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Vallejo's Thomas Kinkade community one of a kind
Ten years ago, when artist Thomas Kinkade was at the peak of his popularity, a subdivision named after and inspired by the self-proclaimed Painter of Light opened in Vallejo.
Named the Village, a Thomas Kinkade Community, it promised residents a "vision of simpler times" with "cottage style homes that are filled with warmth and personality." Its slogan: "Calm, not chaos. Peace, not pressure."
This, of course, was before Solano County got slammed by the housing crisis and Vallejo became one of the biggest U.S. cities to file for bankruptcy, which it has since exited.
Sales of Kinkade's paintings and reproductions have gone through the roof since the artist, who lived near Los Gatos, died April 6 at age 54. That's typical after an artist dies; fans and speculators bet that prices will rise because no more originals can be produced. Whether that holds true in Kinkade's case is debatable because of the sheer enormity of works produced during his lifetime.
But the Vallejo neighborhood is one of a kind.
MBA BY THE BAY: See how an MBA could change your life with SFGATE's interactive directory of Bay Area programs.
Although two other Kinkade-themed communities were planned - one in Couer d'Alene, Idaho, and another in Columbia, Mo. - they got derailed by the housing downturn and were never developed.
"The whole thing tured upside-down right at the point we were about to begin," says Rann Haight, an architect on both projects.
The 11 properties in Columbia that his development company purchased were turned over to the bank.
Seeing the Village
I drove up to the Kinkade Village last week to find out what drew residents to this community and what impact Kinkade's death might have on their property values.
The small neighborhood of 101 houses is one of nine that make up the larger master planned community of Hiddenbrooke, which is plopped in the middle of rolling fields about 9 miles from downtown Vallejo, just east of Interstate 80.
The Village is the only gated community within Hiddenbrooke, which boasts an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course but no schools, churches or commercial amenities other than a hardware store, dry cleaner and small deli/market.
The homes in the Village look a lot like other tract homes in Hiddenbrooke, but with Kinkadean touches such as steeply gabled roofs covered in faux-slate tile, gingerbread trim, front porches and stone facades.
Residents see their homes and neighborhood as unique and distinctive.
Teri Booth, an original owner, says she bought her home because "it didn't look like every other McMansion."
Homes here average 2,400 square feet. The four models were named after Kinkade's daughters - Merritt, Chandler, Winsor and Everett. The styles might be described as pseudo Victorian, pseudo French provincial, pseudo New England cottage and pseudo arts and crafts.
The streetlights (electric) look like Kinkade's gaslight logo and the walkways (stamped concrete) resemble cobblestones.
Residents can't change the color of their homes, and cars are not allowed to be parked on the street (although several were during my visit).
Familiar names
Most of the streets - such as Summer Gate and Rose Arbor Way - are named after Kinkade paintings.
"Kinkade created this vision of a perfect small-town America where neighborhoods were safe, there were rosebushes and well-lit paths," says Richard Polsky, an art dealer in Sausalito. He calls this vision "a fraud."
Residents say it's real.
"We liked the ambience. It's like one of his little villages. The lights have to be on at night. We felt safe," says Diedra Plagman, who moved in seven years ago. Her daughter and son-in-law live a few houses down. Her son-in-law's parents also live in the Village.
Ramona Sampayan bought her home on Wisteria Circle 10 years ago, when it was under construction. "We fell in love with the neighborhood and this particular floor plan. We came over every night to see what got done," she says.
Sampayan and her husband, Bob, a Vallejo city councilmember, own just one of Kinkade's works, given as a housewarming present.
"He did such wonderful work. Even though I'm not a Kinkade collector, his death made me sad. I sat in front of that picture and stared at it for a while," she says.
A fresh feeling
When the neighborhood was new, it really was like an idyllic small town, she says. "When we first moved in, the neighbors next door left us a gift basket. We had keys to each other's houses. If we didn't have a reason for a party, we'd give a birthday party for our pets. It was like that in the early days, but folks come and go."
The neighborhood has had its share of short sales, but Sampayan says when the house next door was vacant, the neighbors mowed the lawn and parked a car in the driveway to make it look lived in.
Dennis Harrison, who moved in a year ago, says, "It's a quiet community. Nobody is ever home. They are always working."
Harrison says he always loved the neighborhood, but "we couldn't afford it when they first came out. They were way out of my league."
Valerie Bechelli, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, says homes in Hiddenbrooke, the Village included, have dropped at least 40 percent from their peak and most are selling for less than they did new.
A home in the Village on Nottingham - approximately 2,600 square feet on a 5,000-square-foot lot - sold for $476,000 in 2002, $699,000 in 2006 and $349,000 in October.
Prices have stabilized in the past year, thanks to a shortage of inventory. Out of 1,200 homes in Hiddenbrooke, there are only five active listings (although more are pending), Bechelli says.
Some residents complain that property taxes in Hiddenbrooke are high and the park and school they were promised have never been built.
Although Kinkade lent his name to the Village, and showed up for marketing events, he didn't design the homes. He even criticized some features, such as the gate, in an interview with The Chronicle's John King.
Asked whether Kinkade's death might increase their home values, most residents hadn't given it much thought.
"I don't see it in the next four or five years, but in the long run perhaps," says Jagdip Nirwan, but he's not too concerned about it.
"There are two types of collectors, those who want to enjoy a painting and those who buy to make a profit off it," Nirwan says. The same goes for the home he bought in 2009. "It certainly wasn't for investment purposes, but to live in and enjoy the feeling of the neighborhood."
Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Net Worth runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Blogging at sfgate.com/pender. Twitter: @kathpender. firstname.lastname@example.com


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Alert to lovers of art and all concerned about the drying coffers of non-profit arts organizations--
"Our Cultural Center" is a new webisode comedy series that shines a spotlight on this problem with the help of top actors such as Kurt Ehrmann (familiar to fans of The Hypocrites, Chicago Shakespeare and the Steppenwolf), among others, and a funny script.
Here is episode 3 where there is a problem with one of the exhibitions.
If you missed earlier episodes you can find them here:
Episode 1, where Randall arrives but Vicki just can't seem to face him
Episode 2, where Randall is looking to stamp his authority on his new position
Visit "The Cultural Center" website for more information on this project.
Share this page and other episode with your contacts in social media, and most of all, support your local arts organizations!

subset: commoncrawl


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Export 2 results:Author [ Type] Year
Filters: Author is B. Vanrumste [Clear All Filters]
Conference Paper
"Automatic detection of EEG electrode markers on 3D MR data", SPIE Medical Imaging: Image Processing, vol. 3979, San Diego CA, USA, pp. 1476-1481, February, 2000.
Journal Article
"Automatic localization of EEG electrode markers within 3D MR data", Magnetic Resonance Imaging, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 485-488, 2000. Download full paper (185.08 KB)


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'Lucky' Beltran rests; MRI negative
ST. PETERSBURG -- Carlos Beltran had an MRI exam on his left shoulder and his right wrist after tumbling over a short wall in right field during Thursday's 10-2 Yankees victory over the Rays. The tests were negative, but the outfielder said that he is feeling sore.
Beltran was chasing Desmond Jennings' third-inning fly ball down the right-field line and never looked down to see the fence. He flipped over the wall and landed hard but was able to stay in the game.
"If I had the chance to do it again, I wish I would have looked," Beltran said. "When that ball was hit, I thought I had a chance to make a catch. I didn't want to take my eyes off the baseball because of the roof. Then all of a sudden, I was all over the place."
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Beltran was not available to play on Friday, but the team is hopeful that Beltran will be ready to play on Saturday.
"It's really encouraging," Girardi said. "We don't want him to be out for a long period of time. We've just got to get him to where he's feeling a little bit better."
Yankees second baseman Brian Roberts was concerned after Beltran went over the fence.
"I thought, 'What's he doing?'" Roberts said. "Obviously the effort's great, but we need him for the long run. Obviously he didn't mean to, but it was scary, for sure. To see him get up and come back over [was a relief]. I wasn't sure if he was going to get up or not."
Beltran said that he saw a video clip of his tumble after Thursday's game and that he considers himself fortunate not to have been more seriously injured.
"Honestly, I am lucky, yeah," Beltran said. "I laughed after, but I was like, 'Man, you know what? This could have been pretty bad.' Thank God I was able to walk and play the game."


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High purity cresol formaldehyde novolac resin
D_PD-1623 is a low molecular weight resin used in semiconductor photoresist applications
|Test Method
|Crushed solid
|Average Molecular Weight GPC
|ca. 4500 – 5500
|Bulk Dissolution Rate 2.38% TMAH Developer, PAB 110°C/60 seconds
|ca. 95 - 195
|Free Cresol Content GC
|Individual Trace Metal Content GFAA
|max 500
Tests are made in accordance with the current Hexion Standard Test Method and are available upon request.
Sharing Durite Resin D_PD-1623 from Hexion.com
I found the product Durite Resin D_PD-1623 on hexion.com
Download the technical data sheet:
Found at https://www.hexion.com
Hexion Inc., 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215, U.S.A.
© 2016 Hexion Inc. All rights reserved. ® and ™ denote trademarks owned or licensed by Hexion Inc.
The information provided herein was believed by Hexion Inc. ("Hexion") to be accurate at the time of preparation or prepared from sources believed to be reliable, but it is the responsibility of the user to investigate and understand other pertinent sources of information, to comply with all laws and procedures applicable to the safe handling and use of the product and to determine the suitability of the product for its intended use. All products supplied by Hexion are subject to Hexion's terms and conditions of sale. HEXION MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE PRODUCT OR THE MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS THERE OF FOR ANY PURPOSE OR CONCERNING THE ACCURACY OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HEXION, except that the product shall conform to Hexion's specifications. Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer for the sale of any product.


