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Service Level Agreement - Horizon Air Hybrid-Mode
Last updated: May 23, 2016
This Service Level Agreement is subject to the terms of the Terms of Service for VMware Horizon Air, and capitalized terms not defined here will have the meaning specified in the Terms of Service. We reserve the right to change the terms of this Service Level Agreement in accordance with the Terms of Service for the Service Offering.
VMware will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Horizon Air Hybrid-mode cloud control plane, the Horizon Cloud Manager and the Horizon Air Node software necessary to deploy the virtual desktops managed under that instance (collectively, an "Instance") purchased by a customer of the Service Offering ("you" or "Customer") is "Available" during a given calendar month equal to 99.9% ("Availability Commitment").
If the Availability of the Instance that you purchase is less than the associated Availability Commitment, then you may request Service Credits for that Instance of the service. Availability in a given month is calculated according to the following formula:
"Availability" = ((total minutes in a calendar month – total minutes Unavailable) / total minutes in a calendar month) x 100
Unavailability and SLA Events
An Instance will be considered "Unavailable," subject to the SLA Limitations provided below, if VMware's monitoring tools determine one of the following events has occurred ("SLA Event"). The total minutes that an Instance of service is Unavailable for a particular SLA Event is measured from the time that VMware validates the SLA Event has occurred, as defined below, until the time that VMware resolves the SLA Event such that the Service Offering is Available to you. If two or more SLA Event occurs simultaneously the SLA Event with the longest duration will be used to determine the total minutes Unavailable.
1. Each of the following will be considered an SLA Event for an Instance:
Service Credits
"Service Credits" means an SLA Credit, a Chronic SLA Credit, or a Repetitive SLA Credit.
If the Availability of an Instance that you purchase is less than the associated Availability Commitment (99.9%) in a given calendar month, you may request 1 SLA Credit, and 1 additional SLA Credit for each additional 300 minutes the Instance, was Unavailable, up to a total of 3 SLA Credits in a given calendar month. An "SLA Credit" is an amount equal to 10% of the monthly Service Offering recurring subscription invoiced by VMware for the affected Instance.
If a particular Instance is Unavailable for 24 consecutive hours, you may request a Chronic SLA Credit. A "Chronic SLA Credit" is an amount equal to 100% of the monthly Service Offering recurring subscription invoiced by VMware, for the affected Instance, in the calendar month in which the SLA Credit is due. Any Chronic SLA Credit is in lieu of any SLA Credits that might be otherwise due.
If you are eligible to receive an SLA Credit or Chronic SLA Credit in 3 consecutive calendar months and all the credits are related to the same SLA Event type, you may request a Repetitive SLA Credit. A "Repetitive SLA Credit" is an amount equal to 100% of the largest monthly Service Offering recurring subscription charges invoiced by VMware for the affected Instance, in one of the calendar months in which the SLA Event occurred. If an SLA Credit or a Chronic SLA Credit was already received in the Repetitive SLA Credit period, the amount of the Service Credit that you may request will be the difference between the aggregate amount of Service Credits received and the Repetitive SLA Credit.
Service Level Agreement Limitations
The following will be excluded from any time-based calculations related to an Instance being Unavailable: (i) unsupported hardware configurations/models for Horizon Air Node, (ii) running non Horizon Air Hybrid-mode workloads on the Horizon Air Node, (iii) scheduled maintenance windows where you have been notified at least 24 hours in advance, (iv) recurring or zero impact maintenance windows that are made generally available to all customers, (v) your misuse of a particular Instance, (vi) force majeure events, denial of service attacks, virus or hacking attacks for which there is no commercially reasonable, known solution, or any other events that are not within our direct control or that could not have been avoided with commercially reasonable care, (vii) packet loss, network or internet problems beyond VMware's border router supporting our public internet connectivity, (viii) any issues caused by not up–to-date and/or non-compatible software versions of (a) software on Horizon Air Node, (b) infrastructure virtualization software (vSphere, vSAN, vCenter), (c) VMware tool running in the desktops, (d) Software agents such as DaaS, Horizon, App Volumes and User Environment Manager, (e) Horizon Client, (f) Access Point or (g) customer operating system configuration or installed third party software that prevents access to the Service Offering or degrades desktops performance, or (vii) bugs in code, hardware, or services for which there is no commercially reasonable, known fix (even if there is a known workaround).
You will not be eligible to receive a Service Credit if: (i) your service account has any payments for the Service Offering delinquent, (ii) you are in violation of Section 3 of the Terms of Service during the time of the SLA Event, or (iii) the SLA Event was due to your failure to meet your security responsibilities as set forth in the Terms of Service.
VMware's monitoring tools, data and records will be the sole source of information used to track and validate Availability. Upon request, VMware will provide to you, within 45 days after a confirmed SLA Event (but no more than once per calendar year), a copy of the Availability report that VMware makes generally available to customers.
Service Level Agreement Claims
In order to request any Service Credit, you must file a support request at https://my.vmware.com within thirty (30) days of the suspected SLA Event. VMware will review the request and issue a Service Credit when VMware validates the SLA Event based on VMware's data and records.
Service Credits will be issued to the person or entity that VMware invoices for the applicable Instance of the Service Offering, as a separate credit memo that can be applied towards a future invoice for that Service Offering Instance. If your subscription term for the Service Offering expires or is terminated prior to the issuance of a Service Credit, the Service Credit will become void as of the date of the expiration or termination.
The Service Credits specified in this Service Level Agreement are your sole and exclusive remedies for any SLA Events occurring during your subscription term for the Service Offering or for any other claim in connection with this Service Level Agreement.


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• The Schedule
Friday, Mar. 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 14 UC Santa Barbara (7-12, 5-10) vs. No. 4 Stanford (12-6, 9-6)
at Rob Gym
Series record vs. the Cardinal – 43-31
Streak vs. the Cardinal – Lost 3
UCSB Streak Overall – Lost 1
Stanford Streak Overall – Won 3
Last time out vs. the Cardinal – L, 3-0 (1/26/2013)
Saturday, Mar. 9, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.
No. 14 UC Santa Barbara (7-12, 5-10) vs. No. 15 Pacific (5-9, 3-9)
at Rob Gym
Series record vs. the Tigers – 22-14
Streak vs. the Tigers – Lost 4
UCSB Streak Overall – Lost 1
Pacific Streak Overall – Lost 6
Last time out vs. the Tigers – L, 3-2 (1/25/2013)
• UCSB Finally Bests UCLA
The Gauchos faced the Bruins twice before this season before meeting on Wednesday
night. Previously, UCLA came out on top in both matches. Nonetheless, UCSB was able to
stop the Bruin domination in a four set victory last week. Evan Licht led the offense with
an impressive 18 kills. Additionally, Miles Evans slammed 12 kills while Austin Kingi hammered
10. Both Licht and Evans picked up a pair of serving aces. The Gauchos defense
was on-point and they picked up 40 digs and 22 total blocks. After this second Gaucho
road win, UCSB traveled to Long Beach State. The 49ers halted UCSB's winning streak in
three straight matches. Still, Licht and Evans put up strong efforts on offense. Licht ended
the night with 11 kills while Evans had 10.
• Licht on a Roll
Junior middle blocker Evan Licht came out on fire at UCLA. He picked up a new seasonhigh
of 18 kills against the Bruins, topping his previous performance of 13. His performance
of 11 kills against Long Beach State marks the third straight game in accumulating
double digit kills. Licht's success continues to grow and he is becoming a vital part of the
Gaucho offense.
• Can You Dig It?
UCSB ranks fifth in the MPSF for digs by averaging 8.84 digs per set. Junior Libero Chad
Kingi leads the Gauchos with 175 digs and sits at the number two spot for individual
leaders in the MPSF. Kingi averages 2.5 digs per set. He has picked up double digit digs in
nine games, with his most recent against UCLA. Although the Bruins were hitting hard,
Kingi managed to sweep up 11 digs and lead the Gaucho defense. The Gauchos ended
the night with 40 digs, which was one of their better performances. UCSB's season-high
54 digs against Pacific shows that it is capable of reaching even higher.
• Austin Kingi Tears Up the Court
Sophmore outside hitter Austin Kingi was a crucial element to the Gaucho
victory over UCLA last Wednesday night. Kingi showed an incredible
performance in all elements of the game. He finished the match with 10
kills, 7 digs, and a season-high 7 total blocks. Kingi ranks fourth on the
team in both kills and digs. His versatile efforts show that he contributes
in all facets of the game.
• Miles of Domination
Now with 123 kills in the season, senior outside hitter Miles Evans proves
his court dominance. In five out of 14 games, Evans has recorded double
figures for kills. In the last two games, he smashed 12 and 10 kills, respectively.
The Santa Barbara native has remarkably recorded a 21 kill game
high. Evans continues to put up spectacular numbers and proves to be a
major threat for the opposition.
• The Gaucho Wall
As a team, the Gauchos have shut down their opposition with 182 total
blocks this season. Leading the team is senior Dylan Davis with 95 total
blocks. Davis ranks third in the MPSF individual performances by averaging
1.37 blocks per set. The senior has 12 solo blocks, which is the second
highest in that category out of the top 15 players in the MPSF for total
blocks. Next to Davis is sophomore Jake Staahl, who recorded 48 total
blocks this season. This performance ranks him at number nine in the
MPSF, as he averages 1.24 blocks per set. As a team, UCSB averages 2.46
blocks per set.
• Back at Home
UCSB returns home after a seven game road trip. The Gauchos pulled
out their first to away wins in this venture. Now, UCSB will be back at
Rob Gym for the next five matches. UCSB has had greater success in
their home territory. With these next games, the Gauchos look to maintain
their winning home record. UCSB had lost to both Stanford and
Pacific earlier this season, but both games were away.

