text:
Pray Before the Mystery
Re "Staying Civil" by Bishop Blase Cupich (3/5): However much the Catholic Church is convinced of the righteousness of its own position on the right to life of the unborn, such conviction—as I myself am convinced—cannot be imposed on the secular political weal. The quality of the leadership of the church alone will be convincing—certainly not a blustering, indignant and offensive righteousness.
All of us need to find a certain humility before the very real, profound complexity of contemporary church-state relationships. There is a mystery about the human person that overwhelms all our most seemingly obvious categories of time and space, faith and reason, love and compassion, man and male, woman and female, human life and dignity. That mystery inspires humility rather than rancorous confrontation. Before that mystery I need to pray, as before the image of God. We very much need to find a position of peace for the sake of thoughtfulness while in respectful disagreement with each other.
Jerome Knies, O.S.A.
Racine, Wis.
Political Position?
Bishop Cupich's article is well written and strikes a moderate tone of reconciliation. How can one explain, however, the sudden mobilization of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, so atypical of their history? Where was the high moral ground when the second President Bush went to war over hidden weapons of mass destruction? It appears the U.S.C.C.B. is taking a political position trying to affect the 2012 election.
Mike Griffin
East Marion, N.Y.
Between Gaza and Israel
I am grateful for the insightful and accurate article by Elizabeth G. Burr, "Out of Palestine" (2/27). The photo of the Christian Palestinian woman walking down the long, cage-like above-ground tunnel between Gaza and Israel prompts me to point out that in the past four years Vatican-sponsored Bethle-hem University has accepted a number of young men and women from Gaza (including several Christians who have gained their primary and secondary educations in the Catholic schools in Gaza). Not one has been given the necessary "permission"—all controlled by the Israeli authorities—to study at Bethlehem University.
Facts on the ground like these speak for themselves.
Robert Smith, F.S.C.
Bethlehem University
Bethlehem, Palestine
Hostile and Invidious
"Out of Palestine" is basically a long tirade against Israel. The article is inflammatory, biased and filled with historic inaccuracies, semitruths and in some cases flat-out untruths. Ms. Burr may wish to consider the fact that following the 1948 war, the population of Israel was 20 percent Arab Palestinian, while not one single Jew was left in areas taken over by Jordan and Egypt. In light of the fact that approximately 20 percent of Israeli citizens remain Arab Palestinians the ongoing accusations of Israeli "ethnic cleansing" would be laughable were they not so openly hostile, invidious and dangerous.
James Loughran, S.A.
New York, N.Y.
Do Your Best
Having read "One Nation, Under God," by John Coleman, S.J. (3/12), I asked myself, "What belongs to Caesar?" My conscience seems to be saying, "Nothing belongs to Caesar; at best Caesar is a steward." If Genesis does not suffice, the Book of Job clearly reminds me that God made this world. It belongs to him. All that matters is his will. He gives us talents for living in this world; the only question is how we account for ourselves. Jesus gives us a pretty good example. We need to deal with Caesar and those who live by different values, as Jesus did. We are always offered the grace to do so. It may take more courage, but that is life.
Bob O'Connell
Lake Forest, Ill.
Bishops Protest Too Much
Re "One Nation Under God," by John Coleman, S.J. (3/12): I was delighted to read a calm and reasoned call for continued discourse on this difficult issue. Should the bishops' determination of their religious freedom trump the freedom of conscience of any individual employee? How can these freedoms be balanced? Sadly, I am inclined to think that the bishops protest too much.
When the struggle to unionize staff at Catholic hospitals erupted, did the bishops rise to defend the right of the workers to organize, as advocated by papal encyclicals? Not hardly. And when they found themselves supervising pedophiles, did they act to protect the children or their own staffing concerns? We know that answer. When our nation entered a war they viewed as unjust, they did issue a letter, but it was not read out from every Catholic pulpit.
Eileen Keim
Concord, N.H.
Table Manners
Re "First of Freedoms," by Mary Ann Glendon (3/5): Even though Professor Glendon and I see the world and this issue differently, based on the ever-current controversy about what "religion" means in our republic, we might well share concern about American Catholics as "a people adrift," to use Peter Steinfels's apt description. Professor Glendon cites the statistics, and I know well the "drift" that is occurring in my parish and others—with younger people either opting for a super-Catholic expression or dropping out of the comfortable ranks of the "culturally Catholic."
Professor Glendon and I would probably disagree about all that causes this, but certainly the Republican-ization of mainstream Catholicism due to the quasi-political endorsements by the hierarchy, the accumulation of wealth in the upper class and the increasing irrelevance of most liturgical and spiritual life in the community are contributing forces that have attracted some and driven away droves.
David E. Pasinski
Fayetteville, N.Y.
Religious Liberty War
I applaud your editorial "Policy, Not Liberty" (3/5). The current leadership of the U.S. Catholic bishops lost their bearings after they won their initial battle on Feb. 10 for an expanded religious exemption from the Department of Health and Human Services contraceptive mandate.
Heady from the public support they had garnered for several weeks under the banner of "religious liberty," these bishops suddenly raised their aspirations and advocated specific legislation aimed at permitting any employer to exclude contraceptive and other services from health care insurance.
The bishops seem unwilling to admit that they stepped over the line into areas of prudential judgment and partisan politics, joining the right wing in an increasingly strident condemnation of one political party. They also seemed oblivious to the fact that this specific policy proposal, if adopted, would impose any employer's conscience choices on all of his or her employees, creating exactly the kind of religious liberty war they had earlier protested.
Kirk O. Hanson
Santa Clara, Calif.
Future Assaults?
Your editorial "Policy, Not Liberty" (3/5) was way off point. While we may "pay to Caesar," we at the same time must not allow Caesar to take from us that which is God's. You seem to be suggesting that the U.S. church should simply roll over and shut up. Nothing could be worse. The godlessness and moral morass that we are experiencing around the world are the direct result of the church's frequent silence.
Aside from the issue of conscience rights and religious freedoms that are assaulted by the contraception coverage mandate, we must ask ourselves what else can this administration do? What new mandate will it force upon us? The Affordable Care Act gives extremely broad power to the secretary of Health and Human Services. To lie down without seriously challenging the mandate would be to agree tacitly to any future assaults the administration wishes to level upon us.
Ron Kienzle
Cincinnati, Ohio
A Wearying Emphasis
I couldn't agree more with Ronnie Rubit's observations in "Peer Pressure" (2/27), regarding attitudes among U.S. pro-life Catholics and their leaders. Unlike Mr. Rubit, I am a cradle Catholic who from early childhood was encouraged to give my pennies, nickels and dimes to "the missions." Social justice and care for the poor were imparted to my generation early in life and are in our very bones. The Catholic Church's record regarding this area is stellar. But instead of emphasizing this Gospel mandate, our church leaders today seem to concentrate upon instructing the faithful about reproductive issues to a wearying degree. Indeed, at times, it can feel as though this might be an obsession.
Carol Johannes, O.P.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
One Wing to Rule Them
I disagree with John J. DiIulio Jr. ("A Broken System," 2/27), when he concludes that the political reform processes have "pushed Republicans ever farther to the right and the Democratic Party ever farther to the left." The shift I see since the 1960s in both parties has been only to the right. The current Democratic Party is now what liberal Republicans were in the 1970s.
I attribute the clear rightward shift of both these parties in large part to our failure to deal with campaign financing and how this failure biases our elections in favor of those backed by the affluent. This has had a far more undesirable influence than the reforms for opening up primaries and the nomination process.
William F. O'Connor
Lewes, Del.
Obscene Elections
Concerning "A Broken System," by John J. Dilulio Jr. (2/27): It is easy to anticipate that the election of the president in 2012 will cost more than $1.5 billion. What kind of message about spending money does that send to other governments and peoples of the world? The word obscene is not adequate.
There is a better way to select a candidate for president. The first significant change to the selection of presidential candidates would be to set the primaries on the same day for all 50 states. As a result of this change, the party's national convention would become the venue for the party's selection of a presidential candidate, vice presidential candidate and the presentation of the party's platform. The second change would be to set the national convention of each party about one month prior to the national election in November. This change sets a time period for campaign spending. The third significant change would be to set a campaign finance limit for the election of each party's candidates that can be audited.
Linus L. Klitsch
Gaithersburg, Md.
Running on Gratitude
Re the Of Many Things column by Raymond A. Schroth, S.J. (2/27): What a delight to discover that the man whose articles and reviews (as well as the book From Dante to Dead Man Walking) I have enjoyed is also a man in love with running. Like Father Schroth, I still love running, even though I cannot do it anymore. I started running when I was 40 and stopped at age 72 because of heart problems. I too still ache when, on long walks, I see others running. I too found running to be an activity that fostered prayer. I loved racing most of all: from the mile to the marathon. As much as I miss running and racing, however, I am profoundly grateful that I was able to be a runner for so many years.
George Stapleton
Park Forest, Ill.


