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The trial of an Osage Beach police officer accused of sexual abuse has been continued.
The trial of an Osage Beach police officer accused of sexual abuse has been continued.
Richard Calvino, 59, was scheduled to go to trial May 28 before Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Hayden in Morgan County. The trial has, once again, been delayed with no new date set.
Calvino faces felony charges of first degree sexual abuse, sodomy, first degree deviate sexual assault, first degree sexual assault with a victim age 14 or 15, and second degree deviate sexual assault with a victim age 16.
Calvino was arrested and charged in Camden County in 2011. The case was moved to Morgan County on a change of venue at the request of Calvino's defense attorney.
Calvino, an officer with the Osage Beach Police Department, is accused of having sexual contact with an underage girl between 1984 and 1990. The child was between the ages of 11 and 17 when the alleged incidents took place.
In late January 2010, a psychological therapist from Pinellas Park, Fla., contacted the Camden County Sheriff's Office to report allegations of sexual contact between Calvino and the victim. Camden County Sheriff Dwight Franklin handed over the investigation to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The therapist reported a clients had undergone hypnosis that caused suppressed memories to surface.
In 2010, the alleged victim had conversations with Calvino by phone, email and in person that investigators recorded and preserved for evidence. A Highway Patrol investigator interviewed Calvino in Jefferson City at the Missouri Highway Patrol Troop F headquarters on Dec. 9, 2010. Calvino denied having any sexual relations with the girl. According to the document, "Calvino also stated he was not the type of person to do such a thing."
According to a probable cause statement written by Highway Patrol Sgt. C.W. Wirths, the alleged victim stated that she began seeing the Florida therapist in May 2009. Part of her therapy brought up memories of the victim being "molested by Calvino" between the ages of 11and 18. The victim "stated she had shut these memories out of her mind because of the guilt but as a result of the therapy (the memories) resurfaced."
Calvino pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned. He later waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Calvino has continued to work for the Osage Beach Police Department.
Allegations from the probable cause statement
• The victim began babysitting for the Calvino family when she was 11. She alleges that Calvino, then approximately 31, fondled her and she performed oral sex on him.
• When the victim was 15 or 16, Calvino was teaching her how to drive a car at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. The victim claims Calvino would make her perform oral sex on him before he would teach her to drive.
• Calvino allegedly hurt his knee while having sex with the teenager at his home on a waterbed.
• The victim alleges there was inappropriate sexual contact with Calvino while he was on duty in an Osage Beach police car. Calvino was approximately 36 years old at the time. The girl was 16 or 17.
• The probable cause statement included an explanation that the victim "looked up to Calvino as a father figure and would confide in him about problems she was having."


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MIDDLETON — Middleton has about 264 students enrolled in school. Figuring about 2.5 children per family (we will disregard preschool age), that comes to over 100 families. Saturday, Feb. 2 was the Deliberative Session for the School Budget and Warrant Articles. Some considered the turnout rather good — about 30 or so residents.
Of that number, both parents of a family were there, and some were residents who no longer have children in school. In comparison to public participation in other instances, it could be said attendance was indeed good. However, now the Budget and Warrant Articles will be on the ballot March 12, as approved or amended by those 30 or so residents. Without hearing the dialogue and discussion that transpired, one must hope that those not in attendance will take advantage of every opportunity to become informed on the issues placed on the March 12 ballot.
The Budget and Warrant Articles are posted on the SAU 61 website, although what is posted is prior to the Deliberative Session; two Warrant Articles (4 and 9) and the Operating Budget have been amended since then. The first article notes that there two positions are open on the School Board for 3-year terms, along with Moderator, School Clerk and Treasure positions for 1-year terms. Article 2 is approval of filing reports — an organizational necessity. -Article 3 takes care of the deficit that resulted in the unexpected increase in enrollment last year. Enrollment is back down to about 264 from 305, considerably reducing the amount anticipated for tuition next school year, although a 'margin of error' factor for additional enrollment has been calculated. Article 4, the operating budget, after discussion and amendment was approved for $3,455,599. Article 5 was approved for appropriation of funds to cover administrative costs.
Those of you have been attending meetings or following the news are acutely aware of the condition of the Middleton school buses. However, for all others, particularly those who will be voting on March 12, it bears repeating. Four full-size buses plus a short bus are necessary to operations, with another 'spare' when one bus is down for maintenance or routine service. The recommended maximum age of a school bus is seven years. Middleton's newest are 2006 models and the fleet has cost in excess of $45,000 in repairs in the course of the school year, and there is no 'spare' bus.
The need to replace the buses is urgent and critical if Middleton is to continue providing reliable transportation to students. The SAU and School Board have researched the subject extensively, resulting in Articles 6 through 9. The situation and the proposed remedies were thoroughly explained and summarized by John Mammone, who has been very involved in the research for solutions. The approximate cost of purchasing a new bus is about $81,000. Articles 6 through 8 would provide thee new buses (one purchased, two leased) for less than $50,000. There would be less hemorrhaging from the budget for repairs, and possibly a return of some monies by disposing of some of the old fleet. The Articles would begin the cycle of acquiring new equipment on a rotational schedule, further stabilizing the budget, with Article 9 providing for a reserve fund for future bus replacements or additions. Again, note that the posted Warrants are dated Jan. 28, and Articles 4 and 9 were amended at the Deliberative Session.
Article 11 revisits the issue of which schools students should attend, asking for a study of the feasibility and suitability of withdrawing from the current AREA Agreement. Note that it is not an article to withdraw, but a study to determine whether it would be in the best interest of the students and the town to do so. Note also that the AREA Agreement discussions between the Farmington and Middleton Boards continue, with the next one scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Middleton Town Hall.
Articles 12 has no impact on taxes, but provides for setting aside any unexpended funds (with a cap) to cover emergency expenditures. Article 13 is more 'housekeeping.' The Deliberative Session lasted more than two hours, during which time Jack Savage, moderator, kept the discussions on track while giving everyone a chance to express their views and ask questions. Several comments were made commending the School Board and the SAU for their work. Bus drivers and school staff were also commended by the Board for supporting students at the schools while law enforcement engaged a hostage event in Middleton late Thursday afternoon. Now it remains for eligible residents to be as vigilant by voting on March 12 at the Town Hall.
The Vintage Villagers meet every Wednesday at the Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. for coffee (or tea) and delectable edibles. There are no restrictions on age ... if you enjoy good company and scintillating talk, come have a cuppa with them. There might even be a surprise or two, such as last Wednesday, Jan. 30 when John Harper and his wife, Lucy, joined them. John presented autographed issues of his book, The Lofty Woodshop, to the Library, Evelyn Campbell and yours truly. Stop by, join the Library, sign out his book for side-splitting chuckle-bait in every chapter and even some information on what (and what NOT) to do on your own projects.
Police log
The Police Activity Log from Jan. 17 through Jan. 27 listed 37 calls. There were six calls for mutual aid, three for medical assist on Pleasant Valley Road. The police investigated one incident of an open door at Middleton Supply, four incidents of suspicious person/MV/ activity and one case of shots fired on Pheasant Drive. Other calls were for a missing person on Pine Ridge Road., identity fraud on Ridge Road., reckless conduct and a motor vehicle complaint, both on Ridge Road. An E911 hang-up was investigated, as well as a domestic disturbance on Deer Run Road and a probation violation on Lakeshore Drive. The arrest log and other information are available on Middletonnhpolice.blogspot.
Ramping things up
The Parker family now has a ramp enabling their son, Jacob, to have easy access to their home on Route 153. The ramp was constructed from material the Parkers purchased from Middleton Supply, who gave them a generous discount. The design was done for free by Home Depot, and the financing came from the Harry Gregg Foundation of Crotched Mountain and Partners in Health in Dover. The construction crew consisted of Eric and Laura Parker, with invaluable help from their neighbor, Paul Peavey.