subset: commoncrawl


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About Trichomonas vaginalis G3
Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic, flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis. It is the most common pathogenic protozoan infection of humans in industrialized countries. Infection rates between men and women are similar with women being symptomatic, while infections in men are usually asymptomatic. Transmission usually occurs via direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual, most often through vaginal intercourse. The WHO has estimated that 160 million cases of infection are acquired annually worldwide. The estimates for North America alone are between 5 and 8 million new infections each year, with an estimated rate of asymptomatic cases as high as 50%. Usually treatment consists of metronidazole and tinidazole.
(Text and image from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia.)
Taxonomy ID 412133
Data source European Nucleotide Archive
Genome assembly: ASM282v1
More information and statistics
Download DNA sequence (FASTA)
Gene annotation
What can I find? Protein-coding and non-coding genes, splice variants, cDNA and protein sequences, non-coding RNAs.
Download genes, cDNAs, ncRNA, proteins - FASTA - GFF3
Comparative genomics
What can I find? Homologues, gene trees, and whole genome alignments across multiple species.
More about comparative analyses
Phylogenetic overview of gene families
Download alignments (EMF)
This species currently has no variation database. However you can process your own variants using the Variant Effect Predictor:


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Looking to learn if Food Starter is right for you? Want to see what the facility is like, what programming is available and how Food Starter can help you build your business?
Join one of our weekly information sessions! Every information session will include:
- A tour of our Incubator and Accelerator Production areas
- Details on the Food Commercialization Program
- More information about our 'Building your Food Business' seminars and Membership Program
- An opportunity to network with other food entrepreneurs
Dates: Every Friday
Location: 76 Densley Avenue, Toronto
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $9.99
Before attending the tour, PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO!
NOTE: As Food Starter is a food manufacturing facility we must ask all visitors to comply with these important food safety guidelines:
- Dress Code: pants and closed toe shoes required to tour our food production area.
- Personal items such as phones, bags and notebooks are not permitted in the plant. If you are concerned about leaving your valuables in our meeting room you can bring a combination lock and leave them in one of our day lockers.
- Our tour starts promptly at 11:30 am with a walk through the production facility. Late comers will not be admitted to the production facility if they arrive after the food safety guidelines have been presented by the tour guide.
Please note, due to space constraints the number of participants is limited. Please bring only people registered for a ticket.


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| NWA 7466 Eucrite-mmict Meteorites For Sale
NWA 7466 is a Monomict Eucrite which means that the meteorite is made of clasts from a single eucrite source. NWA 7466 is a very attractive and quite fresh meteorite made of medium grained basaltic eucrite clasts and is only slightly shocked.
Copyright © 1996–2019 The Meteorite Exchange, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Meteorite Exchange Inc., 1121 West Valley Blvd, Ste. I #165, Tehachapi CA 93561
Users online: 425 anonymous customer(s)


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You have your medals,Now, give one to Them.Spouse MedalChild MedalParent MedalLet them know you care.
Save Our Benefit DoD Podcasts In The FightASM Job Advantage
From U.S. Naval Forces Public Affairs
PYEONGTAEK, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon, Jae-in presented Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) Rear Adm. Brad Cooper with the ROK Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) during the 69th Annual ROK Armed Forces Day Ceremony in Pyeongtaek, Sept. 28.
The ROK PUC is the highest unit-level award given by the ROK government and was awarded to all the Sailors of CNFK for "outstanding contribution to the defense of the Republic of Korea." The award follows closely behind the 2016 relocation of CNFK headquarters from Seoul to Busan, where it is now situated next to ROK Fleet (CRF) headquarters. CNFK is the only U.S. military major command to be located on a ROK military base.
October 26 is annually designated as National Day of the Deployed.
National Day of the Deployed honors all of the brave men and woman who have been deployed, are sacrificing, or have sacrificed their lives to defend our country. The day also acknowledges their families who are separated from them during deployment and the sacrifices they make in order for their family members to serve our country.
From Naval Supply Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- Naval Supply Systems Command, in cooperation with the U.S Postal Service, Military Postal Service Agency, and Joint Military Postal Activity, released mail-by dates for pre-Dec. 25 deliveries of holiday cards, letters, and packages.
By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2017 — DoD leaders announced the Interim Final Rule that charts the way forward for transforming TRICARE, the military's health care system.
The transition goes into effect Jan. 1, said Tom McCaffery, the acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
fm Exceptional Advocate eNewsletter, October 2017
TRICARE has expanded mental health and substance use disorder, or SUD, services, adding outpatient programs and expanding options for opioid treatment. The expansion improves access to care and increases opportunities for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. The changes include:
Increased substance use disorder treatment options. Improvements to SUD options include opioid treatment programs and office-based opioid treatment. Office visits with qualified TRICARE-authorized providers may include coverage of medications for opioid addiction.
When you have a family member with special needs, financial planning is vital. Be prepared to take good care of your family member by tackling the money issues today.
Military OneSource is here to help you—with financial planning related to issues like disability tax credits, Supplemental Security Income and much more.
How to start your financial plan
Research has shown that all students and especially those receiving special education who follow a carefully crafted transition plan are more likely to achieve post-secondary success. Helping professionals can craft these plans, but many may not be aware of the various resources available to ensure students' successful transition. One of the main resources available to parents/guardians and students are their classroom teachers. Teachers who incorporate transition-related content into instruction using universal design for learning (UDL) principles are in the best position to set up students for post-secondary success. It is thus necessary that parents/guardians and students are trained to inform teachers about UDL and advocate for their use in classroom instruction on an ongoing basis.
By Tammy CournoyerAFPC Airman and Family Division
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - The Air Force family tree has many branches and one branch, representing the services Gold Star families, has leaves that glow consistently with the rest.
Gold Star families are survivors of military service members who lost their lives during armed hostilities, including deployments in support of military operations against an enemy and/or during an international terrorist attack.
By Yan Kennon, Public Affairs Senior Writer, Naval Hospital Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Newborn screenings identify conditions that can affect children's long-term health or survival. Each year, millions of babies in the U.S. are routinely screened for certain genetic, endocrine, and metabolic disorders, and are also tested for hearing loss and critical congenital heart defects, prior to discharge from a hospital or birthing center.
The screenings are a vital public health program that tests babies for congenital disorders that aren't outwardly visible.
Page 1 of 29


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Michael A. Ambrose
Michael A. Ambrose, AIA is an architect and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Temple University where he studied in Philadelphia and Rome on a Temple University Study Grant. Professor Ambrose completed his graduate studies in Italy, working in Florence, earning a Master of Architecture degree from Syracuse University through the MArchII program in History, Theory & Criticism in Architecture and Urban Design.
His research and design work focuses on developing a broader understanding of design thinking and digital design media processes and products and the cumulative effects of these technologies to re-imagine/re-conceptualize practice and education within the discipline of architecture. Prof. Ambrose engages architecture as a discipline and as a profession following multiple simultaneous and interdependent threads of research, guided by two unifying themes. The first focuses on DIGITAL conception(s) of architecture that examine representation through crafted digital exploration and development of architectural ideas through the digital design media lenses of animation, fabrication and conceptualization. These interests arise from professional collaborations related to issues of design process, methods, and representations (abstract and simulation) based on computational and/or parametric cultures and environments. The second explores BIM as provocateur to design education and practice through the digital design media lenses of integrated practice delivery methods and digital cultures of Building Information Modeling. His pursuit of these themes is founded on the premise that the exploration of architecture involves the integration of interdependent paths of inquiry: conceptualization, representation, and production. The interweaving of these aspects of the design process is the means through which his architecture is conceived and created.
Professor Ambrose gained considerable experience in practice with Kunz Gordon Architects in Philadelphia. He later worked with one of that firm's principals to found Philip D. Kunz Architects, Inc. where he served as project manager and designer for numerous building projects throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey including a project for Peirce College involving the adaptive reuse of the historic home of 19th century architect, Frank Furness, in center city Philadelphia. While practicing in Philadelphia, Professor Ambrose was a member of the faculty of Drexel University, Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Philadelphia University) and Temple University. He was the Computer Aided Design Educational Coordinator for the Departments of Design and Architecture at Drexel University where he pioneered several courses in digital modeling and animation. Professor Ambrose served on the faculty of the Syracuse University School of Architecture from 2001 until 2004 both in Syracuse and Florence.
Professor Ambrose is currently the Associate Director of the Architecture Program at the University of Maryland. His primary responsibility are the undergraduate Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs in architecture. In his role as Associate Director Michael is involved in recruitment, advising/student services, and program administration and development. He chairs the Architecture Program Curriculum Committee and the School's Programs Courses and Curriculua Committee. He is faculty advisor to the student group APX (Alpha Rho Chi - Maryland). He also co-chairs the Academic/Studio Culture Committee in the Architecture Program. Professor Ambrose is actively involved in professional practice. He is currently a partner in Caprioglio Associati USA the international office of Caprioglio Associati of Mestre, Italy.


