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Used Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens - Canon Fit
This product is no longer available or has been replaced by a newer model.
Very little signs of use with no more than a few cosmetic marks on the screen, base or rubbers. Lenses may show some light wear.
Lens shows very little signs of use, lens shows very few cosmetic marks and scratches including use to mount and light use to grips.
The optics of the lens show light dust throughout although this will not affect images in any way.
Lens is supplied with the box, hood, pouch, manual and front and rear grips.
Lens shows very little signs of use, lens shows very few cosmetic marks and scratches including use to mount and light use to grips.
The optics of the lens show light dust throughout although this will not affect images in any way.
Lens is supplied with the box, hood, pouch, manual and front and rear grips.
The super wide-angle capability of the Sigma 10-20mm zoom makes it a very powerful tool for both indoor and landscape photography. The Sigma 10-20 is designed with digital photography in mind, and is tailored to achieve outstanding results with cameras which have an APS-C sized or smaller image sensor. Aspherical lenses correct for distortion and aberration, which ensures top-quality images from ...Back to top
The Key Features
Super wide-angle zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras
This ultra-wide zoom lens has a wide angle of view from 102.4 - 63.8 degrees (when Sigma mount is used) and it is exclusive to digital SLR cameras. SLD glass elements effectively compensate color aberration. Aspherical lenses provide maximum correction for distortion and various aberrations; high image quality is displayed throughout the entire zoom range. The HSM equipped models makes fast AF speeds and quiet shooting a reality, and it is also capable of full-time manual focus. It has a minimum focusing distance of 24cm (9.4") at all focal lengths. It is also equipped with an integral Petal-type hood to block out extraneous light.
Ultra-wide zoom lens
10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens allows enjoyment of super wide-angle photography and it is a very powerful tool for indoor shooting and landscape photography with APS-C size image sensors of digital SLR cameras. Wide angle of view 102.4-63.8 degrees (for Sigma mount) offers the photographer greater freedom of expression.
Sigma's DC lenses are designed for cameras with a cropped sensor. Do not put a Sigma DC lens on a camera with a full-frame sensor, such as the 5D Mark III. These are special lenses designed so that the image circle matches the smaller size of the image sensor of most digital SLR cameras. Their specialised design gives these lenses the ideal properties for digital cameras, the compact and lightweight construction is an added bonus.
HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor)
This lens uses a motor driven by ultrasonic waves to provide a quiet, high speed AF.
The exterior of this lens is EX-finished to denote the superior build and optical quality, and to enhance its appearance.
See our full Lens Glossary here
Sigma 10-20mm Sample images
This shot was taken at a beach in Cyprus with the Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 lens. f/8 / 1/200sec / ISO 100 / focal length 10mm / no flash used / hand held © Katie Dix
This shot was taken in Vatican City, Rome on a Canon 550D. f/8 / 1/200sec / ISO 100 / focal length 10mm / no flash used / hand held © Katie Dix
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Product Specification
|Aperture Blades
|Autofocus Motor
|Enlargement Ratio
|Filter Thread Size (mm)
|Focal Length – Tele (mm)
|Focal Length – Wide (mm)
|Focal Mechanism
|Internal Focusing
|Lens Mount
|Canon EF
|Lens Type
|Wide-Angle Zoom
|Manual Focus Switching
|Maximum Aperture – Tele
|Maximum Aperture – Wide
|Minimum Aperture
|Number of Lens Elements
|Number of Lens Groups
|Sensor Format
|APS-C size
|Size (mm)
|83.5 x 81 mm
|Weight (g)
|MF switch
|Minimum Focus Distance (m)
|Manufacturer Link
1x {{usedProd.DisplayName}}


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Join the Aegis Identity Software team for a strategic overview of Higher Education identity applications, open standards in IAM, and TridentHE Identity Manager. See how TridentHE can help you lower risk, reduce support costs, and total cost of ownership.
Date: Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Time: 11am Pacific, 12 noon Mountain, 1pm Central, 2pm Eastern
Please register below, we'll send a confirmation with webinar information followed by a personal meeting invitation.

subset: commoncrawl


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Author Notes: A vegetarian friend of mine introduced me to spaghetti squash many years ago - but I was unimpressed. Then came the low carb craze and I began experimenting with it again. I saw a ravioli made with a sage and walnut brown butter sauce on a restaurant menu so i I substituted the spaghetti squash for the traditional ravioli and added a bit of pancetta or sometimes bacon if that what I have on hand and one of my favorite quick and easy recipes was born.
Since then Spaghetti Squash with Sage and Walnuts from Urban Italian by Andrew Carmellini and Gwen Hyman has been published. I have taken the cooking times and some of proportions from that recipe. —deoreo
Makes: 4 entree portions
pounds Spaghetti Squash
teaspoons olive oil
Medium Sage Leaves
cup Coarsely Chopped Walnuts
tablespoons Unsalted Butter
Thick slice of Pancetta cut into 1/4" cubes
Salt and Pepper to taste
Freshly Grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- Preheat oven to 400"
- During the last 10 minutes of baking the squash, heat a large frying pan over medium heat and cook pancetta, stirring often so that it is lightly brown and crisp on all sides. Add a bit of olive oil if the pan is too dry. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. Pour accumulated fat from skillet but leave brown bits.
- Scrape a fork across the inside of the squash to form the spaghetti strands.
- Add butter to reserved skillet and melt over medium heat. When it has melted, add walnuts and toast, then add the remaining sage leaves, when they pop a bit and smell heavenly, add the reserved pancetta.
- Add the squash and toss to coat. Top with a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano. *Urban Italian suggests that you serve inside the squash half skins.
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Walnuts & Sage


