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From high performance solar panels to complete install ready solar kits, we're here to help your business grow.
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There is no return on investment when you pay an electric bill. Learn what your energy savings can be.
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From consultation to design to deployment, find the products, strategies and solutions you need.
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I have worked with ecoSolargy for the past five years. We have worked together on a wide range of projects, from small residential to medium commercial.
They sell a quality product competitive with those offered by larger companies, but offer the hands-on service of a smaller company. They are a strong competitor in the solar industry, with great potential for growth in the future. I am pleased to recommend their products and services, and I look forward to working with them for many years to come.
I have worked with ecoSolargy on a wide range of projects since the company's founding in 2009. They have a talented team which focuses on putting the needs of the client first. They are always willing to go the extra mile to make a project a success.
ecoSolargy's products are outstanding, their customer service excellent and they have a wide range of services available which can be tailored to the needs of each individual client. And, they are both flexible and creative in developing financing solutions to fund projects.
The solar industry is a competitive one, but I've come to believe that ecoSolargy is among the best companies in the marketplace. I am happy to endorse them.
I recently had the opportunity to test solar products offered by ecoSolargy, and was impressed by their high quality. ecoSolargy is a dynamic company, 100% devoted to putting solar on buildings. They are motivated by a desire to helping their clients save money, as well as improving our environment. Every staff member with whom I worked has been cordial as well as knowledgeable. It is my pleasure to offer the company my highest recommendation.
Mission Statement
ecoSolargy is a full-service solar solutions provider headquartered in Irvine, California. The name "ecoSolargy" reflects our mission, combining the words ecology, solar energy, and technology. From our roots as a solar panel (PV) manufacturer, ecoSolargy has grown into a comprehensive solar solutions provider.
We're here to help you convert your home or business to solar power. It is our guarantee to offer you high-quality solar products at manufacturer-direct prices for any size project, and offer you the expertise you need to complete your solar project. This includes help with planning, financing, building, and maintaining your solar system.
And, if you're a contractor, project developer, or distributor, we're here to help you easily and cost-effectively develop solar power strategies and solutions for your enterprise. We value you as a customer, and it is our commitment to always be available to you with outstanding customer service and technical support.
ecoSolargy is Founded
In 2009, ecoSolargy was founded as a solar panel manufacturer to deliver product to an underserved US market. Soon recognizing a void in the solar marketplace, the company began offering inverters and racking systems. Clients were able to get all products they needed at wholesale prices from ecoSolargy.
Utility Division Begins
ecoSolargy began recruiting overseas investors looking to fund utility-scale solar projects in the United States. Acting as a project consultant, ecoSolargy connects investors with utility-scale developers, marking the beginning of the Utility Division in early 2011.
ecoSolargy goes Commercial
In response to the demand of commercial solar projects in Southern California, ecoSolargy launched its Commercial PV Division in 2012.
ecoSolargy Joins HDPV
The HDPV Alliance is an initiative to enable PV project developers, systems integrators, and EPCs to easily identify and source solutions that provide higher performance at a lower cost – the HDPV Advantage. Learn More >
Releases CSR Report
Today, ecoSolargy is a respected full-service solar solutions provider continuing to streamline procurement and innovate new solar technology. In 2014, ecoSolargy released its first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report assessing the company's impact on the community and environment while committing itself to charitable giving and volunteering.
ecoSolargy manufactures a variety of high quality solar modules. Through research and development we design and build modules from components that exceed industry standards for use in solar projects of all sizes. At ecoSolargy our goal is to provide you with tailored solar solutions to save you both time and money. Our solar solutions approach is unique in the marketplace and we are dedicated to helping "turn on" solar energy across the nation.
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PV Solar Panel
Mounting Hardware
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Alpha 195W - 200W
Apollo 240W - 250W
Zeus 280W -300W
GCHope 250W
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Orion 235W - 255W
Titan 280W - 295W
Orion 1000 250W - 275W
Titan 1000 300W - 325W
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Ground mount
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Meet the team that proudly stands behind
Alan H. Lee
Alan has also partnered in the design and engineering of projects as large as 10MW utilizing ecoSolargy modules. Alan currently serves on the board of Cleantech OC a non-profit organization providing the catalyst to job creation and economic growth in the cleantech industry in Orange County and throughout California.
Alan is active in volunteer activities and in Giving Children Hope a 501c(3) charity.
Director of Commercial PV
Martin Brix
Before coming to ecoSolargy, he served as Director of Cultural Affairs for Winds of Change, working with Great Plains tribes to help them develop their own utility-scale wind projects.
Martin is an avid woodworker and artisan beer maker.
Vice President of Operations
Paul Bakhoum
He joined the ecoSolargy team in 2009. Prior to joining ecoSolargy Paul worked in the financial services sector for 8 years in both management and operations roles for companies in the mid market sector servicing small and medium enterprises.
Paul is a car enthusiast and scotch expert.
Some of our latest work. Select a category
and see how our solar solutions have benefited others.
Industry Links
● National Center for Photovoltaics
● Performance Calculator for Grid-Connected PV Systems
● Renewable Resource Data Center
● Solar Energy Technologies Program
● Official Energy Statistics
Environmental Protection Agency
● Green Power Partnership
State Renewable Energy Organizations
All States
● Interstate Renewable Energy Council's Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
● Arizona Solar Center
● California Energy Commission: Home Page
● California Energy Commission: Clean Power EstimatorTM
● California Energy Commission: Consumer Energy Center
● California Solar Energy Industries Association
● Colorado Renewable Energy Society
● Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
● University of Central Florida: Florida Solar Energy Center
● Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
● Hawaii Energy Branch
● Illinois Renewable Energy Association
● Iowa Energy Center
● Maryland Energy Administration
● Nevada State Office of Energy
New Jersey
● The New Jersey Clean Energy Program
New Mexico
● New Mexico Solar Energy Association
New York
● New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) New York Energy SmartSM Program
North Carolina
● North Carolina Solar Center
● Solar Energy Association of Oregon
● Texas Solar Energy Society
● WisconSUN Solar Use Network
● Energy Center of Wisconsin
Industry Organizations and Publications
● The American Solar Energy Society
● The Solar Energy Industries Association
● SolarAccess
● Solarbuzz
● Solar Industry Magzine
FAQ - Contractor
Q.How do I determine the PTC rating of a module?
A.PTC refers to PVUSA Test Conditions, which were developed to test and compare PV systems as part of the PVUSA (Photovoltaic for Utility Scale Applications) project. PTC are 1,000 watts per square meter solar irradiance, 20° C air temperature, and wind speed of 1 meter per second at 10 meters above ground level. PV manufacturers use Standard Test Conditions (STC) to rate their PV products. STC are 1,000 watts per square meter solar irradiance, 25° C cell temperature, air mass equal to 1.5, and ASTM G173-03 standard spectrum. The PTC rating, which is lower than the STC rating, is generally recognized as a more realistic measure of PV output because the test conditions better reflect "real-world" solar and climatic conditions, compared to the STC rating. PTC ratings are DC (direct current) watts.
Module operating temperature increases relative to air temperature when placed in the sun. As the operating temperature increases, the power output decreases (due to the properties of the conversion material - this is true for all solar modules). PTC ratings take this into consideration to a limited degree by calculating the PTC ratings based in part on the specific module characteristic for output vs. temperature (the temperature coefficients). The PTC ratings are different for each module, and typically vary from approximately 87%-92% of the STC rating. A typical decrease in power output is approximately 12% for crystalline-based solar modules. This decreases results in an STC rated 170 watt DC crystalline solar module being PTC rated at approximately 149 Watts DC.
Go Solar California keeps a current list of PTC ratings for many modules. View Details
Q.Are incentives or rebates available for commercial solar systems?
A.The federal government and most states currently offer great incentives to offset the cost of a solar installation. These provisions include billions of dollars for federal cash grants, loan guarantees, funding to state programs and more.
On the state level, incentives are available that reduce the cost of the system, reduce the tax burden of the solar customer and more. For a clearinghouse of all incentives available from the federal government and the states, go to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE). Your solar installer company will work with your business to ensure maximization of financial incentives.
Q.How do I determine a module's efficiency?
A.Module efficiency is calculated using the following equation: Module efficiency (%) = Module nameplate power rating (W) / [Total module surface area (m²) x 1000 W/m²]
The module's efficiency can be found on the reverse side of the module's spec sheet which can be downloaded at the following website: Download
Q.How do I determine the power that I'll get from a module (or a system)?
A.Solar irradiance is the instantaneous intensity of the sun's power measured with respect to area.
Solar irradiance is commonly expressed in units of watts per square meter (W/m²). Insolation is the total amount of solar energy that reaches the earth's surface over time. Insolation is commonly expressed as kWh/m²/day or equivalent peak sun hours.
Every location on earth has a different amount of sunlight exposure throughout the year. For example, a northern U.S. city like Boston, MA will have a lower annual average insolation than a desert city like Phoenix, AZ because of climatic differences such as precipitation, fog, humidity and sky condition and distance from the equator. Since solar modules produce power, and resulting energy, when exposed to sunlight, the more insolation a location receives, the more energy will be produced from a module installed at that location.
Recorded insolation data for particular locations is used to help approximate the energy produced by a module, as it is the energy from the sun that is converted to energy from the solar module. The amount of insolation for one particular location differs from day to day. There are multiple insolation data sources that slightly differ from one another. The U.S. Department of Energy and NASA have recorded this data for over 30 years and have calculated insolation data for many locations, which helps predict approximate yearly energy output for that location. One list of insolation data can be downloaded for specific locations, click here.
In addition to the data sets described above, color-coded solar resource maps can also show how insolation varies for different regions of the country. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides U.S. solar resource maps here: http://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html.
Software programs assist with the calculation of estimated average monthly or yearly photovoltaic system output.
PV Watts v.1: Solar Advisor Model (SAM)
PV manufacturers use Standard Test Conditions, or STC, to measure their PV products. STC are 1,000 watts per square meter solar irradiance, 25° C cell temperature, air mass equal to 1.5, and ASTM G173-03 standard spectrum. These standardized conditions are used as a baseline reference for measuring the electrical characteristics of a photovoltaic module.
Instantaneous power output is relative to the intensity of the light (irradiance) that reaches the solar cells as well as the instantaneous cell temperature. Instantaneous cell temperature is typically 20-30°C higher than ambient temperature when the instantaneous irradiance is 1000 W/m².
The equation for calculating power is as follows: Power (W) = Voltage (V) x Current (A).
The DC current from a module is relative to irradiance. As the irradiance increases, so does the DC current though other factors also have an impact on current. The voltage output from a module is affected by cell temperature. As temperature increases, the voltage output decreases.
This means that for every degree Celsius rise over the STC reference of 25°C, the open circuit voltage will decrease 0.351% from the Voc tested at STC.
Similar to voltage, the power output from a module is also affected by cell temperature. This means that for every degree Celsius of temperature rise over the STC reference of 25°C, the maximum power output will decrease 0.485% from the maximum power tested at STC.
Q.How should I clean my module(s)?
A.ecoSolargy's modules are designed for long life and require very little maintenance. If the angle of the PV module is 5 degrees or more, normal rainfall is usually sufficient to keep the module glass surface clean under most weather conditions. If dirt build-up becomes excessive, clean the glass surface only with a soft cloth using water. If cleaning the back of the module is required, take utmost care not to damage the back side materials. In order to ensure proper operation of the system, please check all wiring connections and the condition of the wire insulation periodically.
ecoSolargy's solar modules should be rinsed with clean, potable water early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Spraying the array mid-day should be avoided so as not to thermally shock the module glass.
Q.How do I file a warranty claim?
A.Warranty service is available by ecoSolargy's authorized dealers located in the United States.
Call toll free at 1-877-808-4213 to find the location of the nearest ecoSolargy authorized dealer or to obtain a return authorization number and shipping instructions.
Proof of purchase will be required.
Please be aware that there is a serious risk of various types of injury occurring when working around high voltage solar equipment including the risk of electric shock. Never spray water on any wires; all spray should impinge on the front of the modules only.
Do this only at your own risk. The risk of injury is greatly increased when working on a roof. Never attempt to work on a rooftop unless you have appropriate OSHA approved safety precautions in place, including fall protection, ladders or stairways, and personal protective equipment.
Ship prepaid or carry-in your product to ecoSolargy's authorized warehouse. Be sure to have proof of purchase available. If you ship the product, be sure it is insured and packaged securely. ecoSolargy will not be responsible for the costs of de-installation or reinstallation.
Q.How do I mount modules?
A.Modules should be mounted in accordance with the ecoSolargy installation manual that is specific to the module model. Mounting system may be mounted using either the bolt hole on the frame of the module or with a top clamping method (see installation manual). Please note that if using a top clamping method, one must clamp on the long edge of the module in the appropriate location.