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Health-care associated influenza outbreaks are a common and serious public health problem that contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality and create a financial burden on health care systems. In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all health care personnel should be required to receive an annual influenza vaccine. The policy, "Recommendation for Mandatory Influenza Immunization of All Health Care Personnel," published in the October 2010 print issue of Pediatrics (published online Sept. 13), states that "despite the efforts of many organizations to improve influenza immunization rates with the use of voluntary campaigns, influenza coverage among health care personnel remains unacceptably low." Annual influenza epidemics account for 610 660 life-years lost, 3.1 million days of hospitalization, and 31.4 million outpatient visits. Flu generates a cost burden of approximately $87 billion per year in the United States. Mandatory influenza immunization for all health care personnel is "ethically justified, necessary and long overdue to ensure patient safety," according to the statement. The influenza vaccine is safe, effective, and cost-effective, so health care organizations must work to assuage common fears and misconceptions about the influenza virus and the vaccine.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends mandatory flu vaccines for health workers
In its upcoming October 2010 issue, the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending mandatory flu vaccinations for health care workers. Here is the current release from the AAP website:
Posted by Larian LeQuella at 07:03
Labels: vaccines
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Big Sean Wraps Up Shooting His "My Last" Music Video & Hits Up Houston, Texas! (Speaks To Bun B About Becoming A University Professor & Brings Devin The Dude Out On Stage)
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
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San Jose's powerhouse of a professional eater Joey "Jaws" Chestnut ate a record-breaking 182 wings in 10 minutes to win the Hooters World Wing Eating competition Tuesday, officials said.
This was the third year Chestnut won the competition, besting fellow professional eaters Adrian "The Rabbit" Morgan, who ate 174 wings and Matt "Megatoad" Stonie, who chomped down on 165 wings. In addition to eating the most wings, Chestnut beat his previous wing-eating record by three wings.
The champ is gearing up for round two of wing-eating, with National Chicken Wing Day and a competition set for Tuesday. In support of Chestnut's efforts, Hooters will be offering an all-you-can-eat wing option at participating locations throughout the country.
Chestnut has made quite a name for himself with his eating abilities. He is currently ranked number one in the world by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. On July 4, Chestnut ate more hot dogs than any of his opponents, narrowly defeating his competitor Matt "Megatoad" Stonie, who he also beat in Atlanta. He successfully ate 61 hot dogs to Stonie's 56, making it his eighth consecutive win. His last record, however was set in May, when he ate a record 12.8 pounds of deep fried asparagus at the Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Championship in Stockton.
Contact Katie Nelson at 408-920-5006 and follow him at Twitter.com/katienelson210.


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Tips on Gold Purchasing by Doug Mears
tannicanya | dodany 1714 dni 4 godziny 34 minuty temu | () | obserwuj nie obserwuj
Doug Mears is an expert in gold trading. He is advising investors many tips on Gold trading through his Blogs and Social Media Websites. Doug Mears has worked as a financial consultant in Leland Gold Exchange Company from the end of 2011 to present. więcej...
komentarze (0) | kategoria: Technologie | tagi: doug-mears-gold


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Selecting your vehicle's make, model, and year allows us to display only parts and items specific to your car's model and year.
Part# G240187
2 Reviews
OPGI Price: $195.99
Part Type: (A) Aftermarket product, usually an enhancement product
Years: 1968
Sold As: EACH
2018 Tempest Catalog Page: 85
Add a custom look to your dash with these 0.025"-thick machine-turned aluminum inserts from OPGI. Inserts have been expertly manufactured for a precise fit to the factory dash and include an industrial-strength 3M adhesive backing for easy installation.