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Ask the Critic: The Best Non-Brunchy Brunches
You have restaurant questions? We have answers. Where to take a dinner date? Restaurants good for parents or picky eaters? Food etiquette? Food and restaurant writer Carey Jones answers your questions. Email [email protected] to submit.
Editor's note: Here to answer your questions is senior managing editor, former SENY editor, and frequent author of our NYC restaurant reviews Carey Jones. We'll take a few of your questions each week and give you the New York restaurant advice you're looking for. Email [email protected] with the subject line Ask the Critic to submit your question!
Where Should I Get A Non-Sucky Brunch?
Hi Carey, I'm meeting a friend I haven't seen in a while next weekend and she asked if we could do brunch. I hate brunch. I hate "doing brunch." I'm sick of paying too much for plates of bad eggs with stale biscuits and watered down mimosas, and I don't want pancakes either. What I do want is a comfortable place to chat and eat that'll make my dining companion happy without souring me on the meal. Any suggestions?
Oh, I'm right there with you.
I'm flashing back to a traumatic incident from a year or so ago. An out-of-town friend was visiting and emailed several of us: "Let's get brunch on Sunday!" Before I could jump in, another friend of hers replied, "Great! Let's take you to Cookshop, or Penelope, or..."
Friend A could probably hear my anguished cries from Chicago.
You've outlined many of the problems with brunch above: The crowds. The lines. The shelling out of $25 for two eggs and a weak mimosa.
That said, there are plenty of ways to eat during the weekend that don't require even uttering the word Brunch. I'm one of those who considers a subway ride out to Totonno's a perfectly normal way to spend a Saturday morning. (Fact: I prefer 45 minutes on the Q train to 90 minutes waiting outside Cookshop for a table.)
Here are a few other non-brunchy brunches to consider.
The "Similar Menu" Genre
If a restaurant is famous for its offal-y Italian dishes or killer carnitas, why are they suddenly serving French toast on weekend afternoons? Go to a restaurant that sticks to its strengths. Like Kin Shop, where lunch is called "lunch" even on Sundays, and you've got the choice of a 2-course $17 prix fixe or a full menu of Thai specialties; or Buvette, whose French plates of awesome are charming whatever the hour; or Perla (which also has a "lunch" menu, though it's only Friday-Sunday), with a full list of its excellent pastas.
Maybe that's a new rule: If a midday weekend meal is called "Lunch," it's less likely to offend.
The "Make Reservations" Genre
When it's a special occasion brunch, I find that making reservations eliminates a great deal of hassle. Restaurants like Maialino or Locanda Verde or Il Buco Alimentari or DBGB all accept reservations, and all have staff professional enough that you don't get that "I can't believe I'm working again at noon on a Sunday" server attitude.*
*Not that all servers are this way! But you know what I mean? That indifferent, "You bet your ass I'm hungover," foot-dragging thing? I honestly can't cast stones here: I'd be pissy if I had to work brunch service, too. Still, it's no fun as a diner.
The "If I'm Going to Put Up With Brunch, I Might as Well Make it Worth It" Genre
I'm actually just thinking of one restaurant here. If you're intent on waiting in line, getting gruff service, and stuffing yourself silly, probably on pricey eggs or pancakes or fried things, why not just go to Shopsins—where the hassles are considerable but the payoff is incomparable?
The "Food From Other Cultures" Genre
I can promise you that no Malaysian restaurant in Queens has lines out the door for their $15 Eggs Benedict. If a restaurant just has one menu, and it's always open during the day, that's a good insulation from the Brunch Effect. Check out Sripraphai or The Islands or Cafe Tibet or Taci's Beyti.
Ask Us!
Email [email protected] with the subject line Ask the Critic to submit your question. All questions will be read, though unfortunately not all can be answered.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think? Jump in, in the comment thread!
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Home » MEET OUR CUSTOMERS: FREEDOM AS A SERVICE IN ACTION! » Fundraising takes off at Ducks Unlimited
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Antonela Grgic M.A tells how she quickly models and documents business processes at Erste Group Bank AG usi...
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Cumulocity IoT created new business opportunities for ASPINA and expanded the versatility of its offerings, including intelligent life-saving medical devices.
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How operational excellence is enabling a bold transition in banking
GOL Linhas Aéreas (GOL) using ARIS Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
GOL decided to use ARIS Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to update its flight schedules and was able to do it in record time.
Buildings optimize and conserve energy with BSA and Software AG
Smart buildings - what does this really mean? Check out how BSA and Software AG can help you to connect, monitor, analyze and control the systems in your buildings – saving money, time and creating
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Future Intelligence and Cumulocity IoT light up smart cities
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Electrical Utility's Digital Transformation with Alfabet
Malaysia's leading electricity utility flips the switch on for digital business transformation with Alfabet.
Exltech and Cumulocity IoT fill the IoT gap in Australia
CSBP: Automating fertiliser supply in Western Australia with Telstra and Cumulocity IoT
CSBP in Australia is using an automated solution developed by Telstra and based on Cumulocity IoT for monitoring farmers' tank levels to supply farms with the fertiliser they need, when they need it.
Cumulocity IoT helps you get a degree in IoT Engineering!
James Cook University in Cairns, Australia is offering the first-ever degree in IoT Engineering. Using Cumulocity IoT, students can create real-life projects in weeks.
Future Intelligence creates "smart" solutions for thousands of devices with Cumulocity IoT
See how Cumulocity IoT helped Future Intelligence create a flexible business model that translated into better offerings for end customers.
Yara optimizes business processes with ARIS
Leading fertilizer company Yara International uses ARIS in the cloud for its global process modelling and can now extend ARIS to 3rd party vendors.
Digital Government Transformation with ARIS and Alfabet
Governments around the world facing challenges due to dynamical political, economic and social changes, therefore governments need to respond faster by adapting change and transformational culture.
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Using ARIS helps business owners at Danske Bank to understand and gain visibility across all processes, manage risk and transform its daily workflow.
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Applied Business Communications uses CONNX


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State of Green Business Report 2012
The fifth annual edition of our State of Green Business report continues our efforts to measure the environmental impacts of the emerging green economy. In addition to documenting what progress companies are making -- if any -- in improving their environmental performance, we track larger trends that will affect corporate America in 2012.
This free, downloadable report measures 20 aspects of environmental performance, from carbon emissions to paper use and recycling, and attempts to answer the question, "Are we bringing a green economy into being?"
Download the free report from GreenBiz.com.
For the first time, this year's report includes essays from industry experts, including Amory Lovins, Jigar Shah and many others, exploring the trends that shape the commitments and success of the business world.
There's good and bad news in this year's report; the good news is that companies continue to dedicate time, money and staff to setting and meeting ambitious environmental goals.
The bad news is that, despite this, our research shows a slowing of momentum -- or even backwards motion, in some cases -- on some of the indicators. Among the downgraded topics include investments in clean technology innovations, overall energy intensity, certifications of LEED buildings, and paper use and recycling.
Download the free report from GreenBiz.com.


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THREE RIVERS HEALTH DISTRICT is a 10 county Virginia Department of Health district for Virginia's beautiful Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions. This 2,000 square mile area is located between the waters of the Potomac, Rappahannock, and York Rivers and borders the Chesapeake Bay on the east. Our public health professionals serve a population of approximately 140,000, including 2 Native American reservations, 9 incorporated towns, and a large number of visitors.
Whether you are a resident here, just visiting the area, or thinking of relocating your family or business, I hope that you will take time to explore our website and Annual Report to see the many ways our health professionals keep our communities and shorelines healthy and safe. Building healthy communities is our mission.


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|Anaheim, Calif.
|High School:
Freshman 2011-12
Primarily played in Harvard's No. 2 position in singles play going 27-9 overall with a 13-6 dual match mark … Was named second team All Ivy League for singles play … Was the Halloween Invite runner up to teammate Alex Steinroeder … A main contributor to one of Harvard's starting doubles pairing going 23-10 overall and 13-8 in dual competition … Maintained identical 6-4 records of out of the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles position … tallied the match deciding victory over Lucas Oliveira from Virginia Tech in the NCAA tournament first round.
Before Harvard:
Earned four varsity letters and played the No. 1 position in singles at Canyon High … Served as team captain all four years … Century League MVP and team MVP for four seasons … Named All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) all four years … Two-time All-American … Named Southern California High School Male Tennis Player of the Year in 2010-11 … Won four Century League individual titles … Was ranked No. 1 in under-18 division in Southern California … Captain of Canyon Boys Tennis Academic CIF team champions … Served as board member of Comanches Care volunteer club … International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate …. Enjoys fishing, snowboarding, playing the piano and hanging out with friends during free time.