Q.How do I dispose of modules at the end of life?
A.ecoSolargy recommends that whenever possible, one should recycle the aluminum frame on the module. The frame can be detached by removing the corners of the frame. The remaining material should be disposed of in accordance with your local regulations.
Q.What degradation should I expect?
A.Overtime, modules will yield less output for a given set of weather conditions. This is often referred to as degradation and is typically considered on an annual basis. The rate of degradation is affected by module construction technology, cell technology and weather.
Degradation of 0.6 - 0.7% per year is not atypical for crystalline modules. ecoSolargy's standard warranty addresses degradation for a total of 25 years (from date of sale).
Q.Can I repair a module? Can I replace the output cables?
A.ecoSolargy's PV modules are not user serviceable and replacement parts are not available. The dealer or installer should be contacted for possible warranty consideration.
Q.Can I get CAD files for the modules?
A.CAD files are available. If you need CAD files or drawings other than what is available on the data sheets, please contact ecoSolargy.
The module's lead cables may be "hot" and carrying current, especially if the module is exposed to light. Please exercise extreme caution to avoid the risk of electric shock. In addition, exercise caution when removing the module's frame as the glass may be broken.
Removing the frame may expose you to sharp metallic or glass edges.
Q.Are ecoSolargy's modules tested for damage due to hail impact?
A.ecoSolargy does not test for damage due to hail impact. ecoSolargy's modules for sale in the USA are UL listed (listed to UL 1703). As part of the listing process, the modules are subjected to a series of tests performed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. One of these tests, the impact test, involves dropping a 2" diameter steel ball weighing 1.18 lbs from a height of 51 inches onto the glass surface of the module and seeing if there is sufficient damage to create a safety hazard.
Some ecoSolargy modules are IEC 61646 certified. The IEC testing protocol includes a test in which balls of ice are shot at the module. IEC certified ecoSolargy modules are tested with 25mm ice balls weighing 7.53 g fired at 23 m/s. ecoSolargy does not warrant the module against breakage from impact.
Q.What wind speed can the modules withstand?
A.ecoSolargy's crystalline modules are approved for a maximum load of 2,400 PA (50 psf). The process of translating the module maximum load rating into a maximum wind speed rating is site specific and involves multiple variables such as the location's basic wind speed, exposure category, installation height above ground, etc. In general, a specialist engineer is needed to convert wind speed into an accurate mechanical load for a specific installation. To determine your local wind speed requirements, please contact your local authority having jurisdiction. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Standard 7-05 provides a detailed explanation of how to calculate the minimum design wind load for buildings and other structures.
Q.Where do I find an installation manual?
A.ecoSolargy's customers can access installation manuals here: Download
Q.Where is training offered?
A.ecoSolargy's product training program is offered in Irvine, California. For more information on ecoSolargy solar training, please visit contact us
Q.What certifications or standards do ecoSolargy modules comply with?
A.ecoSolargy's modules for sale in the USA and Canada are either listed to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 1703 for flat plate PV modules or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 61646. UL 1703 is a safety standard for flat-plate photovoltaic modules. The following website lists the tests conducted for UL 1703 certification.
Additional U.S. specific certifications and approvals include the California Solar Initiative (CSI), the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). A complete list of ecoSolargy modules conforming to these additional certifications can be found on the agencies' respective websites:
Q.What are bypass diodes? What is their purpose?
A.A bypass diode is used to pass current around, rather than through, a group of photovoltaic cells under certain conditions (current "bypasses" the group of cells).
Bypass diodes are connected in parallel with groups of solar cells to mitigate the effects of a reverse bias condition within the module. Reverse bias is the condition of a device operating at negative (reverse) voltage. A module with cells in reverse bias will continue to pass current, but since the voltage is negative, the module will dissipate power through the cells that are in reverse bias, thereby reducing the amount of output power from the module. Power that is dissipated through the reverse bias cells can cause the cells to heat up. If this condition were to continue, there could be permanent damage to the module. Bypass diodes offer the alternative by allowing current to bypass groups of cells when cells in the circuit are in reverse bias; thereby eliminating the heat buildup and in essence, protecting the module. Bypass diodes allow the rest of the series-connected cells in the source circuit to continue to deliver power, but the source circuit will operate at a lower voltage. When the reverse bias condition stops, the diode no longer allows a bypass for current and the full output of the module is restored. The bypass diodes are located in the module's junction box and are not user serviceable.
60-cell ecoSolargy modules have 3 internal bypass diodes, each connected to a group of 20 series connected cells.
72-cell ecoSolargy modules have 3 internal bypass diodes, each connected to a group of 24 series connected cells.
Q.Are ecoSolargy modules compatible with microinverters?
A.Many of ecoSolargy's modules are compatible with microinverters. Please contact the microinverter and manufacturer directly for specifications for the microinverter; compare the module's output specifications and the inverter input specifications, adjusting for the environmental conditions expected at the site to determine compatibility. ecoSolargy does not endorse or approve any specific microinverter products.
FAQ - Business Owners
1. How do I know if solar will work on my business?
ecoSolargy offers more than one way to go solar. A solar system can be installed on many types of rooftops, on the ground, or over a parking lot. With so many options to choose from, you and your ecoSolargy certified installer will decide what's right for your business by analyzing your site to determine the best system solution. Please review ecoSolargy commercial case studies to understand how other savvy enterprises put solar to work in their businesses.
2. Are incentives or rebates available for commercial solar systems?
The federal government and most states currently offer great incentives to offset the cost of a solar installation. These provisions include billions of dollars for federal cash grants, loan guarantees, funding to state programs and more.
On the state level, incentives are available that reduce the cost of the system, reduce the tax burden on the solar customer and more. For a clearinghouse of all incentives available from the federal government and the states, go to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE). Your solar installer company will work with your business to ensure maximization of financial incentives.
3. What is the process for buying a solar system?
Fill out the ecoSolargy Business Owner Request a Quote Form or call ecoSolargy at 1-800-299-2565. We will connect you to an ecoSolargy certified installer who will guide you through the solar installation process.
- The first step in the process will be a site assessment, your installer will visit your company to analyze your business's utility bills and energy usage, and conduct an onsite audit of your site's physical characteristics.
- Next, your installer will provide a detailed proposal laying out the system and financials that maximize your solar energy output and savings. Many installers can consult or provide financing options through national or local institutions. Additionally, your installer will ensure your business is able to maximize rebate and tax incentives.
- The third step is the actual installation. All of the ecoSolargy certified installers have extensive experience in commercial applications and can create a turnkey system.
- Once your system is up and running, there are many options to allow your company to monitor its system's performance. Since solar is virtually maintenance free, there are no major maintenance requirements. Many installers do offer both a monitoring and maintenance service to ensure optimal performance.
4. How much does solar cost? Is a solar system cost-effective for my business?
The cost of a system depends on a wide variety of factors including the type of roof, system complexity, geographic location, system size and more. The federal government and several state governments offer generous rebates for purchasers of solar systems. A solar system is an investment that guarantees the cost of electricity for years to come. After the system is purchased, the electricity it generates is essentially free. An ecoSolargy certified installer will analyze your specific electric usage, electricity rate schedule and site to determine what option is the best investment and will produce the highest returns.
5. What are the different financing options for my business to go solar?
There are several options to finance a commercial solar electric system. We can help advise your company on available options and the financial package that best fits your requirements. Beyond purchasing a system outright, there are other financial solutions which are growing in popularity, such as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
PPAs are financial vehicles that enable a company to afford a solar system on their property without outlaying capital. In this financial arrangement, a third-party owns, operates and maintains the solar system for a period of years. Customers then buy the power for an agreed-upon set of terms.
6. How big of a solar electric system do I need?
The size of your system depends on several factors including your company's regular electricity use, space availability for a system and financial preferences. Solar systems can either offset 100% or only a portion of a building's energy requirements. In most situations, your system will be connected to the utility grid, so even if your solar electric system doesn't generate all of your building's electricity, you can still draw from the utility.
7. How can I get an installation estimate?
Please go to http://www.ecosolargy.com/quote-request or for more information call ecoSolargy at 1-877-808-4213 and we will have an ecoSolargy certified installer contact you. Our strong network of more than 200 installers and service sites throughout the U.S. ensures that there is a solar expert close to you, ready to come to your business to determine your energy needs with a free consultation. All you have to do is contact us. We'll do the rest.
8. Why are ecoSolargy products a good fit for my company's solar system?
From our roots as a solar (PV) manufacturer, we have grown into a comprehensive solar solutions provider. We serve as an all-inclusive renewable resource for planning, financing, building, and maintaining solar energy power systems. ecoSolargy has focused on being at the leading edge of solutions for the solar industry. ecoSolargy provides high quality solar power products to power homes and businesses around the world. This means you have an experienced solar partner you can trust.
ecoSolargy's industry leadership, quality manufacturing and extensive network of certified installers make converting your business to solar power easier and more feasible than you may have imagined. Our nationwide installer network ensures that there is a solar expert close to you, ready to come to your business to determine your energy needs with a free consultation.
We are determined to provide solar to every roof and continue on the path for improvement of new standards for energy efficiency and environmental awareness.
9. What is your warranty?
We offer a 25-year limited warranty on power output for all modules. ecoSolargy warrants material defects and workmanship for 10 years from the date of purchase. We also warrant power output for 25 years from the date of purchase. ecoSolargy has led the industry pushing the standard solar warranty to progress and cover its products production throughout the entire 25 years.
10. How does using solar electricity help the environment?Does solar help offset climate change?
Coal-fired electrical power plants are responsible for almost all sulfur dioxide emissions in the U.S. On the other hand, solar electricity produces absolutely no pollution. By using more solar electricity, fewer greenhouse gas-producing power plants need to be built. This is one major step to easing climate change.
11. What is Net Metering?
Typically most commercial solar systems are connected to the utility grid through a meter. This meter tracks the amount of electricity your company's solar electric system produces and the amount of electricity your building consumes. During sunny days (peak production period) your system may produce more power than your building uses, and your electric meter runs backward as you send electricity back to the utility grid. At night, when your system isn't producing electricity, you will draw energy from the grid. This process is called net metering. At the end of the month, the utility company will only bill your company if it used more electricity than your system produced.
12. Can I buy solar modules direct from ecoSolargy?
Please visit http://www.ecosolargy.com/contact-us and we will direct you to your best options for purchasing a complete turnkey ecoSolution. Or call ecoSolargy at 1-877-808-4213 and we will walk you through each step to "Turn On Solar." Our strong network of more than 200 installers and service sites throughout the United States ensures that there is a solar expert close to you, ready to come to your company to determine your energy needs with a free consultation.
13. What are financial options for governmental or non-profit organizations?
Several states, like California, offer higher cash rebates to non-profit and governmental organizations. Some local and state agencies can apply for a variety of loan options with low or no interest. Finally, a Power Purchase Agreement (third-party financing) is another vehicle for different organizations. Check with your ecoSolargy certified installer to learn more about financing options specifically for your industry or business.
14. How long does it take to install a solar system?
Installation time varies greatly, mostly depending on complexity and size of the system.
Small commercial systems can typically be completed in a few short weeks; however, large-scale installation could require one month or longer.
15. Will my building have power in the event of a blackout?
As a safety precaution for electrical workers, your commercial system will lose power during a blackout (unless you install a battery backup system).
16. How will I monitor the system to ensure peak performance?
Several monitoring systems are available that can track your system's energy output and can produce daily, weekly, monthly and annual data. Your ecoSolargy certified installer will work with you to determine which monitoring system best meets your requirements. Check with your installer to see if they offer a monitoring maintenance service. Service agreements can include cleaning and performance monitoring.
17. Is there maintenance required to keep a solar system operational?
Occasionally, a solar array should be rinsed off with a hose to clear the dust or debris that blocks sunlight and reduces efficiency. That's about all that's required. There are no moving parts to wear out and ecoSolargy solar modules are covered under limited power output warranty for 25 years. In fact, there are solar modules installed 40 years ago that are still producing energy today. Check with your installer to see if they offer a maintenance service. Service agreements can include cleaning and performance monitoring.
Ready to learn how solar can benefit your business? Please dial ecoSolargy at 1-877-808-4213 today.