subset: commoncrawl


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Our city has the Panthers, the Bobcats, Bank of America and even the dang Democratic National Convention. And still news readers around the USA have to be reminded that we are Charlotte, N.C.?
Baltimore has fewer people, but you won't see Baltimore, Md. atop news stories about prize crab-cakes or baseball Orioles.
This dateline bias does not sit well with many Charlotteans, including those of us at the Dish. But now one proud Charlotte transplant is trying to do something about it.
And Jill Santuccio -- owner of PRISM Communications, a Charlotte PR firm -- thinks the upcoming convention could help our cause for a standalone dateline.
To host the DNC, Charlotte beat out St. Louis, Cleveland and Minneapolis. So isn't it just a little bit INFURIATING that we are the only one in that quartet still saddled to its state ID?
Of the 46 cities that have hosted the Democratic National Convention over the years, former journalist Santuccio discovered, only three needed a state for news readers to locate them -- Atlantic City, N.J. (1964), Kansas City, Mo. (1900), and our neighbor Charleston, S.C. (1860).
The rest of them -- including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Atlanta and, yes, Baltimore -- didn't need no stinkin' state abbreviation behind their name.
So, Santuccio has written the Associated Press editorial board to make the case for a change in the revered AP Stylebook that dictates which cities get standalone datelines and which don't.
When Santuccio, now 44, went to journalism school, the professor would give a closed-book quiz on such things. "I've always been an AP Stylebook geek," she told us. "I still know the five states that you don't abbreviate."
Not only does AP follow its stylebook; so do many newspapers. So this is a Big Deal, readers.
Santuccio hasn't heard back yet from AP, whose reasons for sticking Charlotte with N.C. are so-outta-date. But she's bringing in reinforcements: We're talking ex-Observer columnist Tommy Tomlinson.
"Many people used to confuse Charlotte with Charleston, S.C., or Charleston, W.Va., or Charlottesville, Va., but no more," Tommy wrote, "The people who still confuse us with them are people who probably don't care about the nuances of the AP Stylebook. Or, for that matter, reading."
Santuccio is a Rochester, um, N.Y., native. But she's been in the Queen City, N.C., for 22 years, and she wants her adopted city to finally get its due, dateline-wise.
"Charlotte has worked really hard to be on the national and international stage," she says. "And getting a standalone dateline would be another sign that we have arrived."
Tim Funk
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Stop it with the N.C., already
Our city has the Panthers, the Bobcats, Bank of America and even the dang Democratic National Convention. And still news readers around the USA have to be reminded that we are Charlotte, N.C.?
21 comments:
- Anonymous said...
I agree! Charlotte can stand on its own. One of the best cities in the Southeast!
- June 9, 2012 at 10:16 PM
- Anonymous said...
There are more important things...but, i agree, this nc after charlotte is pretty stupid. Btw, the folks at usatoday never use the nc after charlotte.
- June 9, 2012 at 11:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Since we've grown out of our pants....we should simply be known as Big Charlotte
- June 9, 2012 at 11:27 PM
- Anonymous said...
Agreed. Charlotte needs to remove the NC. We are the capital of the Carolinas. The University also needs to ditch the NC. University of Charlotte would be more appropriate.
- June 10, 2012 at 12:09 AM
- Anonymous said...
This city and its people are the most insecure. Why do you care? If a hick in Nebraska doesn't know the difference between Charlotte and Charleston, SC.
So the media refers to other cities by their name only. Charlotte has nothing original to offer the world. It has to be like other cities.
- June 10, 2012 at 12:16 AM
- Garth Vader said...
Maybe the media will drop the "NC" after this town's newspaper drops its obsessions with Atlanta and with local reality television contestants.
- June 10, 2012 at 12:27 AM
- Anonymous said...
Vader, you are correct sir.
Charlotte is obsessed with larger cities and the status that goes along with them.
But Asheville and Charleston trump banktown.
- June 10, 2012 at 1:01 AM
- Anonymous said...
HA. Too funny. Don't we have anything else to worry about?
- June 10, 2012 at 2:02 AM
- Anonymous said...
"HA. Too funny. Don't we have anything else to worry about?"
Not in a shallow self-absorbed world class city! Welcome to hell!
- June 10, 2012 at 3:02 AM
- Anonymous said...
You are trailer park trash that found a bag of money on the side of the highway and ever since you have been trying to buy your way into class.
- June 10, 2012 at 9:41 AM
- Jim Mitchem said...
Interesting. You should read this: http://www.wcnc.com/news/dnc-charlotte-2012/Charlotte-South-Carolina-Welcomes-DNC-139451243.html
- June 10, 2012 at 4:19 PM
- Anonymous said...
Late bloomer QC gets no respect because nobody gives a rats azz. Cities are out burbs are in. Way too many bloated urban concrete jungle ghettos gone bellyup who made their mark ages ago long before white flight. Baltimore is a cesspool of crime and filth. Bad comparison but maybe not.
Get over it. The DNC is lib Foxx's folly that will usher his 6 trillion dollar pal out of the WH in Nov anyway. Ballyntyne and others splitting off and 3rd world Detroit closing in fast. Demographics doing a 180 and changing fast.
Down she goes ...
- June 11, 2012 at 8:24 AM
- BetweenQueens said...
This is a fair point. However, during my 3 years in Charlotte, I have been annoyed in observing that nearly EVERYTHING which could better position Charlotte on a national stage is in fact branded as "Carolina's" or "North Carolina." For example: it's not the Charlotte Panthers, but the Carolina Panthers. It's not the Charlotte Dance Theatre, but rather the North Carolina Dance Theatre. Not Charlotte Blumenthal - but the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. I can agree with the issue at play, but this has been created by the city leaders who named these assets initially. As a result, whenever I talk to friends anywhere else in the globe, they in fact are envious that I leave on a beach front (yes - all think I am in Charleston SC no matter how many times I try.) While locals may think this matter has been overcome, per my experience, I beg to differ unfortunately.
- June 11, 2012 at 10:29 AM
- Anonymous said...
CLT is Charlotte, NC as CHS is Charleston, SC. There's really no confusion there. CHS has historical buildings & class & CLT has "Nascar" (which REALLY takes place In Concord, NC). I miss the City of Queens, but we have a fair share of our own down here in the "Low Country" aka CHS. We just don't have or have hosted the Miss Gay Universe Pagent as CLT has/does. But the drag shows are ok if you're into that or get taken along as sometimes "fag-hag" to shake your money makers on the dance floor! "HOOTIEHOO"!
- June 11, 2012 at 11:16 AM
- @Raindawg said...
Hate to say it, but it's still an issue. http://www.pastemagazine.com/rsvp?utm_source=NL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=120608
- June 11, 2012 at 11:52 AM
- Anonymous said...
Remember, Charlotte's the home of the Carolina Panthers.
Which Carolina? Oh, now does it really matter?
- June 11, 2012 at 1:37 PM
- Anonymous said...
Its a no brainer than all pro sports teams teams be named for Carolina but everything else for Charlotte.
More pro teams with state than city in America.
NFL Minnesota Vikings
NBA Minesota Timberwolves
MLB Minnesota Twins
NHL Minnesota Wild
NBL Minnesota Thunder
NLL Minnesota Swarm
WNBA Minnesota Linx
AWFL Minnesota Vixon
AWFL Minnesota Machine
AWFL Minnesota Lady Slippers
ASSL Minnestoa Stars
WSL Minnesata Lightning
NHL Minnesota N Stars to Dallas
NHL Minnesota Moose to Winnepeg
AFL Minnesota Fighting Pike def
AFL Minnesota Thunder def
AVL Minnesota Monarchs def
NAS Minnesota Raceway Park
NCAA Minnesota Golden Gophers
NRG Minnesota Rollergirls
BAN Minnesota Oval
- June 11, 2012 at 2:46 PM
- Anonymous said...
Sorry, but outside of the Southeast and a few of a migration hot spots like upstate New York, few people know much about Charlotte. I've met people from Chicago who confuse our city with Charleston all the time.
Not to start on a different can of worms, but the whole idea of changing UNC Charlotte's name to University of Charlotte is really shortsighted. UNC has a nationally recognized brand that all graduates benefit from. "University of Charlotte" sounds like "University of Phoenix." Changing the name would devalue the degree.
- June 11, 2012 at 4:42 PM
- Anonymous said...
You'd think a self-professed "AP Stylebook geek" would know there are eight states that you don't abbreviate, not five.
- June 11, 2012 at 7:52 PM
- Anonymous said...
As alltime top geek hick that one should know. Wasnt that trailor park bumpkin fired cleaning Walmart restrooms long ago for extra curricular activity?
- June 12, 2012 at 8:02 AM
- David P.McKnight said...
Perhaps Charlotte's most applicable urban parallel is Louisville. People say, "Louisville, Ky.," just as they say, "Charlotte, N.C." Louisville and Charlotte both straddle two states (Kentucky-Indiana, North Carolina-South Carolina). Hence, it is only natural to associate both cities with two states and therefrore to add the abbreviation (Ky./N.C.) to remind people which states these pivotal cities are actually located in.
- June 13, 2012 at 8:29 AM


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GROOVY Photo Gallery is my last After Effects (CS4 HD 1280×720) project. This one includes 30 media placeholders (1280×720). Fast render process and easy customization. Duration: 1 minute 30 seconds. No third party plug-in needed (Cycore FX plug-ins coming with the full versions of AE are required).
The preview file uses the music track CINEMATIC GROOVES created by GuitarState. This music track IS NOT included. You can buy it on Audiojungle:
If you like my work please rate it and if you have any trouble customizing the template drop me an email through my profile page
You don't know how to use After Effects? You have special requests? ... I can make the customization process for you…. Simply drop me a message from my videohive profile page (http://videohive.net/user/lasgole) with all the needed informations or requests.
Particular (prerendered) preset derived from Mattrunks RG People preset:


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Asked by Thomas, Dallas, Texas
I have just been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, but I am questioning the diagnosis since I feel that I don't exhibit most of the symptoms. I mean, I do get distracted while I am working on my research or studying, but I feel everyone gets distracted just as I do. How is normal distraction different from ADHD?
Mental Health Expert
Dr. Charles Raison
Emory University Medical School
Dear Thomas:
The answer to your question is straightforward: Distraction is different from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) by a matter of degree. That, plus adults with ADHD tend to struggle with other symptoms in addition to distractibility, such as chronic lateness, poor self-control, irritability and mood swings, as well as additional problems.
The key to ADHD, as with all psychiatric disorders, is that the symptoms must be causing distress and/or disrupting one's ability to function in life. Note that these two things need not completely overlap. In some psychiatric conditions, such as depression, they always do. Depression by definition is a miserable state, and it is that misery that in large measure leads to life difficulties. But in other conditions, such as adult ADHD, misery and distress can be only marginally connected.
Let me say this in other way. ADHD is one of those conditions in which the impairment can come as much from the suffering of those around you as from your own struggle with concentration and distractibility.
Lots of folks with ADHD know that they are profoundly disorganized, frequently lose things, often "spaced out" unless they are hyper-focused on a task of interest to them, reliably late for appointments and so on, but feel that this is just "how they are." They wonder why people close them, such as parents or spouses, are so chronically frustrated with them.
Of course, I don't know anything about you other than your quick question, but your ADHD diagnosis means that someone other than yourself thinks your distractibility is severe enough and enough of a problem that it warrants treatment.
I can't comment on whether this is an accurate assessment, but I can say that because people with ADHD often don't fully recognize the breadth and depth of their symptoms nor the toll these symptoms are exacting on their lives, the opinions and insights of others are well worth considering seriously.
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Lake Montauk is full of beautiful moon jellyfish, transparent disks of about five inches in diameter. Four pinkish rings are visible within the transparent bell of Aurelia aurita. The jellies do not swim, beyond flexing their bells to produce an upward thrust. Mostly, they are carried by the tide.
They eat tiny mollusks, crustaceans, and copepods and are, in turn, eaten by sea turtles. Despite a sting that is minor compared to that of the lion's mane and the Portuguese man-of-war, they are fed upon by larger fish as well. If recent findings regarding jellyfish protein are true, sea turtles should have elephantine memories.
Jellyfish protein was the hot topic at an international conference on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of age-related dementia held in Paris last month. Sophisticated experiments showed a marked improvement in memory in those treated with jellyfish protein. Moon jellies are also bioluminescent. They glow in the dark like pleasant memories.
Memories of catching striped bass from the beach are what casters have been left with during the current dog days. Except for a few successful nighttime forays, surfcasters have been casting blanks, according to Paul Apostolides of Paulie's Tackle shop in Montauk. Same with bluefish.
Meanwhile, the action on the bay side has been steady, especially in the porgie and fluke departments. Big striped bass are haunting Cedar Point, and a school of green bonito was spotted off Goff Point over the weekend. Spanish mackerel and green bonito are migratory pelagic species of the tuna kind. They usually show up in local waters a few weeks ahead of their false albacore cousins.
Both are worth keeping an eye peeled for because, unlike falsies, Spanish mackerel and greenies are delicious table fare. A little olive oil, a little soy sauce, herbs from the garden, a grill, a bottle of wine, and whoever thee is.
Chris Miller of the West Lake Marina in Montauk said tuna fishing was spotty: "a few yellowfin out in the Tails section of Block Canyon and West Atlantis Canyon, a lot of small fish."
Miller said there were very few caught in the 40-to-50-pound range. "I had one customer fishing in 50 fathoms who got a keeper yellowfin and a keeper bluefin."
"Spectacular fluking for the past week," Miller said. "All up and down the south side of Montauk in 40 feet of water." Miller reported that Gary (Toad) Stevens brought back an 11-pound doormat on Saturday. His fishing buddies returned with a 9 and a 7-pounder.
And, he reported, "a lot of nice sea bass, with more in shallow waters than I've ever seen before. When I started diving it was rare to see sea bass big enough to shoot. Now you see big blue knothead sea bass, and they have become a spearfishing target."
Speaking of bigger things in shallow water, Chris Goodman, who likes to swim at Wiborg's Beach in East Hampton, reported seeing very large rays with wingspans of over six feet.
Boaters have been doing well in the rips around Montauk Point using eels to catch striped bass. Chris Miller had a suggestion. "There's plenty of sea bass in 30 feet of water. When you're in the rips fishing for striped bass and the tide slacks, switch to clams and a bottom rig."
When you're not a surfcaster and not a boater, you may be working the ocean between beach and blue water aboard your kayak. Eric (E.J.) Johnson paddled off Ditch Plain, Montauk, at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, made a few casts, and hooked a nice striper. It looked legal size (at least 28 inches) but Johnson did not have the minimum size marked on his rod or kayak, so he released it, much to his wife's dismay.
From shore she had seen the rod bend. She watched her husband battle the bass. By the time her husband let it go, Bridget LeRoy had the fish filleted, spiced, and cooking in her head for dinner. Can you say Mrs. Paul's?
In answer to the recent upsurge in spearfishing's popularity, Harvey Bennett of the Tackle Shop in Amagansett built himself a "Bonac Hawaiian sling."
It's made from a few lengths of surgical tubing — "I have it in the shop for umbrella rigs" — a footlong section of P.V.C. pipe — "I mooched off a pool guy" — two P.V.C. end caps for the pipe section — "$7 at the hardware store; they were the most expensive parts" — and for a spear, "one of those rods you stick at the end of your driveway to mark your lawn in case you have a lot of snow. My neighbors thought I was making a pipe bomb."
One can only imagine the humiliation a fish must feel when skewered by one of those rods you stick at the end of your driveway to mark your lawn in case you have a lot of snow. Yes, yes.


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The world's population is aging, and few pensions systems have taken action to prepare for the fast-changing future. Citizens are wondering what's next. Eighty-two percent of respondents to the Accenture Global Retirement Services Survey say that they are worried about their financial situation after retirement, and 57 percent believe that their standard of living will drop when they stop working.1
This short paper explores four myths that uncover true realities for pensions systems:
Myth 1. The State will no longer support people in retirement.
Myth 2. Work life ends. Retirement begins.
Myth 3. Training is for the young.
Myth 4. The old will be reliant on the young.
Pensions systems have a ripe opportunity to move past the myths and take action to explore comprehensive active aging policies.
Download the full point of view piece to learn more about what pensions systems can do to prepare for a sustainable future. [PDF 184KB]
1 Accenture report, "Global Retirement Services Survey: Consumers See the Light as Retirement Shortfall Looms"; July 17, 2012.


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GS:Whenever Sega has released a mascot-fueled game, such as Sega Superstar Tennis, comparisons have inevitably been drawn to its Nintendo-developed counterpart. But Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is far from a poor man's Mario Kart. Fun track design, a solid character roster, and a bevy of multiplayer modes could have made this one of the best games of its class--but there are big problems with the Wii U version that significantly hinder it.
"It seems a day-one game patch is responsible for this bug, since it didn't appear before the Wii U's online service was on, but the game will patch automatically if your system is online, which may leave you with a broken experience."
"If it weren't for these problems, the Wii U version of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed would be as good as, if not better than, the other versions."
Sounds more like a problem with the update because he said that the game worked fine without the patch. Sega better hurry up and fix this because I for one will not tolerate something like this hindering my overall experience on the Wii U, especially when it can be easily fixed as easily as it was broken with a patch, and since Nintendo doesn't charge developers to patch their titles, they better hustle and get it fixed like yesterday....
I for one would wait or disconnect my router before playing this, at least until they fix these issues. At least the game will be great once they do fix it.
I been playing the co-op and single player modes without any issues. I think all of editors love to nit pick things too death to make themselves seem smarter.
Maybe it isn't a Mario Kart killer, but Im gunna go out on a limb and say any Mario series gets bigger budget by 3-4 times which only helps. 6/10 was definitely too low.
Looks like LBP Karting was better after all (not like it was a surprise or anything).
Its funny that other games with AAA tier are release broken and they never low down the score for it!Now comes this game that is broken by an early patch and that could be fix by another and gets slam in the score,my guess is that the reasons are from been a WII U game or a Sega game!LATELY i have seen very strange moves regarding scoring games on two sites Gamespot and IGN and all this moves makes me wonder that certain publishers just stop giving this two game sites the usualy pay check,its at clean view that monetary this two gamer sites are losing money because publishers dont pay what they use to in adds and other ways of publicity!And lately some reviews from this two sites are very inconsistence,and very bad written and some dont match the low score given, im guessing the income of money for this sites is not what it use to be and they are trying a cover Chantage or blackmail by lowering game scores from certain publishers.


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3:30 pm
This Old House "Bedford Project, Part 9 of 16" General contractor Tom Silva installs new red cedar clapboards on the oldest part of the house using a story pole to match the coursing of a later addition. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey arrives to help remove some existing plumbing that's in the way of the new kitchen. Meanwhile, landscape contractor Roger Cook installs a new horseshoe-shaped asphalt driveway that will later be topped with a rustic finish to make it look like a stone driveway, without the mess or the maintenance. D
4:00 pm
Ask This Old House "Building a Porch Railing; Selecting Stone for Building Walls" General contractor Tom Silva helps two homeowners build a railing for their porch. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscape contractor Roger Cook, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, asks, "What Is It?" Afterward, Roger and Kevin visit a stoneyard to learn about stone used to build walls. D
4:30 pm
Growing a Greener World "Organic Pest Control" As gardeners, weekend warriors and even commercial growers are turning to more eco-friendly practices, one solution for pest control has been with us since the beginning of time. Just as nature intended, biological control, using natural predators and insects to keeps pests in check, is gaining ground as the eco-friendly method of choice. This episode looks at finding and promoting natural predators in the garden and also discusses incorporating natural bacteria and plant derivatives when a bug problem gets out of hand. D
5:00 pm
Moyers & Company "How Do Conservatives and Liberals See The World?" Our country is more politically polarized than ever. Is it possible to agree to disagree and still move on to solve our massive problems? Or are the blind leading the blind -- over the cliff? In an encore episode of Moyers & Company (check local listings), Bill and moral psychologist Jonathan Haidt talk about the psychological underpinnings of our contentious culture, why we can't trust our own opinions, and the demonizing of our adversaries. "When it gets so that your opponents are not just people you disagree with, but. D
6:00 pm
William and Mary Mary is dealing with a truant son and an unusual birth, while her mother is determined to fix up Mary with ex-boyfriend Rick.G
7:00 pm
Outdoor Idaho "Wilderness in the 21st Century" This exploration of wilderness issues captures scenic vistas of Idaho from north to south. The show examines what wilderness means to Idahoans, pressures from wheeled vehicle advocates, collaborative efforts that include multiple sides, and how work is accomplished inside a wilderness.G
7:30 pm
Oregon Field Guide "Pine Butterflies/Radon/Open Water Swimming" A rare population explosion of pine butterflies fills the Malheur National Forest with a fluttering snowstorm in August. The outbreak may occur for two to three years - with the caterpillars eating needles off 250,000 acres of trees - then disappear for up to three decades.G
8:00 pm
Garrow's Law In the late 18th century, young idealistic barrister William Garrow is given his first criminal defense case at the Old Bailey by attorney and mentor John Southouse. He defends Peter Pace, who is accused by renowned thief-taker Edward Forrester of robbing a man at gunpoint. The case is won by Garrow's nemesis Silvester, but Garrow's impressive performance in court catches the eye of Lady Sarah Hill.G
9:00 pm
Vera (Apt) "Hidden Depths" Two beautiful young people are killed in the same manner and DCI Vera Stanhope intends to find the murderer before there can be another victim. With Sgt. Joe Ashworth and the rest of her trusted team, she unravels the complex and dysfunctional relationships amongst a group of bird-watching friends, who protect and ultimately betray each other.G
10:30 pm
New Tricks "Only The Brave" Reece, the son of the murdered leader of a criminal motorbike gang is expected to avenge his father's death by killing the rival gang member believed to be responsible. Reece's girlfriend thinks the wrong person is targeted and urges UCOS to reopen the case.G
11:30 pm
Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope "Easter Island - Mysteries & Myths" Joseph visits the most remote inhabited place on earth - Rapa Nui (the island's native name), more than 2,000 miles from the coast of Chile. Questions surround the origins of the Rapa Nui culture, their enormous carved stone moai and the cause of the Rapa Nui people's ecological and natural disasters.G


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| WMU News
KALAMAZOO—Western Michigan University's 2012 Health and Wellness Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Student Recreation Center's indoor tennis courts.
This free event for WMU students, employees and retirees allows attendees to learn about the health and wellness resources available to them at WMU and in the community.
There will be a wealth of information about comprehensive health services and topics. This information will cover everything from nutrition, dental health, mental health and insurance to safety, financial wellness and how bystanders can intervene in problem situations.
Blood pressure checks, chair massage, fitness equipment demonstrations, employee wellness assessments and free food samples will also be featured. In addition, the Sindecuse Health Center will be holding a flu and meningitis vaccination clinic during the expo.
Free parking will be allowed only in Lot 13 by the Student Recreation Center and Parking Structure 1 near Ellsworth Hall.
For more information about the expo, visit wmich.edu/healthexpo or contact Jen Bailey, assistant director of fitness and wellness, at firstname.lastname@example.com or (269) 387-3762.