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Trumpf Cuts the Ribbon on New Laser-Development Facility
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Monday, July 1, 2013
A new 6200-sq.-m facility in Schramberg-Sulgen, Germany, has become the home of solid-state laser development for Trumpf Laser GmbH + Co. The project, an investment of 13.5 million euros, allows the firm to consolidate all of its laser-development efforts under one roof. Included are laser-testing laboratories, a climate-controlled chamber, offices and conference rooms.
See also: TRUMPF Inc.
Related Enterprise Zones: Fabrication


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GOP leaders rally ahead of recall vote
Tea Party rally held in Caledonia
CALEDONIA, Wis. — Republican leaders are telling Gov. Scott Walker's supporters to stick with him in Tuesday's recall election.
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, a Janesville Republican, and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus appeared at a tea party rally in Caledonia, just outside Racine.
They told the crowd that the recall amounts to a national election that will help build momentum against President Barack Obama in November. They urged people to fan out across their neighborhoods and convince voters to go to the polls.
Democrats pushed Walker and four other GOP officeholders into recalls after they passed a contentious plan to strip most public workers of nearly all of their union rights. The race between Walker and his Democratic challenger, Tom Barrett, has grown into a national referendum on organized labor.


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Los Angeles, Calif., Mar 22, 2013 / 12:21 pm ().- Addressing America's immigration problem, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles urged religious believers to recall the nation to an understanding of human dignity based on its biblical roots.
"The real problem is that immigration is a question about America – about our national identity and destiny, about the national 'soul,'" the Archbishop of Los Angeles told the Jewish advocacy group AJC's event "Bonds of Fellowship and Friendship" March 19.
"The question for us is what's our role in immigration reform, as religious people? ... I think our role is to be the voice of conscience and vision. That's what's been missing in the debate so far."
During his remarks, the archbishop said that he himself is an immigrant – a native of Monterrey, Mexico who did not move to the U.S. until after his college education.
Archbishop Gomez noted that the evening was an opportunity to deepen friendship between Catholics and Jews in Los Angeles, "deepening the spiritual ties that unite us in truth, respect and goodness."
He said that the communities' joint mission is to make their city a place of love, truth and peace, and that immigration reform is among the most pressing issues faced by Los Angeles.
The archbishop expressed gladness that "finally" there is movement on the issue, noting that at a meeting with religious leaders a couple weeks ago, President Obama "agreed with our concerns" on immigration.
Immigration poses questions about America's identity, he said.
"What does it mean to be an American? Who are we as a people and where are we heading as a country? What will the "next America" look like? What should the next America look like?"
Archbishop Gomez noted G. K. Chesterton's comment that the U.S. is the only nation founded not on a territory or shared race or ethnicity, but on a creed, on a vision.
The vision, he said, is Judeo-Christian, rooted in both the Old and New Testaments.
"America's 'creed' is based on the biblical teaching that human life is sacred and has great dignity — because God made men and women in his own image. It gets expressed this way in the Declaration of Independence."
This belief has allowed a "flourishing diversity of cultures, religions and ways of life," but increasing secularism, he said, "makes it hard to talk about the values and commitments we find in America's founding documents."
America's founding principles – that human rights come not from government but from God – is what makes it even possible to talk about human rights and dignity, said Archbishop Gomez.
"So if we are not allowed to talk about God anymore in our politics or civic life then it becomes very hard to talk about human rights and human dignity."
"And I think that's one of the problems we are having in this immigration debate. We have lost sense of the 'humanity' of the men and women and children who are living in this country illegally."
He expressed concern that we are "losing something of our national soul" in how illegal immigration is addressed.
"This great nation finds itself today reduced to addressing this major issue in our public life through: name calling and discrimination; criminal 'profiling' based on race; random identity checks; violent raids of workplaces and homes; arbitrary detentions and deportations."
A quarter of persons deported from the U.S. are from intact families, he said. "In the name of enforcing our laws, now we are breaking up families."
Last year, 400,000 persons were deported, the archbishop noted. That means that last year, 100,000 families were rent apart in the name of American law.
"These are not statistics, these are souls. Human beings. We're talking about fathers and husbands who, with no warning, won't be coming home for dinner tonight – and who may not see their families again for a decade at least. We are talking about a government policy that punishes children for the crimes of their parents."
Archbishop Gomez called the nation to be "a better people than this." He said America must be a place of both justice and law, as well as compassion and common sense.
"What we're doing right now betrays our values and makes our country weaker and more vulnerable."
Jews and Christians are called to be mindful of the strangers among us "for you were strangers in the land of Egypt," God told the Hebrews in Exodus.
Archbishop Gomez said that is "what our society needs to hear right now...We need to help our brothers and sisters to remember the founding vision of America. The vision of the Bible."
He said Jews and Christians must communicate this vision, in which the human person is made in the image of God. We must be "the people who remember and believe – that in God's eyes we're all his beloved sons and daughters."
Even though in "our agitated political climate" this sounds "naïve," he said this is "no time for polite silence about our values. Too much is at stake to give in to the corrosive cynicism that masks itself as political 'realism.'"
"We need to remind our neighbors," Archbishop Gomez concluded, that America was was founded on the vision "that nobody ever forfeits his humanity or his right to be treated with dignity. No matter where he comes from or how he got here."
"No matter what kind of papers he possesses or doesn't possess. This is as fundamental to the Bill of Rights as it is and the Torah or the Sermon on the Mount."
Tags: Immigration, Archbishop Gomez
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Watch Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig Lip-Sync in 'The Skeleton Twins'
Former Saturday Night Live stars Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig are back at it again.
However, this time the comedic duo have taken a more dramatic turn in the new dark comedy "The Skeleton Twins." As estranged twins who reconnect after ten years, an unexpected turn of events forces them to confront reality and repair their relationship.
Nevertheless, the film still affords the duo an opportunity to bust out their comedy chops. The highlight of the trailer – and of its premiere at Sundance – is when Hader and Wig lip-sync to Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." Hader said he used to lip-sync with his younger sisters, so he knew "exactly what to do."
Watch the trailer after the jump.