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Inside the Mind of Anthony Shadid
The Pulitzer prize-winning war reporter, who died on February 16 in Syria, has been rightly honored as the finest foreign correspondent of his generation. But how did he pull off such remarkable work? What were the tricks of his trade? A former colleague and old friend explains all
This is a picture of Anthony Shadid, the foreign correspondent. He's the one with the notebook. He's going to war. Looks happy, doesn't he?
"We were in Baiji for a story on the training of the Iraqi army, about to go out on a patrol," Steve Fainaru said. Shadid and Fainaru were the Washington Post's men in Iraq. Both won Pulitzer Prizes. "Anthony climbed in the back of an open-air truck to interview the Iraqis, just before the convoy pushed."
That day, American soldiers would accompany the Iraqis. The Americans rode in enclosed, fully-armored Humvees. "They started heckling Anthony," Fainaru said. They said Fainaru might be going home alone. They said they'd start praying. "They couldn't believe Anthony had the stones to go out like that, totally exposed. It was pure Anthony. He didn't make a big deal out of the risk. He just climbed in because that's where the story was. I snapped his picture as he was standing there interviewing them."
On February 16, 2012, Anthony Shadid died of an asthma attack while covering the burgeoning war in Syria. Across the last decade, first for The Post and then The New York Times, he earned a reputation as his generation's best foreign correspondent. In an alchemy rarely achieved in journalism, his fearless reporting and lyrical writing transformed war into poetry. He took us with him into houses shuddering from bomb blasts. We walked with him on dangerous streets. People told him their stories and he told them to us. We heard the fear, the sorrow, the hope.
A week after Shadid's death, the American journalist Marie Colvin, working for the London Sunday Times, was killed by a rocket in Syria. With every death comes the question that every foreign correspondent must answer. Is the story worth my life? Colvin lost an eye to shrapnel in Sri Lanka 2001. She answered the question by going to the next war with a black patch over that eye. Shadid answered with a phone call to an editor at 3 a.m. the day before the U.S. would begin bombing in Baghad. The_ Post_ had ordered its people out. Shadid told his boss, "I know you might fire me. But I'm not leaving. I've been preparing for this my entire career."
When I began reporting for a book about The Post, I sought out Shadid. I wanted to know how he did the work. I wanted to know why. In this chapter, he told us.
From a cardboard box on the floor of his apartment in Boston, Anthony Shadid pulled out one of the notebooks that he had shipped home from Baghdad. On its cover he had made a label, "Iraq (War) April 9." That would have been April of 2003, his first year as a foreign correspondent for The Post. He had worked for the Associated Press and The Boston Globe throughout the Middle East before being hired by the_ Post_ to cover the coming war in Iraq.
At the top of the notebook's first page was the date: "4-9." Below it, the first of Shadid's notes on the day that American forces pulled down a giant statue of Saddam Hussein.
_ Signs of collapse of auth>
running red lights >
no traffic cops >
no BP—the face of gov't in streets >
driving wrong way _
"These were signs of collapse of authority," Shadid said. He traced a finger across the notes. "Cars were running red lights because there were no longer any traffic cops. Saddam's Baathist Party militiamen had patrolled the city's streets—now they were gone. Their uniforms and boots were dumped where they had put on civilian clothes to avoid being identified."
I first saw Shadid's by-line the day the war began. From Baghdad he wrote, "At 5:34 a.m. explosions thundered over a city still asleep." Every morning without fail, his stuff was reporting and writing so rare as to be his alone. Thirty-eight years old, an Oklahoman of Lebanese descent, Shadid looked like the elegant little man on a wedding cake, provided that man had a full head of salt-and-pepper hair with a matching beard neatly trimmed. His manner was soft, his voice gentle as it danced along on light laughter.
That day in April 2003, reporting on American troops in Baghdad, Shadid went downtown to Firdaus Square. Now, in Boston, he flipped pages in that day's notebook and relived the scene as he recorded it in a reporter's clipped notes.
_ 1st threw rocks >
statue >
sledge hammer to the purple stand >
noose ard his neck >
6 pm M-88 arrives >
love machine >
6:35 ard rt leg, then both legs >
i'm 49 nvr lvd single day only now _
Those notes became part of Shadid's page-one story on the chaos in the streets that culminated when an American M-88 tank recovery vehicle—"Love Machine" painted on its side—used cables around the statue's legs to pull it down. He wrote: "They threw a heavy rope tied like a noose around its neck. Many hurled rocks at it. A few minutes later, someone in the crowd showed up with a sledgehammer, and residents took turns pummeling the purple granite at its base. 'Scum, son of scum,' shouted Yusuf Abed Kadhim, as he swung at the pedestal. 'I'm 49, but I never lived a single day. Only now will I start living,' he said."
Two hours later, at dusk, the statue fell.
"A seminal moment," Shadid said.
That was why he did the work. To be there when history was made, when a statue falls, when a dictatorship falls. It made it worthwhile. Not that he expected to change the minds of people who thought he was crazy to subject himself to the dangers and deprivations of doing journalism in a war zone. But those were the moments a foreign correspondent lived for.
Those moments could get you killed.
Until the Israeli sniper shot him, it had been a good day. Shadid's notebook was full because he had been eyewitness to a drama that was a perfect metaphor for the latest Israel-Palestine war. He started a long walk back to the hotel. There he would write for his newspaper, The Boston Globe. He was looking at his notes when he realized that his body was falling. He was halfway to the ground before he heard the gunshot.
It was March 31, 2002. Shadid remembered the sky over Ramallah as cemetery gray. Once the bustling hub of a new Palestine, the city was cloaked in silence. War in its third day had emptied the streets. That day, as on all days, Shadid was driven by a reporter's questions: Why? How do I put the pieces of the puzzle together? Here in Ramallah, why did Israel's army wage war against civilians when the nation's prime minister said the objective was to eliminate a' "terrorist infrastructure"?
Shadid had gone to Ramallah Hospital to interview doctors, nurses, ambulances drivers, and humanitarian workers. He wanted to talk to people who had found themselves in harm's way by leading their everyday lives. As he arrived, so did the roar of war. A tank rolled up, and two armored personnel carriers unloaded soldiers. The soldiers rushed toward the hospital with rifles leveled on people who had come outside. Someone said, "This is a hospital!" The soldiers, seemingly in search of an enemy, shouted, "Everyone back, everybody inside!"
Shadid saw it all. The scene spoke to the asymmetry of the conflict Here were doctors in white smocks facing soldiers with M-16s. As an Israeli lieutenant talked to the hospital chief, Shadid listened. In their confrontation, he saw the war. The lieutenant was an army that had to search among civilians for the enemy. The hospital chief was Ramallah, powerless against power.
"The doctor and this Israeli were face-to-face and they were yelling at each other," Shadid said. "I'm standing right next to them. And I'm writing down every word. This was one of those moments. Through it, I could tell the entire story of this fifty-year conflict. I was so excited. This is it. You could see how the entire story would be structured. So excited."
When a peaceful compromise was made, Shadid headed back to his hotel with a colleague, Said al-Ghazali. They walked in the middle of the street lest they raise suspicion by moving along walls. Both wore white flak jackets marked on the back with red-taped "TV," the best-known symbol for international press. He had his notebook in his hands, flipping pages to read notes.
Then he was falling before he heard the gunshot. "It was deafening, like they shot next to my ear," he said. "Probably twenty-five feet away." On the street, he couldn't move. He first thought someone had thrown a stun grenade, a weapon that momentarily paralyzes its target. Then he felt pain on his spine. "Said," he said to his friend, "I think I was shot."
Al-Ghazali was down on the pavement with Shadid, searching for blood. "I don't see anything," he said. Shadid now reached behind his flak jacket and brought back a bloody hand. He thought to tell his wife and infant daughter good-bye. He thought of ambulances that couldn't move on Ramallah's streets. He also thought, "I'll die if I wait for help."
Al-Ghazali carried him twenty yards before they fell. "Journalists!" Al-Ghazali shouted. "Help! Bring us a car!" There was no one in the street, no one could hear them, no one except perhaps the Israeli who shot him. Shadid thought that man might now be watching him struggle toward a vehicle in the street ahead.
"He's wounded!" al-Ghazali shouted.
An Israeli said, "Show us!"
Al-Ghazali turned Shadid so the soldier could see the white flak jacket red with blood. The bullet had passed through Shadid's left shoulder, sheared off part of a spinal column vertebra, and burst through his right shoulder, a classic M-16 wound: tiny on entry, huge on exit. Twelve pieces of shrapnel remained inside the reporter's back. In his Boston apartment years later, I asked Shadid, "Did the guy intend to shoot you?"
"There were rumors that Palestinians were posing as Red Cross workers and journalists. I don't think if they knew I was an American journalist that I'd have been shot. They might have, who knows? They can be rough on journalists. I think they wanted to teach a lesson. 'Here's what we're going to do to people acting as journalists.'"
"God," I said.
"A cold-blooded ecution."
"From point-blank range," I said.
"They were looking to kill me. Crazy, but reading my notes may have saved my life. I think they were aiming at my head, and I moved my head down looking at my notes."
"The M-16 wound makes you sure an Israeli did it?"
"Yes. And the Israelis were in complete control of that area that day."