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If you've got a jailbroken iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and have never been a fan of notification banners or how they take up the entire top of the screen until they decide to roll away on their own, MiniBanners may be for you.
MiniBanners aims to make notification banners less obtrusive by miniaturizing them. You can choose what position you'd like them to show up in such as top left, center, or right or any other position on the screen as well as customizing the animation type. By default MiniBanners will only show the app name that's receiving the notification and a notification count. A long press on the banner will show a preview within the banner but the notification will not go away until you actually view it. This is a nice feature considering you'll still have the reminder in Notification Center in case you can't respond right away.
Inside the main Settings app you have quite a few options for customizing MiniBanners just the way you'd like. The options include changing the font color or background color, including transparent, as well as moving the notifications around and controlling the opacity of banners. The only issue I see with MiniBanners at present is that longer names in texts cut off and the badge count appears over it. While this isn't a huge deal, it can be rather annoying if design and presentation mean a lot to you. For regular apps it isn't an issue as app names typically aren't that long to begin with. The only time this issue really presents itself is with text messages where you've got a full first and last name stored for a contact.
Overall, MiniBanners not only works surprisingly well but brings a fresh take to notifications to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Whether you're tired of not being able to access the top status bar when a notification pops up or you've just grown bored with the regular old notification banners, you really can't go wrong with MiniBanners.


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Dumplings. Potstickers, jiaozi, mandu, gyoza … a dumpling comes in many shapes and sizes, goes by many a name, but they've all got one thing in common in my book: one day I will eat them all.
Ahem. In celebration of the humble dumpling, we are having a Scrumptious Dumplings Recipe Contest! We want your best, tastiest dumpling recipe and we want it now.
Congrats to our winners!
- How to Enter: Submit your recipe(s) & photo on AsianSupper.com. Make sure you tag your recipe "dumpling recipe" to enter it into the contest (see the image below).
If you're not a member, register for an account on our site and then click "add a recipe". If you're already a member, login first, then just click add a recipe.
- How to Win: Promote your recipe! The top 5 recipes with the highest "star" rating as of 5/15/11 will win. We'll even help you in this regard -- if you're Tweeting it, or sharing it on FB, direct message us on Twitter and we'll also RT it & post it to our Facebook page to help you get promoting!
- Prize: The top FIVE-rated recipes will walk away with an equally top-rated bamboo steamer!
A little about the steamer: the Joyce Chen 10" bamboo steamer is a top-rated bamboo steamer recommended in The New Cook's Catalogue.
- Dates: 4/15/11 - 5/14/11. Full rules here.
- How to Tag Your Recipe: In the field "Recipe Tags" add the phrase "dumpling recipe". Good work!


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How ACTA Exports Worst Of US Copyright Law Without Corresponding Exceptions
from the despite-the-assurances dept
With the official draft of ACTA finally released, Jonathan Band alerts us to a filing (which I'm guessing he played a large role in drafting) from the Library Copyright Alliance (along with CCIA, CEA, NetCoalition, EFF, Public Knowledge and a few other groups) that carefully and with great detail highlights the many serious problems with the released ACTA draft, detailing how it is not, in fact, in line with US copyright law, and how at different points it seeks to lock in areas of the law that are still very much in flux. You should read the whole thing:
These comments will focus on the language in the Consolidated Text that we believe the U.S. government has endorsed. While the United States probably could comply with these provisions of the Consolidated Text without amending the U.S. Copyright Act, these provisions are inconsistent with U.S. law in several significant, troubling respects. The common thread of these inconsistencies is that the Consolidated Text does not reflect the balance in U.S. copyright law. This lack of balance is at odds with the Obama Administration's policy concerning balanced international copyright lawThe biggest concern comes in the form of statutory damages. Again, the text of ACTA does not currently go beyond US copyright law, but it does tie the hands of Congress on an issue that has constantly been debated (and over which there are some ongoing lawsuits challenging the legitimacy of current statutory rates). Locking those in would be a massive problem. When you then combine that with a lack of prominent exceptions to copyright law -- such as fair use (which is in US law, but not elsewhere, and is not required by ACTA), you create a situation that could present massive liability problems to US companies operating abroad:
Although the existing statutory damages framework has a chilling effect on innovation and follow-on creativity, its negative impact in the U.S. is somewhat mitigated by the existence of strong exceptions such as the fair use doctrine. Other countries, however, do not have these exceptions. And the U.S. in ACTA has not demanded the adoption of these exceptions. In other words, the U.S. seeks the export of our strong enforcement mechanisms but not our strong exceptions.Along those lines, the letter notes that US law contains the right to decrease statutory awards in the case of "innocent infringement." Once again, this does not show up in ACTA, so we are, yet again, exporting the draconian parts of copyright law, without any of the important strong exceptions.
This asymmetric export of our laws could be particularly harmful to U.S. Internet companies as they attempt to expand their operations overseas. For example, U.S. courts have treated the copying of copyrighted material by search engines as permitted by fair use. In contrast, courts in Europe have found Google and other search engines liable for copyright infringement for engaging in similar activities. If ACTA is adopted, and European countries enact statutory damages, the potential exposure of U.S. search engines will increase exponentially for conduct considered lawful in the U.S. They will be liable not just for the actual damages they cause, but the level of damages set by statute. Under current U.S. law, if a company is held liable under a direct or secondary liability theory for infringements by thousands of consumers, the resulting damages (up to $150,000 multiplied by thousands of works deemed infringing) could easily bankrupt the company. Raising the possibility of similar, ruinous damages for conduct considered lawful in the U.S. would simply hinder U.S. businesses' ability to operate abroad.
The letter also highlights the attempt in ACTA to not just lock in third party liability when it comes to copyright (a concept that has been determined by case law, but not in Congress -- and, in fact, was rejected by Congress when a law creating such liability was proposed a few years ago), but also appears to redefine third party liability, by expanding the definition to cover three different things, when current US law does not do that:
There are numerous problems with these two clauses of footnote 47. First, they suggest that inducement is a different test from contributory infringement; that is, they imply that there are three theories for third party infringement under copyright -- vicarious liability, inducement, and contributory infringement. However, Grokster makes clear that inducement is not separate and distinct from contributory infringement.And, of course, once again, it looks like in the issue of third party liability, ACTA makes it much stronger and removes the balance found in US copyright law:
Finally, article 2.18.3 lacks the balance present in U.S. third party liability law. Article 2.18.3 makes third party liability mandatory. In contrast, exceptions to such third party liability are only permissive: "the application of third party liability may include consideration of exceptions or limitations...."Notice the pattern? This does a variety of problematic things. First, it creates serious problems abroad for all other countries that sign onto ACTA, giving them all the limitations of copyright law without the important exceptions (which, it's been shown, are more important when it comes to economic activity). Second, should the US ever adapt its own copyright law, which has been going on pretty much non-stop, it locks in the limitations, but not the exceptions. That means that US law will only be able to take away the exceptions, but not ratchet down some of the problematic aspects of copyright law. That's downright scary.
And, of course, the rationale for all of this? It's based on studies that our own government now says were bogus.
It's even worse when you realize that if the point of copyright law is to promote the progress of science and the useful arts and there's no real evidence of a causal link between any particular copyright policy and greater societal progress, then it makes no sense at all to harmonize copyright laws in lockstep. Instead, it makes sense to do the exact opposite. It makes sense to let different countries experiment with different types of copyright laws so that we can actually build real evidence for what works and what does not work. Locking in a particular set of laws across much of the developed world, without any evidence as the basis is downright scary. It's faith-based policy making, pushed almost entirely by a small group of businesses who stand to benefit. It's an incredible shame that the USTR seems totally taken in by them.


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Police: Woman snorted cocaine off iPhone in school pick-up line
Police: Woman snorted cocaine off iPhone in school pick-up line
Fort Myers, Fla. —
A Florida woman was arrested Tuesday after she was allegedly caught snorting cocaine in the parent pick-up line outside a middle school.
A Lee County sheriff's deputy said he saw 39-year-old Christina Hester chop up a white powdery substance with her credit card and snort it off her iPhone around 4 p.m. outside Lexington Middle School in Fort Myers, according to Fox 4.
The deputy detained Hester and performed a field test on the powdery substance, which tested positive for cocaine.
Hester was arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.


