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Top of Their Game
Six local athletes tell us about the sports that changed their lives — and dish out some inspiration for the rest of us
(page 5 of 6)
Steven Olivier
28, Newburgh
Olivier, a Newburgh resident, works in law enforcement full-time and as a part-time instructor at the city's New York Martial Arts Gym Academy. In June, he took home first place in the 207.5-pound men's purple belt division at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Olivier competes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a martial arts form that emphasizes close-quarters grappling and favors technique over strength.
How did you first get involved in jiu-jitsu?
I played football in high school and at Pace University. I went for a couple of tryouts after that, but football didn't happen for me. Then I started doing Japanese-style jiu-jitsu, just to fix my competitive streak. I got into Brazilian jiu-jitsu while doing the Japanese style, and I've been doing Brazilian ever since. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is more like a sport. There are a lot of opportunities to compete, and I like that.
Tell me about your workout schedule.
Training for jiu-jitsu is a tremendous workout in itself — I'll do that anywhere from four to five times a week. When I'm not doing jiu-jitsu, I'll run four miles, do the core routine that I have, and then bike for an hour. I do a circuit workout in the gym that's jiu-jitsu specific; jiu-jitsu is all about muscle endurance, so I run through the whole program — beginning to end, no breaks — for maybe 30 minutes.
What's been your greatest challenge so far?
Winning the world championship. My toughest opponent was my fourth fight, as opposed to my last one. The last time we had fought, he beat me on points. I knew once I beat him, I was going to win the whole thing. I ended up beating him on a submission.
How do you respond to the criticism that jui-jitsu is too violent?
I know from the outside looking in, it looks very violent. It does feed into that inner caveman in everybody. But you've got guys who have master's degrees who just do it for the challenge. If you're working with guys who respect the art and respect their training partner, it's not that dangerous or violent of a sport. At any time in jui-jitsu, you can just tap, and it's over. It can be as violent as you want it to be.
Do you have any advice for beginners?
Just do it. If you're thinking about it, don't talk yourself out of it. I've had so many people sign up and train with me and say, "I'm kind of hesitant about doing this." I told them to just come to the gym and give it a month, and if they didn't like it, leave. But I got them hooked. It's a good sport in terms of getting in shape — I don't care what level you start out at, you're going to get in phenomenal shape.
View video highlights from Olivier's matches here.
For information on places to pursue these sports, check our listings.