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Ed Brubaker Interview
Ed Brubaker has a very nice hat. He originally thought our interview was a Mark Millar prank because I asked him about writing a Batman porno story. I was serious, and he sincerely answered the question, which is pretty cool.
Last time I looked, he was on Wizard's top ten comics writers, and that's pretty cool. He's also known as the writer who killed Captain America. Yep, he's that guy. I remember that story making the newspapers and I'd hate to pigeon-hole Ed into that role, so I'll also say he's the writer who killed Captain America, but he also wrote The Authority, X-Men, Batman, Daredevil, Catwoman, and that Law and Order in Gotham series Gotham Central. He's a writing machine and ex juvenile delinquent who likes to go bowling on his rare occurrences of free time, Church.
Ed Brubaker: Does Chuck Palahniuk know who I am?
Garrett Faber: I don't know personally, The Cult is like Chuck's headquarters, but the main editor, Dennis wants it to be more of a giant writers retreat, with other writers being interviewed and being involved so it's more than just Chuck's site, it's a resource. Why, do you hate Chuck? Wanna punch him in the face? We can talk about that in the interview if you want. :)
EB: I would never punch anyone. I'm an adult. No, I'm a fan. I just never heard of the site. I just know that Chuck got beat up really badly at some point, so I wanted to be sure he knew I didn't want to hit him. ;)
GF: Where are you from dude? What was your childhood like?
EB: I was a Navy brat, raised moving around from Virginia and Maryland, back in the late 60s when my dad was in Vietnam, to Gitmo after that, and then to San Diego, until he retired. Like a lot of kids who moved around a lot at a young age, I was pretty lonely and solitary, and thus very into cartoons and comics. So, I'm basically from all over. For the past 18 years, I've moved back and forth between San Francisco and Seattle, where I've been living again now for about four years, and will probably stay forever, since we bought a house this time.
GF: Have you ever been in the presence of a Vampire? Literally or metaphorically?
EB: Just emotional ones. My last girlfriend before I met my wife was definitely one of those. She could suck the life out of anyone in just a few days, I'm pretty sure. And she wasn't a bad person, even, it was just her nature. Like the scorpion and the frog. I'm always the frog in that analogy for some reason.
GF: How did you get into the comics world as a writer?
EB: Like a lot of my friends, I started out doing my own comics, writing and drawing a semi-autobiographical series called Lowlife. Not long after that, my friend Eric Shanower was looking for a contemporary idea to draw, since all his stuff is either historical fiction (his current book Age of Bronze is about the Trojan War) or fantasy. So I asked if I could write a mystery for him, and he for some reason said yes. From then on, I've mostly made a living in comics, and for the last ten years, as a writer exclusively. So, I got in by accident, basically, which is how most of the people I know who do this got here. We were just doing our own stuff and started getting offers that we didn't want to say no to.
GF: Whats a good way to pitch a story to say, DC or something? How could a writer go and write Batman?
EB: I have no idea. Like I said, I came in on the coattails of an in-demand artist, and was lucky enough to write some mystery stories that attracted some attention and awards nominations, and that led to more work. I think if you're starting out hoping to write Batman, you're really going about it the wrong way, and it's going to be a very long and hard road for you. You have to start out just wanting to make comics. An editor is always going to be more impressed by a good story that just stands on its own, then they are by the 1000th Batman idea they get that week. So, I always tell aspiring comics writers to just write a short story that has no company-owned characters, and get someone good to draw it, and then show that to editors, so they'll see that you can write a story and how it looks in comics form. It's really hard to tell from a script.
GF: What do you do for fun these days?
EB: Sometimes I go bowling, though my wife has turned me into a bit of a germaphobe, so I'm thinking about getting my own ball for that. Thinking of sticking your fingers into the same holes that some guy who was just holding his cock and pissing in the bowling alley bathroom is kind of disgusting, especially since you always end up eating fries or something when you bowl. It's like that movie where the guy explains why he doesn't eat the peanuts in the bowl at the bar. Other than that, I'm not young anymore, and I write for a living. So, outings are rare. Usually it's to visit friends or to go to a movie. The most fun I've had in years was going to Kauai last fall.
GF: How is the comic book world? Is it like a fraternity where you and Warren Ellis and Jim Lee are all at pugs, swiggin brewskis and talkin about broads?
EB: Not really. At conventions there's probably stuff like that, to some extent, but I tend to avoid that stuff and just get together with a few friends instead, at conventions. But almost everyone I know works in either comics or film or TV, at this point, so there is definitely a community feel to it. I have not heard anyone ever say the word "broad" though. But I bet Darwyn Cooke would, but he'd probably be being ironic.
GF: What's it like to write some of the most well known comics ever? Was the pressure on? Did you stress about writing a damn good story line?
EB: The biggest comic I've ever done was the Death of Captain America issue, and for some reason I wrote that so far ahead of when it got published, that I had no idea it would end up being a big deal or get lots of press all over the world, so I just wrote it like any other issue. I'm really glad I did, too, because had I known it would be like it was - a nightmare of publicity and press and outrage - I probably never would have been able to write. But I put pressure on myself, mostly, for everything I write. I always try to push myself to do something new or something different, whether it's on my biggest book - Like Captain America - or on my more cult-like stuff - like Criminal. The pressure is to not suck, and to keep producing work that people want to read and that is entertaining and deserves to exist.
GF: With a character like Batman, did you find it hard to do things with him that hasn't been done before?
EB: I just tried not to think about what had or hadn't been done with him, and to just do things that seemed interesting to me. But to some extent, writing a character that appears in so many other places is really difficult, because when you write these company-owned characters, you have to lie to yourself that they're yours, so that you can make it important. When there are three other books starring the same character, that can be really hard to do.
GF: So you know about Chuck Palahniuk's tale of getting in that fight that eventually inspired Fight Club, what else do you know about Chucky P? What's your favorite Palahniuk book?
EB: I know it's a cliche, but probably Fight Club. I read that not long before I saw the movie, and it really kicked my ass. What else do I know? I heard that he wrote Fight Club in public places, like bars and cafes, and I know he's a fan of David Mack's work. Other than that, not much. What does Chuck know about me? That's the real question.
GF: Speaking of books, what are your top five favorite novels, and graphic novels?
EB: I'm not much for top lists. I like a ton of novels. If I had to choose, I'd say that Steve Erickson's Arc D'x is one of my favorite novels, as is Ross Macdonald's The Goodbye Look, and Milan Kundera's the Joke, and Dan J. Marlowe's The Name of the Game is Death, and David Simon's Homicide, a Year on the Killing Streets. For GNs, I really couldn't pick a top five. Right now I like Scalped a lot, and Casanova, and Powers. I'll read anything by Joe Matt or Chester Brown. Chris Ware's new Rusty Brown story is great. Anything Dan Clowes does is generally great. V for Vendetta and From Hell are both amazing books and not so great movies. I am really fond of the first 30 issues of Love and Rockets. Like I said, it's impossible to narrow it down. I read a lot of comics.
GF: Out of everything you've ever writen, which would you most like to see as a movie?
EB: I have no preference, really. Probably one of the two Criminal books that are out - Coward or Lawless. I'd be happy to have any of my stuff get made, though, and incredibly happy to take the money involved. I always have a few things that are close to happening lately.
GF: Are you still a crazy workaholic?
EB: Only because I have to be. I am really starting to look forward to a few years from now, when I can hopefully slow down a little on the deadline pressure. But I imagine I'll always write, and probably everyday, just not for the length of time I do currently every day.
GF: Are you any good at karaoke? Can you rip into a bad ass rendition of "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown?"
EB: The only time I've done karaoke, I sang a Merle Haggard song. We went to this place here in town a while back, and I was going to sing, but the people there were like professionals or something, and I didn't have the nerve. If only I still got drunk. Still, I heard the best version of Mack the Knife ever. The guy didn't even use the mic, he just staggered around the stage and belted it out.
GF: What kind of music do you like?
EB: I'm a music wimp. I like stuff like CocoRosie, and American Music Club, and Will Oldham. Stuff that I can listen to and write. I like lyrics, too. There's that old theory that if you want to make a tape for someone, the first thing you need to know is which they prefer, the Stones or the Beatles. And while I love Her Satanic Majesty's Request, I'll always pick the Beatles. Which means I like Big Star more than Black Sabbath. And I like Belle and Sebastian much more than the White Stripes. I was a big fan of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. And I loved that Mark Kozelek record where he covered AC/DC. I like a lot of late 60s and early 70s soul and funk, though - Steve Wonder and Marvin Gaye and Funkadelic. What's Goin' On will always be one of the best albums.
GF: Have you had any brushes with the law? Did you hussle and go to juvy?
EB: Yeah, when I was a kid I was a bad bag guy. A drug addict and a thief. I never went to juvie, but I did spent a few days in County lock-up in San Diego in the felony tank. That pretty much scared my shit way straight.
GF: Whats your middle name?
EB: Schleuss. It's my mother's maiden name.
GF: What made you decide to kill Captain America? I actually remember it made newspapers and me and Kareem Black were talking about it, how does that feel? Did feel any guilt for killing an icon like that?
EB: I can't remember anymore. I think it's just the way that the story was going. And really, no one writes an icon, you have to write a character. And killing a character is no big deal, it's just part of the story.
GF: When's the last time you got some ass? Was it good? Are you adventurous when it comes to sex or do you have a patented formula that never fails? I actually got some last night for the first time in a month it was pretty damn amazing, I was in awe because sometimes the best part of sex is just watching it happen to you, do you concur?
EB: I'll just avoid the first part of that, because I don't think my wife would appreciate me talking about that stuff much. But I sometimes think the best part of sex is the moments before it, actually. The desire for it. Not that there's anything bad to be said about the actual fucking part of it, believe me. It's like that old Woody Allen quote about a bad orgasm. I've never heard of one of those - even the worst one I've had was right on the money.
GF: If there was like, a Batman Porno comic with Batman involved in this hardcore threeway with Catwoman and Harley Quinn, how confident would you be about writing it?
EB: Pretty confident.
GF: Would Batman use gadgets or his keen intellect?
EB: I think it would be the ladies in charge there, probably, and I'm sure there'd be plenty of gadgets.
GF: What are fun things to do in Seattle. What are some hot spots that are rad to chill at?
EB: I'm 41 years old, and I write for a living. The last time I left the house at night was to do a ridealong with the cops.
GF: Why were you riding along with the cops?
EB: Research, and because my friend is a cop.
GF: Whats your house like? Is it MTV Cribs worthy? Whats your coolest pocession?
EB: My home is pretty modest, a renovated 1920s bungalow style house. My coolest possession is probably my office. My wife, who can literally do anything if she reads how to in a book (she's like Joe90 or something) completely redid it while I was out of town, building this great wainscoting and a shelf around the wall, and carpet it. She even alphabetized all my books by category. I spend most of my days in here, so it's great that it's like my perfect little hideaway.
GF: Whats the last big thing you've bought?
EB: A new PC computer, probably. Got stuck with Vista, but the computer is about as big as a shoebox and silent and fast, so that's a nice trade-off.
GF: What was it like when you lost your virginity? Was it awkward and weird or was it magical and special?
EB: It was awful and weird, and I lied for months and told my friends I didn't do it, which is the opposite of how you're supposed to be when you're a teenager. I was very naive, though. I also believed that all my guy friends didn't jerk off.
GF: How was losing your V-Card awkward and weird?
EB: I'd rather not get into it. It was just unfun.
GF: Whats your favorite sin?
EB: Honestly, probably sloth. Maybe mixed with a bit of lust, just to keep it interesting. But if I had enough money, I think I'd love to spend a few years lazing about and just enjoying things, and not be so caught up in deadlines and schedules and stuff.
GF: Whats your favorite crime?
EB: RAPE. No, just kidding. As far as writing about them goes, probably drug smuggling or armed robbery.
GF: Whats your favorite Depeche Mode song?
EB: Planet Earth.
GF: Are you a political person? Are you going to vote this year? Who for?
EB: I'm politically aware and actively informed, to my detriment, sometimes. I read a lot of news from all over the world. Yes, I always vote. Informed voting is the foundation of whatever's left of our democracy. Emphasis on informed. I'll vote for Obama or against McCain.
GF: Jellyfish or Giraffe?
EB: Giraffe.
GF: Did you ever feel the urge to join the Navy like your dad, or some other branch of the armed forces?
EB: No. I hate taking orders or dealing with authority. And growing up on military bases around other officers families, it doesn't give you the best view of the military and how it's run. These guys had nothing but complaints about the system and the politicians.
GF: How do you feel about that Spiderman story arc "One More Day"?
EB: I don't really have an opinion. I think it was a good idea for the character, overall.
GF: Why not make the Captain America outfit black? Every outfit should be black!
EB: Okay. Sure.
GF: If you were to write a comic book about a famous rapper today, who would it be? Little Weezy?
EB: Who did "rapper's delight?" That guy.
GF: What websites do you regularly visit?
EB: Crooks and Liars, Raw Story, AICNews sometimes, amazon, Boing-Boing, The Comics Reporter, True Crime Diary.
GF: How would you run the government if you were writing a comic book about running the government?
EB: Personally, I'm a liberal, but I think I'd be a fascist or a dictator if I was in charge. I'd mandate a lot of things, outlaw a bunch of stuff that irritates me.
GF: Have you ever witnessed a miracle? What was it?
EB: No. Nothing.