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New Mexico Century plant is a very cold hardy species with thick succulent silver gray leaves. The attractive foliage is edged with dark burgundy spines. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).
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Tips for Growing Cacti and Succulents
Cacti shipped early in the spring may be dormant. As the weather warms, these cacti will expand and green-up. Remember, after an initial watering to settle the soil around the roots, no further water should be applied until the weather warms up. If plants are dormant and the spring weather is rainy, protect the plants from too much moisture by covering them with a gallon plastic milk container with the bottom cut out. Leave the top off the jug so heat build up isn't excessive in sunny weather.
Soil Preparation
All the species of hardy cacti and succulents require fast-draining soil.
Planting in the ground
Put the plants on a slope or raised area of the garden, not in a low spot which collects water. Select a bed with full sun exposure, preferably next to a south or west facing wall. These areas will provide extra winter warmth. In heavy clay soils, it is essential to replace half or more of the soil from a 10"x 10" or larger hole with coarse sand and gravel mixed thoroughly with the remaining soil to ensure adequate drainage. No compost should be added, only a small handful of Planters II and Yum Yum Mix®.
Planting in an outdoor pot or planter
Use a planting mix of 3 parts garden soil + 2 parts coarse sand + 2 parts coarse perlite (or similar material). When growing plants indoors in pots, use a good quality potting
soil to mix with the sand, and expanded shale instead of garden soil.
Planting Instructions
1. Cacti, agaves, and tap-rooted succulents (Aloinopsis, Titanopsis, Nananthus) should be transplanted bare-root. Let the soil in the pot dry out for a few days. Then remove the pot and gently loosen the soil so it falls away from the roots. Trim off any broken roots. Bare root plants should then be planted into a shallow hole. Spread out the roots evenly and sprinkle the soil into the hole until full. The base of the plant should rest on top of the soil. Mulch with a 1⁄2"-1" thick layer of pea-sized gravel around the base of the plant to protect it from contact with soggy soil over the winter months. (See planting diagram on page 12 of our Planting Guide.)
2. Succulents with fibrous roots (Ruschia, Delosperma, Sedum, and others) need not be transplanted bare-root, instead, the root ball should be scored and roughed out like
other perennials.
1. Bare-root cacti and tap-rooted succulents must not be watered right away, but should sit dry for a day or two to allow the roots to callus over any broken or damaged
areas. Other succulents can be watered in right away. Water thoroughly with a mixture of SeaCom-PGR and Superthrive to stimulate strong new root growth. Water again with this mixture two weeks later.
2. Outdoor beds with new plants should be initially watered once every 5 to 7 days for the first month or so after transplanting. Cacti and succulents enjoy regular watering
during the heat of the summer and will grow vigorously. After the first year, most cacti species need a good soaking only once every 2-4 weeks during the spring and summer if there has been no rain.
3. Potted plants require more frequent, regular watering, especially if the weather is hot and dry.
4. To prepare cacti and succulents for the approach of winter, begin withholding water in the fall so the plants can begin to dehydrate and shrivel. Plump, well watered plants are ripe for cold damage when temperatures plunge in late fall/early winter.
Cacti and succulents are very modest in their fertilizer requirements. When planted in the ground, fertilizing in spring with SeaCom-PGR and Yum Yum Mix® will encourage plentiful flowers and good stem growth. When planted in pots, remember to feed monthly with the same mixture as above, beginning in late summer.
Winter Protection
Garden plants: Many cacti and succulents are quite cold hardy if kept dry in the cold winter and spring months. In areas that receive a lot of winter and spring moisture
(especially rain), it is strongly recommended that plants be protected from cold, wet soil conditions. For example, a temporary cold frame can be constructed using pipe or
PVC hoops covered with a clear plastic sheet to cover the entire bed. Or individual plants can be covered with plastic gallon milk jugs with the bottom cut out to keep
the ground around the plants dry. Leave the top off the jug so heat build up isn't excessive in sunny weather. Problems will occur if plants are in wet soil all winter or
sit under melting snow for extended periods.
Potted plants: Should be moved under a roof overhang on the south or west side of the house or placed in a well ventilated cold frame. Water pots and other containers lightly a few times over the winter during warm spells.
All our cacti, agaves and succulents are seed-grown or cutting-grown in our greenhouses. Cacti and agave plants are 2-4 years old; succulents are 1-2 years old. Please, never collect cacti from the wild unless it's to rescue plants from construction sites. Many species are close to extinction in their native habitats due to irresponsible collectors.
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For radar and communication driven military applications, system designers are under continuous pressure to achieve the aggressive size, weight and power (SWaP) profiles that can help ensure a sustained, strategic battlefield advantage. But achieving higher power and smaller, lighter components using conventional silicon and GaAs-based power transistors is an ever mounting challenge. For these devices, limitations in component power density, breakdown voltage and thermal reliability are introducing increasingly problematic performance constraints, with significant implications for system reliability, ruggedness and functionality to meet new mission objectives.
This problem is impeding the evolution and proliferation of small form factor radar and communication systems optimized for mobile and airborne applications, particularly UAVs. In these domains, parallel advances in radar and sensor fusion innovation are driving greater operational autonomy, situational awareness and responsiveness for remote military personnel, vehicles and aircraft – which are critical advances to sustain strategic battlefield advantage.
Meanwhile, for sea-borne applications, momentum is gathering behind the development of a new generation of more versatile, multifunction radar and communication systems that consolidate large numbers of co-located antenna masts within a single streamlined, multifunction Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) aperture. This naturally reduces system size and complexity while enhancing battlefield performance and versatility.
Meaningful forward progress on these strategic initiatives hinges on the ability to develop and manufacture smaller, wider bandwidth, lighter and functionally more flexible power transistors that promote multifunction integration. What is needed in all of these cases is a new approach to power transistor design and packaging technology that provides greater overall power performance in a smaller form factor with the greatest possible ease of assembly.
Achieving The Promise of GaN
The recent emergence of GaN-based power amplifiers is equipping radar system designers to achieve high-power operation using smaller power transistors while improving efficiency, frequency bandwidth and reliability. These new GaN-driven capabilities are yielding a new generation of more agile, ruggedized radar systems optimized for increasingly demanding performance and multifunction flexibility requirements.
The higher breakdown voltage performance of GaN semiconductor technology allows scaling to a higher operational voltage, which minimizes power loss, reduces power supply demand, allows for wideband impedance matching, enables system designers to use smaller energy storage capacitors and reduces current handling within the power supply system. High breakdown voltage significantly improves ruggedness under load mismatch conditions and allows for greater flexibility in signal wave-forms for multifunction roles. GaN-enabled power efficiency gains improve overall thermal performance, which provides greater flexibility in pulse and CW operational modes.
GaN semiconductor technology has clearly set a new standard in power performance for power transistors targeted at military radar and communication systems. Going forward, it is the implementation of this GaN technology – the packaging and assembly – that will require our focused innovation if we are to unlock the full benefits of GaN.
To date, most vendor approaches to applying GaN to power amplifiers have relied on packaging techniques found in earlier generation ceramic, flange-mount packaged devices like Si LDMOS and Si BJT. By replacing the silicon material in these packages with GaN, improvements in power density and efficiency have been achieved.
But GaN is not Si LDMOS or Si BJT, nor should it be thought of as a mere enhancement of a power semiconductor. GaN on SiC offers the chance to make a complete paradigm shift based on the fact it can dissipate heat better and run hotter more reliably than any other power semiconductor technology to date. The continued reliance on conventional ceramic packaging has not yielded meaningful reductions in component size or weight, or for that matter performance and cost – nor has it taken advantage of advances in commercial, surface-mount packaging technologies. Metal-ceramic based flange mount packages have a number of limitations compared to plastic, surface-mount packages, including larger size, manual assembly, higher cost, more challenging impedance matching and additional board manufacturing.
Benefits of GaN in Plastic Packaging
The landscape of the GaN power transistor market has shifted radically with the introduction of new GaN in plastic power transistors. Ideally suited for high-performance military radar applications, GaN in plastic-based power transistors defy the power, size and weight limitations of competing GaN-based offerings to enable a new generation of high-power, ultra-compact radar systems for use in mobile and/or multifunction battlefield electronics systems.
MACOM has demonstrated the benefits of GaN in plastic packaging technology with new GaN in plastic power transistors that scale up to 100 W – among the industry's highest power levels for this product category. Achieving this level of power performance requires sophisticated thermal dissipation techniques to ensure reliability that's comparable to conventional ceramic-packaged GaN-based offerings.
By optimizing the transistor die layout and using advanced heat sinking and die attachment methods, these GaN in plastic power transistors have demonstrated less than 115°C average junction temperature (80°C base-plate) for a pulsed power output of 93 W, using a 1 mS pulse, 10 percent duty cycle. These performance metrics have been verified using stringent thermal imaging testing methodologies.
These transistors operate at 50 V drain bias resulting in outstanding power density and performance, higher efficiency and smaller impedance matching circuits due to improved device parasitics. The high voltage operation also benefits overall system design with smaller energy storage capacitors and lower current draw.
GaN in plastic-based power transistors are also extremely lightweight compared to ceramic-packaged GaN-based offerings. Combined with significant size reduction in the external application solution and aggregated across the hundreds of power amplifiers within a typical modern military radar system, this can reduce overall system weight considerably. The resulting weight reduction ensures greater ease of movement for mobile radar systems.
The first entries in MACOM's GaN in plastic power transistor product portfolio include 90, 50 and 15 W transistors, all of which are available in standard 3 × 6 mm DFN packaging. The devices can be mounted on PCBs via ground/thermal arrays. Internal stress buffers allow these devices to be reliably operated at up to 200°C channel temperature. All of these transistors are capable of operating at frequencies up to at least 3.5 GHz.
Ease-of-Assembly Evolution
The GaN in plastic approach also allows for ultra-small, fully matched, integrated module solutions. The next evolutionary step is to develop high gain power modules based upon the GaN in plastic power transistors for the L- and S-Band radar markets. These modules can be fully matched with two stages of high gain and are realized using surface-mount technology (SMT) assembly on a compact RF board. The GaN power transistors are assembled using standard reflow techniques and the module can be easily integrated into a radar system front end.
The ability to offer a full SMT solution using GaN combines the best of advanced military power technologies and high volume commercial manufacturing expertise. With this combination, it is possible to break through the current boundaries of SWaP and realize a new level of performance and capability in future radar systems.
From Military to the Mainstream
As mass production and deployment of GaN in plastic power transistors accelerates, we can expect this class of product to follow a commoditization trajectory that aligns with most other plastic-packaged products, both military and commercial. Manufacturing efficiency gains and cost of material reductions drive reduced production and product costs, which drive volume demand – a historical trend followed by many product types after they translate to lead-frame based plastic packaging.
This naturally leads to penetration into other markets. With the advent of low-cost GaN in plastic power transistors, we can envision this technology being deployed in government and commercial applications including centralized and remotely-based weather and early-warning radar systems, and even radar-driven automotive applications such as advanced driver assistance.
AESA technology itself has already extended beyond the military domain into commercial communication link equipment, and it will find its way into other non-military applications in the years ahead. The accelerating proliferation of AESA systems, which can integrate hundreds to tens of thousands of active RF elements, will contribute to the growing ubiquity of low-cost GaN in plastic power transistors – and vice versa.
Of course, the military domain is more sensitive to dual-sourcing requirements than the commercial domain, and dual-sourced GaN-based components have been hard to come by to date. But this too is changing. Dual-source supply chains for high-performance GaN devices are now a reality with the recent partnership between MACOM and Global Communications Semiconductors (GCS). This dual-source agreement – an industry first – unlocks one of the key remaining barriers to mainstream GaN market adoption by providing a secure supply chain.
New Generation of High-Performance Military Radar Systems
Continued innovation in high-power GaN in space-saving plastic is enabling radar system designers to take full advantage of GaN technology and achieve new levels of power density while significantly reducing system size and weight. Utilizing sophisticated packaging and thermal management techniques, GaN in plastic power transistors, accompanied by industry small application solutions, are helping designers overcome challenging development hurdles and pioneer a new generation of high-performance, rugged radar systems for mobile and multifunction military radar applications that transcend the capabilities of systems based on conventional power transistors.