He could have been dead. He could have been paralyzed. Instead, he was in a Ramallah hospital away from the one he had visited that day. From his bed, he called Boston and told his editor what happened. He also said, "I got this great story. I think I can still write it." And the editor said, "If you think you can do it, we'll take it." Before Shadid could get his laptop, common sense, in league with morphine, prevailed against the idea. Besides, he hadn't been in the hospital an hour before here came more Israeli soldiers, guns drawn, entering his room and shouting something in Hebrew, a language he did not understand. He said, "Back off. I'm an American journalist." They answered, "Get your hands up"—as if he could. He was mummified in bandages around his chest and shoulders. He raised his forearms.
Later that night, an Israeli army officer stopped by. "If we shot you," he said, "I apologize on behalf of the army." Then he shrugged. "But you know, you were in a war zone."
Shadid's notebooks were tangible evidence of a reporter's adrenaline rush. Well formed and orderly notes suddenly skittered across the pages and landed wherever there was white space. Sometimes he even made space by turning the notebook sideways to write along what used to be margins of the page. We were in Boston looking at notes made years before, notes of events so vivid that he still could translate the scribblings. He kept the apartment to be near his daughter, Laila. She lived with her mother, a doctor who had loved Shadid but not his work. When it was clear to both the husband and wife that the man and the work were inseparable, they divorced. He said, "That combination of altruism and ambition that makes reporters who we are—sometimes I wonder if only journalists understand that. You think you're doing something good, something worthwhile, and you like doing it."
He loved the Iraq story in 2003 and 2004, Lebanon in 2006. "You basically lose yourself in it. You take a deep breath and sink into it. The story becomes you. It defines your life in a way I've never experienced elsewhere. The downside to that is, it takes a bit of your soul away. You're thinking about the story constantly. How do I understand that story, how do I put the pieces of the puzzle together?"
"And you're thinking of that," I said, "instead of playing Scrabble with your daughter?"
"Afraid so. This will sound cheesy, but it is an overwhelming experience when you're defined by a story to that degree. And that's when journalism can really be great when that's who you are, you're here to report that story."
The old general assignment reporter, Don Graham, now the Washington Post Company's CEO, knew that about newspaper people. He told staffers in Iraq, "No story is worth your life." Shadid disagreed, almost. "Some are really important. It's worth taking a risk to stay in Baghdad. This is a seminal moment in our country's history and to not have someone in Baghdad for The Washington Post—that wouldn't make a lot of sense."
I said, "So you say to your wife, 'I need to do this,' and she says, 'Anthony, you can make a living doing something else.'"
"In some ways, that's why our marriage dissolved. It was a choice of how we were going to live our lives. Her contention was I just should have never put myself in a position where I could get shot, that I brought it on myself."
George W. Bush's vice president had promised that American troops would be celebrated as liberators in Iraq. To understand how mistaken a notion that was, I needed only one source of information in Baghdad. That source was Anthony Shadid, who did in The Post every day what American political leaders never did. Because he spoke Arabic, he talked with Iraqis. Because he cared about them, he listened. He reported that while Iraqis despised Saddam Hussein, they preferred tyranny over a superpower's invasion that would kill tens of thousands of innocents and unleash anarchy in a country forever near civil war. Iraqis asked Shadid, Why are the Americans doing this?
"Shadid is simply the best foreign correspondents working for any English-language newspaper or magazine ," the freelance foreign correspondent/photographer Mitch Prothero said. I had asked him for twenty-five words on his friend. He e-mailed seven hundred. "Anyone can learn to speak Arabic or push themselves harder through fatigue or dangerous working conditions, but I doubt very much anyone can learn to listen to people with the skill and grace of Shadid. It's not just that phony crap reporters always pull out—particularly in the Arab world—where they condescendingly nod their heads as someone explains what it feels like to be humiliated, to lose a loved one, to be oppressed and afraid, or to be so enraged and alienated as to take up violence. Enough with the callow head-bobbing. Anthony, on the other hand, sits there and listens, asks some questions, and everyone just loves him." Prothero then wrote, "To conclude this nearly nauseating tongue-bath, he's funny, humble, hard-working and never obnoxiously self-loving like so many of his colleagues and peers at The Post or The New York Times. And I'm pretty sure he beats his maid, tortures neighborhood pets, and sacrifices babies to the devil." Anthony Shadid found the quiet places inside war, and no place was quieter than the simple cement and cinder block home of a man named Salem Kerbul. It was the quiet of heartbreak.
This was in the desert oasis town of Thuluya, ninety minutes north of Baghdad. A month before, four thousand American soldiers moving by helicopter gunships and armored vehicles swept down on Thuluya. They took away four hundred insurgents, as identified by informers in the town. One informer had been recognized by villagers despite covering his face with a burlap mask. That man wore distinctive yellow sandals. That man had a mutilated right thumb, severed long before in an accident. That man was Salem Kerbul's son.
Because Kerbul's son was also blamed for the deaths of three villagers in the raid, and because tribal customs demanded vengeance, the informer's family was told it must kill him—or they would be killed in his place. The ecution had, in fact, taken place. With the help of his Iraqi driver/fir Nasir Mehdawi, Shadid learned that Sabah Kerbul had been killed by his brother and father, both using AK-47s.
"Then I said, 'I gotta talk to the father,'" Shadid said. "Everybody told me, 'They'll kill you if you go to the father.' I didn't believe that. And I had to try. Better hearing no than not knowing. And he actually let us in. He knew we were journalists, but he brought us into the house."
And so, in the house of a man said to have killed his own son for the treachery of informing on village neighbors, Shadid sat with Salem Kerbul. They sipped tea. The father sat cross-legged on the floor against walls yellow with green trim. He smoked a cigarette and rubbed his thumbs restlessly against black prayer beads. Two overhead fans turned against the desert heat. Shadid had done this work for twenty years, but he had never asked this question.
"The father knew why we were there," Shadid said, but I kept thinking, 'How do I bring this up?' We were skirting around the question in a very Middle Eastern way. You don't go for the jugular. You dance around the edges. But, finally, it came to a point where all the questions had been asked and I needed to say, 'Did you kill your son?'"
He didn't say it.
Wouldn't say.
"I decided, 'I've got the story, I can write.' I just didn't want to hear him say yes. There had to be some dignity. I didn't want him to be humiliated again. I didn't want to see him cry. For him to cry would have been to lose every shred of dignity. So I said something much looser, like, 'How did you feel after your son died?'"
The light caught the glimmer of a welling-up in Salem Kerbul's eyes. He spoke softly, a whisper of grief. "I have the heart of a father, and he's my son." Then he cast his eyes down. "Even the prophet Abraham didn't have to kill his son."
Shadid called those last words the most chilling he ever heard. "I'd never come across anything so devastating. A bombing is one thing. You see body parts. It's traumatic. I still have dreams of it. But this, where you catch your breath and have an emptiness in your gut—I'd never had that kind of reaction to any story. It told me, again, that this place, Iraq, is just fucked up. A brutal place. Thuluya is not even a footnote in this war's military history. But American troops set into motion events that end up as this biblical moment. A father had to kill his son. This is the detritus of military intervention."
Soon after, Shadid took leave to do a book about his family's ancestral home in southern Lebanon. Then, restored by the time away, he was eager to again be part of what he called the story of a lifetime. "The idea that Iraq has fallen off the front pages of America's newspapers because of a lack of commitment is breathtaking," he said. "That's why I want to go back."
Then, early in 2009, he sent me an e-mail from Baghdad: "When I asked two colleagues to join me in Baghdad, they politely refused. When I asked why, my fiancee answered for them.'They've moved on,' she said. I guess I haven't. I can't say that Iraq was my favorite story.Although I adore Baghdad and cherish its memory, it is not my favorite city. But something feels undone here. It still feels like there's work to do. Before I left in 2002, I told my editor thatI thought Iraq would be the most important work I did in my career. I still feel that way. And at a time the country is more complicated and more ambiguous, I'm wondering if that work hasn'tjust begun. My first impression when I returned was that it felt like 2003. No one then reallyknew what was ahead in those tumultuous months after Saddam's fall. It still feels like 2003 to me."
Shadid left The Post in mid-September 2009. He said the paper was "going a different direction in foreign, a lot more about policy." He lived to report the day's news. For_ The Times_, he covered the Arab Spring in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya (where he was kidnapped, held six days, and beaten before being released). He entered Syria despite a ban on international journalists. He was leaving on foot for Turkey when he died.
Steve Fainaru flew from California to Beirut for his friend's funeral. He said, "What a huge hole in the world."
Reprinted from Morning Miracle: Inside the Washington Post: A Great Newspaper Fights for Its Life, with permission from Doubleday.