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|Attention: DocWiki has reached EOL and will be decommissioned January 25, 2019.
Changes related to "The Historical Reports client computer cannot connect to the Cisco Unified CCX server"
From DocWiki
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New Car Review
2013 Jaguar XF: New Car Review - Video
The 2013 Jaguar XF midsize luxury sedan is a seductive, stylish alternative to the enormous fleet of German-built competitors found in countless upscale driveways. The XF received an exterior face-lift last year, giving this sexy Jag even more visual excitement. This year, there are a few more tweaks and six trim levels with no shortage of features. New offerings include an all-wheel-drive variant and a potent XFR-S model.
Upscale Within
As expected, the cabin is luxurious -- wood veneers and leather everywhere -- but the look is dated. Although the low roofline does cut down on headroom for taller passengers, everyone has enough legroom, in front and in the rear.
One cool feature is the shift lever that rises from the console when the ignition is turned on. We also like the standard Bluetooth connectivity and the dual USB ports. And to get the most from your music, we recommend either one of the available Meridian audio systems. However, we wish the XF's 7-inch touchscreen display were bigger to better suit this opulent interior.
Power and Performance
New engines have been added to the XF this year, including a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder and a supercharged V6. And the new high-performance XFR-S model brings 550 horsepower to the game with its supercharged V8.
There's only one transmission across the lineup -- a new paddle-shifted 8-speed automatic. And all-wheel drive is now available, too. All the XF Jaguars are fast, display exceptional handling and still deliver a comfortable ride when just cruising.
As you would expect, the rear-wheel-drive turbo 4-cylinder gets the best mileage rating while the V8s offer the least. Fuel economy ranges from 19 miles per gallon city/30 mpg hwy on the high side to 15 mpg city/23 mpg hwy on the low side.
A Pricey Animal
And with the XF, you really get a lot more when you spend more, with base prices ranging widely, from $46,975 to $99,000. The BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Infinity M37 or M56 all have the XF in their sights.
The Last Word
Take a good look at the XF 3.0 trim with the supercharged V6. It's almost as quick as a V8-powered XF and can be optioned out without reaching the V8 price. We'd like to see a newer interior treatment and a larger touchscreen, but the 2013 Jaguar XF has sensual exterior style, an impressive range of performance options and virtually all the luxury accommodations anyone would ever need.


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England have escaped a nightmare draw for next summer's UEFA Under-21 Championship finals after they were paired with Israel, Norway and Italy.
The Young Lions almost landed the kindest possible opposition in Group A as they swerved defending champions Spain, Germany and Russia.
Holland completed Group B, with England automatically avoiding them as both sides were second seeds.
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.


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Photo via Shutterstock
According to a recent op-ed on the Wall Street Journal, rising CO2 levels are the best thing to happen to the planet since the Big Bang. The column was written by Harrison Schmidt, a former astronaut and adjunct professor of engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and William Happer, a professor of physics at Princeton University. In it, they claim that increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere will result in increased agricultural productivity. But mainstream science of course says this is a bunch of hooey.
Media critics have taken Schmidt and Happer to task for their naive view on climate science. The rise in CO2 levels and the resulting global warming are extremely dangerous and are likely to result in "a massive disruption on the planet's ecosphere on a colossal scale," writes Phil Plait in Slate, and it will lead to "multiple, simultaneous catastrophes for humanity," according to Ryan Chittum of the Columbia Journalism Review.
One of the major fallacies of Schmidt's and Happer's argument is that it fails to address the fact that plants require just the right mix of elements to thrive. "A rise in CO2 levels is not the only consequence of climate change, and it is these other effects that have had and will have more abiding adverse effects on plant growth around the world," says Mariana Ashley of Skeptical Science. So while an increase of CO2 may help some plants, it will hurt the world's existing ecosystem in so many ways, it would be the equivalent of "ignoring that you killed a patient while curing their hangnail," says Plait.
Another gaping hole in the Schmidt and Happer argument is the alarming rate at which CO2 levels are rising. It is true that CO2 levels were higher in prehistoric times, but those increases occurred over millennia, giving organisms a chance to adapt and evolve accordingly. Our current increase of CO2 is happening over only a century. "Solid research done over the past few years have shown that the current rate of increase of CO2 in the atmosphere is entirely unprecedented over at least the past 11,000 years (and almost certainly much further back than that). We're about to blow the record (of past CO2 levels) like a rocket, and we've done it in a mere century," writes Plait. So instead of being great for plants, like Schmidt and Happer claim, the rapid rate of rising CO2 levels is likely to lead 20-30 percent extinction rates in plant and animal species, according to the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change.
Via Treehugger
Photos by Wikimedia Commons User russavia and Wikimedia Commons User ArtMechanic


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Sarah Jessica Parker: Morning Walk with the Twins
Sarah Jessica Parker holds hands with her adorable twin daughters Marion and Tabitha as they walk to school on Tuesday (January 30) in New York City.
The day before, the 47-year-old actress took a stroll with the little ones while her hubby Matthew Broderick made the commute with their son James.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Sarah Jessica Parker
Earlier in the week, SJP braved the snow to take the girls to the dentist as Matthew and James were spotted across town.
40+ pictures inside of Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, and their kids out and about in New York City…


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While I'm getting ready for my Buzzard Coulee meteorite search I thought I'd throw together some images for my latest post, images of cool stuff I've been doing but didn't really know what to do with them, so I thought group them together all in one post.
The image above is my latest Micrometeorite, taken about a month ago. Image taken with my Celestron Digital Microscope at 200x.
The image above is a Sigma Leonid meteor taken last night, this shower generally has a peak of 1 or 2 an hour, kind of boring unless you're going out to try and image one, like me.
Was lucky to capture another double halo with circumzenithal arc from the roof of the mall I work at a month or so ago.
What Jupiter looks like through an average amateur astronomer type scope, looking through charts for the date this image was taken, the moons appear to be Callisto and Europa, Europa being the closest to.
Image above was taken March 8, the conjunction of the Beehive star cluster in the Constellation Cancer and the Moon.
Last but not least, I'd thought I'd throw this one in. It is one of my first images taken with my new Camera before I got a telephoto lens. It is an image of a Moon Antares conjunction February 2008, the second dimmer star is omi sco, in the constellation Scorpius, reminds me of the Lunar Venus Jupiter conjunction of December 1 last year which Priyank got a shot of, image below.
I'll leave you now with a couple blended images done in photoshop, then animated, one of a Moon Rise and one of my favorite Star Clusters, the Double Star Cluster in the constellation Perseus for my fantasy conjunction.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
57 comments:
- Final_Transit said...
Cool compilation, Bob :)
- April 18, 2009 at 2:55 PM
- Will said...
Great shots all, Bob! How does something get a name like "Buzzard Coulee" or "Beehive Cluster"?
Summer weather is starting to tease us now. Soon we will be able to lay outside at night watching the sky for "shooting stars" and such. We are not as committed as you as we wait for the nice weather to stargaze!
My latest post indicates that within about 20 years we all will "know" everything. It will be strange to instantly know the answer to any thought or question we might have on any subject known to humans. We will all be astronomy, health, photography, etc. experts. What a boring world it will be when we no longer have anything left to learn.
- April 18, 2009 at 3:17 PM
- Stephanie B said...
I particularly liked your animated red moon picture.
- April 18, 2009 at 4:01 PM
- Cashmere said...
Hi Bob!
Love the pictures...
Great collection, very nice! :)
- April 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM
- Peter said...
Hi! In the race to discover new worlds, perhaps we should the take time to look right under our noses to find what matters most, as you have in your first image.
In doing so can we come to understand the true beauty of where we live, then try to grab hold of it, care for it, share it with others, so that future generations can appreciate it.
For if we don't, the race to find other stars with life like ours will be a total waste.
Take Care,
- April 18, 2009 at 6:31 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Priyank, your conjunction smiley face is one of my all time favs.\m/\m/
- April 18, 2009 at 7:53 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Lol Will, Buzzard Coulee is a name given to a landscape in Saskatchewan, since the meteor landed there they named the meteorite after it, the beehive cluster got it's name from it resembling a swarm of bees. Wow, Will that would be boring to know everything, I'll have to take a look at your latest post.\m/\m/
- April 18, 2009 at 7:59 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Stephanie, one of my favorite colored Moons I imaged.\m/\m/
- April 18, 2009 at 8:00 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Cashmere.\m/\m/
- April 18, 2009 at 8:00 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
So true Peter, very good observation.\m/\m/
- April 18, 2009 at 8:01 PM
- kRiZ cPEc said...
cool! you made a great decision in grouping these all in one post. :)
- April 18, 2009 at 11:18 PM
- AngelBaby said...
Beautiful pictures, Just awesome. I love coming over to see the latest pictures and I am never disappointed they are always amazing. Thanks for sharing these.
Love and Blessings,
- April 18, 2009 at 11:33 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks kRiZ cPEc, thought it might be a cool thing to do, thanks for dropping by.\m/\m/
- April 19, 2009 at 12:07 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks AngelBaby, glad you like the latest compilation, thanks for dropping by.\m/\m/
- April 19, 2009 at 12:08 AM
- Anne Vis said...
Wow!!! Stunners again, Bob! :-)
- April 19, 2009 at 12:38 AM
- Ruth said...
Thank you, because this is the only place I get to see things like this, beyond my own sky gazing. Jupiter is soooo cool, and you know which moons!
Bob, I don't mean to be a pushy blog friend, and I know you live way up there in Saskatoon, but when is it going to stop snowing and Blackholes and astrostuff?
- April 19, 2009 at 5:25 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks so much Anne, glad you like the pics.\m/\m/
- April 19, 2009 at 9:14 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Ruth,lol, don't like the snow? I was using it for the meteor effect it brings, having said that I was going to remove the snow when it stops snowing here, which is usually June July,lol I probably should remove it earlier.\m/\m/
- April 19, 2009 at 9:17 AM
- Swubird said...
Fabulous images. I especially love those micrometeorite pictures. And I remember the story of how you gathered up your on micrometeorites on the roof of the mall. Amazing.
Happy trails.
- April 19, 2009 at 10:34 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks swubird, lots of fun collecting micrometeorites, cool thing is you can do it from your backyard!\m/\m/
- April 19, 2009 at 10:39 AM
- Susanne49 said...
The picture of Jupiter is fascinating, Bob! I can see even the ring of Jupiter, wow!
Thanks for your interesting post!
Sue's Daily Photography
- April 19, 2009 at 7:19 PM
- John Maslowski said...
Your images are spectacular Bob with such stunning clarity and sharpness. Excellent series of shots.
- April 19, 2009 at 9:30 PM
- betchai said...
another great collection of astrostuff photos.
- April 19, 2009 at 9:44 PM
- Roger said...
Aw Bob you know what to do with spare time! Great job on this post. Sorry I haven't been around lately, crazy busy. But hopefully I have some breathing room know. :D
- April 19, 2009 at 10:53 PM
- Ivanhoe said...
Oh Bob, I'm loving that Jupiter shot. I can totally see its stripes! :o)
- April 20, 2009 at 9:12 AM
- Max said...
Hey Lord of the Astropics,
The first image (the micrometeorite) is so mysterious: I liked its effect. Did you do something special with it, or did you take it like this exactly?
The double halo is beautiful! It is amazing the things that nature produces, isn't it?
I liked the Jupiter + Europa + Callisto image: pretty cool, Bob :D!
I must congratulate you for your animated photo: it looks dreamy! It invokes fantasy! Thanks for this gift :D!
What a way to start my blogging week, Bob: way to go!! :D
I wish you a fantastic week, full of new Astro possibilities!
- April 20, 2009 at 10:03 AM
- Sadia Hussain said...
Great pictures Bob! I love the one with the double halo !
Take care.
- April 20, 2009 at 2:17 PM
- Sherer said...
Very cool pics. I really like the jupiter shot - captured the colors nicely. I was just out last night showing some friends Saturn. I tried also to see M81 and M82, but no luck I couldnt see a thing. Any tips on those guys? \m/
- April 20, 2009 at 2:33 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Susanne, the rings do look very cool, especially live in a telescope.\m/\m/
- April 20, 2009 at 7:29 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks a lot John, and thanks for dropping by.\m/\m/
- April 20, 2009 at 7:30 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks a lot betchai.\m/\m/
- April 20, 2009 at 7:31 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Roger, hey it's good to be busy, great to see you again.\m/\m/
- April 20, 2009 at 7:32 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Ivanhoe, cool aren't they.\m/\m/
- April 20, 2009 at 7:33 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks a lot Max, the micrometeorite is as it actually looks, the effect is just some parts of it's background being not focused,giving it the blurry effect, it is really hard because of the micrometeorite's size to get everything in perfect focus with a microscope.
Glad you like the images and animation Max, have a great week too!\m/\m/
- April 20, 2009 at 7:41 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks a lot Sadia, I have only seen the double halo a few times in my life, they are my favorite winter image and effect.\m/\m/
- April 20, 2009 at 7:43 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Jesse. Well you have to make sure you have very little light interference, even though they are some of the brightest galaxies around for us amateur astronomers you still need a lot of light protection, like no Moon, and no street lights.
You still see them with street lights if you have a computerized scope that takes you there automatically, then you will see them, but to find them in a light polluted sky is tough.
I have a telrad finder and charts with a telrad finder template that I put on the charts, and just compare the two, quite fast and easy that way.\m/\m/
- April 20, 2009 at 7:51 PM
- The Earth said...
Wonderful posts.I was really stunned.keep going!!
- April 20, 2009 at 8:24 PM
- Marvin the Martian said...
#211 is a great shot!
- April 20, 2009 at 8:55 PM
- Ruth said...
That's ok. It serves to remind me that it does snow up there in June/July. That, and it's nice to picture them as meteors. :D
- April 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks The Earth, and thanks for dropping by.\m/\m/
- April 21, 2009 at 6:54 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Lol Marvin, Priyank called it that.\m/\m/
- April 21, 2009 at 6:55 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Hi Ruth, I'll probably still take it off in a while.\m/\m/
- April 21, 2009 at 7:02 PM
- L. Venkata Subramaniam said...
Cool set of pictures. I guess you had to draw those shapes on the pictures as they are not really that obvious. I always think that astronomers are the most creative people because they can see these wonderful shapes in the sky by joining all the little dots :)
- April 22, 2009 at 3:28 AM
- Nancy J Locke said...
Excellent images!!! Jeff and I soooo want to buy a telescope. Hopefully within the next year. :D
Am going to Twitter your blog today. Want to show others what a great place this is!!!
Cheers! JJ/Nancy J
- April 22, 2009 at 2:40 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks L. Venkata. When you're out as much as me the brain puts the lines in automatically,lol.\m/\m/
- April 22, 2009 at 3:38 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks so much Nancy, good luck with the telescope purchase, if you need any help just email me.\m/\m/
- April 22, 2009 at 3:39 PM
- Anna said...
Wow Bob this is some cool stuff you have from the sky, you know what you doing man!!! Anna :) BTW I like halo images, and everything else too.
- April 23, 2009 at 10:31 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks a lot Anna, and it's fun too, unless it's -40c then it's not.\m/\m/
- April 24, 2009 at 4:39 PM
- Lynda Lehmann said...
All interesting stuff, Bob! How do you know SO much about all this? Did you ever study it in school, prior to your blogging years?
A better question: how do you REMEMBER it all? I know I could not retain all this information!
Interesting post and presentation, and another mesmerizing animation, Bob!
- April 28, 2009 at 9:21 PM
- Sheldon said...
I especially like your red moon animated image.
Thesis | Dissertation | Essay | Assignment
- February 24, 2010 at 8:25 AM
- paul said...
Love the picture ...
A great collection, very good! :)
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- February 24, 2010 at 8:26 AM
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- March 18, 2010 at 9:42 AM
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- April 3, 2010 at 12:34 AM
- Web 2.0 Design said...
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- February 19, 2013 at 5:29 AM