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subset: commoncrawl


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The GQ Guide to the NBA Playoffs
Our scouting reports and fearless predictions for the ten most exciting teams in the 2010 playoffs
The NBA Playoffs: The Eastern Conference Sleeper
The Milwaukee Bucks
Strengths: The Bucks have overcome a lot to get to where they are now. Consider the albatross that is the semi-permanently disabled Michael Redd, injuries to former #1 pick Andrew Bogut (now the league's premier Australian player), and the ridicule at the hands of certain NCAA-happy analysts for drafting Brandon Jennings—who's now sitting near the top of an unusually good class of rookie guards. They might have snuck up on you, but these guys can play. Jennings has left all Knicks fans wondering what could have been, bringing a new dynamic element to the Bucks. He can score, as evidenced by his 55 point game early this season. More importantly, he can run an offense. Bogut is as skilled as they come and centers a very good defensive team. Brilliant midseason acquisition John Salmons added a much needed scoring punch from the wing and role players like Carlos Delfino, Ersan Ilyasova and yes, even Luke Ridnour, round out a solid roster that could take down one of the top teams in the East.
Weaknesses: Here's that experience thing again, and it comes down to Brandon Jennings. Congratulations are in order for leading a team to the playoffs as a rookie point guard, but a multi-game series is an entirely different animal. If a good defensive team figures him out, he's going to have to adjust or the Bucks will suffer. He's shown the ability to score along with the ability to miss a lot of shots. Which Jennings will show up when it matters most? It's not uncommon for even the best young point guards to lose sight of their role as facilitator. Jennings needs to be a veteran now; playing like a rookie point guard won't get the job done.
X-Factor: A second round afterthought in the 2008 draft, Luc Mbah a Moute might now be the key to a possible series win for the Bucks. He won't dominate the box score but he stepped right into big minutes as a defensive stopper during his rookie campaign and hasn't looked back. He has the size to defend perimeter 4's, the quickness to defend smaller wings, and the hunger that all great defensive players possess. For the Bucks to beat Atlanta, Boston or Orlando, they'll need Mbah a Moute to shut down one of the top scorers, be it Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter or Rashard Lewis. Someone who brings consistent defensive energy is an invaluable commodity in the half-court style that dominates the NBA playoffs, and Mbah a Moute will have many chances to prove his worth.
Fearless Prediction: Bogut will average 20 and 10 and the Bucks will win in six, despite 30% shooting from Jennings. Fans of the losing team will openly wonder, "Where the hell did John Salmons come from?"
The NBA Playoffs: The Western Conference Wildcard
The Oklahoma City Thunder
Strengths: Kevin Durant alone will make these playoffs worth watching. Longer than anyone, quick enough to stay in front of him, and quicker than anyone who can outmuscle him, Durant is one of the league's elite scorers. He'll get to show it on a national stage for the first time since his memorable freshman year at Texas, and look for him to shine. He anchors a young, athletic team that is hard to defend and fun to watch. Nobody expected them to be quite this good so soon, but this season saw them grow together and learn to win. Young legs and loose, fearless basketball make them a dangerous first round opponent for any team with home court advantage and maybe, just maybe, the NBA will see fit to televise some of their games next year.
Weaknesses: History's not on their side. Successful playoff teams have experience, a strong frontcourt and a capable bench. OKC is more than-a-tad short on the first two and is relying on rookie James Harden to provide the third. (If only Mouhamed Saer Sene had fulfilled his destiny as the real life version of the guy from The Air Up There...) They'll have to prove they can grind out wins against superior opponents that understand what it takes to thrive in the playoffs. More than one key series has been won or lost based on a team keeping its composure after a hard foul, a few turnovers or poor officiating. Did I mention this team is young? Like really young?
X-Factor: As consistently great as Durant has been, OKC wouldn't be here without newly minted under-the-radar star Russell Westbrook sharing the load. He's not the truest of point guards, but he's made the hugely difficult transition from raw athlete to real NBA player. The Western Conference is a minefield of great veteran point guards and an aggressive Westbrook will go a long way towards neutralizing whichever one the Thunder face in the first round. Win or lose, Westbrook is not long for his title as The NBA's Best Kept Secret.
Fearless Prediction: Durant will have a 40-point game and Westbrook will have a triple-double, but the Thunder will lose the most entertaining first round series of 2010 in seven games.
The NBA Playoffs: The East's First Contender
The Boston Celtics
Strengths: When they're good, the Celtics can hang with any team in the NBA. They're still committed to playing elite defense (or trying to), they're finally healthy for the first time all year, and they've shown glimpses of championship basketball recently. On any given night, one of the Big Three can channel their younger selves and take over a game. Rajon Rondo does something every game that makes your jaw drop, and has become a respectable offensive option despite poor outside shooting. He makes the team go, and coach Doc Rivers can rarely afford to have him on the bench. GM Danny Ainge couldn't quite strike the home run deadline deal he was looking for, but he still found ways to improve the team. Nate Robinson and Michael Finley have solidified a bench that struggled to score throughout the season, while Glen "don't call me Big Baby" Davis is inching closer to 2009 playoff form. The major components of the championship team are still here, and the Celtics will do everything they can to get back to the Finals.
Weaknesses: The Celtics are the anti-Thunder. Too often this season they have looked old, sluggish and unathletic—especially on defense. They've had many come from ahead losses this season, playing inspired basketball for a half before wilting down the stretch. The team's strong road record rings hollow in the face of 14 home losses (they only had six in each of the last two seasons), including one to the historically awful Nets. The next clutch three pointer that Rasheed Wallace makes will be the first; he's shooting 28% from outside on the year. Between Wallace, a physically limited KG, a solid but unspectacular Perkins, and a hard-working but undersized Davis, the Celtics don't rebound or defend the post well enough. This season, the Big Three have become easier to defend and Rondo can be stopped if he's forced to shoot jumpers all night. They have as much upside as any team, but a lot has to go right for the Celtics to win another title.
X-Factor: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. Each one of the Big Three has spent parts of this season injured or ineffective. KG isn't the defensive monster he used to be, Allen is finding it harder and harder to get open, and Pierce is no guarantee to stay healthy during a potential run. That said, how many playoff teams have a trio of future Hall of Famers on their roster? As long as these three have anything left in the tank, the Celtics will be hard to beat.
Fearless Prediction: As a wise man once said, "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLLLLLLE." And we guess that means anything. A first round exit or a run to the Finals are not out of the question. If they can avoid Milwaukee, they'll find themselves in the second round. Based on the regular season, the Celtics don't have enough complete 48-minute games in them to make it any farther than that.
The NBA Playoffs: The Big Sleeper in the West
Phoenix Suns
Strengths: With their ill-advised experiment in the half-court offense a thing of the past, Phoenix is once again a team to be reckoned with. The Suns score more and shoot better than any team in the league, and it all starts with Canadian hero Steve Nash. He's a master of finding open spaces on the court and moving defenders as he pleases. His 50-percent FG and 42-percent 3PT don't hurt the cause, either. Amar'e Stoudemire probably scores more easy points than anyone in the league because of Nash's ability as a distributor—and he's another guy with a future max contract on his mind. Grant Hill is still ticking somehow, doing a little bit of everything. The roster is filled with lights-out shooters like Nash, Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley. Even the team's "center" Channing Frye spends most of his time knocking down shots behind the arc. The Suns will set a fast pace, stick to it, and dare their opponents to keep up.
Weaknesses: Phoenix's weakness is well known, and it's a pretty important one: defense. Defense just doesn't fit in with the team philosophy. They don't want to play defense and everybody, including the Suns themselves, knows it. Phoenix opponents score almost 106 points per game. Put another way, any given team facing the Suns will play like they are the 4th best offense in the league. It's truly a testament to their offense that they manage to win so many games. Among teams that give up at least 100 ppg (half the league, sadly), the Suns are one of only two with a positive point differential. They have to find a way to maintain their up-tempo style in the playoffs, where better defenses clamp down and points and opportunities to run are harder to come by.
X-Factor: They don't really have one. Robin Lopez is a possibility, as he's the only Sun capable of establishing a consistent presence in the paint. He's injured and his return is questionable, so that thought's on the backburner. The one thing that will make the difference between victory and defeat in the playoffs will be the Suns' opponents. It sounds obvious, and it pretty much is.
Fearless Prediction: Phoenix will lose to the first team that plays some defense and slows them down. It could be San Antonio in the first round; Nash has never beaten the Spurs in the playoffs. In eight total playoff appearances, Nash's teams have been eliminated by them five times. If, however, the final standings work out in their favor, there are scenarios that could certainly find them in the Conference Finals. At the moment, playing Oklahoma City in the first and Denver (and maybe Dallas) in the second looks like a very plausible road to a WCF matchup with L.A. They just have to hope everything shakes out that way.
The NBA Playoffs: Another Contender in the East
Atlanta Hawks
Strengths: These are not your older brother's Atlanta Hawks. Their record has improved every season under Mike Woodson. They pushed the eventual NBA Champion Celtics to seven games two seasons ago, and have since matured into one of the best the Eastern Conference has to offer. Joe Johnson is the team's quiet leader; he can score from anywhere on the court and serves as the primary ball-handler and go-to guy in late game situations. Hawks fans worldwide have rejoiced this season at Josh Smith's commitment to removing the three pointer from his arsenal. He's always been a world-class athlete, and his basketball IQ is finally catching up. He and Al Horford are eager shot-blockers and rebounders, and are constantly active in the paint. Mike Bibby is a steady veteran influence with some serious playoff experience from his days with Sacramento. And while Smith may not be a perimeter threat, Bibby, Johnson and Jamal Crawford ensure that any slow-rotating defense will get burned.
Weaknesses: None of the team's primary ball-handlers are elite passers (though the Hawks do average the fewest turnovers per game in the league). Marvin Williams is still more potential than production, and can disappear for quarters, halves, and even entire games at a time. Horford and Smith are a smallish frontcourt and need every bit of their toughness and athleticism to make up for it. And at times the Hawks settle for too many jumpers with better options available. Josh Smith's free-throw shooting is poor enough to warrant a mention here; don't be surprised to see hack-a-Josh employed if an opponent needs his 62% from the line to get back into a game. Finally, the Hawks tend to play down to the level of their opponents, something that could be a problem in the first round.
X-Factor: One of the best bench scorers in the league has to keep it up come playoff time. Last season, Jamal Crawford was traded by two of the worst teams in the NBA, sticking in Atlanta after Golden State dealt him for expiring contracts. Nobody questioned his ability, though nobody was eager to keep him around. This season he's found his niche, shooting at percentages well over his career averages. He hasn't changed a thing about his game, but a gunner with no conscience looks a lot better if he's coming off the bench for a winning team. Crawford will be a 6th man unlike any other in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Fearless Prediction: The Hawks aren't the adorable young upstarts anymore. Look for them to pull together for a convincing first round win. Unfortunately, they will not get to play against their punching bags in Boston in the second round. They have to hope for an upset elsewhere, as they will not be consistent enough to take down Orlando or Cleveland in the second round.
The NBA Playoffs: The West's First Contender
Utah Jazz
Strengths: Back to the playoffs for Jerry Sloan and the Jazz. Yawn. Despite the fact that we've gotten used to this in recent years, there are a few stars worth watching. Deron Williams has the strength, speed, and skill to break down any defense. He's a relentless attacker and a strong outside shooter who finds his own offense and gets his teammates involved equally well. The best of those teammates is Carlos Boozer, a scoring threat inside the paint and out; the power forward is one of many soon-to-be free agents in the playoffs who will be motivated by the next big contract. Together, he and Williams are one of the league's best pick and roll pairings—doing serious damage on a nightly basis. Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver spread the floor well (37% and 55% 3pt, respectively), leaving space for Williams, Boozer and Paul Millsap to operate in the paint. The Jazz bring with them a versatile offense that averages 104 points per game, good for 4th in the NBA. Seven players average 9 ppg or better and the Jazz shoot 49% from the field as a team, second best in the league.
Weaknesses: The Jazz have the third best point differential in the NBA—but playing .500 ball in their division and on the road have hampered their overall record. Swingmen CJ Miles and Wes Matthews have filled in fairly well for cap casualty Ronnie Brewer. But if there is a weakness on this Jazz roster, it is at the wing, especially if Andrei Kirilenko's calf doesn't heal. Miles and Matthews are young and athletic, but inconsistent. Boozer, Okur and Millsap are not the most menacing defensive trio around and can be exposed. In each of the last three seasons, the Jazz have been sent home by the eventual Western Conference Champion. Have they improved enough to win an eventual match-up with the Lakers this time around?