subset: commoncrawl


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Feb. 24, 2008
The Lady Bisons traveled to Dayton, OH on February 24, 2008 to play Wright State. They lost in a close match 4-3. Winners for LU included: Raphaela Jann, Caitlin Khouri, and Britt Kuertz.
Jessica Lee/Kanna Presti WS def. Kara Jackson/Claire Landry LU 8-4
Christa Ames/Kenisha Webb WS def. Olivia Ellis/Raphaela Jann LU 8-5
Kelly Lybrook/Jackie Garrett WS def. Caitlin Khouri/Britt Kuertz LU 8-2
Jann LU def. Ames WS 6-1, 7-6 (4)
Lee WS def. Jackson LU 6-0, 6-2
Presti WS def. Ellis LU 6-4, 6-0
Webb WS def. Landry LU 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-1
Khouri LU def. Lybrook WS 6-0, 6-1
Kuertz def. WS DEF
"We were in every match that we played on the road this past weekend. We have had trouble closing out the tough, close matches all year. We did not play doubles well this weekend which hurt us, said Coach Kristin Lusk.
"When the matches are even you have to get the doubles point, and we weren't able to step up and do that. We will be working on a lot of doubles situations in practice this week as we start our conference schedule on Friday."
The Lady Bisons will begin their conference schedule on February 29 at North Florida.


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Private school parents pay taxes
In response to Ms. Heep [Why bus private schoolers? Letters, Jan. 5]. Parents of private school pupils are homeowners and real estate taxpayers. Also their children are entitled to a public school education.
If some or all private students descended on the public schools, can you imagine the impact?
So, bus service is a small price to pay.
I hope you will rethink your feelings.
Roberta Gold
Chestnut Hill
Thanks for treecycling
On behalf of Green IN Chestnut Hill (GRinCH) I would like to thank the citizens that brought their naked Christmas Trees to our TreeCycling event last week.
While this is a city wide event that has run for several years, this was the first for Chestnut Hill. We were hoping for 50 trees to cover the cost of labor so we were thrilled to count 153 trees. The trees were chipped for mulch, thereby avoiding methane producing landfills. Bartlett Tree Experts generously donated the tree chipper for three hours. GRinCH would also like to thank the Norwood Fontbonne School for use of its parking lot for the event.
Amy Edelman
Online contact After 27 years
I thought readers would get a kick out of this. Remember the article you ran about the incredible restaurant my husband, Steve, and I found with the reclusive chef and his wife? We lost touch 27 years ago, and I figured we'd never hear from the Liebs again.
The other day, out of the blue, I got an email from their daughter. She found the article online (the Chestnut Hill Local blog) and sent it along to her parents. They really liked it and shared their email so that I can get back in touch! They still crave anonymity. All I know is that they were in Europe awhile and are back in the US.
Many thanks to you for assisting in this reunion with old friends. The Internet is an amazing thing!
Elise Seyfried
Harris captured the parade excitement
When I asked Jim Harris to participate with us this year in the Mummers Parade, I wasn't exactly sure what kind of article he would end up with but nonetheless looked forward to having coverage in the Local just the same.
I anticipate Jim's column every week and imagined a variety of different results of his trip with us up Broad Street this year. Jim managed to capture all of the excitement, anticipation and true family fun that the parade, our brigade and the Venetian Club is all about in his wonderful exposé.
Our comic brigade includes many individuals and multiple generations of families, this year ranging in age from 5 to 79, and has doubled in size over the past eight years.
Family values are at the heart of what Mummery is all about in our great city, in spite of some of the negative press that Mummers have seen this past year. Our "Mother Club," the Murray Comic Club, exemplifies these values which undoubtedly is the reason they hold the record for the most consecutive first place club finishes in any of the four Mummers categories over the past 112 years.
In the off-season, you will see us collecting funds for Easter Seals, sending supplies for our troops overseas, cooking dinner for families at the Ronald McDonald House or supplying food baskets for local families in need during the holidays. On "game day" we smile, laugh, dance and have fun while representing our neighborhood in this wonderful city tradition.
Thank you to Jim and the Chestnut Hill Local for sharing our story and memories this year. A special thanks to the Murray Comic Club, Venetian Club, my co-captains, all of the Mummers in the Venetian New Year's Association and especially my wife for yet another successful New Year's Day parade!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2012.
Rusty Lorenzon
Captain, Venetian NYA
Chestnut Hill


text:
A moonless night, a deep forest, some footsteps, a girl and 'They'. Obviously the girl is screaming…This funny and spooky tracks features theremin, accordion, harpsichord, a bouncy drums line and some spooky guitar. Fx sounds are monster roars, footsteps, screams, storm and the essential devil's laughter
For added flexibility, two versions are included (both in Wav and Mp3):
- Halloween-They Are Comiiiinnngggg ! (full version) – 1:24
- Halloween-They Are Comiiiinnngggg ! (No Fx)- 1:17
SAVE YOUR MONEY and get this in 'Halloween Pack" with three other spooky tracks for 25$ only !
If you need any special edit, i can easily and quickly customize the track for you.


text:
Sadly Titan: XCIX: Part TWO is no longer in production, but the Titan: XCIX universe WILL continue in a new standalone 2D RPG. More news soon!
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.
Spiritual successor of Titan: XCIX will be a stand alone 2D RPG.