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Flip through the pages of the 2012 calendar, and on any given day, it appeared that some big announcement was made about an acquisition or merger in the fitness industry. That, perhaps, was the biggest trend of the year.
LA Fitness, Irvine, CA, picked up where it left off in 2011 after acquiring 171 clubs from Bally Total Fitness, Chicago. It made two acquisitions in 2012, obtaining the remainder of the 32 clubs from Lifestyle Family Fitness, St. Petersburg, FL, and all 36 clubs from Urban Active, Lexington, KY.
Gold's Gym International, Irving, TX, acquired 11 San Antonio-area clubs from Spectrum Athletic Clubs, El Segundo, CA. Life Time Fitness, Chanhassen, MN, acquired Atlanta's Racquet Club of the South. Bally sold 39 clubs to Blast Fitness, Auburndale, MA. In-Shape Health Clubs, Stockton, CA, acquired the five clubs owned by Millennium SportsClubs, Vacaville, CA.
"This was a year of lots of sales but limited consolidation," says Rick Caro, president of New York-based Management Vision Inc., a fitness club consulting company.
True, 32 clubs here, 36 there, one here, 11 there, and so on may add up, but no mega deals occurred such as the aforementioned LA Fitness-Bally deal last year.
"Consolidation involves probably less than 1 percent of the overall number of commercial clubs in the U.S.," Caro says. "Therefore, despite the fact that everyone has heard from financial people for years and years that this industry is ripe for consolidation, we're still not having a lot of consolidation. I don't think that even 300 clubs will be involved in the total number of transactions this year."
Private equity firms continued to show interest in the industry, most recently with the announced deal by Planet Fitness, Newington, NH, which sold a majority share to TSG Consumer Partners, San Francisco. Curves International, Waco, TX, finalized a deal with North Castle Partners, Greenwich, CT.
Acquisitions in the industry involved not just fitness clubs but manufacturers, too. Hoist Fitness Systems, San Diego, acquired LeMond Fitness, Woodinville, WA, and PPI Acquisitions acquired Power Plate International, Irvine, CA.
Sales and impending sales, such as the one involving 24 Hour Fitness, San Ramon, CA, which might not be announced until sometime in 2013, dominated the headlines in 2012. But other important stories—some not involving acquisitions—occurred throughout the calendar year, including the passing of some key figures in the industry.
The LA Fitness acquisition of Bally Total Fitness in November 2011 was not without its problems. Former Bally members filed class-action lawsuits in January against both Bally and LA Fitness. The members claimed that LA Fitness violated their membership contracts after the acquisition. Plaintiffs in another case claimed that LA Fitness and Bally violated consumer fraud and deceptive business practices acts, adding LA Fitness was not honoring lifetime memberships from Bally.
Between November 2011 and January 2012, the fitness industry lost three pioneers. Jimmie Payne, who was a club operator and equipment designer as well as a former Mr. America and a contemporary and friend of Jack LaLanne's, died at the age of 85. Payne's death came a few weeks after the industry lost longtime fitness advocate and former club owner Bob Delmonteque, who also died at the age of 85, and Bonnie Prudden, who inspired the creation of the President's Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Prudden was 97.
Mark Mastrov, co-founder and chairman of New Evolution Ventures (NeV), Lafayette, CA, formed a partnership with the brother tandem of Kirk and John Galiani in February. The partnership, US Fitness, includes the Galianis' Onelife Fitness clubs based in Norfolk, VA, Crunch Fitness clubs in Washington, DC, and other new facilities in various stages of development. In addition, the Galianis joined the NeV board of directors.
Gold's Gym announced its acquisition of 11 Spectrum Athletic Clubs in Texas. Spectrum kept its 12 clubs in Southern California. With that acquisition, Gold's increased the number of clubs it operates in San Antonio from nine to 20. Gold's also announced plans to relocate and consolidate its headquarters from Irving, TX, to Dallas in 2013.
Life Time Fitness announced its acquisition of Atlanta's Racquet Club of the South, which rebranded to Life Time Tennis Atlanta. The acquisition expanded Life Time's tennis operations to 158 courts and 211 certified tennis professionals nationwide. Life Time claimed it is the largest national operator of indoor tennis courts with 104.
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the late Jack La- Lanne headlined the inaugural class of the International Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, OH. In addition to Schwarzenegger and LaLanne, the other four inductees were six-time Ms. Olympia Cory Everson, WWE World Champion Mark Henry, UFC World Champion Randy Couture and Chuck Wepner, the former boxer who provided the inspiration for the "Rocky" movies.
Beachbody LLC, Santa Monica, CA, which created the P90X home-exercise program, began to offer P90X certification in the commercial market to trainers as well as free licensing of the programs to facility owners. By getting P90X training, personal trainers also could earn continuing education units through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, which has a partnership with Beachbody.
Mad Dogg Athletics Inc., Venice, CA, and Zumba Fitness LLC, Hallandale, FL, announced that they filed lawsuits against Spinning Racing Bike and Dance in Tamaulipas, Mexico, claiming the company was counterfeiting their brands offered under their Spinning and Zumba trademarks, respectively.
At the same time the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) held its annual conference and trade show in March in Los Angeles, tennis legend Andre Agassi and longtime trainer Gil Reyes launched their BILT by Agassi & Reyes equipment line. The company announced plans to include additional strength and cardio machines as well as nutrition products based on Agassi's training regimen as designed by Reyes, who also designed the equipment Agassi used during his tennis career.
Bally announced it had entered into an agreement with Blast Fitness, a club chain that offers memberships as low as $10 a month, for the sale of 39 clubs. In the deal, which was finalized in May, Blast acquired Bally clubs in Boston (three); Buffalo, NY (one); Charlotte, NC (two); Fresno, CA (five); Milwaukee (four); Providence, RI (one); and St. Louis (two), plus three in Connecticut and all 18 in Texas, consisting of nine in Houston, five in Dallas-Fort Worth and four in San Antonio.
XSport Fitness, Chicago, announced plans to open three new fitness centers in Illinois, bringing its open store count to 33. The company has increased its locations by 32 percent in the past two years.
Pam Watts was appointed executive director of the National Intramural- Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) National Center, Corvallis, OR, after serving the association for 12 years in highranking positions. Watts served as interim executive director after Kent Blumenthal left in January to pursue other interests. Blumenthal had been a member of the NIRSA Foundation board since 1997.
Robert Kennedy, the publisher of several fitness magazines and the author of 55 books, including the best-seller "Hardcore Bodybuilding," died of cancer at the age of 73. Kennedy continued to maintain regular hours into his 70s at his office outside of Toronto and reviewed every page of each publication in the chain.
A memorial service was held for Dan Block, former president at Flex Equipment Co. and Intek Strength. Block died in March at the age of 58. Representatives from World Gym, Gold's Gym, LA Fitness, Life Fitness, U-Max, Star Trac, Iron Grip and Matrix attended the service.
The Department of Justice announced that it extended the deadline for pool operators to comply with certain sections of the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design to Jan. 31, 2013. The original deadline of March 15, 2012, originally was extended by 60 days. Operators of pools at fitness centers and hotels, among other locations, were to have complied by March 15 with new ADA requirements to have a lift or other method for disabled people to access pools in their facilities.
Gold's Gyms franchisees left the brand as Vertical Fitness Group, Appleton, WI, converted 11 Gold's Gyms in Wisconsin and Minnesota to a new brand called Xperience Fitness. Vertical Fitness Group also reached agreements to convert four Milwaukee-area Cardinal Fitness gyms to the Xperience Fitness brand. On the West Coast, the lease for the "Mecca" of Gold's Gyms in Venice, CA, was acquired by Internet search engine giant Google, but Gold's Gym said the club would remain on that site.
Michael Bruno, the owner and CEO of Land America Health and Fitness Co., which operates Star Trac, StairMaster and Schwinn, announced he was preparing to take the company public in China with an initial public offering (IPO). The earliest that Land America can make an IPO in China is 2014 because a company must show three consecutive years of profitability before making an IPO there, Bruno said.
LA Fitness announced it had entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of Lifestyle Family Fitness in June. By early July, LA Fitness completed its purchase of the remaining 32 Lifestyle Family Fitness clubs in the state of Florida. Last year, Lifestyle sold most of its northern clubs in Ohio, North Carolina and Indiana to Life Time Fitness.
News of Life Time's plans to open clubs in New York and California began to surface. The Orange County Register reported that a planning commission in Laguna Niguel, CA, had approved construction of a 128,000-square-foot Life Time club in a vacant site that was once home to the city's expo center. It would be the company's first club in the state of California. In Harrison, NY, Life Time said construction of a new club there would not be affected by the discovery of contamination on the property of the proposed $40 million project.
Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen, co-founders of Anytime Fitness, Hastings, MN, appeared on an episode of ABC's "Secret Millionaire." Runyon and Mortensen spent a week volunteering at local organizations in Oklahoma City, then surprised their colleagues with significant donations, including an Anytime Fitness franchise. The show aired one month after one Anytime Fitness franchisee in South Carolina donated a kidney to one of her club's members.
The Fitness Industry Technology Council (FIT-C) gained new leadership as Bryan O'Rourke, industry consultant and CEO of Integerus, took over as president. The council is comprised of organizations and professionals within the fitness industry who seek to develop standards around the measurement and transport of fitness performance data, such as calorie expenditure. The standards would apply to treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes, among other equipment.
24 Hour Fitness was in the spotlight both with its sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Team at the Summer Olympics in London and with news that its parent company, Forstmann Little, New York, was actively seeking bidders for a sale. One report in The New York Times said that 24 Hour could fetch about $2 billion. The same report said that LA Fitness and Life Time Fitness were possible suitors, but both companies denied that claim. Throughout the process, the 24 Hour board strengthened its executive team, adding the president's title to CEO Carl Liebert and making other promotions.
John Urmston, a former executive at Nautilus and the Sports and Fitness Insurance Corp., died at the age of 66 after a battle with Parkinson's disease. William Staub, who developed the treadmill for use in homes and fitness clubs, died at the age of 96.
Equinox, New York, hired one of the first female presidents in the industry, Sarah Robb O'Hagan, from PepsiCo.'s Gatorade division. Robb O'Hagan not only will oversee more than 50 Equinox clubs but also the company's Blink Fitness, SoulCycle and Pure Yoga brands. Equinox opened its first club in London later in the year and announced plans to open its first Canadian clubs in Toronto.
Around the time that Robb O'Hagan was hired, the company's executive creative director, Bianca Kosoy, left Equinox. Kosoy made the infamous "fitness is a fraud" quote in a New York Times profile not long before her exit.
Planet Fitness reached a settlement with its franchisee partners in PFNY LLC. Mike and Marc Grondahl and Chris Rondeau, the owners of Planet Fitness, filed a lawsuit in December 2011 against PFNY owners Jeff Innocenti, James Innocenti and Gino LaVerghetta, claiming the franchisees conducted business with real-estate companies and a contractor without their knowledge. The Innocentis and LaVerghetta denied the allegations and filed a countersuit in January.
Curves finalized its agreement with North Castle Partners. Curves CEO Gary Heavin had acknowledged in July that the two sides were close to a deal. Heavin and his wife, Diane, moved out of the day-to-day operations of Curves. North Castle, which had invested in Equinox from 1999 to 2005, said it would appoint a new CEO for Curves.
Johnson Health Tech, the Cottage Grove, WI-based parent company of fitness brands Matrix, Vision, AFG and Horizon, acquired Magnum Fitness, South Milwaukee, WI, a developer of commercial strength training products for more than 30 years.
LA Fitness made its second major acquisition deal of the year and third in 12 months when it announced it had entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of Urban Active, which had 36 clubs, most of which were in Ohio and Kentucky. The deal was finalized in October. The two parties had been negotiating for months and almost consummated a deal in 2011. The addition of the Urban Active clubs, most of which had been Gold's Gyms under the direction of franchisee Royce Pulliam, brought LA Fitness' club total to 551.
Two Gold's Gyms franchisees broke away from the brand in September as Sebastyen and Zsolt Jackovics rebranded their four San Francisco Bay Area Gold's Gyms to Fitness SF. The move came two years after Robert Rowling, the CEO of TRT Holdings, the parent company of Gold's Gym International, made a $2 million contribution to a political group that supported candidates who hold anti-gay positions.
Life Time Fitness had a difficult day on Sept. 11. That was the day one of its former trainers at a Life Time in Illinois was arrested on sexual abuse charges. Robert Theodore was accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor boy whom he had been training in track and field, and some of the alleged abuse took place at the Life Time club. Also on Sept. 11, a teenager died after he collapsed while playing basketball at a Detroit-area Life Time club.
Bally made a major change on its executive team, hiring Town Sports International (TSI) founder and former Crunch CEO Marc Tascher as its CEO. Tascher replaced Mike Sheehan, who had come to Bally from 24 Hour Fitness in 2008. Tascher is responsible for overseeing all of Bally's operations, including its strategy, direction, growth and long-term planning.
Technogym opened its new Italian headquarters in Cesena, Italy. The opening was attended by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Nerio Alessandri, founder of Technogym. President Bill Clinton spoke at the inaugural Wellness Congress, which was put on the same day by Technogym. Earlier in the year, Technogym had served as a sponsor of the London Olympics.
The U.S. Army, which was scheduled to implement a new physical fitness test, announced in September that it was putting those plans on hold. Army officials said the test failed to measure functional fitness that would prepare soldiers in combat. Last year, the Army began piloting two new tests, the Army Physical Readiness Test (APRT) and the Army Combat Readiness Test (ACRT) to help soldiers be more prepared for combat. Later in the year, a report detailed the dramatic rise of discharges of active-duty airmen in the Air Force for not meeting physical training standards.
Hurricane Sandy ripped through the East Coast, and fitness clubs were not immune to her wrath, closing many clubs. Some New York-area clubs remained closed into November. Eric Casaburi, CEO of RetroFitness, was featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes magazines, describing how he had purchased a backup generator for the corporate office in Colts Neck, NJ, and made other preventative measures. Several clubs, including New York-based TSI's New York Sports Clubs and HealthQuest Fitness, Hunterdon, NJ, opened their doors to the community, offering hot showers and a chance for people to charge batteries for their phones or laptops. Equinox also opened its doors to members and guests for showers, but overcrowding forced the company to allow only members.
24 Hour was once again in the national spotlight for two big stories in October. First, 24 Hour was one of a number of sponsors of Lance Armstrong who cut ties with the cyclist after he was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from professional cycling. The steps were taken after a report by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency alleged widespread doping through banned drugs and blood transfusions by Armstrong and his cycling teams. 24 Hour took down Armstrong's name and interior photos from six signature clubs—three in his hometown of Austin, TX, plus one each in Round Rock, TX; Tualatin, OR; and Denver.
Chris A. Davis, who left 24 Hour in March after serving as chairman of the board of directors, sued the company in October for at least $23.6 million, claiming 24 Hour breached its contract in connection with a phantom stock agreement. 24 Hour told Davis in writing that the phantom stock agreement was "not a valid obligation of the company." Davis later made a written demand for payment, which her attorneys claimed 24 Hour had not paid.
Mergers and acquisitions continued in the industry as In-Shape Health Clubs acquired the five clubs owned by Millennium SportsClubs. In-Shape planned to spend $7 million for upgrades and improvements in the five acquired clubs.
A bizarre story came out of Maine as a former Zumba instructor and an insurance agent pleaded not guilty to charges that they operated a prostitution business out of the instructor's studio. Alexis Wright faced 106 counts ranging from engaging in prostitution to tax evasion while Mark Strong faced 59 counts of promoting prostitution, invasion of privacy and conspiracy.
Cybex International, Medway, MA, announced that its board of directors had authorized the company to enter into a "going private" merger agreement. Under the terms of the deal, Cybex would be wholly owned by UM Holdings Ltd., which is owned by John Aglialoro, Cybex's chairman and CEO, and his wife, Joan Carter, who is on the Cybex board. UM, Aglialoro and Carter own approximately 49.5 percent of Cybex's stock.
At least four law firms were looking at whether they would file lawsuits related to any possible breaches of fiduciary duties and whether the acquisition was purposely timed to take advantage of what the firms called a temporary drop in the share price of Cybex. One of those firms has now gone ahead with a lawsuit. The company continued its support of breast cancer research, as the YMCA of Middle Tennessee purchased a company-record 57 pink treadmills used by participants in the Y's After Breast Cancer program. Cybex supports breast cancer research annually through its Pink Ribbon Run.
For the first time in its history, Club Industry held its national conference and trade show in Las Vegas, where Joe Cirulli, founder and CEO of Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers, Gainesville, FL, became the 10th recipient of the magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Before the show, the industry lost Scott Dennis, who was the president and owner of Fitness Resource Group. Dennis had also worked in sales for Precor and Cybex. He was 42.
Mike Grondahl told Club Industry that Planet Fitness had completed an equity deal with TSG Consumer Partners for an undisclosed sum. Grondahl, his brother, Marc, and Chris Rondeau will retain a 25 percent ownership stake in the company.
CrossFit founder Greg Glassman took over 100 percent of the Washington, DC-based company after he bought the 50 percent share from his wife, Lauren Glassman, whom he is divorcing. Lauren Glassman had negotiated but not finalized a deal with private equity firm Anthos Capital to sell her share of the company for $20 million. Greg Glassman received a loan from venture capital firm Summit Partners, Boston, for the $16.09 million needed to purchase the share.
Facing a potential fiscal cliff in the nation's economy, industry insiders said many private equity firms were looking to deploy capital by year's end, and those firms continue to see the fitness industry as a viable option. One private equity firm, Praesidian Capital Investors, New York, allowed for the financial restructuring of Meridian Sports Clubs, North Hills, CA, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
On the manufacturer side, Power Plate International entered into an agreement with PPI Acquisitions, which is led by former Power Plate CEO Lee Hillman, who also was the one-time president of Bally. PPI Acquisitions also acquired the assets of Power Plate North America at an auction.
The Virginia Supreme Court delayed a decision until January 2013 in the case of a proposed YMCA that has been challenged by for-profit club operators. The Charlottesville Area Fitness Club Operators Association, which includes ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers and Gold's Gym, filed suit against the city of Charlottesville, VA, and Albemarle County, VA, in May 2010. The group claims that the city and county violated the Virginia Public Procurement Act, which requires the government to seek bids on projects. Instead, Albemarle County and the city of Charlottesville donated $2.03 million and $1.25 million, respectively, to the Piedmont Family YMCA, Charlottesville, to build a Y in a city park. The Charlottesville business group contends neither the city nor the county allowed bids from private clubs.


