots raised by the majority members as points of concern.
Why not take this opportunity to place downtown New London in a unique position in Connecticut, able to tell prospective developers that improvements they make to downtown New London properties will not entail the tax penalties seen in other communities. The city could also combine LVT with existing tax abatement programs to drive revitalization.
The committee majority also questioned the wisdom of implementing LVT in the current financial climate, when any economic development is difficult and credit tight. But shouldn't the city position itself now, to take best advantage of the eventual recovery to come?
It is interesting to note that Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom, during an online chat on theday.com last week, had this to say about LVT: "Should New London fail to capitalize on this opportunity, I will seek to have Norwich designated for a pilot."
Why would New London once again choose to pass on an opportunity? Perhaps because vested interests fear change.
The council, by a 4-2 vote, has asked the state legislature to extend by another six months the time the city has to design a pilot LVT program. We urge the legislature to so act. In the meantime, the council should instruct the LVT committee to recommend a true pilot program in a specific location.
The Day editorial board meets regularly with political, business and community leaders and convenes weekly to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Tim Dwyer, Editorial Page Editor Paul Choiniere, Managing Editor Tim Cotter, Staff Writer Julia Bergman and retired deputy managing editor Lisa McGinley. However, only the publisher and editorial page editor are responsible for developing the editorial opinions. The board operates independently from the Day newsroom.
Stories that may interest you
The problems with repealing the 'Cadillac tax'
The planned tax on high-cost health plans is unpopular, but failing to implement it will contribute to higher health care costs and deficits.
Harvard should return photos to slave descendants
Lanier and her family deserve to control their ancestors' images.
Puerto Ricans in New London call for resignation of island's governor
Siblings accused in Lindquist family killings appear in court


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Thursday, August 18
Good morning, TexMessagers. There's definitely been a change in the climate of national press coverage of Rick Perry. Thunderstorms!
★ ★ ★
Here's how the Washington political game works: Nearly every one of the 12 members of the congressional deficit-reduction "supercommittee" has a fund-raising event planned during their summer holiday. That gives the interest groups that could be affected by the panel's actions an opportunity to show some affection for the 12 lawmakers. (You'll remember that one of them — Republican co-chair Jeb Hensarling — is from Texas.)
But even before the latest round of fundraisers, Texas' most potent business interest has cemented close ties with the panel. The oil and gas industry has given $2,745,319 to the 12 lawmakers since 1989, according to a Texas on the Potomac analysis of opensecrets.org data. It favored the six Republicans on the panel over its six Democrats by about two-to-one.
We'll see if how those relationships play out when the supercommittee gets down to cutting spending (and tax breaks).
★ ★ ★
Texas Tips
Every morning, we offer Texas news you may not have heard and insights from the Washington bureau staff.
★ PERRY AND ROMNEY SPLIT ON GLOBAL WARMING (OR IS IT CLIMATE CHANGE?). A sharp divide has emerged between two leading Republican presidential candidates on the issue of climate change. While apparent front-runner Mitt Romney believes the world is getting warmer and that humans are contributing to that pattern, Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday called that "a scientific theory that has not been proven." More>>>
★ DALLAS FED CHIEF DENIES THAT MOST TEXAS JOBS ARE LOW-PAYING. Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Richard W. Fisher says respected economists in his organization are going to provide monthly updates on the jobs picture in Texas. "We hope it will be a useful tool for everyone ranging from columnists who write for the New York Times to the pundits who provide commentary for Fox News, as well as serious economists," Fisher told a gathering in Midland, Texas. Fisher, a one-time Democratic candidate for Senate, did not mention Texas Gov. Rick Perry by name or the Texan's presidential campaign. But the Fed executive did challenge critics' claims that most new jobs in Texas are in low-paying fields. Fully two-thirds of new jobs created in Texas are equal to or above the national average for weekly wages, Fisher said. Without mentioning Perry. More>>>
★ RANGEL RIPS PERRY. Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., the former chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, disagrees with the Dallas Fed chief. He says Rick Perry's record on jobs and the economy is "one step away from slavery." More>>>
★ ATF SAYS `FAST AND FURIOUS' AGENTS WERE "LATERALLY TRANSFERRED." The besieged Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is saying that the transfer of three ATF agents involved in a gun smuggling sting operation to Mexican drug cartels were not promotions. The announcement by top ATF spokesman Scot Thomasson comes a day after Sen. John Cornyn, R-San Antonio, challenged the apparent "promotions." As Thomasson put it: "Recent media reports have inaccurately characterized personnel changes involving ATF agents associated with the Fast and Furious operation as promotions." The three agents "were laterally transferred from operational positions and moved into administrative roles — they were not promoted." Thomasson said the three ATF agents did not receive salary or increases in pay grade and did not assume positions of greater responsibility.