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kumkee needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 80 designs submitted by 26 freelance designers.
A logo that displays the feeling of Speed, Concurrency, Loud and lots of things happening at the same time.
Outburst is a new framework that helps software developers test and measure application speed and accuracy when it is being used by lots of people/other applications at the same time, at high speed.
The logo will be used on the website (outburstframework.com), emails and in documentation.
Outburst Framework
Apart from the words mentioned in the brief summary we would like the logo to look clean and to some how show lots of things happening at the same time in a controlled manner and not just flying over the place.
We are fans of the Mac / Web 2.0 style icons and logos in a similar style to the Google App Engine logo (http://code.google.com/appengine/), but are open to and would love to see other suggestions and what everyone can come up with.
We know it sounds a bit confusing, that's why we are looking for some creative designers out there with more imagination than us!!
- 2 or 3 Colors but still useable in B&W.- Nice clean logo that can be used on its own.
- The word 'Outburst' in easy to read text.
- I like the Google App Engine logo style. But am up for suggestions.
- Mac / Web 2.0 Style
- Original Photoshop or Illustrator file
- To many colors- Hard to read text
- Cars
- Logo made up of the word or initials
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text: 2013 Dairy and Feed Outlook: Expect the Good, the Bad and the Ugly February 19, 2013 12:02 PM Tweet TAGS: Marketing, Overseas December 18, 2014 By Catherine Merlo Farm Journal's Milk Western and Online Editor Email Lower feed costs, higher milk prices and intense competition for dairy markets lie ahead, market analyst says. The 2013 dairy and feed outlook is a case of the good, the bad, and the ugly, a feed and dairy market analyst said last week at World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif. Joel Karlin, commodity manager and market analyst for Western Milling in Goshen, Calif., said the prospect of much lower feed prices and record-high milk prices should provide some relief to dairy producers this year, although California dairies face particular challenges. On the negative side, he added, there's still too much milk for the level of demand, and the U.S will face intense competition from other global dairy producers. Here's how Karlin broke down his dairy-feed forecast during a dairy seminar at the annual farm show: The Good • USDA is forecasting a drop in 2012 U.S. milk production, which has not happened since 2001. That may help keep the milk supply better balanced with demand. • Other key milk-producing regions, including Oceania and the European Union (EU), also are expected to reduce output. • U.S. fats and skim solid exports will maintain strong growth as dairy demand in such key countries as China continues to boom. • Hopes of a stronger U.S. and global economy may help resuscitate dairy demand, especially in away-from-home establishments. The Bad • Hopes of good U.S. corn and soybean production after three consecutive, poor growing seasons may be compromised by the persistence of the mega-drought that torched crops last year. • Even with the end of the ethanol boom, 5.5 billion bushels of corn will still be used while feed demand in developing countries continues to grow. • The U.S. dairy industry still has no consensus on a national milk supply program, with a one-year extension in the farm bill and regional differences of opinion. • Even with an aggressive rate of culling, cow numbers remain strong, with a large cohort of replacement heifers and an unwillingness of many to exit industry. The Ugly • Dairy production outweighs demand. Milk consumption is down and product utilization also is falling. • There is intense competition for export business from Australia, New Zealand, and the EU, with Ukraine and Brazil waiting in the wings • "There is no excuse for dairy producers' complete disregard of price risk management tools," Karlin said. Studies do show contracted prices are often lower than the average but variability is much lower. No industry is guaranteed to attain at least the cost of production. In focusing on the feed markets, Karlin said the year will see "an interesting transition from tight old-crop stocks to [a situation] that could feature much more ample supplies by fall." If greater feed crops materialize, "dairy producers may get significant relief in feed costs the second half of the year," said Karlin. "Weather will be key, especially with the mega-drought even more widespread and intense than seen last summer," he said. "A common refrain on possible corn prices is anywhere from $4-$9 per bushel." Feed demand in all sectors has been pared back over the past few years and may be slow to return. "The combination of big crops -- due to large plantings and some semblance of normal weather -- and depressed demand could result in much larger ending stocks and far lower prices than many imagine," Karlin said. Karlin listed these bullish factors for feed markets: • The ongoing U.S. drought means there are no subsoil moisture reserves, which is bad for corn; • It will take more than one year of good output to rebuild depleted grain and oilseed stocks; • World demand for feed, especially in developing nations, continues to increase; • Yields are not keeping up with demand, with limited scope to increase planted acreage; • Easy money policies being pursued by world central bankers are adding to liquidity. He also sees these bearish factors for feed markets: • We'll see record U.S. soybean plantings and the highest corn acreage since 1936; • Can weather be bad for three years in a row? • Ethanol production has topped out, based on economics and close to mandated levels; • Demand will be slow to return, after a drop in animal numbers and losing key export markets; • Production is set to increase in other regions of the world as farmers are certainly incentivized; • Prices could take a tumble if weather cooperates and demand is slow to return. Karlin offered these take-home points: • Milk prices already are being forecasted at record highs, with $20 per cwt. a barrier after all these years; • High prices are predicated on output declines in key producing countries. Will this happen? • Record cull values and the need to generate cash should keep slaughter rates high. But will entry of heifers into the herd slow? • The move to new highs by the stock market may reflect increased optimism about fate of the U.S. and global economy. If so, that could lead to rising consumer confidence, spending, restaurant traffic, and the consumption of dairy products • Dairy producers may see significant relief in feed costs. Will this translate into more concentrate inclusion and increased milk per cow numbers? • The U.S. needs to manufacture dairy products that consumers want, both here and abroad. • U.S. dairy export potential is huge as Australia and New Zealand production gains are constrained by limits on their pasture-based dairy systems. • California dairy producers face particular challenges with high forage costs, milk pricing disparity, increasing attractiveness of perennial crops on farmland. Back to news