X-Factor: You know you're getting 20 and 10 from Williams and Boozer. You know what Millsap and Okur are going to give you. What is unknown, however—and maybe necessary for a long playoff run—is the collective contribution of the wing players. Matthews has been a pleasant surprise as an undrafted rookie and Miles is a decent slasher, but the Jazz need Kirilenko. When healthy, he brings a unique dimension to the Jazz as a good rebounder, solid passer and big defender. The two young guys are good, but they don't pose the same matchup problem as the 6'9" Kirilenko. His shot-blocking ability is needed on this team that lacks a dominant inside presence. They need him at full strength.
Fearless Prediction*: The Jazz will lose to the Lakers...again. It might be in the second round, it might be in the third round. Either way, it's definitely happening. Maybe if Bynum isn't healthy, and Odom pulls a disappearing act and...no, no, it doesn't matter—the Lakers will beat the Jazz again.
*Disclaimer: Soon after predicting a series win for the Bucks behind much awesomeness from Andrew Bogut, we were devastated to learn that he broke his hand, sprained his wrist and dislocated his elbow during Saturday night's game. A disappointing end to his season and a disappointing beginning to prediction season.
The NBA Playoffs: The Defending Eastern Conference Champs
Orlando Magic
Strengths: After last season's surprise appearance in the Finals, GM Otis Smith decided to go all in. He replaced Hedo Turkoglu with Vince Carter, surprisingly matched the offer sheet for backup center Marcin Gortat, and signed free agents Matt Barnes and Brandon Bass. As a result, the Magic project to be over the salary cap through 2013. Fortunately for Smith, all that money has built one of the strongest, deepest teams in the league. Dwight Howard can dictate a game without a single play being run for him. His offensive arsenal isn't a finished product, but he has improved to the point where Orlando can comfortably go to him to score. The Magic feature one of the league's best defenses (95 ppg against), mostly thanks to Howard. Carter is an extra ball-handler like Turkoglu was for the Magic, but is a much more dynamic scorer who still has game-changing ability in his "old age." Last season, Rashard Lewis' perimeter shooting was too much for Cleveland. His scoring is slightly down this year, as Carter has siphoned some opportunities away from him this season—but regardless, Lewis is still one of the league's biggest matchup problems, as are the Magic as a whole. They have slashers, outside shooters (J.J. Redick!), and the most dominant big man in the NBA. That was enough to reach the Finals last season—and improvements from Howard and the bench this season make returning a strong possibility.
Weaknesses: Jameer Nelson has not been able to match his injury-shortened career year in 2008-09. He's down from 50% to 44% from the field, and 45% to 36% from 3-point range. He's never been an elite distributor, so finding last year's shooting touch would be a huge boost to the Magic. Sometimes, the Magic forget they have Dwight Howard sitting in the paint. Too often, they're willing to ignore him in their offensive sets, leaving him without a shot for long stretches of time. Then again, maybe they're just making sure teams don't get the chance to put him at the free throw line where he shoots just 60%. But remember: this is a team that played in the NBA Finals just a year ago. Whatever other small weaknesses they have, it will take a strong opponent playing really well to take them down.
X-Factor: Mickael Pietrus was Orlando's x-factor last season and he will be again this season. The athletic 6'6" swingman spends most of his time on offense standing in the corner, taking threes when they come to him. Like Luc Mbah a Moute of the Bucks, the defensive end is where Pietrus makes his money. He's a tough, long defender who spent the 2009 playoffs giving Lebron as much trouble as possible, even holding him under 50% from the field at times. Nobody can truly stop LeBron, but a guy like Pietrus who can occasionally stay in front of the juggernaut and bother his jumper is a necessity for any East team with championship aspirations. If Pietrus duplicates last spring's performance, Orlando might just duplicate their upset of Cleveland.
Fearless Prediction: Boston or Atlanta would have to play their best basketball of the season to win a series against Orlando. It won't happen, as Orlando is destined to face Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals once again. Both teams look better than last year, so who takes it home? LeBron is on a mission, but we thought he was on a mission last year before Orlando shocked the basketball world. This time, however, the Magic won't be taking anyone by surprise. Missed free throws and questionable officiating will play a key role in at least two Orlando defeats and they will lose Game 7 in Cleveland.
The NBA Playoffs: The Team That Could Take Down The Champs
Dallas Mavericks
Strengths: If the Mavericks make a deep run in the playoffs, they will have expiring contracts and Gilbert Arenas to thank. When Arenas turned cowboy and the Wizards officially opened up the fire sale, Dallas became one of the biggest beneficiaries, acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood for four expiring deals. The move sparked a 13-game winning streak that launched them into the Western Conference elite (which might actually include all eight playoff teams). Dirk Nowitzki is a unique player in the NBA—a seven footer who plays more like a guard. His height gets him over defenders and his ball skills get him around them. Plus, Nowitzki is strong and crafty, and knows how to get to the free throw line. He's averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds in the playoffs, and there's no reason to think he won't match those numbers this year. Jason Kidd somehow remains an elite point guard, and nobody still believes the Kidd/Devin Harris swap was a mistake for Dallas. Sparkplug Jason Terry scores 17 ppg off the bench and Haywood and Erick Dampier aren't scoring options but are both solid rebounders and post defenders. Butler and Shawn Marion give the Mavs size, scoring and defense at the wings. The bottom line is that this is a very talented Mavericks team that can beat anybody if they can get hot at the right time.
Weaknesses: The Mavericks are not a great defensive team, and at times can be a really bad one. Kidd gets his steals and rebounds (1.8 and 5.5 per game, respectively) but can no longer stay in front of most point guards. For all of his considerable offensive talent, Nowitzki does not give a lot back on defense. A smart offense will attack him all game and make him work on both ends. He doesn't want foul trouble and isn't as aggressive as he could be, and consequently, the Mavs could run into some trouble with a starting five that is light on outside shooting. Nowitzki and Kidd are snipers, but Marion and Butler are most effective when they're not taking jumpers, so opponents would do well to keep them outside. Luckily for Dallas, they can bring in Terry for big minutes when they don't have enough perimeter threats on the court.
X-Factor: Defense. The post-trade winning streak began with five straight games where they held opponents under 100 points and they have to rediscover that magic. The Mavericks do have some components of an adequate defensive team. Butler and Marion have great size for their positions, and some quickness, strength and athleticism to accompany it, but they have to slow down the likes of Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony to win. It will be on Nowitzki, Kidd, and Terry to help the more defensive-minded players and contribute on both ends. If they can accomplish that, Dallas has a chance to do something special.
Fearless Prediction: If everything comes together for the Mavs, they could challenge the Lakers for the conference title, but that's as far as they'll go.
The NBA Playoffs: The Eastern Conference Favorite
Cleveland Cavaliers
Strengths: Danny Ferry has spent every minute of the LeBron James Era trying to gather the right complementary pieces to bring a title to Cleveland. The Cavs did reach the Finals in 2007, but even LeBron couldn't carry the likes of Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden past a superior San Antonio team. Two consecutive ECF losses later, and Ferry might have finally perfected the recipe. It includes knockdown shooters like Mo Williams and Anthony Parker (42.7% and 41.5% 3-pt FG) and a couple big men to spread the floor in the newly acquired Antawn Jamison and the recently re-acquired Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Shaquille O'Neal, if healthy, can still be a presence inside while Anderson Varejao has irritated opponents with his nonstop energy all season. As Ferry has frantically collected this talent over the last couple years, LeBron has done nothing but get better—regardless of who plays with him. His three-point shot still isn't up to par with the rest of his game, but 29.7 points, 8.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game are numbers befitting a nearly-perfect basketball player. There has never been a player/human being in all of history with LeBron's combination of size, strength, speed, and skill. Whether you root for the Cavs or not, it is imperative that every fan of the NBA appreciate what LeBron James does every single night on a basketball court.
Weaknesses: The team with the NBA's best record isn't going to have many weaknesses, but the Cavs do have some. Shaq is too slow on defense and clogs the paint on offense. They might be better off without him, considering J.J. Hickson's vast improvement this season. The Cleveland offense outside of LeBron depends heavily on perimeter shooting, so the Cavs can struggle if the guards go cold. Jamison is a nice offensive fit, though a defensive liability. But fortunately for Cleveland, these weaknesses can often be overlooked (and overcome) since LeBron plays almost every minute of every game and never gets tired.
X-Factor: With an elite running mate for LeBron, the Cavs might already have a ring or two. And they'd probably be a lock for another this year. Instead, LeBron's second fiddles have been players who should be third or fourth fiddles. His teammates just didn't play well enough to beat San Antonio three years ago, Boston the year after, or Orlando last season. Each member of the supporting cast needs to elevate his game, because history has shown that even the best man can't do it alone. There may be added pressure as well, given the possibility that King James will take his services elsewhere after this season. Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, J.J. Hickson, and Anderson Varejao: you guys need to show up.
Fearless Prediction: Alright, free agency talk aside, LeBron James looks ready to triple-double his way through the playoffs. He doesn't have a Pippen or an in-his-prime Shaq, or even a Pau Gasol to help him—but he might not need it. Cleveland has been the best team in the NBA all year, and LeBron the best player. As long as they can ignore the talk about the soon-to-be Free Agent to End All Free Agents, no team in the East will keep the Cavs from reaching the Finals.
The NBA Playoffs: The Defending Champs
Los Angeles Lakers
Strengths: The Lakers will return to the playoffs with most of last season's title-winning roster intact. Kobe Bryant leads a talented and versatile starting five and hasn't slowed down a bit—averaging 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. He's had a knack for game-winners at the buzzer this year, and gives the Lakers an edge in any close game. His feisty defense is just a bonus. Pau Gasol is one of the league's most skilled big men. He shoots a good mid-range jumper with both hands and has a nice touch around the rim. Last season, he finally shed the dreaded "soft" label, and he's a better player for it. At the center position, Andrew Bynum has begun to fulfill his potential, shooting 57% and doing much of the dirty work for L.A. He's been out since March with a strained Achilles, but is looking to return for the playoffs. The Lakers will need him up to speed in order to maintain the winning formula of Gasol at the 4 and Lamar Odom as the 30-mpg pseudo-starter off the bench. The Lakers replaced Trevor Ariza with Ron Artest, with mid results. Artest's offensive production has slipped, but he still shoots threes at a respectable 36% and his defense is invaluable to the Lakers. They'll need his solid 260-pound frame to shut down the top wings in the West—and the East, if it comes to that. The Lakers are long and athletic at every position besides point guard (where it matters least), making them tough to handle on both ends of the court.
Weaknesses: Just like their top-seeded counterparts from the East, the defending champs do not have an abundance of weaknesses. Though at this point in his career, Derek Fisher is one of the worst starting point guards in the league. That being said, the Lakers don't need him to run the offense or really do anything besides stand at the arc and hit some threes. On defense, Fisher is wily enough—and his teammates are talented enough—to cover for the fact that he can't stay in front of anyone. Additionally, the bench is inconsistent—something that is true of most NBA teams. The Lakers just aren't very deep and Phil Jackson keeps the rotation short out of necessity; they can't afford an injured or ineffective Bynum. If Odom is forced into the starting lineup, the bench (Luke Walton! Adam Morrison!) becomes flat-out terrible. There is some potential for failure, but the ingredients for a championship are still there.
X-Factor: It seems as though Lamar Odom has been the Lakers' x-factor forever. At 6'10", he has a skill-set that occasionally makes him the best player on the court. At other times (most of the 2008 Finals, for example), he turns into a complete ghost. L.A.'s title hopes aren't completely in Odom's hands by any means, but if he lacks the necessary energy and focus, the starting five will have to pick up some serious slack. If, however, he can be a consistent positive presence on the court, it will be that much easier for the Lakers to reach the Finals for a third consecutive season.
Fearless Prediction: The Lakers have crawled to the finish line, but fans shouldn't be worried. They've had the top seed in the West locked up since the first game of the season, while many recent opponents have been fighting to improve their playoff position. The struggles will cease once the games matter again. They'll have home court advantage, plenty of experience, and Kobe Bryant. The Western Conference Playoffs have a chance to be the best we've ever seen, but the Lakers will still stand tallest. The world thought Kobe vs. LeBron would happen last season. This time around, ABC and everyone who stands to profit from the NBA Finals will get their wish.