text:
Home > News & Events > Wayland Press Release Archives > 2004 News Releases > March 2004 > Zuigia: Doing things backwards Down Under
Zuigia: Doing things backwards Down Under
PLAINVIEW, TEXAS -- For Clinton Staj, months of praying, planning and wondering suddenly became clear.
"Australian bands," a pastor explained to him while on a visit to Australia, "if they are Christian bands, play in the pubs because they can play seven nights a week to non-Christians and minister to them because it is a paying gig. They can eventually earn enough money to go to America.
"A non-Christian band plays in the pubs because it is seven gigs a week and they can earn enough money to eventually go to America.
"You are coming to Australia to make no money, to play to school children and teenagers before they ever get to the pub.
"You guys are doing it exactly backwards."
Doing things differently is nothing new for Zuigia (Zoo-ee-zha). Since the band's chance formation in a dorm room at Wayland Baptist University, the group hasn't exactly fit the proverbial mold, choosing to reach across barriers with a music style and message that appeals to people of all ages. Now, as they seek to fulfill God's calling on their lives, Wayland graduates Staj a New Mexic native, Greg Howle, from Hawaii, and Salem Posey, of Brownfield, hope to use their gifts and talents to reach a whole new audience Down Under.
In the Beginning
Staj was sitting in his dorm room writing songs and strumming away when a couple of friends he met through their shared love of soccer asked to join in his jam sessions -- Staj on the bass and vocals, Posey on guitar and background vocals with the original third member, John Mark Hester, joining the group. Howle brought his drums to Wayland and was soon playing along.
The popularity of the group's sessions rose as more and more students filled the dorm to listen. The group had a unique sound that to this day cannot be described.
"I guess the closest thing you can say is it's like alternative folk," Staj said. "It's not heavy. It does lend itself to rock 'n roll, but it is really a lot of acoustically guitar driven music."
Interest in the group grew until one day the manager of Pete's Place, a student lounge at Wayland, asked Staj if they would perform a concert.
"I said we weren't even a band," Staj explained.
"You are now," was the reply.
The group had little time to gather itself together and come up with a name. They agreed upon a word that Staj had made up for one of his songs. It was a name used to describe a place where people were not judged based on outward appearance.
"I realized that I looked a little different than your average Wayland student," said Staj whose long goatee reaches down to his chest. Coupled with the loose dreadlocks stretching down his back, brightly colored, sometimes striped socks and interesting head wear, Staj has managed to turn a few conservative heads in a West Texas town.
"I grew up all my life on ranches and farms (in the four corners region of New Mexico). There is no reason for me to look this way," he joked.
But Staj had a purpose in his writings.
"I was wondering where I could go where all the pretty girls, or just one of them, could get to know me and not judge me," he explained. "I realized that place doesn't exist, so I just made up this word to describe this place.
"I realized that's kind of how God is with us. He has been pursuing me my whole life, trying to get to know me. He is the only one who has the right to judge, but He doesn't. So now, [Zuigia] just describes being with God and letting Him love you."
Thus was born Zuigia. As the band's popularity grew, Staj, Hester, Posey and Howle began playing for youth groups and other church-related functions. Hester played with the band for two years before giving up his spot in order to answer another call on his life as a youth minister.
Through its performances, Zuigia began building a repertoire and stage presence that would soon, unbeknownst to the group, prove to be their livelihood and mission.
Called to the mission field
Staj graduated from Wayland with degrees in Spanish and religion in May of 2000. Posey soon followed, graduating with a biology degree in 2001. Needing two more years to finish his degree, Howle stayed behind as the group began to split up.
"We did what we thought would be our last concert in May of 2001, after Salem graduated," Staj said. "We said the band was over unless God wanted it together and we couldn't see how that would happen."
Each member of the band felt a calling on his life, but the pull was in different directions. To that end, the group split up and moved away. Staj and his wife, Jennifer, a former women's basketball player a Wayland, moved to Hawaii. Posey headed for a summer in Europe and Howle and his fiancée, Sara, remained behind to complete their educations.
Before long, the call to missions overwhelmed the three band members, but it wasn't a call they were expecting.
"That summer, during the same week, we all had similar experiences of God showing us he wanted us together as a band," said Staj.
Clinton and Jennifer, working as youth ministers at a church in Hawaii, were driving a group to an event when one of the youth handed Staj a CD to play.
"I had tried not to think about music for more than a month. Just don't think about it. I'll do any kind of missions except music," Staj said. "I was looking for a different avenue."
Staj didn't realize the CD was a copy of a demo recorded by Zuigia.
"From the first note of the first song, I just started crying," Staj said. "I felt God saying, 'This is the way I want you to do missions. This is the way I called you.'"
Posey had just returned from a trip to Europe and was spending time with his parents, trying to determine which direction his life was heading.
"I always wanted to do agricultural type missions in Africa," Posey said. "But it seemed like it just wasn't happening. It wasn't the right thing to do even though I had wanted to do it for so long."
Posey had been given a book by a friend that documented the positive effects and efficiency native missionaries have in their own countries.
"Sending a Caucasian family to Africa would mean $70,000 a year or something like that," Posey explained. "A native could live on $1,500 or $2,000. Not that God doesn't use the other method, but it seems that a lot of what is doing really well is the native missionaries."
Through his study, Posey was feeling a change of direction for his life.
"It seemed like God was just saying, 'It doesn't mean that you won't ever go to Africa, but I just don't have you going there right now,'" he said.
The next step was to ask God what He wanted for his life. Posey said he had "kind of a bad attitude" toward people in West Texas, getting tired of the keep-up-with-the-Joneses lifestyle that had haunted him growing up.
"I couldn't keep up," Posey said. "I kind of had a chip on my shoulder for a while and no real heart to minister to people here. But God said, 'I'm going to give you a chance to use music. I'm going to make you stay here for awhile and I'm going to use you and show you how to let Me love people. This is what I'm calling you to do.'"
Posey quickly called Staj to inform him of his feelings only to discover Staj was ready to reform the band as well.
The next step was to get Howle on board - a step that wasn't difficult.
"For me it was more of a change in attitude," Howle said. "When I started playing with them, I knew they were older and would leave school before me. I had decided then not to continue with them if they decided to continue with the band. I would just do it as a fun thing while I was in college."
An art major, Howle wanted to make movies when he completed college, but he began to feel the pull of God in another direction.
"It wasn't as big an experience for me as it was for Clint and Salem," Howle said. "God was just opening me up to something different. Something other than my plan. If they would have asked me a month earlier, I would have said no."
Making plans for Australia
Posey returned to Plainview in the fall of 2001. Clint and Jennifer made it back in the spring of 2002. The group worked at various jobs while waiting for Greg and Sara to complete their education. As a band, they began preparing for the mission field, not knowing where they would move.
The band continued to rehearse, perform and work on producing a CD while trying to determine where their call was leading them.
"We knew that when Greg and Sara graduated in 2003, we were free to go wherever," Staj said.
According to Posey, none of the group particularly wanted to stay in West Texas, but they were at a loss to determine where God wanted them.
"We asked God, 'Do you want us here or do you want us somewhere else?' We just started praying and God started opening doors toward Australia," Posey said.
But no decision was set in stone. The group was still considering options when Posey finally came up with a plan.
"Salem said, 'Let's get out a piece of paper. If God said we can go anywhere, write down your top three choices,'" Staj explained. "Let's don't have any limits, anywhere in the world."
When the votes were counted, Staj said all five sheets of paper listed Australia as the No. 1 choice.
"I was really surprised," Staj said. "I probably thought we would end up in Florida or California. I knew we were all called to missions, but I didn't know how it would work."
As it turned out, in one of what Staj refers to as God's "non-coincidences," he had plans, through his missionary sister, for an upcoming visit to Australia.
"This was too coincidental to be a coincidence," Staj said.
While visiting Down Under, Staj stayed with pastors and missionaries who began to outline a plan for Zuigia's mission.
"They could see why God was leading us there," said Staj, who was wondering how the band could turn Australia into its mission field.
While in college and the years following, Zuigia's primary goal had been to witness to children and young adults through concerts. In Australia, there is no separation of church and state. The schools teach religious education classes, opening a world of opportunity to a group geared toward ministering to youth.
But while the schools offer religious education courses, the state doesn't want to be in charge of the curriculum. Therefore, the classes are contracted out to a group called Scripture Union which Staj said is similar to our Gideons.
"They said what they need is a band that can go around to schools," Staj said. "We can go into the public schools and tell them anything we want. We can tell them the plan of salvation, our testimonies, how to become a Christian, we can pray with them and lead them to the Lord."
Staj said what astounded him was the fact that of the hundreds of children they will reach each day, only a very small number have had any contact with a church of any kind.
"Less than 5 percent of Australian youth go to church or are exposed to church," Staj said. "Australia has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. They have a culture of atheism. The youth over there are really smart and they take their beliefs to the logical end. They feel that if they are just an accident and a result of evolution and there is no right or wrong and no consequences to their actions, then they can just end all the pain now."
The International Mission Board has also talked to Zuigia about flying the group from Australia into Southeast Asia to perform at the colleges. According to the IMB, 99 percent of those students have never even heard the words "Jesus Christ."
"The first time they hear those words will be from our lips on stage," Staj said. "To me that is extremely humbling."
Staj said the IMB has been trying for years to reach the college students in Southeast Asia.
"They can reach the homeless, the handicapped and the orphans, they can meet those needs. But the university students . all they want is to learn English and go to America. They want to be in touch with American culture, American movies, American music, things they see on TV. These missionaries have been trying for three years to get a Christian band to come over and do concerts."
When the IMB got wind of Zuigia's plan, they contacted the band, asking for their help. But there was one stipulation.
"They said if we were country or contemporary or southern gospel, don't come," Staj said.
It seems that Asian misconceptions of Americans paint a picture of rock stars. The IMB asked Zuigia to send some pictures and a demo of their music. Once they saw the band . goatees, dreadlocks, long socks and all . and heard their music, ". they were just really impressed and told us to come on over," Staj said.
How to get there