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text: Kalydeco is one of the first drugs that is effective at combating the root causes of a genetic disease. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. hide caption toggle caption Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Shots - Health News Drug Fulfills Promise Of Research Into Cystic Fibrosis Gene January 2, 2013 The success of Kalydeco, a drug to treat cystic fibrosis, has been decades in the making — since the discovery of the gene associated with the disease. The time from gene discovery to successful drug may be shortening, but there are only a handful of drugs like Kalydeco on the market. Drug Fulfills Promise Of Research Into Cystic Fibrosis Gene Listen · 4:24 4:24 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/168353348/168486135" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript


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'Dark Banquet: Blood and The Curious Lives of Blood-feeding Creatures,' by Bill Schutt. Crown. Hardcover.
'Dark Banquet: Blood and The Curious Lives of Blood-feeding Creatures,' by Bill Schutt. Crown. Hardcover.
Biologist Bill Schutt has spent a lot of time tromping through tropical swamps and murky caves, battling voracious flies and mosquitoes in search of a sanguine snack.
But if these nippy tagalongs are a nuisance, they are also part of a grander a quest. Schutt wants to understand some of the planet's most unlovable creatures --- vampire bats, fleas, chiggers, ticks, leeches, bed bugs and others that live off the life-giving substance of blood.
He fearlessly plunges into their benighted world – a world in which humans may loathe them and turn to them for help in almost equal measure.
With captivating illustrations by Patricia J. Wynne, Schutt tells of his findings, in easy-to-follow, narratives sometimes startling and often entertaining, in which a passion for science and knowledge shine through.
Along the way, Schutt introduces the readers to George Washington's physicians, who may well have needlessly bled him into premature death; Rudy Rosenberg, a Holocaust survivor and an advocate of the contemporary of use medicinal leeches, and in remote places in the world, indigenous guides with their own common sense approach to living among parasites.
There are the parasites and those that feed them -- vampire bats that snuggle up to unwitting hens just like cuddly chicks; plucky bed bugs that infest the rich and poor and ignited a political firestorm in New York City, and even a cute-looking finches that get in on the biting, pecking, blood-drinking act.
Throughout is a clear and poignant thread: Life on Earth didn't arise to suit human tastes and comforts, and their right to survive shouldn't depend on whether they endear themselves to us.
Without taking a preachy tone, Schutt reminds readers of the need to negotiate a delicate balance between managing pests that pose public health hazards and setting off a chain reaction of destruction that can come full circle.
It's not exactly what you'd call a love story – but it is a call to tread lightly where even the blood drinkers give something back that can't be replaced easily if they disappear.
Margaret Smith is Arts and Calendar editor at GateHouse Media New England's Northwest Unit. E-mail her at email@example.com.


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Some snowboarders got lost in the alps. The guy with the iPhone, Jason Tavaria, used the phone's GPS to aid his rescue. Tragically, his friend did not make it.
Rescuers found the second lost person's body at the bottom of a +60 foot fall next to a stream. The lost snowboarders' friends kept in touch via twitter. It appears that while these skiers and snowboarders went off piste, none of them carried any sort of radio or satellite personal locator beacons, like the moderately priced SPOT. I mean, if you're in the back country, chances are your mobile reception isn't so great. The guy with the iPhone got off lucky being pretty close to a resort. Although the GPS function in any phone would work well in an open area to get someone reoriented. Either way, be safe during these storms, friends. [Scotsman, thisislondon]


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Time to stuff the ballot box again! MarketingSherpa is once again out to find the best marketing blogs across a range of categories, based on reader votes. The nominating "primaries" are over, and it's time for the blog-reading public to select the winners.
No speeches, no (terribly) controversial positions, no fundraising (thankfully), just your chance to acknowledge your favorite marketing blogs.
So here's my "voter guide" to the MarketingSherpa slate of candidates, but like any vote, it's your call. Let you voice be heard! Vote for your favorites today.
Best Email Marketing Blog nominees
I'm partial to Janine Popick so I'd vote for the VerticalResponse blog. But as with every category and entrant here, there are no bad choices!
Best B2B Marketing Blog nominees
Um, Webbiquity, of course!
Best E-Commerce Blog nominees
Ooh, tough call—both really solid choices.
Best Inbound Blog nominees
Okay, now this just isn't right; this is arguably the most difficult vote of the bunch. Both of these are outstanding inbound marketing blogs. HubSpot needs no introduction, and features remarkable bloggers like Laura Fitton, Peter Caputa and Rebecca Corliss.
Kuno is a real contender in this race though, featuring thought leaders like John McTigue, Chad Pollitt and Duce Knipper (okay, Duce isn't really big on thought leadership, but he's cool anyway). I like Kuno as the "underdog," but wow, you've got to go with your gut on this one.
Best Copywriting Blog nominees
Lightning & the Lighting Bug—going with the underdog again.
Best PPC (pay-per-click advertising) Blog nominees
This is a question, seriously? No disrespect to the contenders, but PPC Hero is the standout choice here.
Best SEO (search engine optimization) Blog nominees
inBlurbs. This is a real David vs. Goliath matchup, and I'm pulling for David.
Best Marketing Strategy Blog nominees
No pick here, but no bad choice.
Best Social Media Marketing Blog nominees
I liked the VerticalResponse blog in the email marketing category above, but for social media? No question, the Blue Focus Marketing blog hands-down. Cheryl Burgess and Mark Burgess are a must-read for social media marketing and branding strategy.
Best Viral Marketing Blog nominees
I have to go with Jeff Bullas on this. He's a perpetual font of knowledge.
Marketing Operations Blog nominees
Another tough pick; I'll go with Chief Marketing Technologist as I gave the nod to inBlurbsfor best SEO blog above.
Best Design Blog nominees
Both very solid choices, but for website design, Smashing Magazine is really, really good.
Best Optimization Blog nominees
Flip a coin on this one, once again two excellent choices.
There you have it, my sample ballot. Just food for thought. Now go forth and do your patriotic blogging duty—vote for your favorites before the June 18 deadline!


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Quote:There is a tournament coming up in January here. Although I have only been to five classes I'm going to see if he wants me to compete.
Quote: After a long hiatus I finally got back to it tonight. It was a cardio filled class with lots of randori and ne waza. My left elbow is giving me fits too. I can't hardly pull without writhing in pain.
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Rays enjoying rare visit to historic Wrigley
CHICAGO -- The Tampa Bay Rays have played at Wrigley Field only once prior to this weekend's series.
The previous visit took place during a three-game set from June 3-5, 2003, when the then-Devil Rays lost two out of three to the Cubs. That series also contained the infamous Sammy Sosa corked bat episode, when the Cubs slugger was ejected in the first inning of the June 3 game after cork was discovered in his shattered bat.
Many of Tampa Bay's current players had never set foot inside of historic Wrigley Field prior to Friday afternoon's game. Rays manager Joe Maddon had never even been inside Wrigley before.
"It's very, very cool," Maddon said. "I'm excited about it. I've never been here before. First time. I've ridden my bike around here in the past. I watched it on television growing up. It's my 20th year in the Major Leagues and it's my first visit here. I love it. It is the essence of baseball. You talk about Fenway, and what that's all about. The way this is more of a neighborhood setting than Fenway, it's uniquely cool. So it's pretty impressive."
Brandon Guyer, who came to the Rays in the Jan. 8, 2011, trade that sent Matt Garza to the Cubs, noted that it was exciting being back at Wrigley, though he'd never played in a Major League game at the park.
"I actually played a game here at [Class A] when [Ryne] Sandberg was our manager," Guyer said. "So I've actually had the luxury of playing here before. After that game, that gave me the taste, like, 'Oh, man, I can't wait to be here.' So it's cool to be back, even if it's on the visiting side. Such a historical stadium."
Guyer played for Peoria in 2008 against the Kane County Cougars, who are now a Cubs affiliate. Back then, Kane County was an affiliate of the A's. Guyer remembered doing well during the game.
"First pitch, I hit a home run," Guyer said. "I was like 3-for-4, I had a pretty good game. So it was fun. I wanted to be here after that game. It was a night game. Sold-out crowd. So it was pretty cool to experience that and see what they're all about here. For a Minor League game to be a sold-out crowd, [that] just shows what their fans are like."


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Professor and Director of the Coral Reef Research Unit, University of Essex
Coral reefs are under serious threat. How can we help protect them and still benefit from their rich resources?
Dr. David Smith leads Earthwatch in the Seychelles in researching coral reefs to learn how to protect them from overuse and climate change.
"There are many different reasons why coral reefs are important," Dr. Smith said in a 2012 interview. "One of the most obvious ones is the number of people they support - an estimated half a billion. That number is expected to double in the next fifty years to a billion. And these are not overinflated estimates. At the same time as that billion is reached, the amount of reef available is expected to halve because of current impacts: overexploitation, the potential consequences of climate change. It doesn't take a mathematician to realize that we are reaching a very pivotal point, that if we don't do something about it - actively manage the system, start to understand how we can mitigate some of the impacts of climate change, find alternative incomes and food security for the billion people - then, quite easily, the reefs could disappear as we know them."
"I went to a college in London which had a tradition of running expeditions, and I ran an expedition out to Belize, living on an island for 10 weeks. The whole experience of living on a coral island and diving three or four times a day, that life experience, just completely changed what I wanted to do for a living. Before that, I wanted to study marine biology but I wasn't really sure where my career was going."
Dr. Smith leads an Earthwatch Expedition in the Seychelles, where he researches coral reefs to learn how to protect them from overuse and climate change.
Dr. David Smith took part in a coral island diving expedition, when he was a student, which proved to be a life changing experience and shaped his career choices. His marine biology research looks into active ways of managing reefs and achieving policy changes in order to protect our endangered coral reefs.
Digital photography and underwater video are used to monitor reef health.