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Brad Pitt leaves the Vino e Cucina restaurant in Berlin-Mitte and then joins the cast of his latest movie Inglorious Bastards, at Babelsberg studios, Germany to see each other and to receive their copies of the script.
Pitt's family will live at a 12,000 square foot mansion near Berlin which comes complete with a helicopter landing pad, boat dock, 14-strong security staff and more than one chef, while he films Inglorious Bastards. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrived in Germany on Tuesday with their children and will reportedly be staying for approximately three months.
In this latest Quentin Tarantino movie, Pitt plays the leader of a band of Jewish-American soldiers sent behind enemy lines during the Second World War to scalp high-ranking Nazis.
10+ more pics inside of Brad Pitt filming Inglorious Bastards…


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BBQ on the Patio
Enjoy the summer with our Wednesday night Barbecues on the Patio!
We will have the grill "fired up" making our delicious ribs & burgers! (Other menu items are available).
Reservations are preferred, but not required, however, if you have a large group coming, it is wise to make reservations in advance.
Entertainment this week by Jerry & Kara Eadie.
Food is served from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
See you there!
Loading Map....
Date(s) - 06/27/2018
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Carraig at Gaelic Park


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Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Grand Plan Stan/Stella
If you really want results you have to stop with the FOOD PORN. Remove the porn from the house and buy fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. If switching over makes you feel deprived then do what I do. I call it the 90/10 Plan. Ninety percent of the food I eat is in the top two tiers of Michi's ladder. The other ten percent of the time I dip into Michi's basement. I stay away from grease, fat and salt but I do relish in the sweet side of life. Can you say chocolate chip cookie? Another plan is the 50/50 plan. This is for people who have been eating poorly at every meal for years. Your job is to clean up your act just half the time while sticking with the old ways for the other 50%. You have to decide ahead of time which meals are clean and which are PORN. Three meals a day, seven days a week makes for 21 meals. Make 11 of them healthy (you know what that looks like) and keep the rest ugly. This plan will improve things immensely for many of you. The hope over time is that 11 good meals becomes 12 and 10 bad becomes 9, etc.
If you really struggle with your healthy diet then start writing down what you eat. Try this for just 3 weeks. Buy a small note pad or some 3 x 5 index cards and start keeping track of every morsel. Grade yourself at the end of each day. Healthy foods get no grades while junk/porn get a negative number. That blue cheese dressing in your healthy salad gets a negative 1. Add bacon bits and you're at a negative 2. On a 1 to 10 scale 8, 9, & 10 are best. Below 5 means you've been cheating all day long.
Your simple plan is to schedule workouts so that you can stay consistent and find a food philosophy that works for you.
8 comments:
- DEEDEE said...
hi tony!
it's me DEEDEE from San Antonio camp! i must say that i totally agree with your plan/stan/stella, pam or otherwise. My current problem is finding time! i have been working 12-13 hour days and i stand ALL day long and i just have no intensity left at the end of my day! And it's not fair to push yourself if your intensity isnt' there is it? i tend to notice that i get sloppy with my moves and form. But i just wanted to say HI and to say that i miss you! I love the plan, and i try to set many of them also. :)
i plan on trying harder! :)
talk more soon!
- AlfaSunshine said...
Well today was day 2 of my plan! I didn't move much at all after last Sunday. Perhaps that was a mistake. I avoided the pain for a few days by not moving. Now that I'm moving my thighs and butt are screaming! Cardio/core and Plyo/legs are perfect for these areas. I am definately modifying but by the end of my 2 month plan I ought to be jumping to the ceiling and palms down to the floor!! OK here's my confession. I almost forgot about halloween and I bought the candy minutes before the kids started coming to the door. I didn't resist the snickers :( I still have a bag left. I love snickers. I ain't throwing them away. Buy the time my butt and thighs don't hurt anymore they will be long gone. Luckily my chat buddies told me a long time ago to shop and eat from michi's ladder and on my last shopping trip I used the BeachBody customized plan. I planned out 3 days of meals and used their shopping list at the store. I had enough healthy food to last me a couple weeks. So the I am guessing I'm like 30% porn and 70% healthy.
- sheena said...
Hi Tony,
I am new to your power 90 program and I am really enjoying it. Today I have been exploring the beachbody site and I came across your message. I believe that this is a great way for me to view my eating habbits, and starting today I am going to watch how much food porn I eat. Thanks for the great out look!!
- Mary Cecy said...
I am keeping tract but I have not written it out. This is going to take a lot from me. Ok, I will start on Monday...
I wanted to share with you something I saw this week. There was this picture of a swimmer. Under him there was this written: "Effort. The spirit to win and the will to excel is always measured one stroke at a time."
- jac said...
I love the fact that you don't expect everyone to be "perfect" and remind us that we can give ourselves permission to be less than perfect. This isn't a perfect world we live in, nor are these perfect lives we are leading. Yet at the same time, so many of us are seeking perfection, either consciously or unconsciously. American society and culture promotes the appearance of perfection, usually at the sacrifice of health and even sanity it seems.
Thanks for being a rock for so many in this stormy journey towards health and fitness.
- Anonymous said...
WHO-RA to what JAC said !!
I love the rating scale too. I already have 3x5 cards that I plan my food every AM, and have 30days of workouts scheduled in WOWY. Using the rating system will keep me in REALITY (hmmmm a Tony law?) :0) !!
My b-day was yesterday and I had 1 pc of cheesecake AT the restrauant. No cake is laying around here! With the holidays approaching, we need to keep our own kitchens clean - we will be tempted enough at all the social gatherings we CAN'T CONTROL!!
Thanks again TONY for adding to my success.
LOVE Sarah Wise / SIS
- Dana said...
How uncanny that I was probably making my plan as this was being posted.
I like your idea of a rating system, not for me personally... I already carry around too much stuff w/ me.
I *DO* have a plan though! It addresses both workouts and food. I also instituted the "A-Team" (my accountablity circle). Every Tuesday we email each other our goals for the upcoming week as well as if we met our goals for the last week. I passed on some Nachos because I didn't want to have to own up to them in my weekly email. lol/smile.
Anyway... Listen to Tony Folks... get yourself a PLAN that will work for YOU and then... FOLLOW IT!!!
Like my name says: "Just_DEW_It"
smiles---> Dana "DEW"
- christy6 said...
Love your words of wisdom Tony. I tried to forward this to someone and the e-mail nazi's just do not understand the term Food Porn! hehehehehehe


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Catherine's Salmon with Capers and Wilted Greens Quick Weeknight Meals Recipe Contest 2009
How long does it take? 15 minutes
Name: Salmon with Capers and Wilted Greens
Why is it a favorite meal? This recipe is incredibly fast and equally delicious. I have prepared this for many, and people are always shocked with the ease of preparation. This salmon is particularly great for a weeknight because it uses one dish and is ready within 20 minutes.
Salmon with Capers and Wilted Greens
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for coating
1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 teaspoons capers (more to your liking)
3 cups spinach, kale, or green of your choice
4 lemon wedges for garnish
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Coat a large baking dish with olive oil. Place greens in baking dish and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Evenly place salmon on top of greens and season fillets and greens with salt and pepper. Generously brush mayonnaise on tops of salmon and dot with capers.
Bake 15 minutes, until fish is fork tender and greens are tender. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 2 minutes before serving.
Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread, if desired.
Serves 4.
Thanks Catherine, and good luck! Readers, give Catherine a thumbs up if you like this recipe!
You could win some