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Mary's birth is a musical piece best used for sentimental or romantic film sequences or projects. It contains a memorable string pattern and some modern beats and percussion, accompanied by distorted guitars.
In the download you will get 2 versions with a sligthly differen ending :
- Version 1 : Faded ending (1:36)
- Version 2 : Abrupt ending (1:36)
Please contact me for a shorter or looped version of the track.
- A Heroes Awakening: 01:26
- Heroes Of The Big Screen
- Smoke Orchestra: 01:07
- Orchestral Inteligence: 01:16
- Powerfull Experience: 00:52
- Energetic And Explosive Intro Opener: 00:27
- Epic Power Orchestra Drum Intro: 01:46
- Powerful Symphonic Orchestral Intro 1: 00:26
- Epic And Dramatic Drum Intro: 00:50
If your ultimate goal is to fully engage the viewer – to connect at the deepest emotional level – you've come to the right place!
Sonic Media Design (aka Sonic Cube) is a Swiss multimedia production company servicing your media production needs. We specialize in flexibility, creativity, and customer service. We believe that we are more than just a service but we are committed to SERVING every client. Let us take your vision and ideas and combine them with our professional skills to deliver a product that will reach your audience in a powerful way.
With 15 years of scoring experience in every style imaginable from dramas, comedies, reality, documentaries, commercials, movies, videogames, etc., our custom scores are a choice you can rely on whether you need the whole series, a specific theme or a main title. Trust us to interpret your vision into music. We will create the perfect audio compliment for your production. If budget is your concern, let us customize a hybrid package between custom music and library. We'll make it work!
We're excited about what we have to offer you! Feel free to check us out, view the services, and watch our samples! Once you're done, make sure you contact us and let us know what production needs you may have! Browse our site and find out why more and more people are turning to Sonic Media Design for their production needs.


text: Launched: Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Ever since the Royal Enfield Classic 500 was launched, there have been whispers about the introduction of a carburetted version of the same 499cc mill. After teasing us with a tasty-looking silhouette for the last two weeks, Royal Enfield has now revealed that those whispers were not unfounded\: the Bullet 500 is here.What's the difference, you ask? Well, aesthetically speaking, the classic RE logo is back on the 500's fuel tank, twin-pilot lamps borrowed from the Classic series appear on this bike too and the single-piece seat for the rider and the pillion also carries a cushiony grabrail.The standard Bullet, which was only available with a 350cc motor up until now, now gets an air-cooled, carburetted version of the 499cc UCE engine. Electronic Fuel Injection? Out of the window.That does however reflect in the 500's specifications. Power is down from 27.2bhp to 26.1 bhp, and torque too dips from 41.3Nm to 40.9Nm. With the bike still weighing a portly 193kg, the dip in power is bound to show in the way the bike performs.The Bullet 500 is equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox, rides on a 19' front and an 18' rear tyre with front telescopic forks and twin gas shocks for company. Stopping power is provided by a disc upfront and a drum at the back.RE hasn't announced prices for the Bullet 500 yet, with the initial launch only scheduled for a few select cities. We expect it to slot in somewhere between the Bullet 350 and the Classic series. And oh, just before you leave, if you intend to buy one, there is a new shade available on the 500 - Forest Green - which is frankly, the shade you should buy it in. Amaan Ahmed 13 April 2013 Launched: Royal Enfield Bullet 500


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Intermodal Group Wins STB Approval for Chassis Pool Plan
Feb 04, 2013, 12:17 EST
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the North American Chassis Pool Cooperative, LLC announced that its cooperative chassis pooling agreement has been approved by the Surface Transportation Board, clearing the way for the group's members to begin pooling chassis for intermodal freight transportation.
"With this approval in place, NACPC will start working with ocean carriers and equipment leasing companies to buy or lease chassis for carriers to use and contribute to pools now managed by OCEMA's Consolidated Chassis Management, LLC.," said Dave Manning, NACPC chairman and president of TCW and Tennessee Express based in Nashville. "We are committed to preserving the existing open gray pool contributory model so it can continue to efficiently serve the U.S. intermodal network and supply chain."
NACPC was formed with the goal of establishing an effective chassis supply utility that can be implemented on a national basis to support the U.S. intermodal network with efficient chassis supplies, a modernized chassis fleet, and a transparent set of economics and terms of use that will benefit all users.
"Roughly 40% of the chassis used by motor carriers are more than 15 years old," Manning said. "So as stewards of this equipment, NACPC plans to refurbish and upgrade this equipment with radial tires, auto inflation devices and improved braking and lighting systems. These equipment improvements are expected to reduce long-term maintenance costs and improve federal Roadability safety compliance. Equipment improvements will also provide energy savings and environmental benefits by reducing chassis repositioning distances and lowering truck transport emissions. A modernized chassis will also increase driver productivity by reducing waiting delays that often occur today because equipment offered for interchange still needs repair before drivers can safely transport container freight to their customers.
NACPC member companies are California Multimodal, LLC; Containerport Group, Inc.; Devine & Son Trucking Co., Inc.; Eagle Systems, Inc.; G & P Trucking Company, Inc.; Intermodal Cartage Co., Inc.; Reliable Transportation Specialists, Inc.; Tennessee Express, Inc.; Tri-Modal Distribution Services, Inc.; and Triple G Express, Inc. NACPC membership is open to qualified motor carriers.
SOURCE North American Chassis Pool Cooperative, LLC


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Used Cars at Herb Chambers Honda of Westborough, providing used Honda models to Worcester, Natick, Auburn, MA, and Beyond
See a used car you like, above? Come down to 350
Turnpike Road Westborough, Massachusetts for a test drive. If
nothing is catching your eye today, be sure to check back tomorrow. Our
constantly-evolving used car inventory is updated daily. Our new & used Honda inventory is a convenient drive from Worcester, Natick, MA and Auburn, MA.
About the used cars you'll find at Herb Chambers Honda of Westborough.
Among the many things Herb Chambers Honda of Westborough has going for it is our complete used car collection, featuring such reputable brands as Honda. We go over each car with the utmost scrutiny. If just one little thing doesn't add up, we remedy it before slapping a sticker on it. And, we don't just mean a temporary fix either - we mean the real deal. Furthermore, if the integrity of the used car is so compromised we can't make it like-new, we won't ever show it to you. Which means, regardless of which used car you choose at Herb Chambers Honda of Westborough, you're guaranteed to get the same upstanding quality and ultimately - long-term satisfaction.


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Something that has always struck me about warfare, is that sometimes one of the belligerents can win, without actually 'winning'. Rather, by not losing. And I guess that could be said about the naval war between 1914 and 1918. The onus was clearly on the German High Seas Fleet to knock the British Grand Fleet off of its perch. Given its numerical inferiority this would have taken something qute special. Hence the Royal Navy could afford to go to battle and not win, as long it was not outright defeated. For the Germans, on the other hand, nothing less than decisive victory would do.
The Great War was in part sparked by the Kaiser's desire to build a blue-water fleet, modelled on the Royal Navy. In this he was eagerly encouraged by Admiral Von Tirpitz. The problem was, the Germans were starting from such a handicapped position – the Royal Navy was by far the largest on the waves, and had known nothing but victory for hundreds of years. Added to this, the Germans desired to develop an overseas empire – which could only be done with the help of a significant ocean going navy.
The Great War was possibly the last European conflict in which it was thought possible that both sides massed fleets could collide in set-piece battle, a la Trafalgar. In fact, this was eagerly awaited by the British public, supremely confident of a knockout blow in Nelsonian style. In fact, the stalemate at Jutland was a great disappointment to a public used to victory at sea. But what was lost on many people, was that unless the Germans could send the majority of the Grand Fleet to the bottom of the ocean, the Dreadnoughts would still keep the German fleet bottled up in harbour.In the end, the Grand Fleet possessed enough strength – muscle and numerical – to maintain superiority in the North Sea.
For the first time in hundreds of years, a foreign fleet actually bombarded the British Isles. Early on in the war German Battleships shelled North Eastern towns, including Hartlepool and Scarborough. Although little damage was done, there was a significant dent in civilian morale. British citizens expected the Royal Navy to keep foes well away. However, the Grand Fleet was stationed at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys, in order to guard the exit from the North Sea between Scotland and Iceland. Although this kept the Germans bottled up and the fleet far enough away to strike back flexibly, it meant that, if they got their timings right, the Germans could mount hit and run raids on the North Sea Coast.
In amongst the last throes of Nelsonian battles, the seeds of future conflicts could be seen. Sea mines began to make their appearance on the waves (more of them in the coming days), air power became a factor, in the shape of the new zeppelins and embryonic aircraft, and not least, submarine warfare became a significant factor in the war. The Germans, in particular, identified weapons such as the mine and the submarine as assets that could be used from a position of weakness to attack the allies at sea, in particular Britain. At times later in the war, British Government figures became seriously concerned that German submarines might sink enough merchant shipping to cut Britain's lifeline and force her out of the war – something that would be a very real risk just over 20 years later.
In fact, the are many echoes of the Second World War, that were first rung in the first. When HMS Hood was destroyed in 1941, it was due to inadequate armoured protection, that had been sacrificed in order to give her more speed. The very same thing had happened to a number of Battlecruisers at Jutland in 1916, yet the lessons were not learnt. It could also be argued that there were enough warnings between 1914 and 1918 about the growing importance of airpower, submarines and mines, but knowledge of these aspects of naval warfare were sadly neglected between the wars, leading to costly mistakes and the re-learning of lessons after 1939.
As someone who, one – is writing a book about the First World War, and two – doesn't actually know much about the First World War, books like this are a godsend. It helps me put the hundreds of Portsmouth men who died at Jutland into much more fitting context.
North Sea Battleground is published by Pen and Sword