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RNC spotlight shines on Tampa
TAMPA, Fla. -- In a twist of irony, many visitors to August's Republican National Convention will travel between their hotels and the downtown event on a busy road named to honor President John F. Kennedy, a Democrat.
Kennedy Boulevard, a gateway to downtown from the west, was so named in 1964 partially because of a special connection between Tampa and the 35th president. Kennedy had waved to massive crowds lining that road from an open-topped Lincoln Continental on Nov. 18, 1963. The next time he rode in that car, four days later in a motorcade through downtown Dallas, he would be shot to death.
A statue of JFK now stands at the present site of the University of Tampa, looking out over his eponymous thoroughfare.
The Tampa-JFK connection is just part of Florida's rich presidential history. It includes Andrew Jackson's role as Florida's first territorial governor in Pensacola, Harry S. Truman's "Little White House" in Key West -- the winter quarters hosted a total of total of six presidents -- and the famous compound kept by the Kennedy family at Palm Beach. After Kennedy became president, a secret bunker was installed in an island off the coast in case of a nuclear attack.
There's more in Tampa, too. A stone's throw away from Kennedy's statue is a grand structure topped with curiously ornate minarets that was once called the Tampa Bay Hotel. Built by railroad magnate Henry Plant, it was there that then-Col. Teddy Roosevelt and members of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry -- better known as the Rough Riders -- bivouacked in 1898, before shipping out for Cuba and the Spanish-American War. Today, the building houses a museum and is a centerpiece of the stately downtown University of Tampa campus.
In more modern history, as the Tampa Bay area grew up and Florida became a critical swing state, visits by sitting presidents have become relatively common, and Tampa has become a required campaign-trail stop for any candidate who hopes to win over the many swing voters here.
For visitors to the Aug. 27-30 convention, there is plenty more to take in.
Tampa's former Latin Quarter, Ybor City, adjacent to downtown, was for the first half of the last century the cigar manufacturing capital of the world, with more than 200 factories once lining the narrow streets. That heritage is celebrated here, and still alive in the cigar shops mixed in among the bars and restaurants in what is now a bustling entertainment district. In the so-called "Cigar City," aficionados can put fire to a fine stogie rolled minutes before right in the window of one those Ybor City shops.
Don't fancy a cigar? Then how about a Cuban sandwich? That's the other product virtually synonymous with Tampa and is similarly interwoven into its history.
A staple of the early immigrant communities in Ybor City, the sandwich of ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on pressed Cuban bread remains a Tampa favorite, with many restaurants and sandwich shops claiming to have the best or most authentic version. (Like pizza, Cuban sandwiches are hardly ever bad, regardless of who makes them.)
The area is expected to benefit directly from the convention to the tune of around $175 million, according to the host committee, and down the road attract potential visitors from among the millions of people watching it on TV around the world. The event will attract three times more media members than the Super Bowl, which Tampa has hosted four times.
"It's coverage that you can't buy," said Travis Claytor, spokesman for the area's tourism bureau. "Every time they do a cutaway shot of the skyline of downtown Tampa or the Tampa Bay Times Forum, or show beauty shots of the beaches and the attractions, that's promoting the destination like we've never been able to promote it before. This is an opportunity that has never come along before, and it's priceless, to be honest with you."
Tampa will be the focus for convention visitors, of course, with its big-city skyline, world-class aquarium, Busch Gardens theme park, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and the riverfront arena where all the convention floor action will take place. But the area is what it is -- cool and cosmopolitan enough to attract Super Bowls, NCAA Final Four tournaments and now, a political convention -- because of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the rest of what is collectively known as "Tampa Bay."
Visitors will do themselves a disservice if they don't cross the bay and check out St. Petersburg's stunning waterfront downtown area, as well as the youthful vibe of Clearwater Beach. Some of the best white-sand beaches anywhere are close by, too. Two of them -- Fort DeSoto Park and Caladesi Island -- have topped the list from Stephen P. Leatherman, a Florida International University professor dubbed "Dr. Beach" for his annual rankings of the nation's best coastlines.
Just north of Clearwater is Tarpon Springs, a small town established by Greek immigrant sponge divers in the early 20th century whose descendants have worked hard to maintain the distinct Mediterranean flavor. The sponge docks now cater to tourists with a string of wonderful Greek restaurants, bakeries and gift shops.
"It was presented (to the RNC) as a complete area and all we have to offer," said convention host committee spokeswoman Aileen Rodriguez. "The community really came together to put the bid together and get it in. Now we're excited about showcasing the whole area to the guests who are coming into Tampa Bay."
Delegates and other visitors will be utilizing hotels on both sides of the bay, with a network of as many as 400 buses will shuttle them to and from the Tampa Bay Times forum for the four nights of the convention.


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Poor shooting, turnovers, and some untimely bad bounces led to Lipscomb's first conference loss of the season Monday night against Stetson in DeLand Fla. at the Edmunds Center.
The Bisons gave up 57 points in the second half and fell to the Hatters 76-66.
With the loss the Bisons fell to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in the Atlantic Sun. Stetson improved to 4-9 overall and 2-1 in the A-Sun.
Monday night's loss marked the first time this season the Bisons were defeated by a team that was either not ranked or not from a power conference. Lipscomb head coach Scott Sanderson said this one hurt more because it was a league game.
"There are no free games in this league," Sanderson said. "That loss stung. There's no way around it. That loss stung. It stung our staff, and it stung our players."
It took over eight minutes for Lipscomb to connect on their first field goal. Bisons center Adnan Hodzic finally broke the draught with a layup at the 11:24 mark of the first half. Lipscomb only hit seven shots from the field in the first 20 minutes and went 1-of-11 from the three-point line.
"The first nine or ten shots we got were great looks at the basket," Sanderson said. "We just didn't make them. Thank goodness we defended in the first half and did a decent job to hold them to 25 percent or we would have been further behind.
"To give up 57 points in the second half and for them to out rebound us by seven, and we turned the ball over 17 times against the zone, that's the hard thing to stomach."
At halftime Lipscomb trailed 19-18. This marked the fewest points the Bisons have scored in a first half since scoring 18 points against Nebraska on Dec. 22, 2003.
"We didn't shoot it very well," Sanderson said. "They did a good job of keeping it out of the middle and if we don't shoot it well then we are going to struggle a little bit. They did a good job, especially in the first half of keeping it out of Adnan's hands. We did a little bit better job getting it to him in the second half."
The Bisons built some momentum at the start of the second half as they went on a 10-3 run to take a 28-22 lead. The Hatters countered with a 13-0 run of their own and took a seven point lead. During that span, Stetson guard Corey Walden scored 12 points. Walden finished the game with 23 points to lead all scorers.
With eight minutes remaining in the second half, the Hatters led the Bisons 48-41. A 10-2 Lipscomb run allowed the Bisons to regain the lead with five minutes remaining. Less than a minute later, Stetson guard Luis Jacobo drained a three pointer to give the Hatters back the lead and the Bisons never led after that.
Hodzic paced the Bisons with 20 points, extending his double-figure scoring streak to 69 games. Lipscomb senior guard Josh Slater also protected his double-figure scoring streak with a 12 point outing. Slater has now scored 10 or more points in 31 straight games. Bisons junior Jordan Burgason went 4-of-11 from behind the arc and finished with 12 points. Senior Michael Teller also added 11 points.
As a team, the Bisons went 22-of-56 from the field (39 percent) and made 8-of-30 three pointers (27 percent). At the free-throw line the Bisons went 14-for-20 (70 percent).
Defensively, the Bisons held the Hatters to 38 percent shooting from the field and 28 percent from the three-point line. Stetson finished 25-of-32 from the free throw line (78 percent).
The Bisons next action comes Wednesday night at Florida Gulf Coast. Tipoff is at 6:30 central. Jonathan and Benjamin Seamon will be on the call beginning at 6:10 on the Lipscomb Sports Network.