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About a year ago, when I was going to work out at the gym on a Saturday morning with my 6-month-old son, I experienced a technology blunder that reminded me that a club's mobile presence is more important than ever.
I was going to one of my clubs in a different part of town, and as I pulled into the parking lot of the facility, I realized that I was unsure if the child care program would be open. Because I didn't want to take my son out of the car without knowing the situation, I stayed in the car and reached for my cell phone.
This is where I am suppose to be able to say that technology was my friend and my gym had an easy-to-navigate mobile site. But that Saturday morning, my club did not save me. The non-mobile friendly site with impossible-to-navigate, hover-over drop-down menus could not answer my question because I could not click on the right option with my fat thumbs—and even if I could have, the script was much too small to read.
This experience emphasizes how important it is for your club—whether you have one location or many—to have a mobile presence. As a part of the service industry, we have a job to make members happy. In this day and age, that means offering information that is accessible in a mobile format.
To create this convenience in mobile form, you must first decide between offering a mobile website or a mobile application.
A mobile website is a scaled version of a traditional website that you see on your computer. It is created with different dimensions so consumers can navigate a page that easily fits their phones. The existence of a mobile site is automatically detected by your phone or tablet. On the other hand, an app is a program on a mobile device that is not opened by an Internet browser. An app can cost more money to develop, but it can be even more refined to offer information your members need most, such as class times, closings or interactive scheduling functions.
These two mobile versions have many differences, but the advantages to having a mobile site rather than an app are fairly significant, especially in these two areas:
Cost. An app can cost up to $10,000 to develop, depending on the functionality you want. A mobile site can be created by your web developer, who can easily scale down portions of your already present website.
To build a mobile version of your website, you should be able to use your current web developer. This responsive design automatically configures the content of the site to the sizes and shapes of the viewers' screens. It provides the same information as the normal website but varies in look due to different screen sizes.
Time. An app can take longer to create compared to a mobile site, which can be updated simultaneously with a standard website. A mobile site also decreases the time that it takes for a developer or content manager to update content.
Whether you choose to develop an app or a mobile website, a mobile version of your website makes sense. It allows you to select and serve specific information that is most pertinent to users on the go, such as calendars, hours of operation and contact information. The site is built for smaller screens with larger links and buttons, streamlines code for fast load times and can serve specific information from your normal website, depending on what the web developer programs it to do.
So what should the mobile site look like? Here are some design options you should use:
- Use large buttons. Make it easy for prospective or current members to use your site.
- Stay "above the fold." Newspaper editors make sure to keep the important information above the fold of the newspaper as many people may never turn it over to see what is below the fold. This thought is adapted for the mobile web, too. Try to keep your information on one screen so the visitor does not have to scroll, but if you have to make them scroll, then keep the priorities at the top.
- Give the option to link to the full site. When you create a mobile site, you should not migrate your full traditional website to the mobile site, but not having access to the full site can be frustrating for visitors, so make sure to give them access in case they want it.
- Space out the buttons/links. I refuse to go to Sports Illustrated's mobile site because its sports links are spaced too tightly and I constantly hit the wrong one.
The content you include on the site will depend on which pages are visited the most on your standard website. You can use some sort of measurement, such as the free Google Analytics tool. Using a website visits measuring title is essential for you to know what members care about, what to invest in, what to update frequently and what to include on a mobile site.
The member interests and demands will vary depending on the type of club you operate, your location and your member demographics, but here are things that typically should be included:
Group exercise schedules. Every fitness center I have worked with has had a strong demand in group fitness classes from its members. This is always one of the most visited pages. This area should be easy to read and easy to navigate.
Location listing. Companies with multiple locations must include a list of locations. You can include plug-ins to allow GPS to pinpoint the person's location and direct them to your closest location.
Guest pass. Research will show who is visiting your mobile site: prospective or current members. My research shows that prospective members make up approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of a mobile site's visitors. Because of that, you will want to offer a guest pass on your site. You can do so in one of two ways. The first way uses an information capture form for name, email and phone number. This method is ideal for marketers and salespeople but not for consumers. The second option is to have a "Try us free!" button that will take prospective members to a JPEG or static image that they can show to the front desk for a free guest pass. You can try them both, but you are more likely to get more people from the second option. Base this decision off of your surrounding demographics and the skill of your front desk and salespeople.
Social media links. If you are reading this article, you likely are up-to-date with social media essentials: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and FourSquare. (Sorry, Google Plus. You did not make the cut.)
Which clubs do mobile sites the best right now? Check them out on your smartphone to see for yourself. Two good ones I found are Gold's Gym (offers a free seven-day pass with information capture and an opt-in to get future updates and promotions) and the YMCA of Houston (includes special offers, membership, locations, social media links, text opt-in and a free guest pass).
David Buzo is the owner of MONA Group, specializing in social media, website design and digital advertising. He spoke on the social media panel at Club Industry 2011. You can reach him at firstname.lastname@example.com or on Twitter at @MONAgroupMKTG. Jessica Norman, also with the MONA Group, contributed to this article.


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Glen Dalgleish, vice president of infrastructure services at global perfumer Coty, well remembers why he and his staff had implemented WAN acceleration technology last January: to improve download speeds for some 6,000 users world-wide.
With the devices from Riverbed Technology in place, users in Europe or Asia could download a 50MB multimedia presentation on a hot new fragrance in less than five minutes - a big improvement over the 30 minutes it had taken before the acceleration fix.
"It is extremely potent technology," Dalgleish said. "People were calling and saying, 'This can't be right.... Is something wrong? The downloads are too FAST.' With a smile, we said, 'It is what it is...'"
Dalgleish, who started working for New York-based Coty nearly a year ago, credits Riverbed and Orange, the network provider that has worked with Coty for more than seven years, for the improvements.
In all, Riverbed and Orange spent about US$500,000 to install about 50 Riverbed Steelhead appliances of various sizes in offices around the globe. The devices talk to one big Steelhead at Coty's data centre in North Carolina, Dalgleish said. Coty expects its investment should be paid back in 18 months.
The big advantage? Coty didn't need to expand network capacity to handle exploding amounts of video and other multimedia data, he said. While adding bandwidth might not be too expensive in New York, trying to boost throughput by even a modest amount in some countries in Eastern Europe can be exorbitant, he noted. With the Riverbed technology in place, the loading on some network links dropped from 90 percent to 60 percent.
With the improved efficiency, Dalgleish has been able to remove about 12 caching servers around the world, saving money on the software licensing costs for those servers. Now, when a user needs a file, the data comes straight from the data centre, ensuring that they get the most recent version.
One problem Dalgleish encountered involved several legacy applications that did not work with the acceleration software and would time-out. The applications were not mission critical and affected very few users, so they were excluded from the acceleration pathway and still transmit at their older, slower pace. Because the issue was minor, Dalgleish did not investigate the problem.
Coty chose Riverbed's technology over several others, including Cisco, Dalgleish said. Orange had recommended Riverbed after using the technology itself; Dalgleish praised Orange for recognising that the acceleration market is growing and offers clear benefits for network users.


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LONDON – Donors promised to give a global vaccines body more than $4 billion to help it protect millions of children from diseases like measles, pneumonia and yellow fever.
At a one-day pledging conference in London on Monday, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced the U.K. would provide 814 million pounds ($1.3 billion) of new funding up to 2015.
Australia announced on Sunday it would commit $211 million to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation declared it would donate more than $1 billion to the cause.
GAVI is an alliance of organizations including the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, major vaccine makers and others. The group buys injections for the world's poorest countries. They estimate about 2 million children die every year from diseases that could have been prevented with a shot.
"Today is an important moment in our collective commitment to protecting children in developing countries from disease," said Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia, in a statement.
Daniel Berman, a vaccines expert at Doctors Without Borders, said it was exciting so much money had been pledged and that many lives would be saved. But he questioned whether the millions of taxpayer dollars would be spent properly.
Executives from major vaccine companies also sit on GAVI advisory boards and influence their purchasing policies. GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Pfizer Inc. each get a subsidy of $225 million to produce pneumonia vaccines — which are then purchased by GAVI for about $3.50 a dose.
The subsidies are intended to convince vaccine makers to produce injections that aren't normally profitable. But in 2008, Pfizer reported making nearly $3 billion in sales from the shot. "Why are we lining the pockets of big pharma like this?" Berman asked. "That just screams conflict of interest and corporate welfare to us."
Health officials hope to vaccinate more than 250 million children, saving about 4 million lives in the next few years.
"For the first time in history, children in developing countries will receive the same vaccines against diarrhea and pneumonia as children in rich countries," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, in a statement. "Together we must do more to ensure that all children — no matter where they live— have equal access to life-saving vaccines."
Previous research has been raised about whether vaccines bought by GAVI are actually making it to the children who need them.
Several years ago, a study published in the journal Lancet showed dozens of developing countries exaggerated figures on how many children were vaccinated against deadly diseases, allowing them to get more money from GAVI. Researchers said only half as many children were immunized than was claimed by countries.
Other experts warned more money wouldn't solve the problem and that donating vaccines to countries with broken health systems might mean they just end up sitting in warehouses.
"We need to be mindful of the fact that investment in vaccines is not the magic answer to global health issues such as pneumonia and diarrhea," said Sophie Harman, a public health expert at City University in London. "Without proper funding commitments to health infrastructure...any investment in vaccines will be redundant."


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A few years back, Zara was just a store on Champs-Élysées, where club-crazed locals went to get glittery tops and only slightly classier European versions of what the French might call le freakum dress.
Fast forward a few years and, my, how things have changed. Along with its other U.S. outposts, Zara's three-story flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York City is a gleaming temple, teeming with tourists and locals jostling for Zara's refined take on minimalist basics and seriously hot, date-worthy dresses. If brick-and-mortar madness isn't your thing, then take refuge on Zara's soothing e-commerce site, where you can shop its edgy-cool pieces without having to go toe-to-toe for that last sharp-shouldered blazer in a size six.
From covetable night-out dresses to easy-chic weekend basics, here are our 10 favorite looks right now.


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January 27, 2008
The Bisons seemed to show more spirit on the court in Atlanta. They put up a hard fight against Georgia Tech; losing 7-0.
Lipscomb vs. Georgia Tech 1/27/08
1)Hernandez/Hangstefer vs. Blackman/Smith GT Won 8-2
2)Cummings/Mizell vs. Gomez/Guelesian GT Won 8-2
3)McArdle/West vs. Muguruza/Potvin GT Won 8-3
1) Joe McArdle vs. Guillermo Gomez GT Won 6-0,6-2
2) Daniel Hangstefer vs. Scott Blackman GT Won 6-1, 6-3
3) James Murrell vs. Ryan Smith GT Won 6-0, 6-1
4) Mario Hernandez vs. Eliot Potvin GT Won 6-1, 6-2
5) Jeff West vs. George Gvelesiani GT Won 6-0, 6-2
6) Josh Cummings vs. Austin Roebuck GT Won 6-4, 6-4
Lipscomb 0 and Georgia Tech 7
Coach Andrew Harris said, "What we wanted to get from this match was great effort and intensity. For the most part we did that today. Georgia Tech is a good team from top to bottom and we were able to bring a lot better spirit today then we did on Friday."
This young team is learning match by match and Harris is seeing improvement everyday.
"The guys are doing better and getting better at understanding how to play and compete at this level. We will go back this week and work on things for UT-Martin Friday night," said Harris.
Catch the Bisons on the court February 1st versus UT-Martin at Whitworth Raquet Club @ 7pm.