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Sasquatch Music Festival and Northwest Folklife Festival have been running all weekend and continue on Memorial Day. Here's what else is going on Monday night as well as the rest of the week. There are a couple big shows in town this week including Adele and U2. Monday, May 30 Barcelona with Holcombe Waller and Jenny ORead more…
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Solid Wood Structure: To enhance stability even further, the core of our mahogany doors contain the same solid mahogany species.
For our engineered banded stiles and rails, each stile features a solid mahogany edge band. The engineered stiles and rails are stronger then single, solid wood pieces, reducing the possibility of the door warping or splitting. Our durable 3-ply wood panels will not twist, warp, shrink or expand.
In our finished series, the panel is completely prefinished and sealed on all six sides before being installed, and as the panels are free to float between fixed edges, there is no unfinished part of the panel that may show up with time. There are no nails that hold panels in place.
Our Modern collection delicately balances form and fashion to create a truly sleek appealing front entry way. Encompassing oversized door systems, flush doors, and floating paneled structures, allow us to custom craft any and all Modern styles to meet today's market demands. Crisp, narrow lines, large, uninterrupted glazed openings, and precise horizontal and vertical alignments, make these doors key elements in modern construction today. Our ability to provide custom designed units, combined with rich, solid hardwoods at affordable prices is what makes our Modern collection stand out against the competition.
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Showroom: 850 Lunt Avenue,
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 |
phone: 847.981.9900
| firstname.lastname@example.com
Doors For Builders – The Right Choice for Doors For Builders is the Right Choice for Wood Entry Doors, Custom Entry Doors by Doors For Builders. Custom Interior Doors and Wine Cellar Doors
The front entry door sets the stage for any visitor's journey through a house. First impressions are set early on and the entry door is the part of the home that often gets the initial close look. Most older front doors made of wood often show their age prematurely because of inadequate treating and finishing to protect against the weather and heavy wear. At Doors For Builders, we bring together superior craftsmanship and modern manufacturing to give the home owner an entry way they can be proud of.
Doors For Builders is a leading provider of beautiful wood entry doors, front doors and exterior doors and an industry pioneer in specialty custom entry doors and custom interior doors. With a focus on leading-edge design, product innovation, manufacturing excellence and customer service. Doors For Builders Custom Door Program delivers unique beauty and superior quality.
The front door of your home makes a lasting impression that will beautify and accentuate any home style. We are committed to offering a line of beautiful and durable wood entry doors, custom entry doors, and custom interior doors that add elegance to any home. Remember Doors For Builders; the right choice for your wood entry doors, or custom door needs!
We also provide a flat fee shipping rate to most states in the US including: California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Virginia, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington, Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, Utah and Arizona.
Express delivery may be an option for the following cities: Miami, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Richardson, Austin, Denver, San Diego, Minneapolis, Tampa, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Plano, Dallas, Houston, Arlington Heights, San Jose, Rancho Cucamonga, Mt. Laurel, Washington DC, Holmdel, Raleigh, San Francisco, Sacramento, Pittsburg, Oklahoma City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Gaithersburg, Columbus, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Boston, Huntington Beach, Saratoga Springs, Arlington, Charlotte, La Grange, Staten Island, Cincinnati, Tucson, Troy, Portland, Gainesville, Seattle, Springfield, Skokie, Schaumburg, Jacksonville, Conroe, Naperville, Cherry Hill, Indianapolis, Nashville, Chatham, Aurora, Long Beach, St. Louis, Memphis, Tulsa, Palatine, Ft. Worth, Richmond, Madison, Westport and Oakland.
With the strength of the Euro, Canadian dollar, and other foreign currencies, premium solid wood entry doors from Doors For Builders are exceptionally affordable. We now ship to Canada including such cities as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Regina, Victoria, Ottawa, Windsor, Quebec, and Halifax. In Europe, we deliver to England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, France, Austria, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic, and Turkey.
Shown in Mahogany
with Espresso Finish • Dimensions: 43-1/2 x 98 x 4-9/16"