Zuigia's plans seem to have been mapped out, but there is still the question of how they will survive in Australia. Although they are working in cooperation with the Scripture Union and the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which has been generous in its support of the group's efforts, there is no organizational funding to help the band live.
But once again, the group has seen God's hand at work.
Zuigia released their first CD in February. It was two years in the making, but they borrowed no money and incurred no debt to finance the project. The band members took on extra work and paid for the CD with their own money and donations from generous individuals. Staj even had to form his own record label to get the CD played on area radio stations. All proceeds from the sales of the CD will help fund their trip overseas.
Also, pastors in West Texas have voted to use money from the Gordon Benson Memorial Fund to purchase the band's plane tickets to Australia at a cost of roughly $7,500. The fund was set up in memory of Benson, pastor of First Baptist Church Halfway, who was killed in an automobile accident in February of 2003. The band is hoping to make its move to Australia in August 2004.
Zuigia has also been accepting donations and love offerings from churches where they have performed. The band's list of needs includes: shipping cost for sound equipment, medical insurance, visas, a van to use for traveling to the schools, a trailer to haul equipment, travel and living expenses.
The group is in the process of getting religious worker visas which basically means they are not allowed to hold jobs in Australia. Therefore, the group will be living off funds raised and donated in the States.
To that end, Zuigia has been registered with the IRS as a non-profit organization with tax exempt status. Businesses or individuals are welcome to donate to Zuigia and will receive a receipt for tax purposes.
Donations may be sent to Zuigia International, c/o Dr. David Howle, 105 SW 9th St., Plainview, TX 79072. For information on booking Zuigia for a concert, check out the band's Web site at www.zuigia.com.
"God is providing for us to get there in really humbling ways," Posey said. "Doors that we didn't even knock on have been opened."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Febuary 1998 Readers' RidesPosted in Features on February 1, 1998
Cameron's Alaska Toyota
Jordan Cameron of Seldora, Alaska, says his '81 Toyota pickup has tons of rust and only one shock in front because the other was torn off. But with a dual-plane Offenhauser intake, a 390-cfm Holley, stainless steel headers, and DynoMax glasspacks, he has plenty of power to get past any problems rusted, busted parts might bring him.
Heid's Wisconsin Dodge
Mark Heid of Wautoma, Wisconsin, uses his '97 Dodge Dakota Sport as a daily driver. Mark bought the truck stock with 31x10.50 tires on 15x8 wheels and a 318ci Magnum V-8, to which he added stainless steel Gibson headers, Gibson after-cat exhaust, a K&N air filter, and a Mopar Performance computer module. A local body shop painted the rally stripes, and David installed the Mopar grilleguard, tonneau cover, and bedliner.
Gouin's Alabama Jeep
Scott Gouin from Huntsville, Alabama, rebuilt his CJ from the frame up, which included installing a 454 Chevy engine, Dana 60 axles with a Detroit Locker in the rear and an ARB Air Locker in the front, dual Rancho RS 9000s all around, and 39.5x18-16 Super Swamper TSL Boggers underneath. But this is no show truck; Scott says he built it to have fun.
The Garcias' Nevada Blazer
Henry and Vikki Garcia of Henderson, Nevada, use their pit bull Dra as a built-in antitheft device for their '80s K5 Chevy Blazer. The 4x4 rolls on 35-inch Dick Cepek A/Ts mounted on 15x8 rims under a 4-inch Rancho lift. The Garcias also installed Rancho shocks and Go Rhino! axle trusses.
Hackworth's California Bronco
The first thing Steve Hackworth of Monrovia, California, did to his '66 Ford Bronco after buying it from the second owner was hose it off inside and out. After that, he had the engine (which was in pieces in a box) rebuilt and added an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, a Holley 600 four-barrel carb, headers, and dual exhaust. The Ford Victory Red paint job is the most recent addition, and it has Steve agonizing over when and where the first scratch will be inflicted.
Williams' Colorado Ford
Robert Williams of Littleton, Colorado, completely rebuilt his '77 Ford F-150 daily driver and play vehicle from the ground up, and it took him 14 months of hard work and hard-earned money. Robert added a 61/2-inch Superlift suspension, a 3-inch body lift over 38-inch Super Swamper TSLs, a 460 bored 0.030 over, an Edelbrock Performer intake, a 750 Edelbrock four-barrel, a four-speed tranny, front and rear lockers, and an all-new interior.
Cronin's Rhode Island Ram
Ryan Cronin from Exeter, Rhode Island, has been pretty busy since he bought this '95 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4. The truck has Goodyear Wrangler R/Ts on 16x8 American Racing wheels, a Flowmaster exhaust system, a tonneau cover, a bug deflector, vent visors, window tint, and a Clarion stereo system. Still to come are a suspension lift, headers, and nerf bars.
Mayne's Minnesota Chevy Jacob Mayne of Northfield, Minnesota, described his Chevy 4x4 Extended Cab better than we could: "It's not a conversion and it's not a Suburban. It has a mid-'80s GM front clip and '77 running gear. The box is a '77 stepside, the taillights are from a Chevy van, and the wheels are 16-inchers made from aluminum. The color is Chevy Toreador Red. And the price tag is cause for divorce." Nice truck, Jacob. Hope you get to keep it.
The Wolynskis' New York Jeep When Chris and Shannon Wolynski of Vestal, New York, bought their '80 CJ-7, there were only 60,000 original miles on the 258 engine. Since then they've added a new cam, an Edelbrock four-barrel carb, Hedman headers, and an Offy high-rise intake. There's also a Grant steering wheel, but Chris says when he gets a break from touring the U.S. in a Freightliner, more mods will come.
Faltersack's Oregon Datsun
With a Jeep front and rear end, a Ford 2.6L engine, and a Ford transmission, there isn't too much left of Ernie Faltersack's 4x4 to call Datsun. Nonetheless, Ernie of White City, Oregon, says his '63 Datsun Cameo pickup is very fast in sand dunes, truck pulls, and mud bogs, and it works great off-road.
Milligan's California Toyota
Brian Milligan of Ventura, California, says that this '96 Toyota Tacoma Extra Cab 4x4 is the nicest Toy he's ever ridden in. Of course, it's his, but we don't see anything wrong with being proud. After all, Brian did all the work himself. Modifications include a 4-inch Explorer ProComp lift kit, 3-inch Downey leaves in the rear with Chevy 1/2-ton add-a-leaves, 32x11.50-15 Cooper mud tires, Flowmaster mufflers, and a JVC sound system, including a Bazooka Tube subwoofer and Infinity speakers.
Caha's Nebraska Ramcharger
After converting the hardtop to a soft top, Steve Caha of Omaha, Nebraska, kept going. The six-cylinder 225 was replaced by a 360 V-8 with a four-barrel Carter AFB, an Edelbrock manifold, and dual exhaust. The Dodge runs 31x10.50 BFGoodrich All-Terrains under a 3-inch lift. Plans include a body restoration-although it looks pretty good to us as is. But that's what happens once you start, Steve. Keep us posted.
La Hara's Montana International
Pete La Hara of Helena, Montana, owns this '68 International Travelall and the Honda Civic jump-car underneath it. The IH is stock except for the 30x9.50 Yokohama Mud Diggers. Pete confesses that he has too much time on his hands-he skied the Honda in some hills behind his house. We'd tell him to get a hobby, but it looks like he already has one.
Andrews' Colorado Nissan
David Andrews of Fort Collins, Colorado, started building his '86 Nissan Hardbody convertible in 1991, adding what he could afford and custom-making the rest. The truck rides on 33-inch tires and American Racing rims under Bushwacker fender flares and a 4-inch body lift with Rancho RS 5000 shocks. It features a homemade rollbar and pushbar and a hardtop courtesy of Desert Rat and a Sawzall.
Zitofsky's New York Bronco
Jeremy Zitofsky of Ronkonkoma, New York, says he spends all of his spare time and money on his '88 Eddie Bauer Edition Ford Bronco, which is obvious after one look. He's had it for only two years but in that time he's added 33x14.50 Dick Cepek tires on 15x10 American Racing rims, a 3-inch Trail Master body lift, an Alpine sound system, a Go Rhino! grilleguard, Flowmaster mufflers to assist the stock 351 Windsor engine, and a custom-made, snap-on soft top.
Van Dusen's Texas Chevy
Scott Van Dusen is a volunteer firefighter in Houston, Texas. This '84 Chevrolet 3/4-ton is his daily driver and his fire and rescue rig. The 6.2L diesel engine gets help from a Banks turbocharger, oil cooler, and trans cooler, and the suspension is an Explorer ProComp 4-inch lift with dual front shocks and poly bushings. The tires are 33x12.50-16.5 Bridgestone Dueler A/Ts. Rescue equipment includes fire extinguishers, a crowbar, rappelling equipment, a BLS fire-aid kit, oxygen, rescue ropes, and a Porta Power tool.
Hansford's Texas Blazer
The Paluxy River bottom in Bluff Dale, Texas, is Boots Hansford's favorite place to off-road his '88 S-10 Blazer, which rolls on 31x11.5 Kelly Safaris under a 3-inch body lift. A 4.3L V-6 with trick heads and a Holley two-barrel makes the wheels turn, and an Alpine six-disc changer with Kicker speakers and box provide him with tunes. Boots' Blazer is his second love; his '88 Harley drag bike comes first.
Willis' Florida Chevy
Michael R. Willis II from Haines City, Florida, likes Readers' Rides so much, he decided to show us his '93 Chevy K1500 4x4. The truck is outfitted with a 3-inch body lift, 33x12.50-15 Wildcat Radials on American Eagle rims, dual exhaust, and Rugged Trail gas shocks. Plans include upgrading the stock 305 to a 350 and replacing the stock 3.73 gears with 4.10s.
Kutilek's Arkansas Jeep
Jay Kutilek from Rogers, Arkansas, travels in style in his '88 Jeep Wagoneer Limited, which rides on 29-inch Yokohama Super Diggers and has a 4 1/2-inch Rubicon Express lift kit, a Dana 30 in front, and a Dana 35 in the rear. The leather seats, air conditioning, and Alpine stereo keep him cruising in comfort on and off the road.
Doyle's North Carolina Ford
Shawn Doyle does most of his four-wheeling in his '84 Ford F-150 on the sandy beaches near his home in Wilmington, North Carolina. With almost 14 inches of lift, the truck rides on 40-inch Super Swampers and is powered by a 351 Windsor.
Bell's New York Ugly Jeep
A few months ago, whenever Shelby Bell turned a corner in his '84 Jeep CJ-7, the tires started rubbing on the fenders. Shelby from Trumansburg, New York, says he fixed that with a cut or two with a Sawzall. The Jeep (or half-Jeep) will evolve into three Jeeps next summer, giving up its engine and tranny to one and its seats, radiator, hood, and fenders to another. What's left will be sandblasted, rebuilt, and covered with fiberglass. Watch those corners, Shelby.
Sansoucy's New Hampshire Ugly Chevy
Eleven-year-old David Sansoucy of Rochester, New Hampshire, sent us this photo of his ugly '78 Chevy K5 Blazer. David says when he bought the rig in 1996, it had all of its body parts, including a gas cap that he lost and replaced with a sock and a 350 V-8 that needs a lot of work. Since then, he's begun to strip it down. He plans to do more modifications when he has more money.
Barding's Illinois Ugly Ford
Wild Bill Barding's '77 Ford F-250 was a lawn ornament and a dog house in his front yard in Manito, Illinois, for four years before a $100 LTD station wagon donated a 460 V-8. (Bill sold the wagon to a scrap yard for $98. A $2 big-block!) Can you believe it: An engine rebuild kit came next, with an RV cam, 650 Holley double pumper, L&L headers, and 3-inch Flowmasters. At the rate Bill's working on it, his truck won't be ugly for very long. But for now...
Lete's Washington Ugly Ford
Tony Lete, of Centralia, Washington, calls his ugly '54 Ford four-door, crop-top convertible The Thang, and we'll admit, it really is somethang. With a Dana 44 from a '65 International, a '65 Ford tranny and transfer case, a '78 Ford 302 engine, a Chrysler power steering pump, and a '55 Chevy bumper, this little mud bogger is so mixed up it doesn't know what it is.
Stovalls' Montana Ugly Dodge
Jess and Cathy Stovall of Livingston, Montana, say their '68 Dodge WM-300 Power Wagon has seen some duty as a U.S. Marine Corps engineer service truck. The Dodge has a 10,000-pound winch, a 251ci flathead six, and military 9.00-16 tires with a 35-inch-inflated diameter. Safe top speed is about 40 mph, and, in 115 miles of snowplowing, 51 gallons of gas were consumed. Jess and Cathy, this truck isn't ugly, it's hungry.