text:
There's this guy at my college who calls himself a feminist and, well, I just wouldn't feel right calling him anything remotely close to a feminist.
I blogged about this student after he attended his first meeting of the feminist organization on my college campus (Students Against Sexism in Society, or SASS), tried to tell its largely female membership how to best run the organization, dominated the conversation, displayed an alarming lack of concern about triggering survivors of sexual assault, told stories of assault experiences that were not his to tell, then called out, by name, people he believed to be rapists.
As someone who has taken on several leaderships within this organization, I had to deal with the aftermath of this situation in which this student (let's call him Mike) decided to make himself out to be a more involved pro-feminist guy the following term. I was co-president of SASS, but due to class scheduling conflicts, I was unable to attend SASS meetings, so my co-president ran them.
SASS's major event that term was Take Back The Night and Mike first showed his disrespect for the organization he claimed to want to be a part of when he, on his own initiative, created flyers advertising TBTN as a march "against anti-LGBT violence" (he explained later that he was attempting to attract a larger crowd, not seeming to care that he was doing so by misrepresenting our event). He sent electronic copies of these and several other flyers out to the SASS e-mail list, instructing people to hang them up. I was forced to counter his e-mail, telling the group that those were not the flyers that were meant to be hung up, that Mike was not in charge of publicity, and members would be notified when the correct flyers were ready to be hung up.
I got an angry e-mail from Mike about this. He called me rude, stupidly hostile, "an immature insecure leader intent on doing nothing but touting her title around and impeding progress" and ended on this note:
Are you going to do ANYTHING for Take Back the Night? Or are you just going to impede the progress of smarter, more political members of the club you are a tyrant of?Interestingly, the language Mike utilized in his e-mail was very similar to language in e-mails I had received earlier in the year from a female SASS member who fundamentally disagreed with my leadership style. I felt that both e-mail attacks were unwarranted, as they took place after I exercised due responsibility as an elected officer of SASS. The difference lies in the fact that the female SASS member who criticized me (however harshly or unjustly) could clearly be viewed as acting in what she felt was the best interest of SASS as a feminist organization that she cared about. Mike, however, could not be said to have had the same motives.
He showed a worrisome disregard for survivors of sexual assault (the same people he claimed to want to help by taking part in TBTN), disrespected SASS (by misrepresenting one of its events), and insulted an elected leader of an organization that is legitimately concerned about the interests of women after that leader took measures to ensure the integrity of the group. He made it clear that his interest lied not with SASS or even helping women.
The worst part is that in three separate e-mails that Mike sent me, none of which offered a fair critique and which seemed to be nothing more than a backlash against me acting as an officer, he insinuated time and time again that he was a better feminist than I am.
I've been trying to write this post for months now, but I've found this situation incredibly difficult to deal with. Being insulted is never easy, but when it comes from someone who claims to be an ally it's not only confusing but incredibly hurtful. It stings to be called a bad feminist by a guy who doesn't even seem to understand what feminism is and who showed little respect for women, some of the people that he should have been interested in fighting for.
I know I should just brush off these insults. I usually can. But it really bothers me when someone like Mike takes on the label of feminist, a label I wear with pride, when it just doesn't apply to the type of actions he has undertaken. This is the kind of thing that undermines the work of people who actually want to make the world a better place for women and other oppressed groups. When people like Mike can call themselves feminists, I usually end up going to bed frustrated and a little hurt.


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text:
What Will Happen to Fiscal Cliff?
LPL Financial Chief Market Strategist Jeff Kleintop on what the election results mean for the economy and the markets, especially with the impending fiscal cliff on the horizon. Photo: Reuters.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the ... we wanna turn now to just Kleintop ... the financial chief ... market strategist for LPL Financial ... just ... a good morning thanks for joining us ... okay so ... the first of all let let's talk let's now we talk about the Obama victory with slid it down to brass tacks about what he now has to deal with in particular ... the fiscal cliff ... tax change the beginning of January one the ... spending cuts that are also did happen ... what ... what what and ... how we move forward on that ... given what we know today about the make up the incentives may be slightly more democratic but not you know it's not a super majority ... Republicans still have a house Obama in oh one ... and a nice majority electoral college but it still fifty forty in the popular vote ... how does this move for the fiscal cliff ... I can really begin now that the election battle over on you you get to a party to it that I should point out not really much change or the party control ... appears that at the Congress or the White House though ... that it didn't make it easier ... to get acquainted session to come to it he'll ... have to see how ... the iam ... a representative of that from the collections hard fought election ... if you're in the mood to compromise ... our view is we probably do get the deal ... to wear publicly in December that don't include them but the mitigation ... of the fiscal cliff go public in the for the Bush tax cuts give it to the middle class that could maybe give expanded ... of the upper end of the wealthy tax cuts probably do not the payroll tax cut probably also expires ... he probably get away ... from the sequester on the spending cuts to defend them and the typical here in the for unemployment benefits ... and the ANP ... that I think with the market is pricing in ... but there are certain ripped that scenario on both sides ... that though they don't come together and formulate his heels we can slide over the cliff into recession next year ... markets which are not welcome that outcome the oft heard of it ... for a grand compromise some larger ... bigger deal when you're talking about maybe two trillion over ten years on in terms of larger greater fiscal package that would certainly be a welcomed outcome but it will less likely probability your given out ... of the prospects for a first deal cutting in the form of students to last we're mobilizing your clients to put that money I've had all of this and for next year ... what we've been recommending ... that the depression making this year and after the market that had a nice runup ... up again taking the money up a table with but the earlier this year when stocks were up ... twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen percent again this time ... they've been told Mr. catch ... any of them gold or other treat them all back ... now I think you gotta look for these to fit a buying opportunity as it will probably get that you're sometime in the next couple of months ... as Congress come back to the water begin fighting for the week they ultimately get the hell I think back to August two thousand eleven were negotiating with the debt ceiling ... willfully Getting Creek that this feeling ... that it was the Up clinic issues that have a ten percent slide in there for about three days ... that was a good buying opportunity Jeff just speaking of ... you know it's gridlock ... really and I won a regional quote ... so the Ronnie's no longer the leader of the Republican party demand is still the high street Republican Speaker John painter ... he told supporters supporters at the Ronald Reagan building in Washington last night after the vote came in ... well ... with this vote the American people have also made clear that there is no mandate for raising tax rates ... and quo ... which ... you know surprises me because frankly present Obama ran on a platform of ... asking a little more from from wealthy Americans ... yes I did it that ... you are committed to positioning ahead of the negotiation ... we heard up to the top of the damage from Chuck Schumer and think about a month ago ... to essentially you know to to take anything off the table a bill to include up to devote a tax increase to the tothe to all the tax cuts expire with the only way to move forward on it is going to get ... her money in ... the period of time here but ... the question is ... can a hopefully crafted deals given how ... great that ... they are ... looking up to three and a half percent drag on GDP though that JD worry first most likely ... to fit into recession and look historically the time the team that that that threat even just a two percent dragged GDP in fiscal policy which in a bear market averaging twenty one percent decline in stocks fall within six months so ... ugly scenario hopefully we get our leaders together to take action ... well ... we we can probably take them so much a wreck or that ... it looks to me that we seen aam v DeVry ... battery slim growth out well with getting him a point where that that tipping point why you don't need much of ... you know how to ramp up growth to pushes into recession maybe it is that anyway we avoid recession and you think ... I've been weak and scared by little that they got every bit of ... of of here is that there really a bad thing ... you can actually ADP take ... up to get to work difficult that it would be dumping what I do we currently in this country the thing that they're trying to do all we know in your up ... you can actually Creek certainty around the track good certainty ... around the Opel the certainty of the work they're doing bike ... and did it did did the rest of the ... keys to think of what they did it to begin to Greece to stay on the sidebar it's been a hit when to economic growth to be lifted ... off the date of the fiscal drag ... taste Kleintop ... chief market strategist LPL Financial thank you so much for joining us is made of nails ...


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There have been some goodies around. Jeremy Hatt had two Greater White-fronted Geese last week, while the highlight of the month so far were the Red-necked Grebes first located by Jeremy Hatt and Jeremy Bensette on Lake Erie off the northeast beach of Hillman Marsh on March 5th. I went out with Mom last Friday to go for a drive around the onion fields and when we arrived at the beach along with Alan Wormington and Rick Mayos there were an estimated 36 Red-necked Grebes on the lake! As stated by many, these Red-necked Grebes are most likely (if not most definitely) over wintering birds that have been pushed out of the many frozen lakes and are trying to find open water.
When Jeremy and I went birding Sunday afternoon, we only saw 1 Red-necked Grebe on Lake Erie. We also encountered what Jeremy is pretty confident was one of his earlier Greater White-fronted Geese. We later drove into Point Pelee and checked out Lake Erie at the end of Shuster Trail. The lake was ice as far as the eye can see. Our highlight in the park itself was a red phased Screech-Owl near the Blue Heron parking lot.
Cute as a button red phased Eastern Screech-Owl. Photo by Marianne Reid-Balkwill.
We also had our first Turkey Vulture for the year soaring effortlessly near Freddy's Park Stop and 3 imm. Red-shouldered Hawks at different locations while driving north of the park. American Crows were also migrating north, and we occasionally heard the odd male Red-winged Blackbird on territory. As for waterfowl, the lake on the east side had many of your typical divers at this time of year but in far lower numbers (except Long-tailed Duck which have been in higher numbers) than what you would expect by this date, and it wasn't until late afternoon when we saw some Tundra Swans in the onion fields. Other than these few tidbits on Sunday, the area still seemed like a frozen wasteland.
Luckily, today (March 10th) things are turning around with 8 degrees Celsius weather and strong southwest winds. Send in the ducks!!
In other news: Guess what comes out tomorrow?