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Grand Circle helps to change our traveler's lives. Today we hope to change yours. We will strive to be the world leader in international travel, adventure and discovery for American travelers over 50—providing impactful and intercultural experiences that significantly improve the quality of their lives. Our business is experiencing unprecedented change as we move our marketing from direct mail to web-centric. We are a very unique place. The core of our culture rests on two essential elements – Performance and Values. You must demonstrate strong values, which are the foundation upon which our company is built. They shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress. Two values in particular - Open and Courageous Communication and Risk Taking - are pivotal.
Your success begins with the willingness to stretch, to try new things, and to grow.
GCC Group Interview
Give yourself a little extra time (at least 15 minutes) to get to Grand Circle. See our DIRECTIONS. You don't want to seem rushed or be late. Upon arriving please check in at our Reception Desk.
Expect to spend approximately 90 minutes in the Group Interview and then 30 – 60 minutes in each department interview.
Do your homework. We expect you to know something about us. So before the interview, do some research on us and our industry. If you know someone or are LinkedIn with a Grand Circle Associate contact them and ask them about Grand Circle.
Please download the attached document and take some time to review them prior to your scheduled Group Interview. You will have the opportunity to use this information in team exercises.
We follow a casual dress code. However, for interviewing, please dress in appropriate business attire.
Strong candidates are also engaged. Remember, interviewing is a two-way street. Come up with a couple of questions to ask us. You may ask for more information about our corporate culture or performance management. Think of all of the factors that will impact your decision should you be offered a job.
Within 24 hours, you should send individual thank-you notes to each interviewer. An email thank you is appropriate. You can use the first initial and last name @oattravel.com . You might want to consider handwriting your thank-you notes to make them more unique and personable.
You may not hear from Grand Circle right away. If we are interested, you will likely be invited back for a second round of interviews. Regardless, we will let you know one way or the other about the job.
- Comprehensive health and dental coverage
- 401K with company match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- T pass subsidy
- Company Wide Profit Incentive plan
- Company paid Travel Training Trips and significant personal travel discounts
- Paid Sabbatical every 5 years
- On-site fitness center & wellness programs
- Casual dress code every day!
Working in Boston and enjoying the Fort Point neighborhood & Seaport District
The Fort Point & Seaport District neighborhood is a fast-growing, vibrant place to work. Evolving and changing each day, there are many places to explore and enjoy.
Check out Made in Fort Point. The Fort Point Artist Store
Some of our Associates Favorite Places
Calendar of Recruiting Events
Throughout the year we attend recruiting events at local colleges and throughout the Boston area. This is a great way to learn more about us and talk with current Grand Circle Associates. Please check back to see recruiting events we will be attending.
Awards for our Associates
Learn about our awards for our associates »
Things that Make Grand Circle Unique
Just as we aim to change the lives of our customers, we also try to improve the lives of our associates.
Learn more about things that make Grand Circle unique »
Connect with Grand Circle
Get connected with Grand Circle Travel & Grand Circle Cruise Lines on the Grand Circle LinkedIn profile.
Call us to reserve your next vacation1-800-221-2610


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Which Bills cuts are eligible for the practice squad?
The Dolphins could be in the market for another wide receiver.
DL Tommy Kelly hopes to make Patriots coach Bill Belichick happy this season.
Said Jets QB Matt Simms, "[Offensive coordinator] Marty [Mornhinweg] has just given me so much confidence in myself in leading this team. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity that all the coaches here have given me."
Ravens S Brynden Trawick was fined $21,000 for a blindside block on special teams in the team's preseason game against the Buccaneers.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says the team won't "necessarily" sign a quarterback to the practice squad.
DB Josh Aubrey "came out of nowhere" to make the Browns, according to coach Rob Chudzinski.
The Steelers have five tight ends on the roster, which likely means a move is coming at the position.
Four undrafted rookies made the Texans' initial 53-man roster.
Said Colts LB Caeser Rayford, "I didn't know anything. I was just waiting to see if I was going to get a call. I was on pins and needles all day."
Thirteen Jaguars fans won a pair of season tickets each by making a 35-yard field goal.
LB Jonathan Willard, who earned headlines by helping save a family from a burning car, was one of the players the Titans let go on Saturday.
"Once everything came out, I was like, 'Well, I made it.' "
The Broncos want to play at a high tempo while also winning the time of possession battle.
A look at the offensive players who made the Chiefs' initial 53-man roster.
The Raiders will likely open up a roster spot by placing T Jared Veldheer on injured reserve with the designation to return.
Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego believes the Chargers have work to do to get their "best 53."
The Cowboys currently have five tight ends and four cornerbacks.
Giants DE Justin Trattou kept his phone line free Saturday, but never got a call telling him he was cut.
The Eagles are thin at cornerback right now.
Redskins players held an "Island" themed party and some members of the team came dressed as the Jamaican bobseld team.
C Taylor Boggs has made the unlikely leap from Humboldt State to the Bears.
The Lions went with the present over the future with some of their cuts.
There are three players left from the 2011 draft with the Packers.
Getting to know the Vikings preparing to embark on their first season with the team.
Falcons coach Mike Smith said the team did a lot of experimenting during the exhibition season.
The Panthers feel they're ready for their opener against the Seahawks.
With Courtney Roby gone, the Saints will need a new special teams captain
What do we know about the Buccaneers after the preseason?
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says he's seen improvement on the offensive line.
RB Benny Cunningham was thrilled to get a compliment from Marshall Faulk, one of his predecessors with the Rams.
LS Brian Jennings wrote that he feels like he's been "honorably discharged" after 13 years with the 49ers.
LB John Lotulelei proved worth the $25,000 bonus he got from the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.


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1,144 Sq. Ft. | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms
Southern Energy Homes
Please allow all of us here at Southern Energy Homes of Texas to express our enthusiasm for the interest you have shown in our extraordinary homes. Rest assured, creating, stronger, safer, and smarter homes is our passion. At Southern Energy Homes of Texas, we build more than just homes; we build life long careers that foster old fashion American pride in the quality of the product we produce.
The integrity of our homes is held to the highest standard by all of our employees adhering to our mission statement which reads, "Southern Energy Homes of Texas will produce top quality manufactured homes with emphasis on customer service and total consumer satisfaction." By staying committed to our mission, we will deliver the quality our retailers and homeowners deserve.
SE Homes of Texas has proven itself as an innovator of cutting edge floor plans, beautiful interior appointments, and industry leading color schemes year after year. Carefully studying the needs of modern families is a crucial step in accomplishing this feat. This careful analysis allows us to understand our home owner's daily needs, and create homes that assist and compliment their lifestyles.
Information by sehomestexas.com.


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Kreedz Climbing is a unique, non-violent, puzzle-type, 3D-First Person View game where the player attempts jumping and 17 other disciplines like shooting flare targets, racing vehicles, surfing, bungee, bunnyhop, longjump, or sliderace until he/she reaches the top (or end) of any given environment. In Kreedz Climbing no map is the same and can vary with any combination of these skills. It's a race against time and against other players with any discipline in the game.
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- "With the loss of virtually all of our major sports franchises, and the rise in suburban living, Liberty City has become a soccer town."
- — GTA III Website.
The Liberty Memorial Coliseum, also known as Bush Stadium in the official GTA III website, is a multipurpose stadium located in Aspatria on Staunton Island, in the Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto Advance and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.
Stated on its gate in GTA III to be built in 1923 (the same year as real-life New York Yankees stadium), the stadium is assumed to be multifunctional, as in it hosts football and soccer, and appears to have a running track. The stadium is similar in appearance to the L.A. Coliseum, particularly its main entrance. The bleachers of the stadium have the name of the city's football team, the Liberty City Cocks. Presumably, it is also the home field of the Liberty City Beavers, similar to Meadowlands Stadium hosting both the New York Giants and New York Jets. It is most likely based off the Yankee Stadium.
During the events of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, the stadium is shown undergoing renovations. It is also advertised as the venue of Crowfest '98.
In Grand Theft Auto Advance, there is a side-mission unlocked after all six races in Staunton Island.
- If the player is able to reach the stadium in GTA III, the stadium field is textured, but is incorrectly solid, with some unsolid holes to Blue Hell. However in GTA LCS, it's just a huge entrance to Blue Hell, with no field textured.
- In GTA Advance, the stadium was rectangular-shaped and its left and right side is a parking lot.
- The stadium is only accessible in GTA Advance.