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Last week Raven gave media and dealers the very first look at a planter capable of switching seed hybrids on-the-go to match soil conditions. Raven says it is the first planter that can do this.
The multi-hybrid planter control system is built as an enhancement to Raven's OmniRow planter control system that allows for variable rate seeding.
Raven worked with SDSU to set up the system on a Monosem twin-row planter. Researchers wanted the system to use in field trials that looked at the yield advantage of switching hybrids in the row on the go based on ground conditions.
Raven says the new planter is two planters in one. It has one toolbar but multiple seed bins and planter controllers. The row units on the Monosem twin-row planter are designed to plant seed in paired rows that are spaced closely together. The row units are staggered to provide the working room needed to plant two rows closely together. With this modified system, the staggered row units are used to plant two different hybrids in one conjoining row. In this case, the front row holds one type of hybrid and the back row holds a different hybrid.
Minimal physical changes were made to the planter itself. What's different is how the planter is used. The front six rows plant one type of hybrid. The back six rows plant a different type. So, essentially, one planter is working as two planters. Both rows function independently to plant a different hybrid, and, at a different rate.
What Raven brought is the software and components that make it capable of planting two different hybrids in one row. The software lets you switch from hybrid a to hybrid b automatically via a prescription map or manually through the user interface in the cab. Since it is part of the OmniRow planter control system, seeding rates within each row can be varied, too.
The planter is programmed to switch hybrids when field conditions change to maximize yield potential. For example, in sandy or lighter soils or dryer parts of the field you could use a drought-resistant hybrid that requires less water to survive. Or, in areas infested with pests, you could switch to a hybrid designed to resist certain weeds, insects or diseases. All of those conditions can be programmed into the software using prescription mapping.
The guidance line on the steering system is set up to run between each pair of rows. When it is time to switch hybrids, the tractor veers to the right or to the left to plant the desired hybrid in one straight row. Straight rows make the crop easier to harvest. It takes only a few feet for the set up to transition to the next hybrid.
Each row unit is equipped with a hydraulic motor, which controls which hybrid is released. Sensors on the row unit monitor shaft speed and seed delivery.
Two black boxes on the planter are the brawn of the system. They drive the motors on the row units that control product application. These boxes or modules are the same ones used to control the standard OmniRow system. What's different are the output cables that run underneath each module. New cables have been added to allow for the new multi-hybrid capability.
The software runs on Raven's Envizio pro computer. All data and commands reside there. When it is time to harvest the crop, all the operator has to do is move the display from the tractor to the combine cab. All data transfers with display.
The new OmniRow Multi-Hybrid system will be available for the 2014 planting season. It can be installed on twin-row or interplant planter toolbars with minimal changes. Raven recommends working with certified dealer for installation. Contact Raven for a list of names.
The new Viper 4 field computer, also just launched, will eventually be able to run the software once a new module is added to the platform.
For more information, visit ravenprecision.com or call 1-800/243-5435.
PLUS: New tablet-size field computer and variable corn hybrid controller from Raven


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ALASTAIR COOK bowed to what seemed the inevitable on Monday this week when he stood down as England's Test match captain after 59 games in charge.
His captaincy divided opinion throughout, with many critics often bemoaning his cautious style out in the field, with others quick to praise his ability to lead from the front with the bat, Cook averaging just over 46 while in charge.
Yorkshire's Joe Root seems the heir apparent, although it is possible that others currently in the England squad may also fancy their chances of stepping up.
The YP's Chris Waters joins host Phil Harrison to look back on Cook's time as captain as well as discussing the best way forward for the England heirarchy with an Ashes Test series Down Under less than 12 months away.
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Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
New shots for Pro Evo 2010 show Barcelona vs Liverpool
Konami has released some in-game screenshots for Pro Evo 2010. Kotaku has 'em posted, and you will see the new card strategy system, the improved player models, and Barcelona vs Liverpool. The game is slated for UK October 30 and the states for November 6 according to Play UK and GameStop respectively. It's to be […]
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 headlines
PES 09 to get transfer update this month
Konami's to update Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 at the end of February with all the latest transfer information, the company's confirmed. All versions will get the data, to bring all club sides' rosters in line with all the moves and transfers made before the end of the January 2009 transfer window. It literally does not […]
PES 2009 bundle announced for Europe
According to this Kotaku piece, Microsoft's announced a PES 2009 bundle for Europe, to release on October 24. The pack will retail for £190/€270 and includes 60GB Pro, a single controller and a copy of the game. Bargain. More through the link.
PES 2009 cut to £27 at Asda
According to this MCV story, UK retailer ASDA has cut the price of both 360 and PS3 versions of PES 2009 to £27. The supermarket chain is also giving copies of the PS3 version away with every PlayStation 3 console bought. Bargain. More details on UK price-cutting through the link.
PES 09 Wii movie and screens look amazing
Konami's put out new shots and video of the Wii version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, and it looks pretty bloody good. The cut-scene graphics are a tad overboard, especially when you're used to looking at Animal Crossing. Which we are. Take a look. It's out next year.
PES 09 demo now on Live
According to the Major, the PES 09 demo is now up on Live. If you haven't already had a waz on the PS3 version, which also went live today, you know what to do. So do it.
PES09 PC demo released
Get it now from Gamershell. It's a 1.06Gb download, which is probably a small price to pay. Blurb: Players are able to select fully licensed Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Barcelona club teams, or the licensed Italian or French national sides. All new visuals with completely remodeled players and animations, and new physics routines […]
PES 09 demo for October 2
Konami's just confirmed that the Pro Evolution Soccer demo will go live for PS3, 360 and PC on October 2. The game itself is shipping for all formats on October 17. The demo will include "a full five-minute Exhibition multiplayer match," with players able to select Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Barcelona club teams, […]
Spanish mag gives PES 09 92%
Spanish magazine Hobby Consolas has published what appears to be the first PES 09 review, and the score's 92 percent. Despite the mark, however, the review says the series still hasn't found its current gen "sweet spot," and "The game engine is stuck on last year's, with improvements." Get more on WinningElevenBlog.
PES 09 Champions League video released
After the break. This is in light of the fact Konami's just announced a four-year deal with the competion. It's clearly "soccer day" today: the FIFA 09 demo's been released this morning as well. PES 09's out in October.
PES gets four-year Champions League deal
Konami's announced the signing of a four-year Champions League deal for Pro Evolution Soccer. "This deal showcases our commitment to taking PES 2009 forward in terms of licences and realism," said Konami Europe boss Kunio Neo. "The UEFA Champions League is the jewel in the club competition crown, and is just one of many innovations […]
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 gets release date
Konami has announced that PES09 will be released on October 15 in Europe and during November in Japan. The game will be out on October 17 in the UK. Pre-order. Quick. There's only six weeks to go. Also, a playable demo will be available on Live and PSN on September 11, which is the exact […]
PES 09 trailer released
After the break. We're going to keep this brief, because we've got a stupid amount to get through. Take a look.
GC08: Pro Evo 09 out October, "Become a Legend" mode announced
Konami has just announced Games Convention that the next installment of its smash hit series, Pro Evolution Soccer will be available in October. The game has been completely revamped: player models, crowd, and uniforms all have been given a make-over. There is also a new "Become a Legend" mode. This game type enables you to […]
Become a Legend mode unveiled for PES 09
Konami's put out a beast of a press release on PES 09 today, detailing a Become a Legend mode, billed as the biggest addition to the game this year. 'Become a Legend' solo mode… casts the user as a midfielder or striker within a match. Using a default vertical camera view, the player starts as […]
PES 2009 launches in US on November 12
According to this Winning Eleven blog post, PES 2009 will release on the US on November 12. Apparently a "close friend" of the site got this nugget "hot off the press." There's been no official announcement. No date's been given for Europe as yet, but it's Games Convention later this month so you might get […]
Pro Evo 09 confirmed for Wii
Update: Just asked Konami about this and we were told that until it's announced for Europe, there'll be no comment. As if it wasn't going to happen. The game's listed for Wii on Konami Japan's site, as you can see on GoNintendo. If you recall, Wii wasn't included as a platform in the game's formal […]
Rumour: First PES 09 menu shots posted
Not sure if these are the real deal, but they look as though they might be. CNG4U's posted what are apparently the first screens of PES 09. They're only menu shots, but you know what the game itself's going to look like, right? Have a swiz.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 latest
GC08: Pro Evo 09 out October, "Become a Legend" mode announced


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Camp: Notes on Fashion
- Camp: Notes on Fashion$50.00$50.00
In her essay "Notes on 'Camp,' " Susan Sontag wrote that "art is often decorative art, emphasizing texture, sensuous surface, and style." Inspired by her ideas, The Met Store's exclusive selection of products for The Costume Institute's exhibition "Camp: Notes on Fashion" features statement pieces, playful looks, layered cultural references, and more of the creativity and sensory richness that makes camp such an influential point of view.