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As a leading large format printing company, Iris Colour uses the latest manufacturing machinery and printing presses at its own in-house facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Combining state of the art printing technology, to include Photographic C Type printing, Giclée fine art printing, Solvent prinitng, Dye Sublimation textile printing and UV flatbed printing, our production techniques achieve the most cost effective and up to date solutions required for today's market. With the introduction of a 3m wide CNC router and cutter, Iris Colour is constantly assessing the display market to discover new ways to create stunning graphics for point of sale, exhibition stands, soft signage and more.
Our fine art printing department provides museum quality Fine Art, Photographic and Giclée printing and mounting services. We offer a professional and friendly service with the opportunity to work one to one to get the best results to suit your needs.
Iris Colour is proud to be main Sponsor of Belfast Photo Festival 2015


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Turn 56 – Grams of Hope
July 3, 2011 Leave a comment
Will John find a way to bring up Joss Whedon? Will Joey find a way to bring up Vonnegut again? Find out and listen!
Featuring John "MusiM", Joey, Scott "Artisan002", and Lauren (check out her Youtube channel at "http://www.youtube.com/user/LaurenLiterally").
Music by MusiM. Buy the new album at musim.bandcamp.com
With the help of our new friend Eggy, we explore geekdom once more in under 2 hours!
Starting out with videogames we talk about Team Fortress 2, Monday Night Combat, Plants vs Zombies, World of Warcraft, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Infamous, Uncharted 3 Beta, Duke Nuke 'Em Forever, Duke Nuke 'Em 3D, The 2D Adventures of Rotating Octopus, Torchlight, and Trenched.
And then launching into literature we traverse the landscapes of X-Men, Marvel Civil War, Planetary, Watchmen, Wildstorm, The Authority, Preacher, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, No Hero, 1984, Good Omens, and The Cape.
And finalize with moving pictures including Transformers Dark of the Moon, Captain America, Unbreakable, and The Hunger Games.
Other stuff of interest:
Play Uncharted 3 Beta with the Carousel this Tuesday at 7 pm Central!
Look for the Afterhours podcast every Friday!
See MusiM TONIGHT at Reverb in Tulsa opening for God in a Machine and Chant!
More exclamation marks!!!


text: A teenage boy is found wandering, naked and dazed, in traffic. At a nearby youth detention center, authorities discover that this kid -- Kyle -- is a savant who's missing instinctive human behavior like joy, anger and love. Stranger still, he's missing the one thing every mammal has: a belly button. One of the center's psychologists, Natalie Trager, realizes that Kyle needs special attention -- so she brings him home to live with her family. Soon, Kyle starts to investigate his origins ... and some people aren't too happy about it.


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Date: 03/14/2018
Views: 469
Krieger vs. a troll. The pace of this battle is intentionally slow to demonstrate some do's and don'ts.
11.2 MB AVI Format Movie
Heated battle between three townsfolk, two trolls, and an undead soldier.
11.2MB AVI Format Movie
Taken 5/12/2002
Some of the town's ladies are attacked by a gnoll and a fire elemental, much to the distress of the monsters!
11.2MB AVI Format
At Polycon during the summer of 2001, some of our guests get a chance to try out NERO-style boffer combat.


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A gestalt entity composed of the consciousness of a number of the undead. Their bodies rot away but their minds remain and pool together by a shared rage and hatred of those still "alive".
To be wounded in Undead World means to be weakened forever. If you are sewn and nailed together, your Hit Points may increase beyond your former maximum. But this is only armor, that protects the magic hidden inside. If you are wounded enough, then you will be weakened again. (DM should note the number of Hit Points at arrival, and may assign penalties as the magic gets weaker.)
Charisma for Undead? How can THAT work?To the Living, Undead do not have any charisma, they are simply d**n ugly. (Please ignore vampires and similar, its about most lower Undead.) But we have a society composed of free-willed Undead only. Social interaction will happen, and some are heard and seen more than others.To re-work Charisma for Undead, we must consider their society and social-being, and to do it, we must delve a bit in their emotional baggage. Please note that Undead are somewhat emotionally-impaired. Were they not, they would probably all be dead now, or mad from this world, from commiting suicides to blind killing-sprees. Negative emotions?Undead, even those with free will, are not friendly creatures. The transport to Undead World was but a traumatic event. Most of the Undead were torn from their master and commander. All of them were pushed forward with a burning hatred to the Living. There are no Living nearby, the hate grows weaker, and Undead begin to remember their former lives, and their masters.Pain and Fear: Undead do not truly feel pain. There are exceptions, like holy water and the Sun. No holy water, Sun is the only thing Undead fear. On the other hand, it is the fastest way to die. Some sources of pain and fear can but come from their background, when they were still Living. In Undead World, many old memories awaken again. See also Self Preservation as a possible source of fear.Hate: No Living to hate. As before, sources of hate can come from the background, too.Positive emotions?Not many. If you rediscover parts of your past, you may remember things that used to make you happy. Some of them may be possible to repeat in Undead World, at least partly. Thus if you find someone doing some nonsensical activity, it may be trying to find the joy from the living days again. Many Undead try to return to jobs they had in Life. Some succeed, few are truly happy, or at least content.(Reminds me of a particular zombie, that used to be a trapper, most probably. These days you can discover his work, as you fall into a hole and your foot gets stuck. This is a BIT dangerous, of course, if you don't manage to get free till sunrise.)Self-preservationCommon Undead are weakly equipped in this regard, but Undead World changes much. The freedom gained here, and returning memories make them feel a bit different, almost like having value, and in few cases having found The Meaning Of Life. It should be noted that combat is deadly, and chances to recover are few and limited. Any conflict, even with much weaker foes can damage you. While the wound may be not big, it may be beyond repair or healing.Why do anything, anyway?Once there is some shelter from the Sun, Undead don't need anything tu survive. (survive ) Some of them, mostly the Mindless Ones, do exactly that: nothing. It is easy to stay in your hole, maybe remove the dust swept in from time to time. Some fresh or old philosophers live similarly, having finally found the time to ponder all those big and little problems of Life (and of Undeath).A little problem is with adventurers: Gold? Too few valuables. Killing monsters? YOU are a monster. Fame? Very funny, my friend. Girls? There are some, but would you really want...What remains is the urge to do something, just anything, not having the boring life like everyone else. It was one of the reasons most adventurers started. Now, even former farmers may want a change.Social-being.Undead are not social. Distrust is the most common feeling if you meet someone unknown. Many simply ignore you, unless there is some reason to hear.CharismaCharisma is based mainly on pysical fitness, and how preserved the Undead looks. A missing limb, or many wounds (even stitched together) lower it. Whatever makes the Undead look more able to survive Undead World, improves his Charisma. Thus, weapons do help in more ways. A quality sword makes everyone listen to you. A preserved zombie with good rag-armor and an old sword can have the Charisma of a paladin. (Ironic if it was a paladin before.) Having a lot of animals/servants improves Charisma, too.Still, most Undead value their freedom and peace, and if you are known to them as a breaker of these things, all things that improved your Charisma lower it now instead
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Dancing pianos, Acoustic guitars, orchestral strings, drums, bass, and playful synthesizers will put frost on the windowsill and love in your heart.
So many uses, an excellent track for your project.
This not only includes the entire song listed on the preview, but also four separate audio groove loops extracted from this song to help you tailor this to your exact needs.
Loops included besides the complete file:
- Loop 1: from 4:13, duration: 0:20
- Loop 2: from 0:30, duration: 0:10
- Loop 3: from 1:51, duration 0:20
- Loop 4: from 2:31, duration 0:20 (this is my favorite part!)
Hope you'll enjoy this one !
Don't forget to rate this item after your purchase


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What's New
Featured News
Click here for language translation
Regina School Division No. 4 of Saskatchewan serves the educational needs of more than 23,000 students in 44 public elementary schools, 8 public high schools and three faith-based, associate schools. Regina Public Schools has a Strategic Plan that provides a clear direction for all activity in the school division to 2020. Read more about Regina Public Schools Strategic Plan and about the school division throughout this website. You are also encouraged to look at our brochure.
For the information of Parents. Did you know?
2018-19 School Supply lists are now available here.
What school is closest to your home? Click the "find Schools near your home" icon and see! This link is also conveniently located at the Our Schools tab.
If you have any questions about registration, please click this link or ask the principal of your local school.
If you have any questions about the school locator, please ask!


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NCAA player charged with hate crime
A Columbia University football player has been charged with a hate crime for allegedly assaulting another student and using racial slurs.
Chad Washington was charged with misdemeanor aggravated harassment as a hate crime.
Police say the 19-year-old defensive lineman followed the victim from his dorm room, grabbed him by the collar, yelled racial slurs and threatened to beat him up.
Washington was arraigned Wednesday and released without bail. His attorney, Daniel Fetterman, says the allegations don't accurately reflect the events.
The victim is of Asian descent. Washington is black.
The Columbia Spectator reported that Washington recently wrote an op-ed piece for the newspaper in which he said student athletes deserved more respect than they're given on campus.


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Flickr Finally Realizes That Not All DMCA Takedowns Are Legit
from the about-freaking-time dept
We want to let you know that we have implemented a global change in the standard takedown process that will benefit the whole Flickr community going forward.It's really quite amazing that it took this long for Flickr to realize this was needed.
When a photo is removed from the site based on a notice of alleged copyright infringement, we will temporarily show a placeholder and the member will have an opportunity to respond before the image is made unavailable.
If the alleged copyright infringement is found to be fraudulent, the image in question will be restored, and the photopage will look like before.