★ ★ ★
Poll of the Week
Results of last week's poll
★ ★ ★
Tweets of the Day
★ ★ ★
Reader Comment of the Day
In response to Texas on the Potomac's post on Texas Gov. Rick Perry's tough talk about the Federal Reserve head, Jerry Allee offered tough words for Perry critics.
"Just read your article about Rick Perry's comment about Fed Chairman Ben Bernanake being almost treasonous if the Fed continuous to print money. Perry was exactly right and should not back away from what He said. The Socialist Democrats other Leftists and left wing journalist such as you were the only ones that are trying to make an issue of it. The average tax paying American citizen has no problem with what Perry said."
★ ★ ★
Texas Watch
TxPotomac lets you know what stories to look out for today — and later this week.
On Deck: Today
★ Ron Paul speaks to the N.H. House Business Coalition & Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce at 8 a.m. EDT
★ Rick Perry hosts a "meet and greet" at 9 a.m. EDT at Popovers on the Square, 8 Congress St., in Portsmouth, N.H. At 11:30 EDT, he has a lunch event at Harvey's Bakery and Coffee Shop, 376 Central Ave., in Dover, N.H.
★ The American Enterprise Institute will hold a discussion titled "An Emerging Democratic Majority?" at 12:30 p.m. EDT in the Rayburn House Office Building, room 2168. Speakers include Ruy Teixeira of the Center for American Progress, Michael Barone of the American Enterprise Institute and moderator Karlyn Bowman of the American Enterprise Institute.
On Deck: This Week and Beyond
★ Friday: Ron Paul will speak to the Florida Liberty Summit at Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando.
★ Friday: Rick Perry will speak at a South Carolina Republican Party luncheon at 1615 Gervais St. in Columbia.
★ Friday. The American Petroleum Institute releases its Monthly Petroleum Statistical Report.
★ Wednesday, Aug. 24. The House Oversight, Investigations and Management Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, will hold a field hearing titled "Preventing an Economic Shock Wave: Securing the Port of Houston From a Terrorist Attack." It is scheduled for 10 a.m. CDT on the fourth floor of the Port of Houston Authority, 111 East Loop North.


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HEAG Südhessische Energie AG (HSE), Darmstadt (D)
The HEAG Südhessische Energie AG (HSE) is the supplier of electricity, gas, water and district heating in the southern part of the federal country Hessen in Germany. The supply area of the HSE covers 2 000 square km. The 20 kV electricity distribution network and the low voltage network serves 175 500 house connections, provides a peak load of 750 MW, an annual energy consumption of 4.055 TWh. The HSE AG is interested to support the RTD work for novel ICT solutions to provide smart distribution tasks. HSE provides the needed installations in its network and the trial operations. After finishing the RTD work HSE AG will deploy the results in its supply area.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Project lead, Coordinator and Speaker
- Selection of clients of the ICT infrastructure stage 1 (project scope)
- Definition of the data to be communicated for performing the three pillars of smart distribution
- Installation of smart meters and RTUs in the client's properties
- Lead in commissioning and trial operation
- Lead in system integration
- Transition to continuous operation
Bernhard Fenn (1967) studied electrical engineering at the Technical University (TU) Darmstadt and started his business career 1993 at HEAG Versorgungs AG, Darmstadt, Germany (power supply company) as a technical officer in the area network. Mr. Fenn became head of the network management in 2004. Since 2007, Mr. Fenn is attorney of HEAG Südhessische Energie AG (HSE) and HSE Netz AG. Since 2009, Mr. Fenn is also technical director of the NATURpur Institute for Climate and environmental protection gGmbH within the HSE Group. Mr. Fenn is the responsible coordinator of the project Web2Energy.
Kirstin Chesi (1965) is the business assistant of Mr. Bernhard Fenn since 11 years at the HEAG Südhessische Energie AG (HSE). Mrs. Kirstin Chesi supports Mr. Bernhard Fenn as responsible leiter of the Consortiums and is the contact for organizational questions.


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Tapered Rolling Pin
- Exclusive
Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn $50 in reward dollars4 for every $500 spent on your Williams Sonoma Credit Card through July 22. Learn More
- Summary
French pastry chefs rely on this classic tool for rolling out thin, uniform circles of pie or tart dough.
- Classic handle-free design.
- Tapering pin can be pivoted to create a perfect round of pastry.
- The pin is so slender and lightweight, you can easily flip the rolled dough over the wooden cylinder and ease it into a baking pan.
- Made in Maine of rock maple, a hardwood prized for its strength, smoothness and durability.
- Dimensions & More Info
- 1/2" to 1 1/4" diam., 20" long.
- Made in USA.
- Use & Care
- Hand-wash. Dry thoroughly.