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Terrence Howard reaches settlement deal with estranged wife
Michelle Ghent submitted legal papers to end the marriage in February, 2011, days after the couple celebrated its first wedding anniversary.
She was granted a restraining order against Howard last December (11) after claiming he hurt her during their short marriage.
In February (12), a judge ordered the actor to pay her £31,250 in temporary support until they could work out the details of their divorce settlement - and now the former couple has finalised a deal, according to TMZ.com.
The pair signed the papers on 16 August (12) and the restraining order against Howard will expire next week (begs26Nov12).


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Savings Bonds (Part 2) - What Happens when the Bond Owner Dies?
Category: Estate and Inheritance Tax, Tax Law and Planning, Probate and Estate Administration, Financial Planning
Savings bonds are a ubiquitous asset. However, dealing with savings bonds as part of an estate can in many ways be more complicated then dealing with other investment assets, such as mutual funds, stocks and bonds, where a broker can coordinate transfer and liquidation efforts. In a prior post Saving Bonds (Part 1) - Learning More about those Bonds - I discussed resources to learn more about the value of any bonds. Here, we are looking at what to do with the bonds as part of an estate, or if you inherit bonds as a result of a person's death.
A few general rules, regardless of what series of bonds (E/EE, H/HH or I):
- Single Ownership: If the savings bonds are owned by one person, and that person dies, the bonds are now owned by the person's estate. The executor, personal representative, or administrator, as the case may be, is the only person authorized to deal with the bonds after a person's death. This means that a probate proceeding will need to be opened so that a person is named by the court to liquidate or transfer title to the bonds.
- Joint Ownership: If the bonds have co-owners, and one owner dies, the bond now belongs entirely to the co-owner. The co-owner may now liquidate the bond, change title to his or her own name, or change title to the surviving owner and another person of the owner's choosing.
- Named Beneficiary: If the bond owner named a beneficiary to the bonds on the bonds (not through her will) then upon the bond owner's death, the bond ownership is automatically transferred to the beneficiary. The named beneficiary may now liquidate the bond, change title to his or her own name, or change title to the named beneficiary and another person of the beneficiary's choosing.
- Estate Tax Consequences: Where the bonds are owned by one person (or by one person who names a beneficiary), 100% of the value of the bonds as of date of death is includible in a person's taxable estate. Where the bonds are owned by more then one person, there is a presumption that 100% of the value of the bonds is includible in the taxable estate of the first person to die. This presumption can be rebutted if the surviving co-owner actually contributed money to buy the bonds. The more likely scenario is that grandma bought a bond naming grandchild as co-owner with grandma's money. In this situation, 100% of the value of the bond on the date of grandma's death is included in her estate, even though she had a co-owner.
- Income Tax Consequences: Interest income on bonds is generally reported only when the bonds are cashed, disposed of (note: a change of ownership is considered a "disposition" of the bonds and interest accrued to that date must be reported at that time), or reach final maturity. Unlike other types of investments, there is no "step up in basis" for savings bonds, and the accrued, but as yet untaxed income, must be reported as some point by the estate or the beneficiaries.
If a person owned bonds in their own name with no beneficiary, reporting the interest on those bonds for federal income tax purposes is the responsibility of either (a) the estate if the executor, personal representative, or administrator as the case may be, redeems the bonds; or (b) the beneficiaries of the estate if the bonds are transferred to them as new owners, in the year in which they redeem bonds or the bonds reach final maturity.
Where there is a co-owner or beneficiary named, the co-owner or beneficiary is the new owner and as such is required to include on his or her return interest earned on the bonds for the year the bonds are redeemed or disposed of (including re-registration by substituting a new owner for the original living owner) or the bonds reach final maturity, whichever occurs first. Alternatively, even when there is a surviving co-owner or beneficiary, the person filing the decedent's final 1040 has the option of reporting on that return all interest earned on the bonds to the date of death. This option might be used where a person on a low income tax bracket has died, leaving the bonds to a person in a higher tax bracket.
The Bureau of Public Debt, on the Treasury Direct website, has detailed articles specifically outlining how savings bonds are to be treated in the event of the death of a bond holder.


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BBC News
- Prince Philip unhurt in crash while driving
- Speaker Bercow 'could be denied peerage'
- Grey is the UK's favourite car colour for the first time
- Warren Street baby: Student helps deliver newborn at Tube station
- May seeks cross-party Brexit consensus
- 'My son's severe asthma is very distressing'
- Wakefield, Grimsby, Plymouth win share of £20m culture fund
- Shoreham air crash trial: Pilot Andy Hill 'chose risky stunt'
- Nuclear plant in Anglesey suspended by Hitachi
- 'Mr Big' Paul Massey murder: Hitman gets life in jail
- Solo 45: Witness describes alleged rape by grime musician
- Brexit: Military reservists on standby in event of no deal
- Scene after Duke of Edinburgh car crash
- Simon Dobbin: DIY SOS help injured football fan
- 'I forgive the man who upskirted me'
- Norwich fitness vlogger Paul Kerton 'ripped' and vegan
- New York Knicks star Enes Kanter: Why I can't leave the USA
- Tony Blair: No deal Brexit 'catastrophic' for UK
- How does Theresa May proceed with Brexit?
- BBC News Channel
- Owner gets stuck up tree trying to rescue own cat
- Nursing mother smashes 268-mile Montane Spine Race record
- Newspaper headlines: Duke of Edinburgh's 'miracle escape'
- Brexit talks: What does the DUP want?
- Brexit: What happens now?
- 'I'm just ill – respect me for who I am'
- Why would you want to live in Suffolk?
- No escape as 'snow day' becomes 'e-learning day'
- Liver transplant 'game changing' treatment approved
- WTO rules: What happens if there's a no-deal Brexit?
- Brexit vote: Donald Tusk hints UK should stay in EU
- What is a vote of no confidence? What time is it?
- Danny Dyer: 'I like a chinwag about medieval history'
Our traditional ANY-Village websites can still be found at their original location:
Below we are listing some of the most popular UK property websites advertising homes for sale in the Lydden area:
Nestoria (LYDDEN Map Search)
Vebra.com (LYDDEN Map Search)
Rightmove (LYDDEN Map Search)
Zoopla (Lydden Map Search)
Homes for SALE / Flats for SALE in LYDDEN
Homes for RENT / Flats for RENT in LYDDEN


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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - In its first home match of the 2012-13 season on a cold New England afternoon, MIT men's tennis defeated SUNY Oneonta, 9-0.
MIT got off to a good start when senior Matthew Skalak (Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.) and junior Edwin Zhang (Falls Church, Va.) began the day with an 8-3 win over Michael Kennelly and Tyler Crill. Sophomore Eugene Oh (Alparetta, Ga.) and junior Curtis Wu (Yorba Linda, Calif.) followed up with an 8-4 victory over Mackenzie Park and Benjamin Leighton and freshmen Jeffrey Bu (Arcadia, Calif.) and Dennis A Garcia (Corpus Christi, Texas) wrapped up the doubles pairings with an 8-2 win against Adam Slifkin and Matthew Richards.
With a 3-0 lead heading into singles, the Engineers continued to play fiercely against the Red Dragons. Zhang started things off with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Kennelly before senior Brian Oldfield (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands) defeated Crill with a 6-1, 6-2 victory and Wu finished off Leighton with a 6-3, 6-4 score. Senior Tymor Hamamasy (New York, N.Y.) made an appearance on the court for the first time that day and went on to have a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Park. Sophomore Christopher Hunter (Melville, N.Y.) followed soon after with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Slifkin.
The closest match of the day was between sophomore Avi Walden (Cortlandt, Pa.) and Matthew Richards. Walden won the first set, 6-4, but lost to Richards in the next set, 3-6. In the third and final set, Walden was able to clinch the win with a 10-7 victory over his opponent.
MIT will return to action when it faces Nichols College on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1:00 pm., while the Red Dragons will not take part in any other matches until February.


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Good morning. The weather is beautiful, as it should be for Opening Day. Good weather and the home team winning — those should be baseball laws for Opening Day.
I'll be there this afternoon live blogging. I hope you'll take time from your day and join me with your comments on Mets Chat Room. I'm looking forward to communicating with you throughout the season. Hopefully, there will be more wins than losses to chat about.
I've been do dozens of Opening Days, both as a fan and journalist. But, one will always stand out. I was growing up in Cleveland and my dad took me and my brother out of school to watch the Indians on Opening Day. The school didn't care for it, but my dad didn't care. This was a special father-sons moment that I carried with me longer than anything I would have learned that day.
No matter what happens in the future, I think that one will always be tops for me. How about you? What are your favorite Opening Day memories? Please share, and please stop by this afternoon.
I'll catch you at the park.