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TOMS RIVER, N.J. - August 7, 2013 --A southern New Jersey school teacher has admitted having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.
Ocean County prosecutors say 32-year-old Erin Haskell of Barnegat pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexual assault. She will have to register as a sex offender and faces up to 10 years in prison, but will remain free on $300,000 bail until she's sentenced.
Haskell was a Spanish teacher with the Toms River Regional Schools district. She worked at the Intermediate South school in Beachwood, where she also served as faculty advisor to the drama club.
In return for her guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss other charges Haskell faced, including aggravated sexual assault.
Authorities have said the relationship took place last year, between June and September. The sexual activities occurred in both Beachwood and Barnegat.


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PROVO, Utah (AP) Tyler Haws scored a career-high 32 points and made several key baskets down the stretch as BYU held on for an 87-75 victory over Cal State Northridge on Saturday night.
Brock Zylstra added 14 points and Brandon Davies chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds for the Cougars (4-2) as they handed the Matadors (6-1) their first loss of the season.
Stephan Hicks led Northridge with 25 points and eight rebounds. Stephen Maxwell added 17 points and Josh Greene had 13.
The Cougars played with Jabari Parker, one of the nation's top high school recruits, in attendance. Parker made an official visit to the BYU campus on Saturday and the Cougars are one of five teams the Chicago native is considering playing for in 2013. Other schools Parker is considering are Duke, Stanford, Florida and Michigan State.


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Yamaha RS720BWLF Revstar Electric Guitar, Wall Fade
The Yamaha Revstar RS720BWLF features a flamed maple top with a steel wool finish, a Bigsby B-50 Tremolo and locking diecast tuners.
Main Features
- First completely new electric guitar series from Yamaha for 20 years
- Flamed maple top with an industrial inspired Steel Wool finish
- Custom-wound Filtertron style humbucker pickups
- Bigsby B-50 Tremolo and locking diecast tuners
- Ultra-playable neck profile with jumbo frets
- Colour: Wall Fade (WLF)
- Read More
Drawing inspiration from London and Tokyo's vintage street-racing motorbikes, Japan's heritage of engineering excellence, and Yamaha's 50-year legacy of guitar craftsmanship, every detail of each Revstar model has been carefully engineered to bring out the unique personality of each guitar in the lineup. From the curves and contours of the ground-up body design to the distinctive colours and finishes and custom-wound pickups that perfectly match the guitar's character, the Revstar collection comprises a diverse lineup as the guitarists who play them.
From the moment Yamaha started, Revstar had a different approach. They worked with a leading design agency and a global team of designers, to research and develop every element of the guitar, searching for the perfect balance of uniqueness and familiarity in every curve, component and colour. True design process is used in every aspect of our lives, but guitars aren't designed this way. Until now.
Test Everything
Nothing made it to Revstar's final design because 'that's how we do it'. Everything was questioned, everything was validated, everything is what they believe is right. Each detail, from the arm cut to the neck joint has been debated, argued about and chosen because it's what the guitar needed. This isn't change for the sake of it, it's the search for perfection.
Every detail of every Revstar is designed to make you want to play. To create something amazing. From necks designed to feel great for today's players, to pickup tones which add a certain something different, this isn't a guitar to be admired. It's to be played.
Yamaha Revstar RS720BWLF Specifications
Construction: Set-in
Scale Length: 628 mm / 24-3/4 inch
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Medium
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Radius: 350 mm / 13-3/4 inch
Frets: Jumbo
Body: Flamed Maple / Mahogany
Body Cut: Top and Back
Tuners: Diecast
Hardware Colour: Satin Nickel
Nut / Width: Plastic / 43 mm
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece: Bigsby B-50
Pickguards: Black 3-Ply
Pickups: Filtertron style humbuckers
Controls: Master Volume / Tone
Additional Function: Dry-Switch (Push - Pull)
Finish on Top: Steel Wool
Colour: Wall Fade (WLF)
- This product will be ordered in from our suppliers as required. Please contact us for availability.
This item is normally sent to Mainland UK addresses by DPD Local who generally provide a one-hour window of delivery on the morning of delivery by email or text message. If you need this item faster, please upgrade to a Before 12 service at checkout.
FREE delivery within mainland UK
UK Non-Mainland: £ 12
Rep. of Ireland and Mainland Europe: from £ 15 (calculated at checkout).
Order this item before 4pm and receive it on the next working day ( Mon-Fri excluding bank holidays ), mainland UK only*
1 Recommended Accessory
Additional Information
On demo in store No Brand Yamaha Condition New


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Tuscan Rice
|Vegetables, Rice, Nuts, Bread, Meat, Fruits
|Day Part
|Lunch, Dinner
|Menu Part
|Side Dish
|Cuisine Type
Fragrant rice is topped with prosciutto and goat cheese in this artfully arranged dish. Bruschetta, roasted tomato and fennel finish the dish nicely.
1 1⁄3 cups onion, julienned
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 1⁄4 cups fennel, julienned
1⁄4 cup garlic, minced
2 3⁄4 cups canned diced tomatoes, drained
1 1⁄4 cups sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained, julienned
3 cups white wine
5 lb. rice, cooked
1 3⁄4 cups black olives, sliced
2 cups fresh basil, julienned
1 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 cup prosciutto, julienned
2⁄3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
Fresh basil, as needed
24 slices garlic bruschetta
24 tomato slices, oven-roasted
12 pieces grilled fennel with tops
- In a large skillet over high heat, sauté onions in oil until tender. Add fennel and garlic and sauté another minute. Add canned and sun-dried tomatoes and heat through.
- Add wine to pan and reduce by 3⁄4.
- Stir in rice and olives and heat through. Stir in basil and pine nuts, and remove from heat. Season to taste.
Per serving: Arrange 12⁄3 cups rice mixture on a plate. Top with prosciutto, goat cheese and basil. Garnish with bruschetta, roasted tomato slices and fennel. Serve.


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Meridian, Mississippi Mayor-Elect Percy Bland took a short break on the afternoon after the election to play ball with his family at Magnolia Park after a long campaign season.
"Well, it's still somewhat like a dream," Bland says. "But, we didn't sleep well last night. We couldn't sleep. But, we're putting things together now, transitioning to the next period."
Right now, he says no decisions have been made on who will lead certain departments within the city. Bland tells Newscenter 11 that first, he wants to look at a few organizational things and determine ways he can make city government more efficient. He says his main concern is still finding a permanent police chief.
"As I've said in the debates and as I've said with everything else, within the first 90 days we will make a permanent decision on the police chief for the city of Meridian."
In the meantime, he is hoping for a smooth transition when he takes office next month. He says that will require communication with Mayor Cheri Barry and her administration. Bland has not spoken to Barry since the election, but hopes too soon. He tells Newscenter 11 he has his hard working team to thank for winning the race for mayor.
"We had a very good organization canvasing team and call team," Bland explains. "And we worked on that during the week and we specifically targeted areas that we needed to get our vote out. And we tried to reach out to a lot of areas in this community."
As for Bland's insurance business, he says two employees have already been groomed to take over leading the business and will do so once he takes office next month, saying his role as mayor will now be his full time job.
Mayor Cheri Barry issued the following statement to her supporters on Wednesday:
It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Meridian for the past four years. I am proud of our many accomplishments which have improved our city. I can honestly say I never made a decision unless I thought it was in the best interest of the city. I am proud of my team and will always be grateful for their hard work. I thank my many supporters who stood by me.