- Do not soak.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
Rated 5 out of 5 by livelaughloveeat from Loved it so much I bought one for me I bought this rolling pin for my mother as a gift. After using it repeatedly for group baking days - think perfectly rolled pie crust, nice and even sugar cookies - I bought one for myself. My daughters and I love this rolling pin - the tapered ends make it easy to grip and this one isn't so unwieldy like the larger diameter rolling pins.Date published: 2017-01-17Rated 5 out of 5 by Tigermom from Best Christmas gift I received this rolling pin as an early Christmas gift from my children. My 30 yr old standard rolling pin had broken over Thanksgiving......one of the handles had broken off. To the rescue was my new tapered pin. It worked like a charm rolling out my nut roll dough, kiffles, and rugelach. Now with the new year, we are all about 5 pounds heavier !!!Date published: 2017-01-10Rated 5 out of 5 by Vagigi2 from Great Baking Tool I really like the tapered rolling pin for pie pastry. I have used it one time and am still getting use to it. I have always used a standard rolling pin, but am so glad I bought the tapered pin. It does do a better job rolling the dough for pies as I can keep the size more even and round to fit the pie plate. I will be adding it to my list of favorites!Date published: 2015-07-09Rated 5 out of 5 by wd8lee from Great rolling pin I used a rolling pin with handles for years, gave that up for one without handles but when I used the tapered rolling pin, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to roll out dough. It gives me the ability to adjust pressure easily and put additional pressure where needed. I love it and would recommend it.Date published: 2015-05-31Rated 5 out of 5 by number1baba from great rolling pin! I love this rollling pin and use it over my standard one. I also bought one for both of my daughters and they like it too. It works great for stretching the dough and rolling it thin. It's easy to store too-just put it in the side of a drawer. I highly recommendDate published: 2015-01-07Rated 5 out of 5 by MommaKcooks from Game changing! Had someone told me that changing my rolling pin style would not only change how often I bake, which I already bake pretty often, but now I bake even more, but also that it would make for easier, prettier, more uniform dough and that I could roll it out twice as fast with better results...I would have changed from the traditional rolling pin that my grandma used to the tapered rolling pin a very long time ago. I love this thing! By far, my favorite purchase in a while, just because it really surprised me. Love love love it.Date published: 2014-09-13Rated 4 out of 5 by Meris from Ok rolling pin I had this listed on our registry, but didn't end up getting it for a gift, so i purchased afterwards on sale. I really wanted this rolling pin because so often i'm rolling things out and the end of the pin would get in my way. i saw one similar to this on Barefoot Contessa and i thought, "that's what i need!" However, after receiving it, i'm not amazed. Yes, it does what i want it to, and doesn't get in my way, BUT it's much smaller than what i assumed it to be (i guess that's my fault for not paying attention to measurements). I thought it would be thicker, longer, and it's just not. I also made note that you must oil this item like any cutting board, which my other rolling pin does not require. Seems like a lot more work and i don't really know for what.Date published: 2012-10-05Rated 5 out of 5 by NLeigh from Fantastic pin! I am madly in love with this pin! It's the perfect weight and the perfect design for both ease of use and ease of cleaning. It's as easy for me to use as it is for my young children. I cannot recommend this rolling pin enough! A fantastic value as well.Date published: 2012-09-10


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It's not that often that you find a mysterious chest tucked away in a corner. During the inventory on the Owaneco Train Depot my fellow volunteer Jon Meyer and I came across this seemingly ordinary trunk.
Because we were doing an inventory, we needed to open it up and catalog the contents. What we found inside was a pleasant treat!
Inside the chest we found some family photos, a quilt, and some old photographs of a mysterious shop. Besides the information in the photos, we had nothing else to go on. However, the photos were remarkably preserved. We just had to do a little detective work to figure out more about this shop and its owner.
With a little help from genealogy meister Chuck Courtwright, we began our information quest. As luck would have it, one of the photos gave us a name and shop description: Henry Biermann - Tire and Top Shop. With name in hand we turned next to ancestry.com to get a time/location for Henry Biermann. Markings on one of the photos gave us a general time-frame covering the early 19th century. We found one matching entry for a Henry Biermann in Taylorville, IL. Other information, such as the name of the wife and children confirmed our match.
When doing genealogy research of your own, be sure to widen your search by trying out different name combinations. For example, Henry Biermann's name was listed as: Beirmann, Biermann, and Bierman.
Then we began to research in the genealogical archives located on site. Looking through the local paper's microfilm near the time of Henry Beirmann's death gave us an obituary that provided invaluable information on the entrepreneur.
From that clipping we confirmed the number of children he had, the location of his shop, the name of his wife, his local charity work, and so much more! Who knew an old chest would contain such a wealth of information about Taylorville's history!
If you have your own adventure you would like to unravel, come drop by the Historical Society and Museum and Chuck can help you - or at least point you in the right direction!