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It's not the prettiest thing. But it might be the most important.
As former championship coach Pat Riley once said, "No rebounds, no rings.'' By the way, whatever happened to that Riley guy?
Anyway, Miami committed to going small. The Bulls committed going to the boards like always. The Heat hoped to beat the Bulls with speed and quickness in this Eastern Conference Final. But the Bulls have some speed and quickness themselves. What's more, the Heat's small lineup gave the Bulls' bigs the chance to dominate the boards.
And the Bulls pounded them, getting a ton of second-chance -- and sometimes third-chance -- opportunities, as big a reason as any for their 103-83 rout of the Heat in Game 1.
After the Bulls' decisive 10-0 run in the middle of the third quarter, they had a 31-23 rebounding advantage, a stunning 15-6 lead on the offensive boards. The Bulls out-rebounded them 45-33, 19-6 on the offensive boards. Jeez, Joakim Noah out-rebounded the Heat himself by two on the offensive glass. All that effort resulted in a difference of 23 second-chance points for the Bulls.
One reason the Bulls had so many chances at rebounds was the smothering team defense on Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, who combined to miss 20 of 32 shots. Wade missed 10 of 17 shots, looking dogged trying to stay with Derrick Rose on the offensive end. It got so bad that Wade stepped out of bounds with nobody around him as he tried to gather a loose ball. James, meanwhile, missed 10 of 15, looking like he left his talents in South Beach.
So, the Big 3 was reduced to the Big 1. Chris Bosh, the last guy in that conversation, went off for 30 on 12-for-18 shooting. But hey, the Bulls will take that deal the rest of the series. I mean, it would be like playing the Raptors.
Even better, when the Heat went looking for help, the Bulls' bench killed them. Just killed them. Everybody knew the Bulls had a massive depth advantage, but this massive? Led by Taj Gibson and Ronnie Brewer, the Bulls' subs ripped off 28 points, 8 assists and 14 rebounds, while Miami's placeholders managed just 15 points, 0 assists, and 4 turnovers.
Everywhere you looked, the Bulls came up big, even Carlos Boozer with 14 points and 9 rebounds. And the rebounds were the key, from Boozer and everybody else. The Bulls' season-long devotion to the boards forced the Heat to adjust its lineup before the series started. Now they will force the Heat to adjust again. But good luck if your playoff depends on Udonis Haslem and Jamal Magloire.


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Every so often, some pro BMX rider experiments with a derailleur on a BMX bike. Most recently is Barry Nobles with his PK Ripper with an XTR 2sp. There are a lot of valid reasons why a derailleur on a BMX wouldn't be of any competitive advantage….but just in case, remember I'm ahead of the curve with both a derailleur and a disc brake. Basically, I could ride all the way to the track, but I still need to improve my skills at landing the doubles….
Below is another elite rider's rig from a few years ago. Note how my Davidson has a less compact frame. I can actually run the 400mm seatpost out so I can match my road bike's saddle height.


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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
You Can't Sue the Government Part 2 (in which 911doc ponders creatively)
"Do you think you can get that trochar in this time?" (trochar is very sharp metal rod that would be punched through peritoneal cavity then be used to pump CO2 into belly to provide 'exposure' to see gall-bladder and retrieve it with a laparoscope (and to keep greenhouse gas emissions down)...
(Intern, angry, frustrated, sleep deprived, new to military, scared) "Yes Sir!"
Surgeon hands intern trochar. Intern, stepping up on small stool puts all her weight behind it and hubs it. Descending aorta pierced, Surgeon apoplectic, blood fills abdomen, patient's legs get blue, Vascular Surgeon scared shitless, knows it's a hopeless case, tries to punt, no one receiving, then finally gets an accepting somewhere else. Rest of story plays out. Intern being protected because it's still the General Surgeon who takes blame, and, who wants to have a national debate about residency training right now? We still have to get people to agree to rationing of care and all!
Just a guess of course. Travis AFB has a fine hospital and I know people there. I don't believe any General Surgeon worth his salt would make this mistake... it makes more sense that it was a trainee. Thoughts?
15 comments:
- PeggyU5:14 PM, July 22, 2009
Can you request "no noobs" in advance of a procedure?
- H the IH6:02 PM, July 22, 2009
Not in the military - at least not when I was there.ReplyDelete
H the IH
"There is no body cavity that can't be reached by a good strong arm and a 14-gauge needle."ReplyDelete
Or trochar, in this case.
i was in too, i actually don't remember my surgical month very well. i do remember holding retractors and being allowed to do a little. perhaps an upper level resident.
Ambulance Driver.ReplyDelete
The House of God should be required reading for all folks in HealthCare.
Not only are the Residents newly minted, there are also lots of newly minted RNs.
That's why I never want to get sick in the summer.
That was my guess on first reading this story, that it was an unfortunately-placed trocar/scissors/bowel grasper.ReplyDelete
One of the few things I remember about laparoscopic surgery, that they always harped on, was to never stick an intstrument in blindly. Maybe this is why?
Interestingly, I can't imagine this happening if they did the chole the boring, low-tech open way.
What a horrible thing to happen to this young man and his family.
- PeggyU3:15 AM, July 23, 2009
I took my 11-year-old son to the dentist yesterday, for a filling. Though he normally doesn't ask for the nitrous oxide, this time he decided to request it. He's not a shy child; in fact, he's the kind you want to stand close to in case you need to clap a hand over his mouth. I discovered that the gas made him even less inhibited.ReplyDelete
The dental assistant was preparing the compound they were going to use to fill his tooth. It was some new stuff that she had not used before, and another assistant came in to find out if she needed some help. She said "No," that she had watched the training video. Of course the boy heard this, and sat bolt upright in the chair. I've never seen anyone talk around one of those rubber dams, but he managed somehow. "You're telling me you watched a VIDEO?! You've never done this before, but you watched a VIDEO?! Don't you think you should go practice on a dummy or something before you try in in a person's mouth? I don't want to be a guinea pig! What if you mess it up?!"
I was a little embarrassed, but the other assistant assured him she would stay and make sure everything was done correctly. I think I figured out which child I'm putting in charge of my living will.
Interesting. My doctor is doing my surgery next week at a non teaching hospital. It is not a hospital I have ever had surgery at before, and I couldn't figure out why he wanted it at a hospital that wasn't his "main" hospital. Maybe this is the answer?ReplyDelete
He will be doing it laparoscopically first because my insurance said it has to be attempted before they cut me open. He has already told me he won't be able to do it that way, and he even has a gynecological onclogist assisting because he is sure he will have problems even when I am cut open. Wouldn't it be cheaper/more cost effective for the insurance if they let him just do one surgery instead of trying something he knows won't work first? Is this the kind of stuff you guys deal with every day? Seems quite frustrating!
very interesting. we have really great sim labs to simulate a code of a neo code. New doc's and Nurses don't need to "PRactice on patients. we have such great technology that we can buy a fucking doll that delivers a baby. No need to use humans for practice anymore guys.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous4:44 PM, July 23, 2009
They ain't pushin this off on no stinkin Intern...this has got Affirmative Action 3rd year Resident written all over it in Blood like the Manson Family did... Heck the Military Interns are still in their Orientatin Month, takin Sexual Her-ass-meant and Diversity classes, they don't start seein real patients till August...ReplyDelete
deep breath. you will be fine. i doubt anyone other than your surgeon will touch you but you can certainly ask.
Rad Girl, why in the world is your surgeon anticipating issues? My Lord Girl, what problem could he have finding something in a body like yours???ReplyDelete
OF is dreaming now...
- Anonymous7:52 AM, July 24, 2009
Rad Girl....ReplyDelete
Everything should be fine...
Don't consent to the "Exam Under Anesthesia
" though....
Oldfart-the problem isn't in the finding part,it is in the removing part.I had 3 c-sections, an ovary removed and then a hysterectomy that left my cervix because it was adhered to my bladder and other things. To take it out now will be difficult. Hopefully this will be my last abdominal surgery ever, and hopefully my last surgery ever too. I love doctors, but this is getting ridiculous!ReplyDelete
- Nightingale8:56 PM, July 24, 2009
Rad Girl,ReplyDelete
You're in my prayers for an uneventful & successful surgery. Please keep us updated on your progress when you're able.