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MLB trade rumors: Gallardo popular, but will Brewers move him?
Yovani Gallardo can become a baseball household name over the next five weeks, certainly more of one than he has been as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers' rotation.
Once considered a future ace, the 27-year-old right-hander is still a front-line-type starter when he is right and he's the best the Brewers have right now. Two things will make him an attractive commodity as the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline nears:
1. He again looks like the pitcher who was an All-Star in 2010 and finished seventh in the Cy Young Award voting in 2011.
2. He's affordable. He'll make $11.25 million next season, and he has a $13 million team option for 2015 with a $600,000 buyout. By the time the deadline rolls around, Gallardo will be owed about $2.6 million this season.
The fact that he can be more than a two-month rental already has scouts flocking to his starts. His no-trade clause, which once covered all teams, has been reduced to 10 teams this season per his contract.
"That Yovani is not a free agent like guys like (Zack) Greinke or Anibal Sanchez last year, he has more value than just two months of a rental,†Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said, "so the package from another team has to be something that will wow me.â€
The Brewers are 12 games below .500, 15 games out of first place in the NL Central and 12 1/2 out of a wild-card spot. Crazier things have happened, but the Brewers aren't counting on coming back even though they made a run last season after dealing Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels.
"This year we just aren't healthy to expect something like that,†said Melvin, who normally is mum on his deadline plans but has taken a realistic approach this year.
Just because the Brewers "will definitely not be buyers†at the deadline doesn't necessarily mean they plan to make trades or rebuild. Assuming they don't find a taker for third baseman Aramis Ramirez ($16 million next season, $15 million mutual option with a $4 million buyout for 2015) and they keep right-hander Kyle Lohse, their most consistent starter this season, the plan is to regroup and contend in 2014. If that is the case, there won't be a complete teardown and Gallardo will still be seen as a rotation anchor.
It's unlikely Melvin will hold a fire sale, but it is a possibility. First baseman/outfielder Corey Hart is a potential free agent, Ramirez and Lohse could be lost in trades—the Brewers negotiated hard over a no-trade clause with Lohse for this exact reason—and there is the lingering possibility that Ryan Braun will be suspended for much of next season. That would lead the Brewers to be non-contenders again in 2014 and could make them more likely to move Gallardo.
After posting an ugly 5.25 ERA and just five quality stats through his first 13 outings this year, Gallardo has not allowed an earned run in his next three starts covering 21 innings. Then again, two of those starts came against the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros, and his next start will be against the Chicago Cubs. Still, the bounce-back is promising, especially his six shutout innings in Cincinnati vs. the Reds on June 15.
"I can see him being the guy who becomes red-hot in a few weeks (on the trade market),†a major league scout from a National League team told Sporting News. "His stuff is still good but it's clear now he probably won't ever be a real top-of-the-rotation guy, but he's a good No. 2 or a really good third. I don't know what the Brewers' plans are with him, but he's already a guy teams are charting.â€
Some red flags about Gallardo: His velocity and swing-and-miss numbers are down, and there are off-field concerns. He was robbed at gunpoint after a night out in 2010 and was arrested last April for driving under the influence of alcohol.
When he's a buyer, Melvin wants to strike early, as he did in 2008 when he acquired CC Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians more than three weeks before the deadline. As a seller, Melvin is more apt to wait out the market when it's possible more suitors will be in play. That is especially true in the current playoff landscape where a second wild-card spot gives more teams a reason to buy rather than scrap their seasons.
"Striking early is the buyer's responsibility,†Melvin said. "At the end of July there are new teams than there are now because a team gets back in it and they feel good and might feel they are one piece away. Two weeks ago everyone was ready to say the Blue Jays were done and now they are back in it.â€
Possible suitors for Gallardo, in no particular order:
Baltimore Orioles. They are on his no-trade list, but Gallardo obviously could waive that.
San Francisco Giants. Only Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner are under contract for next season. They have club options for Ryan Vogelsong and Barry Zito.
Cleveland Indians. They need a No. 2 behind Justin Masterson.
Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. Each team needs more weapons to be World Series contenders.
San Diego Padres. They're contenders again, they're looking for an affordable arm, and Gallardo's Mexican heritage could help ticket sales.
Again, the Brewers don't have to move Gallardo or anyone else if they believe they can contend next season. For now, the team is in a holding pattern and weighing whether their window extends into next season or if they are looking a few years down the road.
"For us to win games moving forward, Yovani should be a part of that, but some teams get in pennant races and need that one guy to get them over the hump,†Melvin said. "It's not a slam dunk that I'm going to trade Yovani or Lohse, but you never know. There's a lot we have to consider about our club right now.
"While I wouldn't say we're 'selling,' there are players I would move, players we have available that could help other teams.â€
Recent trades and free-agent signings have depleted Milwaukee's once-rich farm system and brought the payroll (now about $83 million) to a level owner Mark Attanasio would like to lower. Trading veterans for prospects, while likely ensuring the team won't contend next year, would replenish the system and lower the payroll.
Beyond Gallardo, the Brewers also have relief pitching to offer, namely John Axford and Francisco Rodriguez. Rodriguez was a mid-July acquisition in 2011, and his effectiveness in setting up Axford helped push the team to the NLCS that year.
Axford will be arbitration-eligible next season and Rodriguez will be a free agent after this season. Both have gotten hot at the right time: Axford has not allowed a run in his last 17 1/3 innings, while K-Rod has allowed one in 15 1/3 since his season debut on May 16.
"Those guys were untouchable in 2011 and they might be pitching better right now,†Melvin said, taking an opportunity to hype his commodities. "Bullpens are as important as anything at the deadline.â€
Stock rising
Matt Garza is healthy again, which means he's not long for the Chicago Cubs' rotation. He can be a difference maker for a contending team, as he showed a couple years back with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Garza has allowed one run over his last two starts (15 innings), but as with Gallardo, that work has come against weak lineups—the New York Mets and the Astros. That doesn't matter, because if Garza stays healthy he'll be a top target for plenty of teams.
Be careful with …
… Oliver Perez, because … it's Oliver Perez, for goodness sake. His popular stats are nice—an 0.98 ERA in 27 2/3 innings, 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings—and, as has been noted all season, he's throwing hard again (his fastball averages about 93 mph). He also has the best strand rate in the majors at 99.4 percent.
As important, this is the second consecutive season he's thrown well out of the Seattle Mariners' bullpen, and he'll make less than $330,000 for the final two months.
There is a "but†here, of course. Perez's WHIP is 1.27 because he is allowing 4.6 walks per nine, and his 49.2 fly-ball percentage is among the highest in the majors for relievers, which could be disastrous in a smaller park. Not only that, but that strand rate is probably not sustainable over his next 30 innings.
An important week for …
… Jesse Crain. The Chicago White Sox right-hander has arguably been the best reliever in the majors this season, but manager Robin Ventura is swiping him like an American Express Black card. Crain is tied for fourth in the American League with 36 relief appearances. It probably is hard for Ventura to resist, given Crain's 0.52 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 11.8 Ks per nine.
Crain, who can be a free agent after this season, allowed three unearned runs Sunday, ending a streak of 29 consecutive scoreless innings. Sunday's performance might have been a sign of fatigue, considering Crain threw 105 pitches over a seven-day span, including 29 and 30 pitches on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
If Ventura keeps running Crain out to the mound at that rate, scouts will be watching how he responds.


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Summer Of Arcade
XBLA Summer of Arcade 2012 sales figures are disappointing
Microsoft's Xbox Live Summer of Arcade season has yielded low sales figures for 2012, a new report suggests.
Summer Of Arcade headlines
Summer of Arcade dated, priced
Microsoft has provided dates for its Summer of Arcade incentive which includes titles such as: Wreckateer, Deadlight,Hybrid, and Dust: An Elysian Tail. Get the details below.
Xbox 360 Summer of Arcade line up announced
Microsoft has announced its Summer of Arcade line up. It's below.
Gnox shown off in new Crimson Alliance trailer
Game Informer's posted a new trailer of Crimson Alliance, the Certain Affinity action-RPG you'll be getting free if you buy every Summer of Arcade title on XBLA. The movie shows off Gnox, a warrior character given to running poker games and hitting stuff with a big stick. As you do. This looks very much influenced […]
Ms. Splosion Man, 40k: Kill Team go live on XBLA
Nelson's confirmed that Twisted Pixel's Ms. Splosion Man and THQ's Warhammer 40k: Kill Team are now live on Xbox Live Arcade as part of the Summer of Arcade offering. Ms. Splosion Man will set you back 800 MS points, while Kill Team – the last game to be made by THQ Warrington before its closure […]
Microsoft: House Party-like events for PC will come "eventually"
Microsoft exec Kevin Unangst has said that events like Summer of Arcade and the recent House Party for Xbox Live Arcade will eventually come to PC.
MS: DotW, GoD announced for July/August
Microsoft has published its Deals of the Week and Games on Demand schedule for July 20 – August 2, which includes a mark-down on DLC for Borderlands.
Destination Arcade moved to next week, app for summer only
Microsoft has announced via The Major's blog Destination Arcade's release has been moved to next Wednesday, instead of tomorrow, in order to coincide with the Summer of Arcade's launch.
Xbox 360: Deals of the Week, Summer of Arcade titles dated
Microsoft has not only announced its Deals of the Week for Xbox Live, but it has also issued a list of release dates and pricing for its Summer of Arcade promotion.
MS: Summer of Arcade sales explode 200%
Microsoft has revealed that its Summer of Arcade promotion for Xbox Live saw a 200 percent surge in revenue over last year, partly thanks to raising the average price of the games included in the promotion. According to the press release posted below, Trials HD and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 performed so well in each […]
Summer of Arcade promotion bringing new XBL titles to the service
Following its megaton event at E3 this afternoon, Microsoft has announced that some new Xbox Live Arcade titles will launch this summer. The Summer of Arcade promotion includes Trials HD, Splosion Man, Monkey Island: Special Edition, TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled and Marvel Vs Capcom 2, with more to be announced. Exact dates where not […]
Summer Of Arcade latest
Microsoft: House Party-like events for PC will come "eventually"
Summer of Arcade promotion bringing new XBL titles to the service


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Sabres founder Swados dies
Buffalo, NY – Robert O. Swados, one of the principals involved in bringing NHL hockey to Buffalo, passed away on Friday. He was 93 years old.
"Bob Swados was one of the founding members of the Buffalo Sabres ownership group 42 years ago. He was an integral part of the Knox brothers' successful acquisition of the franchise and was an important member of the front office for over 30 years," said current Sabres owner Terry Pegula in a statement. "He was still involved with the organization, serving as the president of the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Swados family."
Swados, along with the Knox Brothers -- Seymour and Northrup -- saw his efforts rewarded when the Sabres were admitted as an expansion team for the 1970-71 season.
The Buffalo native was involved with nearly every level of the franchise for its entire history, and at the time of his passing, served as chairman of the club's Hall of Fame Committee.
According to the Buffalo News, Swados also acted as secretary to the NHL's board of governors and of the league's special counsel for nearly two decades.