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Showing Suppliers 1 - 3 of 3
Digi-Key Electronics (7 Products)
Address: 701 Brooks Avenue South, Thief River Falls, MN
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Description: Digi-Key Electronics, a global Internet-based distributor of electronic components, is an authorized distributor of more than 5 million components from 650+ trusted suppliers. The company's reputation extends worldwide as customers continue to choose Digi-Key, gaining access the widest selection of... (more)
Banner Engineering Corp.
Address: 9714 Tenth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
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Description: Sensors, wireless sensors, machine safety, machine vision, indicator lights Banner Engineering designs, manufactures and distributes photo eyes, sensors and associated products for industrial and process automation – worldwide. Photo eyes, fiber optic sensors, ultrasonic sensors... (more)
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Emily Evans' life for the last 10 years has just about come full circle. Now Evans has a new challenge as she takes over the reins as head coach of the Bucklin-Ashland squad, a team that has qualified for the state tournament the past three seasons.
Emily Evans' life for the last 10 years has just about come full circle.
Evans has been overcoming obstacles for most of her life after a swimming pool diving accident broke her neck, bruised her spinal cord and left her paralyzed.
The former Bucklin High and Pratt Community College volleyball star has persevered as a former Miss Wheelchair Kansas and as an assistant volleyball coach for her beloved Lady Aces the past four seasons under Greg Wyrick.
Now Evans has a new challenge as she takes over the reins as head coach of the Bucklin-Ashland squad, a team that has qualified for the state tournament the past three seasons..
"This is where I played and it's kind of surreal," Evans said. "I honestly never thought about coaching. It was never in my wheelhouse of things I wanted to do. I have always loved the sport; but when you're in chair, I never thought it would be possible. I'm really excited about the season, but I'm also very nervous."
Evans got the chance to take over the program after Wyrick decided to step down due to all of the travel required to coach the team.
Evans said her style on the coaching level will need to change with the top coaching job.
"Greg Wyrick is a very inspirational guy and I took a back burner where I'm more technical with stats and positions. I consider that my strong suit," Evans said. "I have to learn to portray that motivation. I think I can be, but I just don't vocalize it as much as I should."
Evans does have a team with a lot of varsity experience this season to have a chance of making a run for a fourth straight state qualification while battling Kiowa County, Spearville and South Central for the Southern Plains-Iroquois Activities Association.
Five players are seniors — three from Bucklin and two from Ashland — and while the Lady Aces lost perhaps their best attacker from last season, the head coach feels this group could also be playing in the state meet at Fort Hays State University. It's an expectation Evans understands from the two communities after the recent successes.
"My Ashland girls and my Bucklin girls are great girls," Evans said. "They both a great group of girls and get along well. They respect all of our coaching staff. We have that senior leadership and we have some players who will be coming up who can make an impact. We lost some good seniors, but I think we'll be a competitive team and be able to get there again.
There are some aspects of her position that she can't do because of her disability. She can't show how she wants the players to attack the net and also can't ride the school bus with the Lady Aces because it is not wheelchair accessible. She will travel to competition in her truck, which she said could be a benefit.
"I probably won't sound as nervous talking to the players while we're riding the bus to games," Evans said. "It could also be beneficial because the driving could allow me to get some extra cool off if I'm mad."
"A major part of coaching is demonstrating, but I can't do that," Evans continued. "The girls listen to me and I'm grateful that they take instruction from me and I have two amazing assistant coaches who are helping me to show something."
Evans continues to try to take everything in stride ever since her injury. At the time, she said she was the calmest around after hitting her head at the bottom of the pool because she knew she would be OK. Even after the prognosis that she would never walk again, she has never felt sorry for herself and pushes on in her life.
"It's not who I am," Evans said. "When you see people in therapy and you see people with good attitudes and others with crappy attitudes, you see those with good attitudes be more successful. I truly made a choice early on that I was going to put a smile on my face, be happy, and give it my all."
Evans wants to continue to be an inspiration to those who have also suffered disabling injuries and there's only one aspect she is still working on for her life to come around completely full circle. That is to walk again.
"The doctor said I would never walk again and I looked at him and said 'I think you're wrong,'" Evans said. "I still, to this day, think that I will walk again; either by the grace of God or by medical technology."


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This unit consists of five activities, all of which focus on the response of plant life-cycle events to climate change. Students participate in discussions, field observations, data collection and analyses, plant identification, seed dispersal... (View More) comparisons, and graphing and analyses of plant phenology (timing of life-cycle events). Project BudBurst, a citizen science project which studies the impact of climate change on phenology, is integrated into this unit. The unit is one of four under the Chicago Botanic Garden curriculum entitled, "Climate Change in My Backyard." (View Less)
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per group of students
This is a lesson about the Discovery Program's exploration of the solar system. Learners will identify and communicate to others the varied space science explorations carried out by the Discovery Program and dig into one mission in depth. They can... (View More) then respond to a NASA Discovery Program Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to submit a mock proposal. Includes the 29-minute Discovery Program overview video, "Unlocking Mysteries of Our Solar System." (View Less)
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per group of students
In this simulation exercise, students determine where to place a hosptial using a classified land cover map to make environmentally sound land use decisions. Results are presented in a mock town hall meeting. A student worksheet is included within... (View More) this activity. This is a learning activity associated with the GLOBE land cover/biology investigations and is supported by the Land Cover/Biology chapter of the GLOBE Teacher's Guide. GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide, hands-on, K-12 school-based science education program. (View Less)
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per group of students


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All photographic services provided, but currently specialising in bespoke wall art. Do contact if you have an interesting project/idea.
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Based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Pictureworks Photography specialises in Weddings, Portraits, family occasions. Also Press and PR, Advertising, Commercial, Conferences, ...
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Professional photography studio located in the Midlands, near Tamworth. Fun, relaxed photography with no hard sales. We are a family run studio with a passion for ...
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Commercial Photographer Derby - events - people - places - Google business view. High quality usable photography and a great service.
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The Next major meteor shower is the Geminids Meteor Shower. Peaks December 13 around 2:00 am, and again we have an almost Full Moon, but this shower is generally one of the more consistent ones, the average is 50 meteors an hour, but with the Moon expect to see only the brighter ones, hey still worth a look. Look to the east for the constellation Gemini around 10:00 pm on the 12th for the show to start.
As I mentioned in my previous post the next major celestial show is the conjunction of the crescent Moon, Jupiter and Venus December 1. Should be a show stopper, with the crescent Moon complete with earthshine, Jupiter and Venus forming a triangle. Actually you can go out just after Sunset right now and see Venus below and to the right of Jupiter. As the days pass you will see the two planets drawing closer together till on November 30 the Moon shows up below the planets, then the conjunction December 1. Speaking of conjunctions I thought I would post an image I took back in July, one of my favorites. It was almost surreal to see Saturn, then Mars then Regulus all in a straight line, then you add the crescent Moon for effect and you get cool.
I'll leave you now with an animation of that gathering.


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — U.S. stocks climbed Tuesday after a better-than-expected jump in July housing starts and upbeat earnings reports.
Apple Inc. AAPL, +0.85% achieved an all-time split-adjusted closing high, while Home Depot Inc. HD, +2.59% was the biggest gainer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average in the wake of quarterly results that topped forecasts.
The S&P 500 SPX, +1.35% advanced 9.86 points, or 0.5%, to close at 1,981.60, while the Dow industrials DJIA, +1.36% rose 80.85 points, or 0.5%, to end at 16,919.59. The S&P 500 stands 0.3% off its July 24 record close at 1,987.98, recovering from its drop in late July and early August.
The Nasdaq Composite COMP, +1.26% advanced 19.20 points, or 0.4%, to finish at 4,527.51. The tech-laden index scored its highest close since March 31, 2000, for the second day in a row, and it's on a five-day winning streak.
The Commerce Department on Tuesday said construction on U.S. new homes rose 15.7% in July to an annual rate of 1.09 million, well above forecasts, and the June drop in new construction was revised to a much smaller decline.
"I think investors will be encouraged to an extent by the revisions in the data," said Andrew Wilkinson, chief market analyst at Interactive Brokers. He also said geopolitical concerns seem to be receding, even though there's no resolution in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and that "just gives added impetus to the bulls."
In other economic news, the Labor Department said U.S. consumer prices rose 0.1% in July, matching forecasts and signaling inflation isn't flaring up.
What strategists are saying: The rest of the week "is going to be about the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) minutes and Jackson Hole conference," said Wouter Sturkenboom, strategist at Russell Investments in London, in emailed comments.
"On both counts, we and the market expect the prevailing dovish stance to hold, providing upside momentum for markets," Sturkenboom said. But he added that owing to valuation concerns, his firm remains neutral on U.S. stocks.
The FOMC minutes will hit Wednesday, and Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen will speak on Friday at the central bank's conference in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Stocks have rallied in recent sessions mostly because investors are no longer frightened about rising interest rates, said Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at R.W. Baird. Some soft economic news in the U.S. and overseas, such as for jobless claims and retail sales, indicate the low-rate regime that's boosted stocks will continue.
"All of a sudden, the theory that we were in a rising interest rate environment in the U.S. turned out to be perhaps premature," Bittles told MarketWatch. He argued that while geopolitical fears have spiked and then eased, they're largely background noise.
Movers & shakers: Home Depot shares rose 5.6% to a record close, and home-builder shares staged a rally with D.R Horton Inc. DHI, -0.82% Ryland Group Inc. US:RYL and Lennar Corp. LEN, -0.98% shares all advancing at least 3%.
TJX Cos. TJX, +2.45% climbed 8.7% to lead the S&P 500 after its quarterly results surpassed expectations. Read more on the day's notable movers here.
Apple rose 1.4% to finish at $100.53, topping its prior post-split record close of $100.30 achieved on Sept. 19, 2012. The tech giant's record intraday high of $100.72 came on Sept. 21, 2012. Read more: 7 reasons to think different about this product cycle for Apple
Other markets: Japanese stocks NIK, +1.29% rose for a seventh day, boosted by Wall Street gains from Monday. European stocks SXXP, +1.80% pushed higher, helped by a leap by Danish shipping and oil conglomerate A.P. Møller-Maersk AS MAERSKB, +2.13% Oil CLU4, +0.00% and gold GCZ4, +0.00% lost ground.
Providing critical information for the U.S. trading day. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Need to Know newsletter. Sign up here.