text: Valentine's Day is just a few days away so if you don't have plans for your significant other, Tulip Ego has your back with their special Love Edition laptop. The notebook is clad in leather and its silver heart pendant can be engraved with any message you like, but other than that, pricing and features are mysteriously missing. Considering how their previous notebooks did, we're not expecting much, so you might be better off getting her something else.


text:
There's no substitute for experience. In the life of every person or corporation there will eventually be moments of adversity. The latest hot, trendy store will someday have to deal with changes in consumer tastes, a downturn in the economy or just its own failure to execute.
When times get tough, most companies simply disappear; others tweak their business just enough to stay alive. Retailers like Sears (SHLD) and RadioShack (RSH) have been staggering along for years, failing to evolve or dedicate the resources necessary to convince customers to come back. They seem trapped in time, offering the same goods that have been hashed over and rejected countless times already.
The best companies, or for that matter people, are those that have met adversity by taking it as an opportunity to rediscover what they did best while changing to meet the times. For a business to thrive it needs to reliably deliver what its customers expect and then add just a little bit more as a special treat.
In the attached clip, retail expert Hitha Prabhakar, author of Black Market Billions lists three companies that haven't just survived but have also come back much better than when they first captured the public's attention.
Home Depot (HD)
The housing meltdown hit Home Depot hard. During boom times, when millions of Americans were remodeling and "flipping" houses, Home Depot's biggest problem was keeping all the hardware and supplies in stock.
When the music stopped, the home improvement retailer was stuck with palates full of lumber in a world with no construction. In short, they needed to rebuild their concept from the studs up in order to survive.
Prabhakar says Home Depot got bigger by thinking smaller. Rather than just selling materials to build a house, they started selling the stuff that goes inside, such as seasonal decorative goods, Fourth of July supplies and plants. Home Depot made itself into a store where Prabhakar herself shops for the outstanding customer service and huge selection.
Not only did Home Depot survive the downturn, but they positioned themselves to benefit from the housing recovery that's only just getting started.
In 2008, Home Depot's earnings fell more than 20% and sales were dropping off a cliff. Since then, income has more than tripled to nearly $8 billion last year; a 16% rise in 2012.
The Gap (GPS)
The Gap was founded in 1969 as a place for young people to get blue jeans in sizes not being sold elsewhere. "The Gap" is actually a reference to the Generation Gap between teens and their parents.
Thirty years later the Gap had become one of the greatest success stories in American retail history. The company had expanded into a wider array of goods, but they were mainly concentrated on basics — jeans, t-shirts, jackets — high-quality stuff that was always in stock.
Slowly but surely the Gap lost its way. Space that was formerly dedicated to jeans suddenly became aggressively fashion-forward. Basics became increasingly hard to find, and piles of unsold, trendy items were scattered all over the place, collecting dust and turning stores into flea markets of marked-down cast-offs.
With sales in a free-fall and customers flocking to whatever merchants were hip at any given moment, the Gap had to decide if it was going to be a struggling house of fashion or go back to its roots with a twist. Prabhakar says the new Gap has cut back on the sales and created it's own line of athletic wear to compete with the likes of Lululemon.
You can see the results in the stores and GPS stock, which has more than doubled since the end of 2011.
Nordstrom (JWN)
Prabhakar's final comeback retailer is a company that has always been about evolution. Nordstrom was started in 1901 as a shoe store based in Seattle. From there it's grown into one of the most successful, if not largest, department store chains in the world by expanding into new territory without ever completely losing sight of their real mission.
"Not only do I think they're hot now, but I think they've been hot for a while now," Prabhakar explains. Nordstrom knows exactly who their customer is, a focus that distinguishes the chain from its failed peers, like J.C. Penney (JCP). Department stores die because "they start to lose who their customer is and they don't know who's going in there shopping."
Nordstrom's commitment to customer service sets it apart from its peers and pays off at the register. The company just marked its 5th straight year of double-digit profit growth.
Nordstrom, Gap and Home Depot found out the hard way that neglected shoppers will take their business elsewhere. What separates these three retailers from the pack is that they rediscovered what their customers want and figured out how to deliver just a little more.
What do you think about these retailers? Let us know in the comment section below or visit us on Facebook!


text:
NJ Transit has partnered with NY Waterway to offer a special discount. Tickets can be purchased via our COMBO pass; which combines passes for both the ferry and light rail. By purchasing this combo pass, customers can save more $50 on the ferry fare from Weehawken to Midtown/W. 39th Street, Pier 11/Wall Street, or World Financial Center.
Joint passes are available at the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail ticket vending machines.
Don't forget we have FREE bus service available bringing ferry riders to various locations throughout Manhattan!


text:
After following this thread with interest I was pleased when I had the chance to go and actually see the cache for real. The camo job is very nice and appears to be holding up well.
If only I had known you wanted to rubber chicken to move on to another place - I did go out with my family and a friend. Only my daughter made the whole walk (my son and friend ran out of energy) and she was not interested in the rubber chicken.


text:
The bestselling vehicle in America is Ford's big F-Series pickup. California's favorite car is a hybrid that can almost fit in the bed of that truck.
Underscoring the state's eco-consciousness, pricey gas and crowded commutes, Toyota's Prius has toppled the Honda Civic from its two-year reign as the bestselling vehicle in California.
Since its introduction more than a decade ago, the hybrid has developed a loyal following in California, which accounts for more than a quarter of U.S. Prius sales. Its popularity in the state — along with the disdain for big trucks — demonstrates just how much the California car market differs from the rest of the nation, analysts said. The Prius couldn't even crack the top 10 in sales nationally, finishing 14th.
The Prius now leads by a thin margin in California, selling 60,688 cars last year compared with 57,124 Honda Civics sold. The Toyota Camry placed third with sales of 50,250, according to California New Car Dealers Assn. sales data, which do not include fleet sales.


text:
Statutory Damages Strike Again: AFP & Getty Told To Pay $1.2 Million For Using Photo Found Via Twitter
from the that's-a-lot-of-scratch dept
It was pretty clear from the very beginning that AFP screwed up royally, and then compounded the problems by choosing to sue the guy who actually took the photos. AFP then took it even further, claiming that Twitter's terms of service allows them to use any photo anyone posts to Twitter without getting a license. That's wrong. First, the clause that AFP points to is very clearly about the person uploading the photo granting a license to Twitter, not to anyone else to use beyond Twitter. There is no way anyone can read it honestly the way that the AFP's lawyers claim to have read it. Second, the photo was uploaded to TwitPic, so AFP was looking at the wrong terms of service anyway. They eventually realized this and pointed to a similarly misread clause from TwitPic. The court told the AFP that it had clearly misread the terms of service not once, but twice. And for reasons that I cannot fathom, rather than working out a settlement, AFP stuck to its guns, leading to a trial last week.
That last link has some of the details of the procedural screwups that continued to plague the case, including Morel's problematic responses to discovery efforts. However, in the end, there were still eight awards for copyright infringement, which would qualify for statutory damages, and then another potential 16 awards for DMCA violations. Incredibly, the jury awarded the maximum of $1.2 million in statutory damages ($150,000 per infringement), finding that the infringement was willful. On the DMCA violations, the jury also awarded additional damages for the DMCA violations. His lawyers are apparently claiming that maximum $400,000 there, but other press reports say it's just $20,000, though that would be below the $2,500 minimum per 16 violations, so I'm not sure that's right. The lawyer also seems to indicate that attorneys' fees were awarded as well, though the linked article above is very unclear on the details, appearing to mixup the various awards.
Either way, it's pretty clear that AFP and Getty have to pay up big time. As I stated early on, AFP (who is known for its own copyright maximalist tendencies -- including suing Google for linking to its stories) clearly acted egregiously both in its initial effort and then in the lawsuit itself. Nearly every choice AFP appears to have made here was bad. It shouldn't have used the photos the way it did. It shouldn't have responded the way it did. It shouldn't have argued the ridiculous legal argument it tried. And it never should have let the case continue, rather than figuring out a way to settle. It is, of course, entirely possible that Morel wouldn't settle at a reasonable rate (his actions in the case were... hardly stellar). But, everything about AFP's actions were ridiculous.
That said, $1.2 million? Even though this was commercial use... And even if the infringement was willful... And even if AFP's conduct was and remained egregious throughout this whole ordeal, it seems insane to argue that $1.2 million is a reasonable award for sharing 8 newsworthy photos. The statutory damages provisions of US copyright law are way out of whack with reality, and this case is just the latest in a long line of examples.


text:
Numerical simulations have contributed enormously to our understanding of gravitational physics and astrophysics. Numerical models of black-hole accretion disks, both fully relativistic and approximations can be directly compared to observation. With the help of gravitational wave detectors like advanced LIGO, we will soon compare first-principles numericalsimulations of black-hole binary mergers, neutron stars, and more to Nature's own simulation. Although other methods are used as well, Monte Carlo simulations are routinely used to extract information about the universe from the cosmic microwave background.
Numerical simulations have also become an essential tool in the pursuit of quantum gravity. Loop quantum gravity simulations probe the quantum corrections to classical singularities, possibly indicating that the universe began not with a Big Bang, but with a Big Bounce. Numerical simulations allow for the study of the radically different and combinatorial complex causal set model of spacetime.
My research follows two paths, each of which involves numerical simulations and gravitational physics. The path on which I spend most of my time is first-principles, fully relativistic simulations of astrophysical bodies. The other path is Causal Dynamical Triangulations (CDT), a purely numerical approach to quantum gravity that has made great strides in the short time since its inception.