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CSP: What It Is and My Personal Struggle With It
"The chaos in my head spun itself into a silk of silence. I had distilled myself to the immediacy of hand, ... blood, flesh."
Compulsive Skin Picking (our site focuses on the oral manifestation) is a form of OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and is extremely similar to Trichotillomania (TTM) because sufferers often experience tension prior to engaging in the compulsive act, and then relief or pleasure afterwards. Cheek biting is included.
Skin picking doesn't have anything to do with attempting suicide. It consists of altering the tissues of the body in order to achieve an altered state of mind and a heightened feeling of control.
Many people, like me, engage in compulsive skin picking and not allowing the wounds to heal. They do not do it willfully or to gain attention. In fact, for most, it is their darkest secret as they hide their self-inflicted wounds.
It is a very dysfunctional method of relieving tension, altering consciousness, coping with stress and frustration, feeling a form of control over one's life when one's life feels out of control, and of raising the endorphins in one's brain chemistry.
The disorder is debilitating, addicting, and very much socially disabling. It is sometimes so unresponsive to therapy and psychiatric medicines that a person may suffer from it for much of her lifetime, and even risk death from it, although some grow out of it.
Very often young women who resort to this painful activity grew up in homes with a lot of chaos and confusion where things were not talked about. Many were outright abused. Many also have other accompanying emotional disorders, including eating disorders, Bipolar, OCD, anxiety disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, etc. Personality Disorders are most commonly marked with having a social problem with other people, and anxiety. People who self-injure usually have a subconscious reason for cutting in the area of the body that they do, but in this case, the only thing I can think of might be an oral fixation.
|as seen on tv


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Lose the Maybe
What are you saying yes to in your life right now? Are you saying yes to an amazing job that has you bounding out of bed in the morning excited to go to work? Or are you saying yes to a job you hate that just pays the bills? Are you saying yes to an… Read On
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The sun-drenched video for Stylo G's new jam "Move Back" just landed and we are soaking it up.
Shot in downtown Kingston the video features a cameo from 1Xtra's Toddla T, behind-the-scenes footage of the legendary Randy's Records and some pretty spectacular twerking.
Check it out here:
We cut a version to the immense DJ Friction remix too:
"Move Back" is out March 2nd and is available to pre-order on iTunes now.
As well as the Friction remix, there are edits from Grant Nelson, Cahill and Diztortion.


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The Farm Press Peanut Profitability Award has been presented to more than 40 peanut producers over the past 13 years, but the 2012 class might have topped them all as far as combining the basic tenets of the program, says Marshall Lamb, research director for the National Peanut Research Laboratory and advisor for the program.
This year's awards were presented in Panama City, Fla., as part of the 14th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference. Producers from each growing region of the U.S. Peanut Belt were honored for their production efficiency.
Winners for 2012 included the following: Lower Southeast Region — I.C. Terry Farms, Lake City, Fla.; Upper Southeast Region — Bud Bowers, Luray, S.C.; and Southwest Region — Joe D. White, Tillman County, Okla.
"This program encompasses all the elements of profitability," says Lamb. "We look at yield — both irrigated and non-irrigated — the price and how it contributes to the total revenue stream, and we also look at the cost side. This group of winners combined probably have brought those elements together better than any group we've had."
It's hard to believe, says Lamb, that the awards program is honoring its 13th group of growers. "It's a great program, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with the people of Farm Press and with the growers," he says.
"We're looking at production efficiency, marketing and cost-management, including equipment cost-management. Sometimes that means utilizing used equipment and making it work on your farm," says Lamb.
This year's honorees showed incredible management skills through devastating drought conditions in the Southwest and in the lower Southeast, he continues. "And our upper Southeast winner has a very field-specific management plan that he employs on his farm. All these growers are innovative in what they do to make and to keep their farms profitable. It was interesting going through their nomination forms and seeing how they rose to the top to become this year's Peanut Profitability Award winners."
In addition to recognizing deserving growers, Peanut Profitability also aims to educate, says Lamb. "Early on with this program, we talked about how education needed to be a vital part of it. We want to give something back to the growers who can't attend this conference. This year, we came up with the Top 10 Keys to Peanut Profitability, or the commonalities that have emerged among our growers during the past 13 years."
Each class of Profitability Award winners continues to impress with their innovative techniques for achieving bottom-line profits, says Greg Frey, Farm Press publisher.
Purpose of program
"The aim of Peanut Profitability is to recognize growers who have shown amazing adaptability in the face of change, and who have continued to produce profitable crops. Today's class exemplifies peanut growers who have overcome the challenges of farming while improving their profitability. This award is based on entire farm operations, and not just one or two small plots — that sets it apart from others," says Frey.
During a question-and-answer session following the awards presentation, this year's Peanut Profitability honorees discussed an array of topics, including their primary information sources, fungicide spray programs, and seeding rates.
Bowers, the Upper Southeast award winner, says his father told him several years ago he couldn't afford to run an "'experimental program.' So I go out to the experiment stations in the state and see what they're doing. Right now, I'm planting high-oleic peanut seed, after seeing how they've performed in experimental plots," he says.
Bowers used a new hydraulic seed drill this year and as a result probably used more seed than normal. "We had a little problem with seed varying in size, and we planted considerably more seed than normal with our Virginia peanut varieties.
"We got a good stand, and sometimes $20 extra in seed is like money in the bank. We saw more variations in size this year than I ever remember seeing. We plant from a low of 112 pounds to a high of 143. We had new varieties, and we weren't sure about the seed size, and we had some large-seeded Virginia peanuts," he says.
He usually starts his fungicide sprays about 45 days after planting, trying to stay on a schedule of every two weeks. "If it gets dry, we stretch from two weeks to a little bit longer. I have made as many as six applications. It just depends on how late the season goes and if we have to wait before getting the peanuts out. It's usually about five applications, and we have varieties like Florida-07 that requires more sprays, but it yields well," says Bowers.
Southwest winner White says he gets most of his information from Oklahoma State University. "We have a great peanut team there, and they come around every year and present their findings. We just get a lot of good information from them, and it helps tremendously," he says.
White says that in 2011, he stayed with the same seeding rate he's been using for years.
"Generally speaking, we plant at about the first part of May, and the first fungicide application is made at the first part of July. We usually make another application at the middle of August and one at the middle of September, and that's our usual program," he says.
He plants on 40-inch rows because that's how he plants his cotton crop, and when digging peanuts, he runs the tractor at 2.2 miles per hour.
Work closely with UF
Lower Southeast winners — brothers James and William Terry, along with their cousin Ross Terry — all agree they work closely with the University of Florida when seeking information about peanut production, and that includes planting new varieties in their own fields.
"We've worked with the University of Florida and other universities in the area by planting plots," says James.
"But we always want to plant enough so we can harvest it and say that we've done something, so our plots run about five or six acres each, and we grow about six to eight plots per year of different varieties of peanuts. That helps determine what we'll grow the following year. We've never irrigated peanuts, so it's always a challenge," he says.
For chemical applications, Ross Terry says they usually follow whatever the county Extension agent recommends. "Each chemical company has a good product, but we usually go with the cheapest because you have to in this day and time," he says.
As for the seeding rate, James said they increased to about 125 pounds per acre this year because they planted Georgia-06. "The seed was much larger than what we were accustomed to, so we felt like we had to increase the rate to get enough seed per acre."
The Terry's spray fungicides every 10 to 15 days after the peanuts are about 45 days old, making a total of eight to 10 sprays, according to weather conditions. They also follow a unique bahiagrass rotation system when growing peanuts.
"One reason for using bahiagrass is to help us with white mold," says James. "Also, it helps prevent any problems with nematodes. If you're planting behind bahiagrass, you can't help but see some yield increase. We try to leave bahia grass in the field at least five or six years before we tear it up and plant peanuts. The benefits are great."
Sponsors of this year's awards include AMVAC Chemical Corporation; Arysta LifeScience; Becker Underwood; DuPont Crop Protection; Golden Peanut Company; Helena Chemical Company; INTX Microbials, LLC; Rio Tinto Minerals; Syngenta Crop Protection; National Peanut Board; Southeast Farm Press; Delta Farm Press; and Southwest Farm Press.
(To see the full production story of I.C. Terry Farms, click here. Details of Bud Bowers' farming operation can be seen here. Joe D. White talks about his Oklahoma peanut operation in an article that can be found here).


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The North Coast of New South Wales is a haven for nature lovers, a retreat for families and a hotspot for action seekers. As you partake in your activities of choice, you will likely have sweeping oceanscapes on one side and lush stretches of forest on the other.
The North Coast runs from Sydney's North to the Queensland border, offering its share of surfing hubs, national parks and coastal hikes. To take a break from outdoor action, check out Newcastle, with its emerging cafe and gallery scene.
Holiday rental options on the North Coast abound, from beachfront apartments to spacious, secluded family homes.
The North Coast is synonymous with great surfing, no matter your skill level. Experienced surfers flock to Lennox Head, which is a top Australian surf spot for pros. If you would like to learn to surf in calmer waters, sign up for a class on the shores of Newcastle, Coffs Harbour or Ballina.
The North Coast also offers family-friendly beaches. Byron Bay's Main Beach is well-known for its white sand. This beach is patrolled throughout the summer. If you would like to spend the day away from other humans, head to the secluded stretches of sand in the Pacific Palms area. These quieter beaches are lined by lush forests, adding to the impression of isolation.
Visit Dorrigo National Park, a World Heritage Site, to wander along boardwalks amidst age-old rainforests. Bring your binoculars to best observe the forest's vibrant birdlife. Alternately, explore the largest stretch of undeveloped land in New South Wales when you hike through Yuraygir National Park. This coastal park showcases both forest and oceanfront scenery.
Illuka Nature Reserve is another option for rainforest strolls and birdwatching. Over 140 types of birds call the reserve home. This park also encompasses coastal and hinterland trails. By the waterfront, you will find a seashore with a rock pool. Here, children can participate in a guided tour to learn all about the species who live in the crevices.
The North Coast is a haven for hikers, with almost endless paths lining the shore.
The most ambitious hikers can undertake the Yuraygir Coastal Park, which links Angourie and Red Rocks. Walk along 65 km of clifftops, untouched beaches and pristine coastal lakes. Hike at the edge of verdant forests and keep your eyes peeled for native species.
Similarly, the Tweed area has 37 km of untouched coastline, criss-crossed by a series of paths leading to some of the region's best coastal views.
For shorter treks, you can try the Cape Byron Walking Track, a hike with the ocean on one side and the rainforest on the other. This walk is under 4km long and is a popular spot for whale watching.
Then, there is the Bathers Way, starring Newcastle's beaches. The path leads to Nobbys Headland Lighthouse. Information panels along the way explain the region's Aboriginal history and heritage.
Newcastle is an up-and-coming hub for the arts, with its fashionable galleries and trendy cafes. The city has a number of museums, showcasing Aboriginal art and pieces created by local talents. Newcastle is no stranger to gourmet meals, with its series of award-winning restaurants.
Meanwhile, the Lismore area is known for its artisanal markets, offering the region's finest fresh produce and homemade crafts. Pick up just-harvested fruits and vegetables and freshly baked treats every Thursday at the Lismore Produce Market.
To meet the region's artists, schedule in some time at the Channon Craft Market, the oldest of its kind in Australia. This market is held on the second Sunday of the month, and features plenty of art-related activities for children of all ages, as well as carnival rides.
It is extremely easy to get around the North Coast. A train connects the main towns between Sydney and Tweed Heads. In addition, several regional airports offer convenient connections to Australia's major cities. If you are arriving by car from Sydney, you can take the Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route to drive past some of the North Coast's most beautiful scenery.