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Yukmouth & White (CTE Representer) On What They Smokin On! "The Best Weed On The Planet Is California. We Got The Best Kush" + Vaporizers & More
Off the new Cheddar "What You Smokin On" DVD. Out now
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You can send in your orders now. Also, please think about making some diplomatic arrangements.
@Warman 45:
Since you got left out on the last one and this one, if you want I'll find a way for you to somehow enter the battle. PM me if you still want in.
You got the .44 reference correct so I'll do a couple re-rolls if they will help you out for Day 1. No one got the 2nd-Type Assassin Droids though.


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With the summer holidays now well underway in many countries, it's the perfect time for kids and adults alike to get outside and enjoy the wildlife around them. If you're planning a trip to a nature reserve, beach or wild space near you, or simply enjoy spotting the creatures in your own garden, why not have a go at writing about what you find?
Here at ARKive we would love to hear all about your summer wildlife experiences, and now you can share them with us as part of ARKive's Summer Stories!
Your story can be about anything related to wildlife or the outdoors – why not tell us about a walk you've been on or an interesting animal or plant you've spotted? If you're stuck for inspiration, here are a few ideas to start you off:
- The Great Outdoors
- In the Garden
- On the Beach
- Urban Wildlife
- Under the Sea
Share your stories
If you'd like to take part, please email your story to us at firstname.lastname@example.com, including your name and age, before the 1st September 2013. If you are under 16 years of age please make sure you get permission from your parent or guardian before sending in your stories.
We'll be publishing our favourite stories here on the ARKive blog at the end of the summer. We look forward to reading about all your wildlife adventures!
Try our fun summer activities!
Looking for more fun stuff to do with your kids over the summer? Why not check out our Fun Stuff pages for cool games, arty activities, quizzes and more!
And if you've had a go at one of our creative Animal Activities, we'd love to see photos of your creations – you can share them with us on Twitter, Flickr or Facebook.
Liz Shaw, ARKive Text Author


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Justin Theroux: One of Jennifer Aniston's Favorite Co-Stars!
Justin Theroux makes his way down a quiet street on Thursday (June 23) in New York City.
The 39-year-old actor wore a Minor Threat t-shirt, which is a punk rock band from the early 1980s!
The day before, Justin did a photo shoot with photog Terry Richardson! Check out some of the photos in case you missed it.
Justin, who is dating Horrible Bosses actress Jennifer Aniston, accompanied the beauty to her Inside the Actors Studio taping! According to Us Magazine, she named Justin among her favorite co-stars (for Wanderlust).


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It's pretty obvious that once plants start putting out blossoms and leaves there is a need for irrigation. However, with the increased interest in how much water we have available and questions about the proper use of that water, we should use what water we have wisely.
I realize I write about this time and again. That is because for the last couple of decades I have seen the ups and downs of people trying to come to grips with how best to use water and there is no doubt it's proven to be one of the more difficult concepts for people to get a handle on. As part of the conservation issue questions arise as to whether we should have landscapes, or trees, or should water just be used for human and animal needs? Those points ultimately will have to be decided by the community at large, depending on how weather conditions continue into the future. For now, from what I have seen both professionally and personally, there isn't a reason we shouldn't grow a wide variety of plants here. And we can continue do so as long as the water is used reasonably.
That means grow what you can and apply the water correctly to achieve a healthy plant. Many of us fall into two categories concerning watering. There are those who over-apply water, which can result in what appears to be a lush landscape but is a waste of water. And there are those who think if they limit the water to their plants they will somehow, magically, find a way to survive. More often than not, the second approach results in a plant that won't be healthy long-term, won't produce as it should and often will die earlier than needed.
The water needs of a plant depend on the specific plant. There is no one-size-fits-all. The most important aspect of plant physiology is to understand how each specific plant puts down its roots and what you can do to encourage appropriate root growth. That last point is very simple – just water the plant in a way to encourage that appropriate root growth. For trees the need is to spread the water out wide, while for plants such as grass it's deep but infrequent watering that encourages deep root growth. A confusing aspect of plant care that I see is when people grow vegetables using drip lines and seem to be trying to achieve a lot of production with limited water. You still need to water wide and deep according to plant size.
It's important to look at your plants, consider their size and think about how much root system that plant has or will have and where might that root system be. Most plants other than trees don't put out wide-ranging roots. Still, a single dripper on a tomato plant that is 3 to 5 feet high or more, unless left on for a long time, isn't going to result in the best growth or production. The most important point of watering is that by spreading the water out wider and watering deeper, the plant's root system grows, is able to capture water in more places and so needs watering less often. So do yourself a favor this year, consider each plant in terms of how big is it now and how big it might get this season. Think about where the roots are growing and try to water for those roots.
Water conservation can be accomplished quite well by watering the plants appropriately, which isn't daily, with the added benefit that we have healthy plants in Grand County instead of so many stressed and ultimately damaged plants.
With the warming weather, the urge is to plant and plant. Just because air temperatures are warm and plants are being sold doesn't mean it's time to plant warm-season vegetables or perennials. The average last frost date for our area is approximately April 15, which is a good ways away. Yes, it's possible we might only see minimal freezing temperatures, but it's not that likely. However, buying warm-season plants, having them killed by frost and then having to buy them again is good for the local economy, so good for you if this is your philosophy!
Thought for the day: "Whoever loves and understands a garden will find contentment within." —Chinese Proverb
Have an idea you'd like Mike to consider writing about? Want more information about these topics? Call the Utah State University Extension Grand County office at 435-259-7558 or email Mike Johnson at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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The count is up to three the number of Mets who will start the season injured. Daniel Murphy's sprained right MCL will have him join Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran.
GM Omar Minaya said Mike Jacobs is the frontrunner to start at first, eschewing the knee jerk reaction to bring up Ike Davis. It was a scenario like this which is the reason they brought in Mike Jacobs in the first place. Jacobs, a veteran left-handed bat with power gives the Mets a chance to be competitive.
The Mets sent Davis down for a reason, because they didn't think he was ready. Their plan is for him to get consistent at-bats in the minors than sporadic time in the majors. To stick with that plan is the right move.


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Requested funds will bring regional health training to Stuttgart, update Chamber website
The Stuttgart Advertising and Promotion Commission approved two requests Thursday for a total of $6,000. Arkansas County Partners in Health received $1,000 to a hold a training conference in Stuttgart, and the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce received $5,000 for a new website host and design.
But first the commission discussed old business, which included a report from Melanie Baden, director of the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie. She requested and received funds from the group for the annual German Heritage Festival. The festival was held last weekend in Stuttgart.
Commission member Jim Craig asked Baden if she could render a guess on the amount of attendees that stayed overnight in Stuttgart hotels. The Commission is funded solely on a 1 percent tax from hotels. Baden told the group that approximately 800 people attended the event and feels possibly 40 rooms at local hotels were booked.
"I heard it was a very successful event," commission chairman Amanda Holsted said.
"It was, thank you guys," Baden said.
Ashton Adamson, with Arkansas County Partners in Health, was up next on the agenda, requesting $3,000. The money is being used to host regional training for over 200 people in Stuttgart at the Grand Prairie Center. Adamson, however, now will have to look to other partners for the total amount. The Stuttgart A&P members voted to approve $1,000.
Once she accrues the funds then she will submit a bid to become the host site. Adamson felt 25 percent of the 200 attendees would stay overnight in Stuttgart before the training is held.
Bethany Hodges and Stephen Bell, with the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the board about their request for $5,000. The group will be redesigning its website with a new host for a total of $12,000. Stuttgart Unlimited will be paying $5,000 and the Chamber will pick up $2,000.
"The website is a very effective marketing tool for us," Hodges said.
Bell, executive vice president of the Stuttgart Chamber, told the group when it is time for the annual Wings Over the Prairie Festival they "fill the rooms."
The new website will have video, links to area websites, links to the Chamber's social media and the Chamber will be able to make necessary changes to the website quickly and easily. Also, all Chamber members will be able to edit and update their information on the site.
Once the agreement is set in place the Chamber said it will take approximately 120 days for the website to be up and running. Once approved by the Chamber, it will go live at www.StuttgartArkansas.com and www.StuttgartArkansas.org.
The measure was approved unanimously.
The next Stuttgart Advertising and Promotion Commission meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at Stuttgart City Hall, located at 304 S. Maple St. To have an item added to the agenda call Holsted at (870) 673-4201.