text:
In the meantime, Pletcher is preparing to cap the extraordinary meet he's having with 2-year-olds as he brings back some of his more impressive maiden winners in Sunday's Grade 1 Spinaway and Monday's Grade 2 Three Chimneys Hopeful.
In the Three Chimneys Hopeful, Pletcher could have as many as four starters, all of whom breezed this morning for the seven-furlong feature on closing day.
Starlight Racing's Lawn Man, a four-length winner on July 28, and Repole Stable's Overanalyze, who won on August 9, breezed a half-mile in 48.65 over the main track while Dogwood Stable's Palace Malice, a second-out winner on August 4, went the same distance in 48.90. Shanghai Bobby, the Starlight Racing colt who is 2-for-2 including Belmont Park's Track Barron Stakes, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.91, also on the main track.
"It's great to win maiden races, but ideally, we're hopefully developing them into stakes horses," said Pletcher. "We'd like to continue along the lines of what we did with [Stonestreet's Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes winner] Kauai Katie and build their maiden race into a more important race."
Pletcher added that Stay Thirsty and Rule, both of whom breezed Sunday, remain on target for Saturday's Grade 1 Woodward, and revealed that Repole Stable's Caixa Eletronica would likely start in Saturday's Grade 1 Forego, with Alma d'Oro possible for the seven-furlong race.
* * *
One day after Royal Delta came up a half-length short of winning the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said the champion filly looked fine.
Sent off as the 3-5 favorite Sunday in the field of six, Royal Delta raced wide on the backstretch and far turn and didn't begin to advance on leader and eventual winner Love and Pride until well inside the final furlong.
As he did immediately after the race, Mott praised the performance of It's Tricky, who stumbled twice coming out of the gate and recovered well enough to threaten at the quarter pole before finishing third.
"The horse you could say ran the biggest race of all is It's Tricky," Mott said, "and if she had run her race, maybe it would have helped our situation. As it was, it wasn't our day. We weren't good enough on the day, under the conditions, to win. The winner beat us on the day. We gave her 10 pounds. I guess with the 10 pounds we needed things to go perfectly."
There was no time to dwell at length on the race as Mott turned turn his attention Monday morning to his Grade 1 Woodward candidate To Honor and Serve, who breezed four furlongs in 49.83 seconds over the Oklahoma training track.
After reeling off four wins in five starts, including the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby and Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap, To Honor and Serve finished third to Shackleford in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap and fourth to Mucho Macho Man in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap, both times as the beaten favorite.
"He worked easy over a fairly deep track," said Mott after the 4-year-old son of Bernardini posted the ninth fastest of 22 works at the distance on the training track. "That seemed to be an OK time.
"We're disappointed in his race in the Suburban, but given my excuse of the heat [and] the weather, I think he'll run better if we get a decent day."
Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez will take over the mount on To Honor and Serve for the Woodward, to be run this Saturday at 1 1/8 miles.
* * *
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Godolphin Racing's It's Tricky suffered superficial cuts when she stumbled at the start of the Grade 1 Personal Ensign but was otherwise in fine shape following her third-place finish. She now will target the Grade 1 Beldame, the trainer added.
"She kind of scraped the front of her ankles with the way she broke," said McLaughlin. "On the positive side, [jockey Eddie Castro] stayed on her. I think she earned a lot of respect running the way she did, and we will point for the Beldame. One turn, a mile and an eighth, at Belmont, where she's undefeated."
McLaughlin admitted his luck has otherwise been spectacular during the 2012 Saratoga meet, having won the Grade 1 TVG Coaching Club American Oaks and Grade 1 Alabama with Questing and the Grade 2 Jim Dandy and Grade 1 Travers with Alpha. Questing and Alpha, who dead-heated for the Travers win with Golden Ticket, also race for Godolphin.
"Luckily, it was [It's Tricky], already a multiple Grade 1 winner, [stumbling at the start] and not Alpha [in the Travers]," said McLaughlin.
McLaughlin and Godolphin/Darley Stable have additional live runners in Emcee and Fortify, who are respectively targeting the Grade 1 Forego and the Grade 2 Three Chimneys Hopeful.
On Sunday, Emcee, third in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on August 5, breezed four furlongs in 48.02 at the Greentree Training Center.
"He galloped real strong," said McLaughlin. "He ran great in the [Vanderbilt]. It would have been nice to win with [Sheikh Mohammed] here, but he ran great. Hopefully run he'll run just as well next week."
Fortify, an impressive debut winner on August 4, on Monday sizzled four furlongs on the Saratoga main track in 46.11, the quickest of 69 workouts at the distance.
"He's funny because he worked real well before [his debut]," said McLaughlin. "After he ran, we told [the exercise rider] to go easy, and he went in [51.17 on August 20]. And then he went in [46.11] today in company, but he wasn't in company for very long. It was, 'Whoa! What happened?' Anyway, hopefully he's good to go tomorrow and we're ready to run. It was impressive to watch; a little scary because he was flying."
* * *
Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm's Cease worked a moderate half-mile on the main track in 49.04, breezing, Monday morning in preparation for the Grade 1 Woodward.
The work was overseen by trainer Al Stall, who had one eye on Hurricane Isaac, which was bearing down on his hometown of New Orleans.
"He went an easy half-mile by himself – 49 flat, last eighth [of a mile] in 11 4/5," said Stall, who has had a strong Saratoga meet (six wins and 15 in-the-money finishes from 21 starters). "We didn't need to do much with him. He had a hard work over the track last week in company."
Cease, a 5-year-old gelded son of War Chant, has never competed in a Grade 1 race, but his credentials on dirt are strong. He has hit the board in six of his seven most recent dirt starts, with the only time out of the money being a fifth in the Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Marathon last November at Churchill Downs.
In April, he ran into the beastly Wise Dan in the Grade 3 Ben Ali on the Polytrack at Keeneland and then finished fifth in the Grade 3 Louisville Handicap on turf in May at Churchill Downs. When Stall switched Cease back to dirt the first week of the Saratoga meet, he scored smartly at 1 1/8 miles, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 95.
"If you draw a line through the turf and Polytrack, and the 1 ¾ miles in the Breeders' Cup Marathon, he's been pretty solid," Stall said. "He broke his maiden on Polytrack and our home course is Keeneland; Claiborne has a barn there. It made sense to try that and Wise Dan freaked that day. [Jockey] Miguel Mena came back and said he strode better on dirt than Poly. We knew the [allowance] would be a huge purse up here [at Saratoga], so we kept that in mind."
That success led Stall to take a shot at the Woodward.
"We know we're stepping up, but he acts like it's his home track," Stall said. "This is where his best numbers and races are."
Stall also expressed his happiness with Sign, a 2-year-old Pulpit filly who debuted an 11 ¾-length winner Sunday under jockey Rosie Napravnik
Sign, 10-1, left the gate towards the rear and after fighting her rider early, moved off the rail at the three-eighths pole and mowed down the leaders to easily pull away in the stretch, completing the six furlongs in 1:10.37.
"She showed us a good turn of foot," said Stall, who likely will point Sign to the Grade 2 Pocahontas in October at Churchill Downs. "We said, 'Let's get her up here and get one race in her.' I liked the way she turned for home and instead of getting a little wobbly, she leaned in and turned for home and whoosh!"
* * *
On the morning after Dullahan ran down Game On Dude to win Del Mar's Grade 1 Pacific Classic by a half-length on Sunday, trainer Dale Romans discussed the numerous options he has with the 3-year-old Donegal Racing color-bearer.
All of Dullahan's three career wins have come in Grade 1 races contested over Polytrack: the 2011 Breeders' Futurity for 2-year-olds, the 2012 Blue Grass for 3-year-olds at Keeneland and the Pacific Classic over older horses. Dullahan has placed in a pair of graded stakes in two starts on the turf and is 0-0-2 in five starts on the dirt, including a third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.
With that in mind, Romans said he and Donegal President Jerry Crawford have no specific plans for Dullahan's next start, with much depending on what Breeders' Cup race they select as a long-term target. Romans mentioned Belmont Park's Grade 1, $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational for 3-year-olds and up at 1 ½ miles on September 29 and the Grade 1, $400,000 Jamaica for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on October 6 as options.
"I don't know if we'll run in the [Breeders' Cup] Classic," said Romans. "If it's [my decision], I'll try him on turf next, and decide if he wants to go a mile and a half. Either the Joe Hirsch or the Jamaica would be good, but if we want to get the mile and a half, the Joe Hirsch would be the one. There's [the Presque Isle Mile on synthetic on September 7], but it's only a mile."
Romans also floated out long-range possibilities such as the Group 1, $10 million Dubai World Cup next March or giving Dullahan another chance to pick up a Grade 1 on the dirt.
"I'm not going to give up on the dirt; I've got to get him a big win on the dirt somewhere," said Romans. "Maybe at Churchill because he likes that track.
"I know how to get [to Dubai]. I know how to win that one," added Romans, who took the 2005 Dubai World Cup with Roses in May. "That's a long ways off, but it will be here before you know it. If everything went perfectly, you'd run one time, then Breeders' Cup, a little break, one time, and then over there [in Dubai]."
Before he stresses too much over plotting a course for Dullahan, Romans said he wants to fully enjoy how Dullahan joined Best Pal (1991), General Challenge (1999), and Came Home (2002) as the only 3-year-olds to win the Pacific Classic in the race's 22-year history.
"I thought he was going to get a piece of it, but I didn't know if he could run down [Game On Dude]," said Romans. "Anytime a plan comes together, it's good. We do a lot of things that don't work out, so you've got to relish the ones that do. That was a little risky, going against older horses, but he does love synthetic. If you're going to go out there, you might as well go for a big pot and a place where you can run on synthetic."
With the Pacific Classic win, Romans has captured six Grade 1 stakes in 2012 at five different tracks in four different states. He'll attempt to land his first Grade 1 at Saratoga in 2012 in the Forego with Shackleford, who breezed four furlongs on the main track in 50.97 seconds on Monday.
Shackleford, winner of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap in May, is looking to make amends after finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap in the mud on August 5.
"He just went really easy, just to let him stretch his legs a little bit," said Romans of Shackleford, who is owned by Michael Lauffer, W.D. Cubbedge, and Phillips Racing Partnership. "He went good, came back good, and looked happy. It's hard to get him to go that slow. You have to trick him [to make him think] he's galloping. You just ease him into it, let him get a little closer all the time, and let him think he's galloping. He's done enough. It's not a matter of fitness. Just keep him sharp. As long he comes back good tomorrow [we'll run in the Forego]. He walked good this morning after the work. If everything goes well tomorrow, we'll be in the entries [for the Forego]."
Romans also confirmed Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame winner Quick Wit for Sunday's Grade 3, $150,000 Saranac for 3-year-olds on the turf.
* * *
When it comes to Jackson Bend's potential title defense in Saturday's Grade 1 Forego, Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito is taking things as they come. On Monday morning, Jackson Bend – who nine days ago was run into by another horse on the Oklahoma training track – breezed a half-mile at Oklahoma in 49.77. The son of Hear No Evil was ridden by Maxine Correa and easily outdistanced his maiden workmate, Todd Cole, who finished in 50.90.
"The horse that worked with Jackson, Todd Cole, he's a claiming horse," Zito said. "He's not in Jackson's league. When Jackson went by him, Max Correa said Jackson was looking around; he had no competition. So, she just dangled the reins a little bit and he went on his business and galloped out good when he heard other horses. I was basically happy because I didn't want to do too much, and I didn't want to do too little."
After Jackson Bend collided with the Anthony Quartarolo-trained Little Nick, Zito counts himself lucky to have gotten the Grade 1 Carter Handicap winner this far and said he won't make a final decision on whether or not to run until closer to the race.
"Nine days ago, obviously, we never would have dreamed that he was working today," Zito said. "Fitness-wise he's there, and basically what I'm telling people now is that this is day-to-day, hour-to-hour, minute to minute. Tomorrow, I'll ultrasound him again. Not today. Check his ribs, check everything again. Even though we got a [clean] bill of health, we'll do all the things again.
"Even if we enter, everybody knows, [owner Robert LaPenta] knows, the horse is the main deal. His partner Fred Brei – I was just on the phone with him – knows the main thing. So even if we enter, it's not a guarantee we're running. As long as he trains good, and he's doing good, I'll give it a shot."
Zito is quick to credit Jackson Bend's agility and toughness to bounce back from the incident and said he knows these setbacks are a part of racing.
"I've had a lot of tough horses, but this guy…I think [it's because] he's so agile. You see when he walks, he walks that way. So agile. I definitely never had one like that. One thing about racing…you never when it's your turn, it's not your turn, and that's it. We take precautions every day; it doesn't matter. You see what happens in racing. Every day there's something new. Street Life stopped in front of [Fast Falcon] in the Travers, he got hurt. Yesterday, It's Tricky falls on her face [in the Personal Ensign]. It's racing."
It's precisely because the sport can be so fickle that Zito says he won't run Jackson Bend until he and his entire team are satisfied that the horse is 100 percent.
"There isn't one person that works on him medically that hasn't given me clearance," Zito said. "They have to keep doing that the rest of the week. I just have to make sure that when I lead him over there – if I do Saturday, and I hope I do – that everybody's happy with the way he is. So it's just a normal race. I don't what them saying 'Well, he got hit, he got banged into.'
"The horse's welfare is No. 1 and that goes from the LaPenta family to all the people that work around us. I know that I have his blessing, and Mr. Brei, who's like a father to Jackson. He bred him. I mean, do they want to run? Of course. That's what they're in the game for. So, day by day, but I'll be glad to run him. Glad. I think you know me by now, I've got no problem running in the big races, no matter what price, or what situation. Right or wrong?"
* * *
Top Tier Lass, a seven-length maiden winner on July 30 at Saratoga, heads a trio of Todd Pletcher trainees in Wednesday's feature, the $100,000 P.G. Johnson for juvenile fillies at 1 1/16 miles over the inner turf course.
Carried four-wide around the turn while contesting the pace in that 5 ½-furlong turf maiden contest, Top Tier Lass easily cleared her competitors and romped home under a hand ride. The daughter of Street Boss was made the 2-1 favorite in the P.G. Johnson and will leave from the rail with Hall of Famer John Velazquez.
Pletcher will also send out stakes winner Tara from the Cape, who took the August 2 Thomas (Tuck) Greene Memorial Stakes on the turf at Delaware Park after breaking her maiden on June 9 over Woodbine's all-weather surface. Ramon Dominguez will ride the Leroidesanimaux filly, 4-1 on the morning line, from post 9. Pletcher also has Skyfall (12-1) who gets the services of Julien Leparoux from post 4.
Chad Brown will send out the intriguing Irish-bred Watsdachances who makes her first start since a maiden victory on April 29 at Ireland's Navan Racecourse. Javier Castellano will ride the Diamond Green filly from post 6 at 4-1 on the morning line.
Almost an Angel, Oscar Party, Incredible Journey, Broken Spell, Da Mi Basia Mille and Go Kitten Go complete the field. Sweet Shirley Mae and Over the Counter were entered for the main track only.
* * *
Trainer James Bond has won a lot of big races at Saratoga, but Sunday's maiden victory with Mr Cowboy ranks among the most memorable.
"There are miracles in this world, and I think he was a miracle," said Bond the morning after the chestnut gelding's 1 ½-length victory under Ramon Dominguez.
When Mr Cowboy was foaled three years ago at Cabin Creek Farm – which also is a retirement home for several former racehorses, including Bond's 1996 Travers winner, Will's Way – the little son of Stonesider appeared to be stillborn. Thinking quickly, farm owner JoAnn Pepper performed some impromptu human-to-equine resuscitation, and after several heart-wrenching minutes, the foal began to breathe. Weak and unable to get to his feet, he was hand-fed and monitored around the clock until he finally stood up and began walking four days later.
"A lot of people would have just said, 'He's not going to make it, I'm sorry,'" said Bond. "But the biggest miracle is he got to be with Mark and JoAnn. They believed in him and they never gave up."
Pepper and her husband, Mark, initially had no plans to race the youngster. Mr Cowboy apparently had other ideas and grew into a strapping chestnut with the look of a racehorse. Forming a partnership called "Team Cowboy," the Peppers sold shares to two dozen local individual investors and sent the horse last spring to trainer Bill Allyn. In November at Aqueduct Racetrack, Mr Cowboy finished ninth at 64-1 and then was transferred to Bond. After an inauspicious start for Bond April, when he ducked into the rail and lost his rider, Mr Cowboy began to mature, hitting the board in three subsequent starts prior to his maiden win.
The Saratoga winner's circle was jammed with Mr Cowboy's owners, all of whom appeared ecstatic. Happiest of all may have been Bond.
"It was unbelievable to see all those people, who are so respectful of the horse and his time," said Bond. "I hope they all had as much fun as I did, because they sure seemed to. Their hearts are really in it. They really love the horse."
Next up?
"I was looking for a spot in a Grade 1 in three days, but I couldn't find one," joked Bond.