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Joe McQuaid's Publisher's Notebook: Luckily, 3rd grade test idea too late for meBY JOSEPH W. McQUAID
February 10. 2013 4:25PM
Whew, did I dodge a bullet in third grade.
Not all legislative bills become law in Concord, home to the third-largest English speaking deliberative body in the world, so-called. But the one some solon (more on that in a minute) dreamed up last week would have sunk me, for sure. Come to think of it, it may have sunk more than a few members of the General Court, too.
State Rep. Joseph Pitre of Farmington wants to make kids pass a test to get out of the third grade, and another one to escape the sixth.
This and other ideas being proposed by the current Legislature have so stunned the elected that a committee has been proposed to deal with them. Always a good idea, the committee. It's a great place to send bad ideas.
A camel, one wag once said, is a horse designed by a committee. This committee has gotten bigger and bigger and may be bigger still before this column gets into print. At last look, it had grown to about 40 members.
If they had a test when I was in third grade, I might still be there. As it was, I narrowly escaped because my Aunt Eileen, who was my teacher that year, wanted me advanced the heck out of her class.
It's true. She even went to my mother and suggested a DOUBLE promotion, saying that I should really be in the fifth grade, not the third. I see now what she was up to. She not only wanted me gone, she wanted to make sure that if I were subsequently moved back, it would only be to the fourth grade, not hers.
My mother, of course, had a passing understanding of my mental acumen. No dice, she told my aunt.
So there I sat, in Henry W. Moore School, until the end of the school year whereupon my aunt-teacher kindly arranged what today would be called a "social promotion" for me.
And then I fell into newspapering where I learned such neat terms as "solon" and "wag," neither of which gets much use these days.
Mr. Solon was apparently an ancient Greek of the legislative persuasion. Today, I'm guessing Chris Spirou would be his equivalent. Anyway, the meaning of the term was Greek to me, and to most newspaper readers. But it was easier to write a headline with a small word like solon rather than a longer word such as legislator or representative.
"Solons pass bill" would be a typical headline that gave the reader precious little information but filled the alloted space, nicely.
And "wag?" I haven't a clue. But if you dip into the old files of any newspaper or magazine, you will likely find references to "one wag" or an "office wag" saying some supposedly witty thing.
If you could go back and do the forensics, I bet half the time the "wag" in question was in fact the author of the supposedly witty thing. And since some weren't so witty, the "wag" remains anonymous.
Write to Joe McQuaid at email@example.com.


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FORT LAUDERDALE | A retired Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing dozens of boys for decades pleaded no contest under a plea agreement in a Fort Lauderdale courtroom Monday.
FORT LAUDERDALE | A retired Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing dozens of boys for decades pleaded no contest under a plea agreement in a Fort Lauderdale courtroom Monday.
A graying Father Neil Doherty appeared frail as he entered a plea reducing sex abuse charges from a capital felony to a second-degree felony, which could require him to serve up to 15 years in prison and register as a sex offender.
The plea comes after several other alleged victims came forward and were planning to testify in the case.
"It just came time for the case to be concluded," Doherty's attorney David Bogenschutz said.
Attorneys for the victims said Doherty befriended troubled young boys for years, plied them with drugs and alcohol and paid them to run errands and do odd jobs. But the relationships often turned to sexual acts.
The victim in this case was about 10-years-old when he said he first walked over to the church from his home, passed out after drinking a drug laced-soda and awoke with sodomy wounds. The scenario repeatedly occurred over a five-year period in the late 1990s, attorney Jeff Herman said.
The victim, who is now in his early 20s, planned to take his secret to the grave, but was emboldened after several other victims came forward in lawsuits against Doherty. The victim was living in an institution when Herman met him, but is now married with a child.
Attorneys allege the Archdiocese of Miami turned a blind eye to Doherty's behavior and moved him to another church each time a new allegation surfaced.
"We have files going back to the 1970s showing that the Archdiocese of Miami knew that Doherty was sexually abusing boys for decades but did nothing about it," Herman said.
At one point, another priest complained to the archbishop that Doherty had a boy living with him in the rectory, but it was swept under the rug, Herman said.
A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Miami said Doherty has not been in active ministry since 2002 and noted the church has had policies in place since the mid-1980s about how to handle abuse allegations, including reporting it to authorities, setting up a hotline and meeting with the victim in a safe environment.
Spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta said the church apologizes "for any abuse that has taken place" and stands "ready, willing and able to begin the healing process."
Doherty, 69, maintains his innocence. Bogenschutz said he disputed the facts of the state's case but declined to elaborate.
In 2011, a Miami jury returned a $100 million verdict in a civil suit against Doherty in a different sex abuse case, although the amount is unlikely to ever be collected.
Herman said the verdict was among the largest nationwide against an individual priest. The Archdiocese of Miami was not named in that lawsuit, but has been targeted by more than 20 other lawsuits over allegations of sexual abuse by Doherty. Many have been settled.
A civil settlement in Monday's case was settled a few years ago for an undisclosed amount.
A victim's rights group also criticized the archdiocese in a statement Monday for not stopping Doherty sooner.
"So while an egregious child molesting cleric will be deemed guilty today, dozens of his complicit Catholic colleagues will continue to escape responsibility for their recklessness, callousness and deception," said Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.


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Rating: 3.0/5 (Total votes: 1323)
Substrate Live Wallpapers - A set of live wallpapers, each displaying a slowly changing pattern which gradually evolves in your home screen. These subtle animations save battery power and keep your home screen responsive.
» show all
FreewareAndroid - Free Downloads Android Market Apps, Applications, Games, APK, WiFi, Sync, GPS for Google Android OS


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Bringing the Mideast to the MidwestOver three years as a shlicha in Cincinnati, Jerusalem native Maia Morag has emphasized building personal connections and presenting a complex view of Israel. But ask her about this life-changing By Jewish Agency Staff 0
From Hell to Home: Saving Israel's Senior Citizens and Holocaust Survivors from the Housing CrisisA lack of affordable housing for seniors is one of Israel's most acute social challenges. Amigour is leading the way for change. By Jewish Agency Staff 0
The 6 Best Ways to Learn Hebrew Right NowThe Jewish Agency started the first Ulpan in 1949 as a method to rapidly teach Hebrew to the hundreds of thousands of new immigrants we helped settle in the newly founded State of Israel. It's still By Avi Bass 0
Finding My Spark – From Roanoke to IsraelAfter graduating from a college with fewer than 30 Jewish Students, Shaina Lidd decided to spend a year in Israel. She joined a secular Yeshiva, and started teaching Arab-Israelis in the Bedouin city By 0
Preparing Tomorrow's Haredi SoldiersServing in Israel's military can be especially challenging for people from haredi (ultra-Orthodox) backgrounds, who often lack the support network and knowledge of the army that many of their non By Jewish Agency Staff 0
They Never Would Have Known They Were Actually FamilyAfter Kim and Jennifer met in Jerusalem, the two immigrants from Marseille became close friends, bonding over their shared background. But when each planned a vacation to France for a family bar By Jewish Agency Staff 0
A Global Approach to Volunteering in Northern IsraelThe Jewish Agency's Project TEN sends Jewish young adults to volunteer all over the world. Serving Bedouin and Jewish communities in the Galilee, one of its international groups has a unique Israel By Jewish Agency Staff 0
Reuniting Families from Ethiopia in IsraelIn October, 63 people arrived at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport from Ethiopia to reunite with their families. This is the beginning of an effort to bring remaining relatives of Ethiopian immigrants to By Jewish Agency Staff 0
A Summer in Israel – and the Business It Inspired23-year-old Emily Levy is the founder and CEO of Mighty Well, a company that offers stylish solutions for people suffering from chronic illnesses. She credits a summer internship in Haifa for By Jewish Agency Staff 0
Embracing Diversity in the Face of HostilityAfter learning that Students for Justice in Palestine was going to bring its harsh anti-Israel rhetoric to George Mason University for this fall's national conference, Jewish Agency Israel Fellow Tal By Jewish Agency Staff 0


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Dover city officials are warning of attempted scams against city electric customers.
City of Dover officials have received calls from some city electric customers saying they have been contacted in similar ways as the utility bill scam some Delmarva Power customers fell victim to last week in New Castle County.
Delaware State Police last week reported at least two instances of people saying they were electric company representatives calling local businesses and threatening to cut off power unless their bill was paid immediately. The businesses were instructed to obtain money cards that they thought would be paid to the electric company, but instead the funds were sent to the scammers.
"We will not contact you and ask to take your credit card over the phone, or advise you to purchase reusable Visa card or Greendot MoneyPak cards," said Kay Sass, city of Dover Public Affairs and Emergency Management Coordinator. "We have only received a couple of calls but we want people to be aware that calls have been received that sound very similar to the scam in New Castle County and that it may now be circulating in our area. People need to be cautious and realize the city of Dover will never request a credit card over the phone."
Capt. Tim Stump of the Dover Police Department said it is important that Dover residents are aware of the scam in the event they should receive such a call.
Customers with questions about their electric service or billing should call the city's customer service line between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 736-7035, or go by the office at 5 E. Reed St., Sass said.