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This month marks the 10th anniversary of Hope For The Heart's Biblical Counseling Institute (BCI).Posted on September 11, 2012
NRB is currently accepting nominations for the 2013 Annual Media Awards and will be doing so until Monday, October 1, 2012.Posted on September 11, 2012
Galcom International is a mission organization that began in 1989 with a vision to use radio technology to communicate the Gospel message to every tribe, tongue and nation.Posted on September 11, 2012
NRB is excitedly anticipating the arrival of numerous NRB President's Council members next week for the annual Capitol Hill Media Summit. During the two-day gathering, participants will have an inside track...Posted on September 7, 2012
While the signature event of the Democratic National Convention, the official nomination of Barack Obama for another term as President, was not in doubt, a significant sideshow emerged...Posted on September 7, 2012
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last week denied a request to stay its June Order to terminate the "Viewability Rule." The Viewability Rule had ensured that...Posted on September 7, 2012
In honor of the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks next Tuesday, the presidential campaigns of President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney have...Posted on September 7, 2012
On Wednesday, September 12, NRB will be unveiling a new initiative from its John Milton Project for Religious Free Speech that aims to solve the issue of viewpoint censorship by new media companies.Posted on September 5, 2012
The pastor of one of the largest Evangelical churches in India once said: "If we are to reach the 1.2 billion people in India with God's message of hope through Jesus Christ, we must use media."Posted on September 5, 2012
KHCB (Keeping Him Close By) will be marking its 50th anniversary with a celebration event on September 28.Posted on September 5, 2012
NRB is currently accepting nominations for the 2013 Annual Media Awards and will be doing so until October 1, 2012.Posted on September 5, 2012
We are soliciting descriptions about NRB members to feature in our weekly e-newsletter, NRB Today, and on the NRB website.Posted on September 5, 2012
Thousands in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were told to evacuate their homes this week as Hurricane Isaac made its way toward the Gulf Coast.Posted on August 29, 2012
The intercollegiate committee of NRB, iNRB, is calling out for engaging presentations and papers that inform broadcast, film, and mass communication educators of proven...Posted on August 29, 2012
NRB is currently accepting nominations for the 2013 Annual Media Awards and will be doing so until October 1, 2012.Posted on August 29, 2012
In case you haven't noticed, NRB is on Twitter! Please go to our new Twitter page (@NRBToday)...Posted on August 29, 2012