text:
One elite university estimates it will lose millions of dollars each year unless it puts up tuition fees to cover the loss of government subsidies.
University of Sydney vice-chancellor Michael Spence is yet to decide what to do in 2016, including whether or not to increase fees across the board or just for specific courses.
But the government's planned cuts will hurt if the uni does nothing.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences estimates it could lose about $10.3 million each year if fees remain unchanged and we choose not to enrol more students, Dr Spence wrote in a letter to staff.
The government will slash its contributions from 2016 but allow universities to charge whatever they like.
Students are strongly opposed to the plan.
While Prime Minister Tony Abbott will not guarantee tuition fees won't double he insists no-one will have to pay "a cent upfront" because HELP loans cover initial costs.
Increased competition in the market would mean some fees go up but others may go down, he said.
Some sector analysts have speculated the cost of a degree could soar to $200,000.
But Australian National University vice-chancellor Ian Young doesn't believe the cost will be anywhere near that high.
"I suspect institutions will be cautious rather than go with grandiose fee levels in the initial years," he told AAP.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the changes will make it harder for working class and middle class kids to go to university.
Dr Spence said the requirement for universities to spend 20 per cent of extra fees on scholarships was only a partial response to the problem.
An education at Sydney University should be attainable for the most promising students, whatever their social or cultural background, he said.


text: Company Flow: The trio of El-P, Mr. Len and Bigg Jus made only one album in its first incarnation, but it was a landmark. The 1997 "Funcrusher Plus" combined tension-filled atmospherics, jagged beats, sci-fi musings and angry, political salvos that still resonate. Now the trio has reunited for some shows, including their first ever in Chicago, 9 p.m. Thursday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., $25 (advance) and $28; metrochicago.com.


text:
Note: This article originally appeared in the Chicago Tribune on January 27, 1986
Did Buddy Ryan give his defensive crew a farewell speech when he addressed them Saturday night? Ryan told his players, "Regardless of what we do Sunday, you're my heroes." Then he got misty-eyed and left the room.
"I had never seen him like that before," said safety Gary Fencik.
The Bears, though, saw vintage Buddy Ryan defense Sunday, when they destroyed the New England Patriots 46-10. They allowed only 123 total yards and only 12 first downs.
Complete Ryan domination. Enough to finally get him to acknowledge that yes, this is his best defense...


text:
HBO Is Getting Into Bed With Whitney Cummings for a Show Based on a Maureen Dowd Book
Apr 21, 2015 9:18 PM EDT
Do you enjoy the comedic stylings of Whitney Cummings? Did you like Whitney? If you answered yes, then the rest of this news story will probably delight you. According to Deadline, HBO has ordered a half-hour comedy pilot from the comedienne, and sou… Read more