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Faculty Handbook
Human Subjects Research Review Form (Hum-1)
Proposal #
Human Subjects Research Review Form (Hum-1)
Principal Investigator(s) _______________________________________
If the PI is a student, Faculty Supervisor: ______________________________
Project Title: ____________________________________________________
Department _____________________________________________________
Address (Where the reviewed application should be sent):
E-mail __________________________________
Phone number: ___________________________
Is this grant funded? YES NO If yes, Grant agency: ________________
I. Purpose of IRB Review
The role of the WCSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to review and to approve,
when in compliance, all proposed research at WCSU or by WCSU faculty, staff or
students to ensure that the research meets Federal standards for the safety and
protection of any human subjects involved in the research.
The WCSU IRB operates in compliance with the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations,
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Title 45 Part 46, entitled,
"Protection of Human Subjects." A link to the DHHS regulations may be found on the
WCSU IRB website. WestConn's IRB is registered with the Office of Human
Research Protections (OHRP) and has an approved assurance from OHRP (Federalwide
Assurance or FWA).
The IRB is responsible for determining that:
The rights and welfare of the subjects are adequately protected
The risks to subjects are outweighed by the potential benefits of the research
The selection of subjects is equitable
Informed consent will be obtained and, when appropriate, documented
To help the IRB fulfill its role, WCSU requires all researchers to submit their
research protocol for review and approval. All applications must include the
completed HUM-1. The human subjects research application you submit must
describe the research activity, including a protocol, and especially the plan for ensuring
the protection of human subjects (please refer to the Research Application Guide for
complete instructions).
The WCSU IRB is unlikely to reject an application without first discussing its concerns
about the research with the investigator. However, applications may be deferred for
review at another meeting if substantial issues need to be resolved. Researchers are
encouraged to attend the regularly scheduled IRB meetings at which their application
will be considered in order to address any concerns directly. You will be informed of
the IRB's decision regarding your application as expeditiously as possible. Failure to
submit applications for review by the published deadlines may result in a delay in the
review process. It is required that researchers ensure that their application is submitted
by the first of the month in which the next IRB meeting is scheduled.
II. Application for IRB Review Checklist
Before submitting your research application for review by the IRB, please make sure
the following steps have been completed.
1. Ensure that everyone involved in the research has completed WCSU IRB human
subjects research training requirements (including researcher, student's instructor,
research assistants and department chair). If you have any questions concerning
whom should complete human subjects research training, please contact the Office
of Grants and Research for guidance.
Attach human subjects research training certificates for all such research personnel
to your application.
WCSU is part of the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
program. You can sign up for and complete CITI human subjects training via the
link on the WCSU IRB website http://www.wcsu.edu/irb/
Information about this training is provided in the Frequently Asked Questions link
on the IRB website.
2. Indicate the category under which you believe your study should be reviewed.
There are three choices. See the WCSU IRB Guidelines for Researchers (pages
6-11) to determine the requirements for each category.
Is this a new research project? YES NO
If so, are you applying for?
______ Exempt Review
______ Expedited Review
______ Full Review
Is this research a Continuation of previously reviewed research? YES NO
Is this research a Modification of previously reviewed research? YES NO
3. Submit a Research Application (see the WCSU IRB Research Application
4. Attach to your application any survey or questionnaire instruments that will be
given to subjects, or any protocols describing assessments to which they will be
subjected. When an instrument must be purchased or is not yet available, you may
describe the instrument in lieu of attaching a copy.
**Note: You must cite the source for any instruments you are using if they have
been developed by others.
5. Attach your Informed Consent Form, or an explanation of why the signed Informed
Consent requirement can be waived (see the WCSU IRB Informed Consent
III. Signatures
The principal investigator must sign this form. If the P.I. is a student, his/her faculty supervisor must also sign.
Assurance of continued compliance with regulations regarding the use of human
I certify that the information provided in this application is accurate. If the procedures for
obtaining consent of subjects change, or if the risk of physical, psychological, or social
injury to the research subjects increases, or if there should arise unanticipated problems
involving risk to subjects or others, I shall promptly report such changes to the
Institutional Review Board. I shall report promptly any unanticipated injury to or harm of
a subject to my Department Chair and to the Institutional Review Board.
Principal Investigator's Name_____________________________
Principal Investigator's Signature __________________________ Date ___________
Faculty Supervisor's ____________________________________ Date ___________
Name and Department
Faculty Supervisor's Signature ___________________________ Date ___________
(if PI is a student)
Committee Action:
__ Approved through exempt review
__ Approved by full committee review
__ Approved through expedited review
__ Not approved; clarification/modification required
IRB Chair's Signature_____________________________ Date ___________
Rev. 6/10


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Anesthesia Associates-Rock Hil, Services, listed under "Services" category, is located at 2121 Ebenezer Rd Rock Hill SC, 29732 and can be reached by 8039853089 phone number. Anesthesia Associates-Rock Hil has currently 0 reviews.This business profile is not yet claimed, and if you are the owner, claim your business profile for free. If you are not the owner you can invite this business to join by email or by phone.Browse all Services in Rock Hill SC. Discover census data for Rock Hill, SC.
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Tagged: Postponement
Tonight's game has been postponed…
Tonight's Phils' game have been postponed because of tonight's inclement weather. It will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader tomorrow afternoon, with the day game to start at 3:05 pm EDT and the night game to begin at 8:15 pm EDT.
The Phillies-Brewers game has been postponed because of rain.
The second game between the Phillies (80-67) and the Brewers (83-64, 2nd National League Central, 1st NL Wild Card) has been postponed because of rain. Although no make up game has yet been scheduled, since both teams have the day off this upcoming Monday, it'll more than likely be made up on that date. The next game in the four games series will be played tomorrow afternoon. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and will start at 3:55 pm Eastern, and will be shown nationally on Fox Sports. The Phillies' starter will most likely be their ace Cole Hamels (12-9, 3.12), who is coming off a disastrous start against the Mets on September 7, where he only went five innings, giving up four earned runs on nine hits, in the Phils' 6-3 lost. Lifetime against the Brewers, he is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in four starts. He will be trying once again for his thirteenth win, while trying to see if he can keep the slumping Brewers' bats quiet and put the Brewers into panic mode with a win against them. The Brewers will likely counter with Manny Parra (10-7, 4.03), who is coming off a lost against the Padres on September 7, as he goes five innings, giving up six runs, only one of which was earned, on six hits, in the Brewers' 10-1 lost. He will be trying to see if he can stop the Brewers present slide while trying to stop the Phillies from getting any closer to them in the wild card race.
Because of the rain out, the Philles are presently still three games behind the Mets, as the Mets, in a rain delay in New York, prepare to play the Braves. The Phillies are ahead of the Marlins by five and a half games as the fish play the Nationals in Miami. In the wild card chase, the Phillies trail the Brewers by three games as they continue their series, while they are still tied with the Astros for second place in the wild card race as they now wait out Hurricane Ivan for the next two days before facing the Cubs on the 14th, while they are both ahead of the Cardinals by a game and a half as they play the Pirates, which is also in a rain delay. The Phillies hope to be able to gain ground in both the East and in the wild card race.
Updates: The rain out will be made up tomorrow as part of a day/night doubleheader. The Mets were also rained out, so the Phillies are still trailing the Mets by three games in the East, as the Mets prepared to face the Braves this afternoon. The Phillies are now ahead of the Marlins by five games as they defeated the Nationals, who they will be playing again tonight. In the wild card chase, as the Phils and Brewers prepare for this afternoon's game, the Astros have to wait one more day before they can play the Cubs thanks to Hurricane Ivan. The Cardinals are now trailing both the Phillies and the Astros by two games as they lost to the Pirates, whom they will be playing again tonight.


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Cuba, US begin 5-game exhibition baseball series
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba is hoping to use a five-game baseball exhibition against a team of U.S. college players to bounce back from recent disappointing international results in a sport that's considered the island's national pastime.
The series that started Wednesday in Cuba is the third time Cuban and U.S. baseball squads have met since 2012, when games resumed after being discontinued in 1996.
Cuba long dominated amateur baseball, winning Olympic gold in 1992, 1996 and 2004.
But it hasn't won a major international competition since 2005, and the team that traveled to the U.S. last year to play collegians lost all five games.
The official newspaper Juventud Rebelde says the young Cuban team will use the games to find "a road to reconstruction to view the future with optimism."


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1 bunch broccoli
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 medium red-skinned potato, diced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup grated extra-sharp Cheddar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
One 12-ounce can fat-free evaporated milk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Separate the stems and the florets from the broccoli. Trim and discard the bottom of the broccoli stems and peel the tough outer layers. Finely chop the stems and coarsely chop the florets and set aside separately.
Mist a large pot with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the broccoli stems, onions and potatoes and cook, stirring, until softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the vegetables are tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the reserved florets and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and continue to steam until the florets are bright green and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the entire contents of the pot with the florets to the soup along with the nutmeg. Stir to combine and remove from the heat. Stir in the Cheddar, Worcestershire and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the scallions.
Cook's Note: Leftover soup should be reheated in the microwave rather than the stovetop, where the cheese will "break" or separate from the broth.
Per serving: Calories: 230; Total Fat 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 4.5 grams; Protein: 16 grams; Total carbohydrates: 26 grams; Sugar: 10 grams Fiber: 4 grams; Cholesterol: 20 milligrams; Sodium: 360 milligrams


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The new Outback MAX integrated display terminal from Hemisphere GPS offers section and variable rate control, GPS and GLONASS guidance, video support for up to four cameras, plus wireless data transfer capabilities to automatically import and export prescription application maps, as-applied files and other critical precision agriculture data.
The Outback MAX features a high-definition, ultra-bright 10.4-inch touch-screen display with an efficient mapping engine that enables it to stack multiple imagery and data layers for simultaneous viewing. It has an intuitive interface for simple access to important features, plus tools that streamline creation of shortcuts and favorites for common tasks. It is compatible with the Outback eDriveX with eTurns automated steering system at accuracies down to the centimeter level.
The optional Outback ConnX data management system provides seamless data transfer between the Outback MAX terminal, the farm office and service providers using AgJunction, AgVerdict, NutriScription HD, OptiGro and Precision.Ag data platforms. The ConnX cellular modem also accesses RTK correction signals and will provide Internet connectivity for real-time weather and market information via a custom Web browser expected to be available by the end of 2012.
The suggested retail price for Outback MAX is $5,995 for WAAS accuracy, $7,495 for OmniStar HP/XP accuracy and $8,995 for RTK accuracy. The bundled price for the ConnX service, including a terminal unlock, a CDMA cellular modem, a cellular data plan and access to the ConnX website, is $2,695. For information, visit www.OutbackMAX.com.