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Businesses on East Second Avenue are playing musical chairs as 2nd Avenue Sports, 1st Southwest Bank and Durango Antique Market get new digs.
1st Southwest Bank has been searching for a place to build a new Durango headquarters since Kent Curtis was appointed president and CEO in June, Curtis said.
The owner of the lot catty-corner from the banks current location at 679 East Second Ave., which houses 2nd Avenue Sports and Point to Point Graphics, decided to sell, and the bank bought the property in February.
The lot was home to Durango Antique Market until the market moved downtown next to Seasons Rotisserie & Grill two weeks ago in response to the sale.
1st Southwest Bank plans to demolish the existing structures on the corner next to the citys downtown parking lot and construct two buildings with three residential units, a parking lot and a drive-thru window for bank customers.
One of the buildings will house the bank and a residence on top of the bank with the drive-thru in the middle of the parking lot. The second building will contain 2nd Avenue Sports, two residences and another commercial venue. All of the spaces, including the residences, are spoken for, Curtis said.
2nd Avenue Sports owner Gary Provencher is excited about the move and ready to get out of his current building, which he describes as a bit of an eyesore.
Provencher initially was concerned with finding a new place because of the sports stores moniker, and for good reason: Only so many buildings exist on East Second Avenue.
The shops new building will be across the parking lot from its current structure, and while it will be about the same size (6,800 square feet), Provencher has designed the space to fit his needs.
The new building will have a shipping and receiving garage in back, twice as many bike work stations and a sidewalk surrounding the building for those trying out new bikes.
Not everyone is happy with the sale, though.
Durango Antique Market owner Nikki Morrissey originally was upset her business was being uprooted from its location of 12 years, but it may have worked out better than she hoped.
Change is good, and it forced us to clean house, she said. The other store was a destination for antiquers, but well get more foot traffic at this location.
Morrisey had to downsize to 5,300 square feet and cut the number of vendors participating in the market from 36 to 25.
Point to Point Graphics still is at East Second Avenue and College Drive, but owner James Borton said hes looking to buy a shop downtown.
He keeps looking for spaces but is waiting until he finds the right spot before making the leap.
We know our time line, so were just playing our cards right, Borton said.
The bank plans to bid out its project to a builder who would buy the property and then sell it to the owners occupying the space, Curtis said.
The project still is in the preliminary stages, and a builder most likely will not be selected until April with construction beginning in spring.
2nd Avenue Sports building will be constructed first so it wont have to close, and the bank hopes to start construction on its building in spring 2014, Curtis said.


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The U.S. stock market fell sharply on Monday as heavy selling in high-growth stocks, which began on Friday, continued to spill over the broader market.
With Monday's session light on economic data, investors looked ahead to the start of first-quarter earnings season, and some analysts sounded downbeat about the coming reports.
The Nasdaq Composite COMP, -0.04% fell 47.97 points, or 1.2%, to 4,079.75, falling below its 100-day moving average. The tech-heavy index lost 4.6% over the past three sessions, the steepest three-day loss since November 2011.
The S&P 500 SPX, -0.03% ended the day 20.05 points, or 1.1%, lower at 1,845.04, falling below a key technical level of 1,850 and erasing year-to-date gains. Financial stocks were among the worst hit. See also: Financial stocks fall ahead of earnings.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, -0.36% dropped 166.84 points, or 1.3%, to 16,245.87, with Pfizer Inc. PFE, +1.46% and American Express Company AXP, +0.07% leading the losses.
Follow MarketWatch's live blog of today's stock-market action.
Compared with last week, this week is short on top-tier economic data, so investors are likely to focus instead on earnings reports from the first quarter. Alcoa Inc. AA, +1.41% the aluminum producer and former Dow component, unofficially kicks off the earnings season on Tuesday, when it reports results after the closing bell.
"The selloff of high-growth stocks on Friday spilled over to the rest of the market for the first time and it is worrying," said Channing Smith, managing director at Capital Advisors.
"With the economy still muddling through and earnings projected to rise ever so slightly, there are doubts about current valuations, especially among highflying companies on the Nasdaq," he added.
"The weakness has carried over from Friday. It is hard to imagine how the S&P 500 went from a new all-time high to down on the year in just two days, but it happened. The momentum names and technology names were the first to crack, now we are seeing signs that weakness is moving to the overall market," said Ryan Detrick, senior technical strategist at Schaeffer's Investment.
Other analysts have said they're a little skeptical of the naysayers, adding that this will be the 16th quarter or so in a row where we are being cautioned about earnings.
Among individual stocks on Monday, Internet names TripAdvisor Inc. TRIP, -1.05% and Baidu Inc. BIDU, -1.23% fell 2.7% and 3.9%, respectively, adding to their recent losses.
High-growth companies saw their shares continue to slide. Tesla Motors, Inc shares dropped 2.2%. Pandora Media, Inc. P, +0.22% dropped 5%. Telsa and Pandora are one of the handful of momentum stocks that got caught up in Friday's rout.
Shares in Facebook Inc. FB, +0.40% dipped in and out of negative territory and closed 0.4% higher. The stock is down more than 18% from its highest closing level, reached on March 10.
Shares in Apple Inc. AAPL, -0.43% which is the heaviest-weighted component in both the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500, also fell 1.6%.
On the plus side, Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc. US:QCOR surged 19% after news that Mallinckrodt MNK, -1.40% will buy the drug maker for about $5.6 billion. Read more in the Movers & Shakers column.
In other markets, Asian and European stock markets lost ground Monday. The dollar DXY, -0.03% edged lower, and oil prices fell, with Brent taking the biggest hit on reports that Libya may soon reopen two oil ports. Gold futures dipped and traded below $1,300 an ounce.
More must-reads from MarketWatch:
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It's generally assumed that Barack Obama's nomination for President is a sign of great racial progress in the U.S. Perhaps so. But several stories in the news this week suggest that for many, racial politics are stuck in the same dead end of victimology that has held back African-Americans for decades.
Last night, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution apologizing for slavery and Jim Crow. The resolution passed on a voice vote, relieving members of the need to go on record for or against it. But I hope none of our Minnesota Congressmen voted for the resolution. Minnesota became a state in 1858, just in time to send its best men to help preserve the Union and stamp out slavery. We never had Jim Crow legislation here. If anyone should apologize, it's the Democratic Party, which supported slavery and disunion to the bitter end and did its best to preserve segregation in the South long after the Civil War.
What's the point of a non-binding resolution condemning something that ended nearly a century and a half ago? Money. The resolution commits the House to further attempts to rectify "the lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African-Americans under slavery and Jim Crow." Those consequences are certain to linger as long as there is money on the table.
The second story, which reads like a parody but, sadly, isn't, also comes out of the House of Representatives, where Majority Whip James Clyburn told the National Press Club that global warming "disproportionately impact[s]" African-Americans:
Clyburn spoke at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to help launch the Commission to Engage African-Americans on Climate Change, a project of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.
The launch came on the heels of a separate report by the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative (EJCC), which claims African-Americans are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. EJCC describes itself as a "climate justice" advocacy group.
"Though far less responsible for climate change, African-Americans are significantly more vulnerable to its effects than non-Hispanic whites," the report says. "Health, housing, economic well-being, culture, and social stability are harmed from such manifestations of climate change as storms, floods, and climate variability."
Actually, I think African-Americans are at least as able as the average citizen to cope with "climate variability." But the culture of victimology requires that they be portrayed as weak. Why? Money:
The report suggested implementing a "fee, tax or allowance auction on polluters," which was meant to "eliminate the financial burden on low-income and moderate-income households."
So, what of Barack Obama, the supposed harbinger of change? He spoke to a convention of minority journalists, who gave him a standing ovation. His theme was anything but new, unfortunately:
"There's no doubt that when it comes to our treatment of Native Americans as well as other persons of color in this country, we've got some very sad and difficult things to account for," Obama told hundreds of attendees of UNITY '08….
"I personally would want to see our tragic history, or the tragic elements of our history, acknowledged," the Democratic presidential hopeful said.
It's a good thing he caught himself there. Would we really want to elect a president who thinks that the history of the United States is "tragic?" One wonders, too: is Obama unaware of how persistently the "tragic elements" of our history have been not just acknowledged, but dwelt upon with a persistence that may seem obsessive? I doubt it. At his Hawaiian prep school, at Columbia and at Harvard Law School, I'm pretty sure he was exposed to a full dose of "acknowledgement of the tragic elements of our history."
So, what is the point of Obama's concern for the "tragic elements" of our history? Money, of course:
"I consistently believe that when it comes to whether it's Native Americans or African-American issues or reparations, the most important thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but offer deeds."
"Deeds," where Congress is concerned, is synonymous with dollars.
I think it is pretty obvious that the culture of victimology has hurt African-Americans more than anything else over the past 30 years. I think it is equally obvious that what drives the race hustlers to continue perpetrating that culture is cold, hard cash. Finally, it appears, sadly, that Barack Obama is just another participant in the hustle, rather than a voice for change.
PAUL adds: Obama says he opposes state law initiatives to outlaw race-based preferential treatment by state governments because such initiatives are "divisive." I wonder whether Obama considers reparations — the transfer of money from certain racial and/or ethnic groups to other such groups — divisive.
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The compound is formulated from Azadirachta indica, Achillea millefolium and diatom flour.
It acts in four ways to rid animals, garden and buildings of flies, fleas, lice, ticks, mites, spiders, beetles, ants and more. The neem tree contains a chemical, azadirachtin. It is an active insecticide, a repellent and a potent-antifeedant and ecdysis inhibitory compound.
Neem herb has found broad use as a wound healing agent and has reported antimicrobial properties. Yarrow is a repellent to many parasites and diatom flour desiccates many insects.
The combination of these processed herbs is a very effective external parasite dust which also presents disinfectant and healing properties to lesions and other irritations secondary to infestation.
The dust rids mammals of parasites and a teaspoon or two on your window sash or sill eliminates flies, beatles and other bugs in home or office very effectively. It is safe for use in your garden as well.
The manner of application which has yielded success is to sprinkle the dust from head to tail along the spine and brush against the hair to bring the dust into contact with the skin. This should be done under dry conditions. One to two ounces is enough to dust a large herbivore (e.g. a horse). The dust should cover the saddle to midlateral.
Even engorged ticks have disappeared by the next day post dusting. The ingredients singly are nonmutagenic and nontoxic to mammals, fish and birds. It is expected that in compound they also are harmless in the form and concentration in this product.