text:
Favorite (and not quite as favorite?) Summer 2013 Anime
I actually rlly like Genei wo Kakeru Taiyou (Daybreak Illusion) ^^
Been really into Mayo Chiki! recently... WHERE DA SEASON 2?
My Current Top five (Update July 19th, 2013) Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club
Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami-Hen
Kamisama no Inai Nichiyōbi
Kin-iro Mosaic
Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyō (Shining!)
Honorable MentionsHigh School DxD New
Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤ
Servant × Service
Tokurei Sochi Dantai Stella Jo-Gakuin Kōtō-ka C3-Bu
Recorder and Randsell Mi
Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS
Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui!
On HoldNone
Losing InterestNone
Danger ZoneNone
DroppedGen'ei o Kakeru Taiyō
Kitakubu Katsudō Kiroku
Rozen Maiden – Zurückspulen
Uchōten Kazoku
Haven't looked into yet/No OpinionGin no Saji
Chō Jigen Game Neptune The Animation
Gatchaman Crowds
Futari wa Milky Holmes
Kimi no Iru Machi
Yami Shibai
The Midnight Animals
Pocket Monsters XY
Blood Lad
Genshiken Nidaime
Brothers Conflict
Danganronpa Kibō no Gakuen to Zetsubō no Kōkōsei The Animation
Fantasista Doll
Hakkenden: Tōhō Hakken Ibun- season 2
Kingdom 2
Love Lab
Monogatari season 2
Makai Ōji: Devils and Realist
Senki Zesshou: Symphogear G
Senyū. season 2
Tamayura - More Aggressive
← Previous Update | Next Update →
I love you Miichan, Takamina, Sasshi & Nako! (^_^)/
I'm disappointed in what this summer has presented.
Here's what I'm watching this season:
Ro-kyu-bu SS
Attack on Titan (with little gusto. I don't get the hype. My interest level is very low)
A Certain Scientific Railgun S
The World God Only Knows 3
Of this quartet, my favorite is Ro-kyu-bu SS. Why? Honestly, I'm really not sure. I thought the best would be Railgun, but it isn't.
I tried watching Sunday Without God, but I just couldn't get hooked. I might try again later, but it didn't meet my expectations.
I wish Fall would come sooner. I have a list of stuff to watch for that season.
Genshiken season 3
Favorite of the Summer would have to be Attack on Titan
Favorite of all time is between Naruto/Naruto Shippuden, Clannad, and Hunter x Hunter
Week 3
IInterssting Top 6
1 Love Lab This is just my favorite
2 Watamote A dark yet funny comedy.The OP song just rocks.
3 Teeyku always with Senpai
A tie
4A Certain Scientific Railgun Second Season
4 Senki Zesshou Symphogear G lots of action My headphones were just rumbling Just a steady anime EP 3 went by fast.
5 Stella Women's Academy, High School Division Class C3 Funny and Airsoft game play
6. Gatchaman Crowds Hajime is so cool! EP 2 did it for me! Haijme quote "What is Y in D.I.Y." but yet smart in her ways The Bump spoiler?
These spots are wide open.
7 Fantasista Doll Still intrigued but lots of gaps or ??
8 Genei wo Kakeru Taiyo or Daybrealk Illusion Tarot reading girl and friends Has turned a lot darker
9.Servant x Service If you like"Working" this is cool Hasebe and Lucy helped bump this one. Bump potential
10 High School D x D Ecchi gets you only so far.
11 Kiniro Mosaic An English girl transfers to Japan to be with her friend.A nice surprise so far Another Bump Potential
THREE Way tie for 12th
12 Silver Spoon I like this because I worked in the AG supply business for a while
12 Dog and Scissors
NEW ADDS Feeling them out
Rozen Maiden S2
A Town Where You Live
Sunday Without God
Eccentric Family
Honorable Mentions for now
Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku/Going home club No EP 3?
Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory may watch later
Yet to watch
Monogatari Series Second Season
Oreimo OVAS 1-3
STOPPED WATCHING or may Drop
Attack On Titan
Watching 23 animes as favorites with 2 to premier
"In Your Face" Shirase Kobuchizawa (A Place Further Than The Universe)
Here's my top 5 (and some honorable mentions). I stand by my statement that Railgun is better than AoT.
Weekly posts on the season's best anime! (http://mageinabarrel.com)
bit of an update.
current ranking
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S
Senki Zesshou Symphogear G
Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi
Gen'ei o Kakeru Taiyou - Il Sole Penetra le Illusioni
Uchouten Kazoku
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Ilya
High School DXD New
Rozen Maiden
Dog & Scissors
Fantasista Doll
Choujigen Game Neptune: The Animation
Gatchaman Crowds
Stella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C³-bu
Blood Lad
Attack on Titan
need to catch up on previous seasons:
Monogatari Series
Majestic Prince
Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku
Servant X Service
glass, once broken, can never be restored perfectly
Going to update my list as well based on impressions of shows I've watched so far but I'll just list the series I'm actually enjoying rather than as 'favorites' since they might be subject to change by the time the show is over:
(In no order of priority):
*The World God Only Knows III
*High School DxD New
*Dangan Ronpa
*Monogatari Series: Second Season
*Stella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C³-bu
*Love Lab
I'm not counting the continuing series like Railgun but only the ones that debuted this summer. Yup, that's all for me for now~
Animanga hunter extraordinaire
I'm currently watching (don't have a ranking yet since I may need time to think about it):
Brother's Conflict
Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East 2
Chronicles of the Going Home Club
Rozen Maiden (2013)
Devil's and Realist
Need to watch first before I could watch the latest season:
The World God Only Knows seasons 1 and 2 (thank you for having it available on Crunchyroll! )
Maybe watch:
Gin no Saji
Need to catch up on:
Majestic Prince.
To be honest, I have seen more anime that debuted this season compared to other seasons.
In a mood to watch as many anime as I can!! :D
Just finished OreImo, looking forward to OVA's. Attack on Titan, its great but way too overhyped. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S have been keeping up. I definitely recommend the Anime I just mentioned.
I imagine lumberjacks, blacksmiths, and http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com/
Note: You are banned until 2014-10-22 09:34:31 (PST)
1) Silver Spoon
2) Blood Lad
3) Danganronpa
Burned Out Meter: Anime at 80% - Manga at 95% - Video Games at 2%
Out of what I've seen so far...
Uchouten Kazoku - I just love everything about this. Unique and interesting characters, bizarre supernatural stuff, and plenty of shapeshifting raccoon-dogs...wait, what?
Senyuu - There was a hole in the plot, and from it emerged many hilarious nonsequiturs...
Day Break Illusion - Not as good as its obvious inspiration, but much better than I was expecting it to be.
Watamote - Disturbingly true to life, and/or funny.
Love Lab - A bit overhyped, but still good.
Attack on Titan - Liking this more now that it's not so focused on the horrible main 3 characters. Dunno if that will last, though.
Prisma Illya - Mainly for the self-awareness. I'm not much of a type-moon fan, really.
Sunday Without God - Don't really like the old-school feel of it, and the characters are kinda plastic, but I'll probably keep watching.
Free! - Er...good animation? Otherwise, it's just beefcakes and some kind of sports/tournament plot. No thanks.
Going Home Club - Sort of funny, but all the jokes feel forced.
Silver Spoon - Bookish city boy goes to the farm and learns that farmworkers are cool bros/bro-ettes who aren't dumb and earn fulfillment through hard, honest manual labor. Yep. Guess I don't need to watch the rest of it now.
in Soviet Russia, status message adds you
Dog and Scissors is the ultimate favorite other than Blood Lad, The Eccentric Family, and Hakkenden 2.
"You have scary dreams?" -Dantalion


text:
Winter woolies for kids
Don't let the cold weather stop your kids from going outside and enjoying what winter has to offer. Just add a few extra items to their outfit and they will be off! By adding a jumper and a few other winter accessories, you'll be able to make a lot of their autumn outfits winter-appropriate without spending a fortune.
Jumpers and cardigans
From cute to fashionable, there are so many options for kids' jumpers and cardigans and we are only bound to see more with winter upon us. The key to staying warm in winter is layering, so opt for a long sleeve top paired with a jumper or cardigan, and then bring out a coat or jacket if it's extra chilly. That way, if the kids start getting too hot, they can take off layers.
Pictured left, top to bottom: Seed Heritage Foil Star poncho, Zara Faux Fur sweater, Country Road Mini Flock Star cardigan, H&M Sequined jumper, Coatigan Faux Fur Cuff coatigan
Pictured right, top to bottom: Zara Striped Textured sweater, Country Road Shawl cardigan, Zara Textured sweater, H&M Jacquard knit jumper, Witchery cardigan
Scarves and beanies
Once you find the perfect scarf, beanie and gloves your kids love, you'll never turn back! Whether it's a visit to the shops or even out to lunch or to the park, these winter accessories will keep them snug as a bug.
Pictured left, top to bottom: Seed Heritage Colour Block snood, Country Road Heart beanie, Witchery Metallic Rib tights, Country Road Heart scarf, H&M Pompom hat, Seed Heritage Colour Block gloves
Pictured right, top to bottom: Country Road Speckle beanie, Country Road Speckle scarf, H&M 3-pack gloves, Country Road Animal socks, Zara Knit hat, Target Boys' 6pc Camping Fox socks, Hungry lizard socks from Seed Heritage


text:
The Travel Agency
I had promised a friend that I would go to the Airport and purchase tickets for his 2 boys to fly to wisconsin later that week. Unfortunately, it had slipped my mind, and when I finally realized my mistake, it was 5:30 pm on a Friday afternoon, right in the middle of rush hour. I had been shopping in Walnut Creek. I pulled over, jumped out of my car, ran over to a payphone, and started searching the phone book for a nearby Travel Agency. And then, I saw one called "Macy's Travel Agency", located at the Broadway Plaza. I looked up, and the Broadway Plaza was directly across the street from me. I put a quarter in the phone, dialed the number, and a man answered, "Macy's Travel Agency, how can I help you?" I asked him what time they closed, and he said "6:00". "O.K., now are you in the actual Macy's store, or are you just in the Plaza"? I asked him. He said, "Here's what you do . . . Go into the Macy's store. In the center of the store you'll see an escalator. Take the escalator up to the 3'rd floor. As soon as you step off, you'll see a lit up office area over to your right. There will be 2 hallways. Take the 2'nd hallway, and go to the 3'rd door on the right."
I was so relieved. I ran across the street and entered Macy's. And sure enough, in the center of the store there was an escalator. I went up to the 2'nd floor, but as my head was clearing the 3'rd floor, I noticed that there was nothing on that floor except for tools and "Please excuse our dust" signs. And it was all dark. "O.K., I said to myself. As soon as I step off of this thing, I'll just run around to the other side, and get the hell out of here!" But, as I stepped off, I saw a lit up office area over to my right, just like the guy had told me. So I just grabbed all of my courage, and I hurried over to it. And just like he said, there were 2 hallways. But, suddenly, I couldn't remember which door to knock on. I went over to the desk, and I rang the little bell. A young teenager came out to assist me. I was really stressed out already, so I asked her which door was the Macy's Travel Agency. She shook her head, and told me that she never heard of it before. I had no time to debate this with her. So, I demanded to speak to her Supervisor. A man in a nice suit came out and asked me what the problem was. I explained that I just couldn't remember which door was the Macy's Travel Agency. He looked puzzled, and he told me that there USED to be a Travel Agency there a few years ago, but they'd been gone for at least 3 years. I told him that he must be mistaken, because I had just talked to the guy on the phone not 5 minutes ago. He asked me where I got the number that I had called, and I told him from the phone book. He came around the counter to my side, and walked over to the wall to a payphone. He pointed to the phone book and told me to look it up. "There!" I said, "that's the number I called a few minutes ago." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a quarter, and handed it to me. He told me to dial the number.
I dialed the same number that I had a few minutes earlier. And I held the phone out so that the guy could put his ear by it too. We were cheek to cheek. It rang once, and then there were 3 high-pitched tones, followed by "I'm sorry, but the number you have dialed is disconnected or is no longer in service. Please check your listing and try again." I was absolutely stunned! I slowly turned my head towards his, and as soon as our eyes met, he very quietly said "Do-do-do-do, Do-do-do-do." (The theme song from the Twilight Zone!) I dropped the receiver, and ran out of that store as fast as I could! I have never been able to explain what happened that day. But, one thing's for sure . . . I don't shop at Macy's anymore!