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|2013-03-28, 16:22
|Link #4221
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Watched Holland versus Romania, the team played well and a good result. Unexpectedly Van Gaal has managed to built a talented new young squad during the qualifiers and managed to fit in Van Persie, who had been useless for the NT until recently.
Only saw the highlights of the England match. Seemed like a typical case of a better team that didn't decide the match and allowed the opponent to draw level on effort. Afaik Hodgson has done reasonable well and, while not clinical, the squad has shown some quality play at times during the campaign.
|2013-03-28, 18:43
|Link #4222
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: in my really nice house
|2013-03-30, 11:58
|Link #4223
Join Date: Oct 2006
Gervinho scores again??
Anyway a really good game for Arsenal today. The fluid attacking, the midfield run, the technique, i am satisfied.
Looks like Wenger's threat successfully motivated the team. Too bad it's too late.
Now let's hope the positive result continue and Arsenal can get the best result from the rest of campaign.
|2013-04-01, 19:50
|Link #4224
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London, UK
Age: 34
The young players won't learn anything because youth academies do not work along with the first teams, and only a couple of youngsters are usually integrated during the first team's practice, or only during certain times of the year (during summer, or during the winter break)
If you want to grow better youngsters you need to have good youth coaches, there's no other way around. Sure, having an influential figure in the first team acting as a role model to learn from is a good thing but don't expect it to work like that because the youth squads spend most of their time training on their own and playing against other youth teams. The majority of the work in the developement of a young player will always be done by the staff that works within the academy.
Mind you I am telling you this because I work in one of these academies myself (I'll let you guess which one), I know how young prospects get developed.
Last edited by Shinndou; 2013-04-01 at 20:05.
|2013-04-04, 12:23
|Link #4227
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
First set of matches from the CL quarters brought fairly little excitement.
PSG did well and was tactically sound against Barcalona but the result still highly favors the visitors. Real Madrid simply outclassed Galatasaray. Dortmund forgot to score but as one of the best counter attacking sides are better away from home. Juventus lack of quality forwards hurt them against Bayern who locked down the opponent with surprising ease.
I have my doubts whether there will be any surprises to make it the semi's.
|2013-04-04, 12:40
|Link #4228
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
I think Malaga has the best chance of causing an upset if only because they need one away goal to get in a good position not sure how realistic it is for them on getting that one goal.
|2013-04-04, 17:07
|Link #4229
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Yeah I agree, if there is any upset Malaga is in the best position to do so. Dortmund was the dominant team but Malaga had their chances.
Europa League tonight, only Chelsea seems a sure bet to progress. Don't fancy Tottenham's chances, if Basel can repeat their impressive performance. Benfica and Fenerbache got the desired results but looked far from comfortable from what I have seen. Both sides still face tough away matches.
|2013-04-05, 06:26
|Link #4230
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London, UK
Age: 34
I am a teacher, within the youth academy.
Regarding Bayern's game, we pretty much got dominated. In my very personal opinion what made us play this poorly was due to the following reasons:
On Bayern's side:
- Bayern clearly studied us, so they always had atleast one man marking Pirlo tightly, preventing him to take control of the midfield.
- Ironically Kroos' injury proved to be a blessing, Robben's entrance and performance on the right flank was too much for Peluso who in my opinion still lacks a lot of international experience (but it's not like playing Asamoah instead of Peluso would have made a huge of a difference)
- Mandzukic was everywhere, harassing Pirlo or pressing Bonucci, that was another reason why our plays couldn't flow well as usual
on Juventus' side:
- Generally poor performance by everyone, in particular by Matri, Quagliarella and Marchisio. Lot of silly mistakes.
- But, the most important reason, again in my very own opinion, was because our forwards were two first strikers. Not having Vucinic (or Giovinco) being able to start because of injuries/fintess hurt us really really bad.
While both Vucinic and Giovinco are not tipical scorers, the reason why Conte usually likes to play with two support strikers upfront is exactly to respond to the opponent man-marking Pirlo. Other teams in the current season have tried to seal Pirlo's plays and the answer to that relies in the use of Bonucci and the two support strikers as an alternative link during the offensive phase. If any of you have watched other Juventus' games, you might have noticed that when Vucinic and/or Giovinco are playing, one of the two draws back near the midfield, gets the ball while letting both midfield and wingers move forward near the penalty area, eventually starting a serie a of short range passes between each other. This is one of the reasons why Juventus, despite lacking a real bomber upfront, has managed to score so many goals so far, because everyone is brought near the penalty area making any player into a potential threat.
This is what lacked vs Bayern. Matri and Quagliarella are not capable of doing what Vucinic or Giovinco do, since they're first strikers who prefer to attack forward "on the run" rather than falling back to let the whole team move the barycenter upfront. Given that Bayern was man-marking Pirlo and pressing Bonucci, everytime the ball was handed to Matri he was unable to hold it (thanks also to Van Buyten sticking close to him).
The moment Vucinic and Giovinco both joined in Juventus' game gradually started flowing again. It was too late though and I can't blame Conte since Vucinic was recovering from a flu and Giovinco wasn't fully fit either because of that almost career-ending foul he suffered by Cambiasso's hands (or rather feet) last Saturday.
While losing in Munich would have been easily predictable, what is going to hurt for the next leg is not having managed to score atleast once. Had the score been 2-1 the returning leg would certainly look a lot less like an uphill battle.
|2013-04-05, 19:23
|Link #4231
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
One question, don't you think Conte would have started with at least one prima punta like Matri regardless of Vucinic and Giovinco's match fitness? I can imagine he wanted to sit deep and break (like against Celtic away) although Bayerns early goal made that less appealing.
Juventus has imo the best defensive unit of the remaining teams in the CL, but too bring the center of gravity of the team forward during attacks would require a high defensive line to keep the lines compact for the passing game. That seems awfully risky against teams like Bayern that have serious speed up front.
|2013-04-06, 02:16
|Link #4232
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London, UK
Age: 34
In personal preference I would pair up Vucinic with Matri. I consider Quagliarella to be individually better than Matri but the latter has better chemistry when playing with Vucinic.
Sitting down against Bayern doesn't work at all since they're good at creating spaces with good positioning and speed, but their defense isn't fast either and I am sure it can be opened up, provided that we are in control of our usual passing game either through Pirlo or through Vucinic.
But it's not like we have much of a choice, next leg is either do or die. I hope the players don't get nervous or in a hurry, I think we still have a chance albeit very slim.
|2013-04-09, 15:44
|Link #4233
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Galatarasay were also close to an upset, where would Real be without Ronaldo.
|2013-04-11, 09:05
|Link #4240
Spinning round and round~
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Singapore
Age: 26
|football, soccer
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If you're confused about which type of retirement account to choose, here's the quick and easy (and probably smartest) strategy: Put your money in a Roth IRA. Compared with an employer-sponsored retirement account -- such as a 401(k) or 403(b) -- or a traditional IRA, the Roth is by far more flexible and likely will lead to more money in retirement.
The only exception: If your employer matches contributions to your work-sponsored plan, then it's probably best to take advantage of that free money. But contribute only up to the point that contributions are matched; after that, send your retirement money to a Roth.
The exception to the exception: In most situations, an employee has to stay with a company for a number of years before those matching contributions will "vest" -- that is, really become the property of the employee. If you don't plan to stay with your employer long enough for the matches to vest, then go straight to the Roth.
What makes a Roth so superior? Let's start with the fundamentals.
Roth basics
The maximum that can be deposited in a Roth in 2006 is $4,000, or $5,000 for workers age 50 and older. Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible. Once your adjusted gross income reaches $95,000 if you're single or $150,000 if you're married, the amount you can contribute to a Roth begins to decrease, reaching zero for those with an AGI of $110,000 (singles) or $160,000 (married). So, if you're not eligible for a Roth, stick with your 401(k) and/or traditional IRA.
The major difference between a Roth and the other retirement accounts is when you get the tax break. Contributions to a deductible traditional IRA and to a 401(k) reduce your taxable income in the year the contribution is made, and that cuts your income tax bill.
These accounts are considered "tax-deferred" because you won't pay taxes on interest, dividends, or capital gains in the account during your working career. But when the money is withdrawn in retirement, it counts as ordinary income and will be taxed at the same rate as income earned from a job (i.e., not at the lower long-term capital gains rate).
With a Roth, contributions do not reduce taxable income, so there's no deduction. However, the Roth is a tax-free account; no taxes are paid on the interest, dividends, or gains -- ever.
Pay taxes now or later?
So, the question is, do you want to cut your tax bill now or in retirement? All kinds of calculators can theoretically indicate which account will provide more in retirement. (We have several Roth IRA calculators at Fool.com.) The conventional wisdom is that if your tax bracket now is higher than your bracket will be in retirement, a deductible account might be the better bet.
However, the problem with calculators and similar analyses of the Roth-versus-traditional IRA/401(k) dilemma is that they assume that any tax savings realized from contributing to a deductible account will be invested elsewhere and left alone for retirement. However, this just isn't a realistic assumption. People don't say to themselves, "Well, my tax bill is $800 less because I contributed to my 401(k), so I'll buy 32 shares of Microsoft
No, that tax savings usually goes somewhere else -- and usually not to any type of savings account. Boiled down to the essentials, you're contributing to a retirement account to make your golden years more affordable, not to give yourself a tax break today (as great as that can be). And the retirement account that will require you to pay less to Uncle Sam after you've stopped working -- thus leaving more in your bank account -- is a Roth IRA.
Put another way, do you want the heavier tax burden now, while you're still earning a paycheck and can cover the liability, or when you've stopped working and can't make up for anything Uncle Sam takes away? To me, the best strategy is to choose the account that will improve your finances in retirement.
Finally, the more taxable income you receive in retirement, the more likely your Social Security benefits will also be taxed. Income from a Roth IRA, however, does not affect the calculation of whether you'll pay taxes on a portion of your retirement benefit check.
No required distributions
As mentioned earlier, employer-sponsored retirement accounts and traditional IRAs are tax-deferred -- you'll have to pay taxes on the money at some point. And Uncle Sam doesn't want to wait forever, so he came up with something called minimum required distributions (MRDs). According to the rules, you must begin taking money out of your 401(k) or traditional IRA by April 1 of the year following the year in which you reach age 70 1/2 -- whether you need the money or not. (If you're still working, you can delay MRDs in your 401(k) until after you retire.)
However, since Uncle Sam doesn't have a vested interest in the tax-free money in Roth IRAs, they aren't subject to MRD rules. So, if you can live on your Social Security, pension, other savings, and perhaps part-time work, then the money in your Roth can keep growing tax-free, creating a bigger bundle for when you do need it.
A Roth IRA is also good for the beneficiaries of your estate. Just as you would receive the proceeds of a Roth tax-free, so would your heirs. However, beneficiaries have to pay income taxes on the money inherited from 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. (Both forms are still subject to estate taxes, if applicable.)
Getting your hands on the money
We just talked about how the Roth is better if you don't need the money by the time you're 70 1/2. But what if you want the money before you're 59 1/2? Again, the Roth is the winner.
Withdrawals from an employer-sponsored retirement plan or a traditional IRA before the age of 59 1/2 can lead to taxes and penalties, except under special circumstances. This is not necessarily true for a Roth.
Contributions to a Roth -- that is, the money you send to the custodian of the account -- can be withdrawn at any time, penalty- and tax-free. For example, let's say you contribute $4,000 to a Roth this year, and in three years, it grows to $5,000. You can withdraw your four-grand contribution at any time, no questions asked. However, if you try to take out that $1,000 in growth before you're 59 1/2 and the account has not been open for five years, then you may be subject to taxes and penalties (again, except in special cases).
So, if you plan to retire early, the Roth is a great place for your money because you can start withdrawing the money before age 59 1/2 without a hassle. Some experts suggest that this also makes the Roth a good account for college savings, emergency savings, and other goals. Believe it or not, those arguments have merit, but it's a complicated discussion -- a topic for a future article. Until then, consider opening a Roth -- you still have until April 17 to open an account for 2005. Visit our IRA Center for more details.
Microsoft is a Motley Fool Inside Value recommendation.
Robert Brokamp practices what he preaches: He contributes to his 401(k) enough to get the full match, then contributes to a Roth, and then feeds his children if anything's left over. The Motley Fool is investors writing for investors.


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Please select your meditation time
Start Meditating
Conclude Meditation
An excerpt from Laurence Freeman OSB, "Dearest Friends," Christian Meditation Newsletter, Vol 35, #2, July 2011, pp. 4-5.
Global media wallpapers our life with the problems of the world in which we are meant to see our own issues reflected.
An excerpt from John Main OSB, "Commitment to Simplicity," MOMENT OF CHRIST (New York: Continuum, 1998), pp. 26-27.
You have heard it said that meditation is "the way to reality." It is firstly the way to the reality of our own being. By meditation, we learn to be.
An excerpt from John Main OSB, "Space to Be," MOMENT OF CHRIST (New York: Continuum, 1998), pp. 92-93.
To know ourselves, to understand ourselves and to . . .get ourselves and our problems in perspective, we simply must make contact with our spirit.
From John Main OSB, "Redemptive Love," THE WAY OF UNKNOWING (New York: Crossroad, 1990), pp. 124-126.
St Paul speaks frequently of the evolving maturity of Christians.
An excerpt from Laurence Freeman OSB, "Dearest Friends," Christian Mediation Newsletter, Vol. 30, No. 1, March 2006.
We always clutch at our imagined redeemers, unaware that no true redeemer allows himself to be clung to. "Do not cling to me. . .I have not yet ascended to the Father."
From Fr. Laurence Freeman: Dearest Friends, January 1997 WCCM International Newsletter
Meditation is about living in the moment of Christ as John Main understood so deeply. It is not about thinking of Christ as he was or how he will come again but about being with him now and being transformed in his being.
An excerpt from Laurence Freeman OSB, "Letter Eleven," WEB OF SILENCE(London: Darton, Longman, Todd, 1996), pp. 116-118.
From time to time, by grace and faith and the simplicity of the mantra, we can be led into deep peace and equanimity.
An excerpt from Laurence Freeman OSB, "Dearest Friends," Newsletter of the World Community for Christian Meditation, Vol. 33, #1, April 2009, p. 4.
The mantra is the focus of this daily mystery lived in the ordinary. It is an act of unity, an expression of love beginning with a new kind of love for one's self that may at first seem like tough love but which expands into the Trinitarian experience itself
An excerpt from Laurence Freeman OSB, "Reflections," Lent 2008," pp. 2-3, www.wccm.org.
Lent is a time when we refine and purify the spiritual senses and identify the habits or patterns that pollute them. The means of doing this are the exercises we undertake in this season.
An excerpt from Laurence Freeman OSB, "Meditation," JESUS THE TEACHER WITHIN (New York: Continuum, 2000), pp. 212-213.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus identified material concerns as our main source of anxiety. How can we make ourselves more comfortable and reduce personal suffering?


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| April 19, 2010, 7:20 pm
Emilio, Mila or SethAaron?
We're rooting for Emilio, but Mila's blacks-and-whites based on shadows were certainly impressive. And Jay's leather gaiters were knock-outs. Last week was a toss up until the "ungapatchka" (crazy overdone) jacket decided it in Mila's favor. It's been a smartly designed season, even if some of the personalities were flat.
On Thursday, Faith Hill joins the judges to help determine which designer will win season 7. Plus, an all-day marathon of the entire season begins at 7 a.m. Thursday on Lifetime.
Part two of the finale airs at 8 p.m. (part one is repeated at 7 p.m.)
Then, a reunion show, hosted by Tim Gunn and Nina Garcia, with Season 7 designers and models, follows at 9 p.m.