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Embedded software is a fundamental part of key aerospace and defense products. It enables the full system of aircraft and ground support equipment to fulfill a mission in both the military and commercial arenas. Time and effort spent on developing and testing this software is critical both from efficiency and safety perspectives.
Why Accenture
We support the industrialization, from a technology perspective, of the design, develop and roll out of robust and reusable software for mission-critical applications. Therefore, we help our clients increase revenue and margin by providing embedded software solutions that add value to the final product.
Accenture differentiates itself in several ways, including:
- On-the-field experience
- Delivery industrialization
- Technology standardization
- Ability to deliver in restricted environments


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This challege is Tim Burton themed! woot!
here is how this will go: You will take either an OC or an actual character (excluding a Tim Burton character, thats a no no) and you will convert it to the style of Tim Burton. It doesnt have to look exactly like one of his works, you can just incorporate his style into the piece if you wish to give the overall feel of Tim Burton.
I think I'm being pretty clear, but feel free to ask questions.
Judging will be based on the quality of the work, the overall feel, and any personal twists.


text: This guide was created to help students and faculty with biology research. I am the reference librarian for biology, and I have reviewed library and other resources to provide you with some of the best, most useful ones available. Use the tabs above to browse and remember you can always contact me (see info on right) if you want some help.


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Cropping image is a simple but also an important step when post-processing the image. All image-processing software has cropping tool, allows you to crop or simply edges an image. Of course, not all photos need to be cropped; however, if a photo is cropped deliberately, it will create a strong impression of the visual and layout. If you are not completely convinced, take a look at the illustration below.
Use the crop tool in the image processing software.
To crop an image, you only need to open the image processing software (Photoshop or Lightroom) and select the crop tool. Position the crop tool in a corner of the image and drag the selected area of the image you want to keep. Crop area will display the color darker or lighter, depending on the software you are using.
Once you are happy with the new layout, click on the photo or click the Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS) to complete the process of cropping photos
2 things to remember when cropping photos
Always use a copy to crop the image. Some software automatically open and save your pictures in a file copy. If processing of the original image, the change of the image will not recover once you have saved the image. On the other hand, if keeping the original, you can use and implement the cropping processes image for the next time.
Pixels resolution will change when the image is cropped. If your photos are blurred due to lower resolution after the crop, then restore the image (undo) and select crop area less to keep a higher resolution.
You can choose a larger crop with high-resolution photos. You should keep this in mind when taking pictures and always make sure your camera is set to shoot at the highest resolution.
The reason for cropping photos
1. Improved layout
2. Create focus for photos
3. Cut off the excess elements
4. Zoom in a detailed impression
5. Change photo (horizontal / vertical)
6. Change picture ratio
4:3 ratio is appropriate for the print size 5x4 "


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User:Michael A. Speer
From OpenWetWareJump to navigationJump to search
Back to Richard Lab Back to People
- 1 Welcome to Mike Speer's User Page
- 1.1 Contact Information
- 1.2 Research Info
- 1.3 Other Stuff
- 1.4 Useful Websites
Welcome to Mike Speer's User Page
Contact Information
- The best way to reach me is by email: mas853atpsudotedu
- Phone (801) 471 - 4870.
Research Info
In Progress
- Development of a Silage Inoculant for Biological Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass.
- Production of heterologous proteins in Lactobacillus plantarum.
- Xylanases
- Ferulic Acid Esterases
- Laccases
- Determination of ideal enzyme secretion levels based on a balance between production and survival
- Optimization of endogenous beneficial enzymes (not regulated under TSCA)
- Development of conditionally active expression/secretion systems for lactobacillus
- Determination of optimal inoculation ratios between two recombinant species
- Development of Aerobic/Anaerobic storage pretreatment strategies
- Production of heterologous proteins in Lactobacillus plantarum.
Please check out our Protocols page for more information on exactly what I do.
- Expect great things Spring 2011
- Taught ASM 221 in Fall 2010
- This is basically a broad engineering course for non-engineers
- Topics included:
- Circuits
- Statics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Fluid Dynamics
- Thermodynamics
- It was a great time
Other Stuff
General Information
- I graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Biological Systems Engineering in 2007.
- I'm currently a PhD student at Penn State University in the Richard Lab.
- My wife's name is Colleen.
- Hiking
- Bicycles
- Metalurgy
- Disc Sports
- Art
- Editing Protocols
Hobbies I used to have, but can't do anymore because I live in Pennsylvania
- Windsurfing
- Skiing (on real mountains)


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This is a collection of mathematics problems relating to the moons of the solar system. Learners will use simple proportional relationships and work with fractions to study the relative sizes of the larger moons in our solar system, and explore how... (View More) temperatures change from place to place using the Celsius and Kelvin scales. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
This book contains 24 illustrated math problem sets based on a weekly series of space science problems. Each set of problems is contained on one page. The problems were created to be authentic glimpses of modern science and engineering issues, often... (View More) involving actual research data. Learners will use mathematics to explore problems that include basic scales and proportions, fractions, scientific notation, algebra, and geometry. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
This is an activity about seasons. Learners compare the seasons though identifying seasonal activities and drawing scenes in each season. Then, they compare the temperature on thermometers left under a lamp for different lengths of time to explore... (View More) how Earth heats more when the Sun is in the sky for longer periods of time. Finally, learners use a flashlight and a globe to investigate how the spherical shape of Earth causes the seasons to be opposite in each hemisphere. This hands-on activity is an additional lesson as part of the book, Adventures in the Attic. (View Less)


text: One of my most vivid childhood memories is sitting at the kitchen counter with my little brother, John, drawing. I was perhaps nine, he a year younger, and we would each have sheets of white drawing paper and colored pencils or markers or crayons. I would often draw a bucolic barnyard scene, where the buildings were to scale but the horses and cows had elongated backs and too-short legs.


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- Description
DetailsK-FLEX® INSUL-LOCK®
INSUL-LOCK® DS (Double Seal) self-seal pipe insulationis widely recognized by the HVAC/R and Plumbing wholesale trade for its superior product characteristics, including cold weather flexibility, excellent thermal and acoustic properties, durable skin surface and exacting manufacturing tolerances.
- Moisture Vapor Resistance
- Condensation Control
- 6' lengths available
- Black or White color available for aesthetic purposes
- Temperature ranges: -70°F to 220°F (-57°C to 93°C)
- Mold and mildew resistant
- Greenguard certified as a low VOC material
- Factory-Applied DoubleSeal Closure System for improved performance
INSUL-LOCK® DS is non-porous and non-fibrous, and its key physical properties are approved through supervision by Factory Mutual Research Corporation.
- Air conditioning
- Cold water
- Chilled water
- Refrigeration
- Duct wrap
- Hot water
California residents: see Proposition 65 Warning
- Specifications
Weight 4.0212 Pounds (Lb) Width 5.125 Inches (In) Height 5.125 Inches (In) Country of Origin USA Length 72 Inches (In) Brand K-Flex Tier Insul-Lock Flame/Smoke Rating ASTM E84 - 25/50 Insulation Nominal I.D. 2.125 R-Value R9.2 Wall Thickness 1 1/2" UV Resistant Yes Diameter 2.125" Includes Product and technical support Application HVAC / Refrigeration Approvals UL, FM, Greenguard Color Black Composition Self-Seal Closed Cell Flexible Elastomeric Foam Insulation Copper Tube Size (OD) 2-1/8" For Use With K-Flex Insulation System Functions Thermal Insulation Material Self-Seal Closed Cell Flexible Elastomeric Foam Insulation Standards ASTM C534 Temperature Range -297°F to 220°F (-182.7°C to 104.4°C) Type Pipes Green Environmental Attribute Saves Energy LEED Rating EA Credit 1 if installed per ASHRAE 90.1
- Documentation