text:
GALVESTON, Texas, Feb. 27, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American National Insurance Company's (Nasdaq:ANAT) board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 77 cents per share on its common stock, CUSIP #028591-105, at its February 27, 2014 board meeting. In compliance with NASDAQ's applicable dividend notice requirements, the dividend is payable March 24, 2014 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 10, 2014 with an ex-dividend date to be determined by the NASDAQ Stock Market, anticipated to be March 7, 2014. American National Insurance Company has paid dividends to stockholders for more than 100 consecutive years.
American National Insurance Company (American National), headquartered in Galveston, Texas, was founded in 1905 and is licensed to conduct the business of insurance in all states except New York. American National has been assigned an 'A' rating by A.M. Best Company and an 'A' rating by Standard & Poor's, both of which are nationally recognized rating agencies.
American National is also a family of companies that has, on a consolidated GAAP basis, $23.3 billion in assets, $19.1 billion in liabilities and $4.2 billion in stockholders' equity. The American National family of companies offers a broad line of products and services, which include life insurance, annuities, health insurance, credit insurance, pension products and property and casualty insurance for personal lines, agribusiness, and targeted commercial exposures. The American National family of companies operates in all 50 states and its major insurance subsidiaries include American National Life Insurance Company of Texas, American National Life Insurance Company of New York, American National Property and Casualty Company, Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company, Farm Family Life Insurance Company, Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company and United Farm Family Insurance Company.
For more information, including company news and investor relations information, visit the company's web site at www.anico.com.
CONTACT: John J. Dunn, Jr. (409) 766-6063
Source:American National Insurance Company


text:
In the debate over gun control, as shown through Piers Morgan's interview with Alex Jones on CNN this week, I declare the winner -- Alex Jones.
And Piers Morgan. And CNN. And heck, even gun control advocates and gun enthusiasts.
While much of the even-tempered world was witnessing Morgan passively attempt to regain control of his interview with Jones as the conservative radio host unraveled in front of the camera lens, Jones' ilk were surely galvanized, gun control advocates felt validated and bloggers salivated (including yours truly) over the "did you see that?" nature of the entire exchange.
SLIDESHOW: The 10 trigger-happiest states in America
It seems everyone can capitalize on that essentially pointless few minutes of television except the people hoping to see a meaningful discussion about new methods of gun control.
Some in the media wrote that Jones' wandering, paranoid outburst hurt gun enthusiasts' position in the debate. I may be an optimist in this regard, but I think most rational people watching don't believe that all, or even most, gun owners are like Jones and believe any semblance of increased gun restrictions is equal to the dictatorship of Stalin or the first step toward another Revolutionary War.


text:
BOB: Staff Picks
Christie Chisholm—Alibi Reporter
Best Place to Buy Deliciously Large Bars of Soap
Lavande Bleu. Walking into this place makes you feel like you just doused yourself in way too much of your mom's perfume. But it's worth it. Never have I seen so much creamy, luscious and utterly huge bars of soap in one place. And the flavors—oh, the flavors. It totally makes me want to wash myself.
BOB: Eats and Drinks
It's always tough for us to come up with food-related categories for the Best of Burque poll. We do a Readers Choice Restaurant Poll every year, and that baby's got nearly as many blanks to fill in as this one. But we couldn't rightly say that food isn't one of the best things in Burque. What we probably could do is come up with categories better than Best Place to Eat While Surrounded by People Cooler Than You. So we've already started thinking up some new ideas for next year. How about Best Place to Get a Keg Where They Have a Pretty Reasonable Deposit. Or maybe Best New Mexican Restaurant Where They Make Their Own Tortillas Served With 100 Percent Honey. We're also doing some focus groups with this one: Best Restaurant For a Dinner That's Pretty Nice But Doesn't Cost a Zillion Bucks.
BOB: Arts
While digging through the stack of ballots from this year's 2005 Best of Burque, a single vote from a single nimrod nabbed my attention more than any other. In the Best Art Gallery category someone answered, "We have those here?" Dude/dudette, please, don't make me choke you.
BOB: Community Picks
Lauda Medara—Accountant
Best Community Action Group
Animal Humane Association serves a great purpose. There are so many unwanted dogs and cats in Albuquerque, and AHA does their best to find homes for these sweet animals. People, please, spay and neuter your animals!
BOB: Intro
Best of Burque 2005
Sure, you might've lost at "Jeopardy," baby, but don't let that get you down. If you beat out the competition in this year's Best of Burque contest, that's more than enough glory for anyone. As you already know, Alibi readers have the most discriminating tastes, and if they discriminated in your favor, then you won what's behind Door No. 2. Let's see what's behind Door No. 2, Bob.
BOB: Consumption
If there's one thing we humans were made for, it's consumption. The eco-minded among us like to pretend this isn't true, because it makes us feel inherently guilty for living. Well, get over it! You're here, you're human, so unless you're Don Schrader, whip out your pocketbook, because you'll probably need it to survive in our little society. But this doesn't mean that you have to spend your money like a hog-wild lunatic, or that you have to do it in the dark. In the following pages you will find plenty of recommendations from your kindly neighbors, who took the time to let you know about the best places in our quirky city to shop, be it something as necessary as a comfortable place to clean your clothes, or as utterly self-indulgent as the best place to get your legs waxed. Whether you're a live-by-the-land kind of girl, or a self-conscious lad with a hole in his pocket, here are the Burque favorites, so when you do choose to spend your cash, you do it well.
BOB: Life in Burque
With a wide net cast over the Duke City, this wholly unscientific poll is guaranteed, as always, to be an exercise in profound amusement for some and creative behavior for others, as you shall witness. The ballot counting exhausted our staff, but it was well worth it, and this year the number of votes reached record proportions. So what has life in Burque been like these past 12 months? Well, things are looking up if, for no other reason than we measure success by the amount of snowfall still resting on the Sandia peaks and its imminent plunge into our water tables in the spring. And thank God it's an election year, so if APD and the mayor cannot do the proper house cleaning following the burgeoning evidence room scandal at City Hall, the voters hopefully will. Speaking of the mayor ... let's get started.
BOB: Night Life
Burque loves to burn out the day, then burn out the night. We love livin' for givin' the devil his due. (And we love Blue Oyster Cult.) This year's poll results reminded us what a good time there is to be had in this dust-blown outpost. Rock star karaoke at Atomic Cantina, meeting dates for pool at Anodyne, strokin' to the left, strokin' to the right at The Ranch, low key cocktails at Martini Grille, catching a blistering punk rock show at Launchpad. Good times all around! From what the results show, we're doing a great job at informing you all about what's going on Downtown, where the concentration of people and events is most dense. We promise to work hard in the coming year to cover more events and scenes in other parts of the city. Maybe then we won't get so many people writing in: "There are bars on the Westside?"


text:
Recall: Millions of home dehumidifiers may cause fires
Recall: Millions of home dehumidifiers may cause fires
BETHESDA, Md. —
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued yet another recall of millions of dehumidifiers that can overheat and start a fire.
The recall affects about 3.4 million Midea dehumidifiers of various sizes sold under dozens of brand names including household giants like GE, Kenmore and Frigidaire. The dehumidifiers were manufactured by GD Midea Air Conditioning Equipment Ltd. of China and sold at Lowes, Menards, PC Richard and other stores nationwide from January 2003 through December 2013, according to the CPSC.
The dehumidifiers involved in this latest recall are implicated in 38 reports of smoke and fire and about $4.8 million property damage.
To determine if your dehumidifier is included in this recall, visit Midea's website.


text:
Recall of Australian Milk Spooks Asian Shoppers
A batch of skim milk from Australia has been found to contain high levels of bacteria and is being recalled by Hong Kong's sole importer. The WSJ's Caroline Henshaw explains how this may hurt consumer confidence more than anything else.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... the scandal ... Australia has been recalled in Hong Kong key to containing ... excessive levels of bacteria and ever con joining me now ... is reporter Caroline Henshaw from Sydney ... a K and Carolina we couldn't recall in Hong Kong obviously and ... that this is an ally in is the company that owns the Pura milk op ... any idea whether or not and that this milk and that was content ... that had a high that your account was exported to anywhere else except Hong Kong ... Stacy doesn't look like I mean really still ... so the ... size of some Huxley ... the knife in Hong Kong with Thursday's biggest increase in coal demand from errant ... students in Hong Kong that this move has been called a slogan ... on the onthe we've we note that the worry is due to some extent ... of the data how much does ends the markets that the United States the pogrom of the reasons it is ... for this year high Tuesday ... and then does it taste good friend and say ... that ... in case an elaborate as that is leaving at my next question which is a bacteria count at over one thousand times the legal limits ... on they know what is that means added to the consumer and the Guinea get really sick or is that this site ... AG ingesting spoiled milk said SP ... it ... seems that that is it something that could potentially come ... the unpleasant but nothing but relax a threat to one's health um ... the Hong Kong were thirty to tell people if they do seem to want to sell but it's late but insisted ... that they should not ... think that ... um and it did say that it was adamant that its owns the other day Germany but what is the extent that ... you don't see how a ... person of the tax and some people might be ... an illness that we have to ... report cases of people in taking on such as the saying it's ever been is you and you know ... and and we certainly had our fair share of food scandals milk and for that matter in China and then there is the fund's has an contamination in ... coming out of the ceiling so ... the fact that you know I think a lot of consumers around the world are either ... have valid concerns about milk ad damaging could this be ... to the company ... well it's it's typical everyday as you say comes a time when ... upbeat safety spree difference in people's minds and ... Australia has taken a long time but for how to position itself as its clean green exposure and as such it's very important that they that a black and brown was nothing that I've that the of the problem the the the ... if people stop being concerned about the quality of Australian milk and ... so is this and that that you see the scandal led to its ... chemical that is displayed all of our tax monies get ... a signal being exposed by instead of using them to vote ... no pics posted ... every day but that said we can see the reaction in people's minds and ... I think that my thousands of this company but an epicurean it's it's times that of a stake in ... time for the amount ... they had to write down the value of their assets in Australia this and I ended up three point seven billion dollars by about sixty Senate seats ... and the CEOs of the ... missing ... the open ice age when the company ... um so it's being difficult times and ... there are some people who said that at least one deal ... signed by one of its compact says Michael Wood echoes the SEC East the markets and the kids ... actually something that I would call them ... high ... intensity standing as Australia's I ... it's it's difficult for the company and it's also a very difficult time ... of Australia's dairy industry in general and ... a lot of fun this year and retell it ... in equities they come in the coal industry body ... confidence is this the second bombing comes to the teaching of protection over us ... because for prices ... and ... rising costs in Australia which is the real problem with that uses ... it simply challenging time in history ... is any loss of confidence in Australian dairy been tested by promising ... that day thanks AmEx Caroline Henshaw dining us from Sydney ... for more on that star a pink added Avista dot com under for ...


text:
Bentley University: A Legacy of Corporate/Academic Partnership
Since its founding in 1917, Bentley has responded to the needs of the business marketplace. Today our mission is "To educate creative, ethical, and socially responsible organizational leaders by creating and disseminating impactful knowledge within and across business and the arts & sciences." Our corporate partnerships keep our curriculum relevant and market-informed and ensure that the latest business thinking is shared from the classroom to the boardroom. Corporate partnerships are complex and multi-dimensional. Our Corporate Relations team will work with you to create a customized plan for your business to leverage Bentley's resources and expertise, including:
- Accessing Bentley talent to add immediate value to your organization.
- Developing strategic relationships that enable your company to engage across the University while strengthening both brand and impact.
- Enhancing your strategic, operational, and human resources through the educational and consulting business solutions of the nation's leading business university.
Bentley's corporate partners are among the institution's principal stakeholders, without whom, Bentley's mission and goals could not be achieved.