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Watch The ::God Is Imaginary Videos On YouTube ::
Plus one to any one who can find and post the pic of the kid in Africa about to be lunch for the vulture. That will say what I want to without any more words. (Does not seem like a fair opportunity to me).


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COLUMBUS — Ohio officials urge people to wash hands and take other hygiene precautions while visiting county fairs this summer.
Several county fairs in Ohio and Indiana were linked to swine flu cases last year, with at least 11 Ohioans hospitalized after contracting the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 10 children were hospitalized after visiting Ohio fairs.
One 61-year-old woman from Madison County died after having contact with hogs at the Ross County Fair. Officials say she had underlying conditions including heart disease and high blood pressure.
The Ohio Departments of Health and Agriculture say they have worked with fairs, youth organizations, and veterinarians to increase hand-sanitizing and washing stations.
They say older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems can be vulnerable.
Health officials also advise leaving strollers outside animal exhibits and suggest that those considered vulnerable stay out of animal areas.
Ohio's health department director cautioned that some illnesses, such as the flu virus, are commonly carried by livestock and can be directly transmitted between animals and humans in the same way those illnesses are often transmitted between people.
"With fair season upon us, we want to remind folks that some illnesses, such as influenza viruses, are commonly carried by livestock and can be directly transmitted between animals and humans in the same way those illnesses are often transmitted between people," said Dr. Ted Wymyslo, Ohio Department of Health director.
CDC officials said most cases associated with the new strain of swine flu last year were relatively mild.
Fair season in Ohio goes from mid-June through October.
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By Greg Stobart
Tottenham will tell Hugo Lloris he will not be sold in January, even though the unhappy goalkeeper is expected to demand clarification on his future next week.
The France captain has made just one Premier League appearance since his £12 million (€15m) switch from Lyon in the summer, with 41-year-old Brad Friedel currently preferred by Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas as the club's first-choice keeper.
Reports in France have suggested Lloris will ask to leave Tottenham in January if he is still on the substitutes' bench for Saturday's north London derby against Arsenal - and it is understood that Villas-Boas has no plans to drop Friedel.
But a club source told Goal.com: "There is a lot of talk about his lack of action, inside and outside the club, but there is absolutely no chance he will be sold in January.
"He is the future of the club."
Lloris, 25, has already held one meeting with Villas-Boas about the Portuguese's plans for him and is desperate to play in the league, having been restricted to four appearances in cup competitions so far this season.
Villas-Boas and France coach Didier Deschamps have been engaged in a war of words over Lloris' situation, with the latter expressing his frustration over the former Nice man's lack of action.
Responding to Deschamps' most recent claims that his rotation policy is having a detrimental effort on Lloris' form, Villas-Boas told reporters: "It goes in one ear and comes out the other."
That prompted a reply from the France manager this week, telling L'Equipe: "What he (Villas-Boas) says has the same effect on me."
And while Lloris has publicly declared that he understands his position, behind the scenes he is believed to be growing increasingly concerned, having expected to play regularly when he moved to White Hart Lane.
Follow Greg Stobart on


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As a follow-up meeting from this year's TechEd 2012 I had a briefing with Memo Michailov, Co-Founder and CEO of Sanbolic to discuss Sanbolic's AppCluster's new support for public clouds. Sanbolic AppCluster is a Microsoft SQL Server specific module within its Melio clustered file system product. It extends the availability and scalability of SQL Server across physical, virtual and public cloud environments. Sanbolic's AppCluster software previously supported on-premise SQL Server physical and virtual instances. The new release which became available on June 22nd adds support for SQL Server instances running on Amazon and Rackspace public clouds.
AppCluster works using Sanbolic's Melio File System (FS). Melio FS is a symmetrical clustered file system designed for shared storage environments. Melio FS provides access to data on shared storage from multiple servers enabling high availability and horizontal scaling of applications.
AppCluster's public cloud capability enables you to add high availability capabilities to SQL Server instances running on Amazon and Rackspace cloud IaaS infrastructures. This addresses the limitation of not being able to create Windows Server Failover clusters in those environments. Notably, Sanbolic's high availability solution does not require the SQL Server Enterprise edition. It can provide unlimited node clusters and high availability for the SQL Server Standard edition as well as the other editions of SQL Server. To learn more about Sanbolic's Melio FS and AppCluster check out http://www.sanbolic.com/meliofs.htm.


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Lady 1: How's your oldest son doing?
Lady 2: Oh he's doing a lot better now that they have him locked up.
Lady 1: Well, that's good, I guess. And how's Bobby? Where's he at?
Lady 2: Bobby's in Louisville. He's doing all right.
Lady 1: Do you have any grandbabies?
Lady 2: (laughing) Oh, my goodness, yes. Bobby's got ten kids.
Lady 1: TEN kids?!
Lady 2: Ten kids in eight years. He had two girlfriends pregnant, most of the time.
Lady 1: (sputtering)
Lady 2: Oh, he's paying for it now. His child support bill is $800 a month.
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The words "moral decay" come to mind.


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Your source for the net's most indepth biographies on Canadian music! OVER A THOUSAND PAGES (and always growing) that span over a century of every genre - complete discographies with jackets, today's hottest indie artists, lyrics, midis, links, guitar tabs, 'this date in history' music calendar, memorial page, interviews, and reviews! ! !
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1024 X 768 and in full screen mode


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Theresa Vail said the Miss America contest was similar to boot camp, at least in terms of sleep deprivation.
Theresa Vail said the Miss America contest was similar to boot camp, at least in terms of sleep deprivation.
And Vail should know from experience. The Leavenworth High School graduate, who recently competed in the pageant, is a sergeant in the National Guard.
Despite the lack of sleep, Vail said she enjoyed her Miss America experience, becoming close friends with three of the other contenders
"I will remember it for the rest of my life," she said.
Vail, who graduated from Leavenworth High School in 2009, competed in the Miss America contest Sept. 15 in Atlantic City, N.J. This came after she was crowned Miss Kansas June 8 in Pratt.
Vail made it into the top 10 of the Miss America contest, something she said was in some ways surprising but not in other ways.
It was a surprise because a Miss Kansas hadn't made it into the top 10 in a decade. But at the same time, Vail said she knew she'd been doing well in every event.
Vail said she's not disappointed that the Miss America crown ultimately went to someone else. She is pleased with having been dubbed "America's Choice" as the result of the public's online voting.
"That's all I care about," she said.
Vail, who turns 23 Tuesday, made headlines ahead of the Sept. 15 pageant by announcing she would not be covering up her tattoos for the competition.
While Vail was the first Miss America contestant to do this, she hadn't expected it to receive as much attention as it did.
"It's 2013," she said.
She thought people would have moved past this issue.
But Vail said the national attention brought by this issue opened doors, giving people a chance to understand there's much more to her.
"All this came out because of the tattoos," she said.
There also were media reports regarding her talent for the competition ― opera singing. She chose this talent when preparing to compete as Miss Leavenworth County. A couple of days before the local event, she learned her chosen talent of archery wouldn't be allowed. That's when she started looking on YouTube for opera songs to perform, finding an easy one. After the local competition, she continued practicing opera singing.
Vail said she chose opera because "I just knew I couldn't sing anything contemporary."
She will continue to serve as Miss Kansas until June.
"This is a full-time job," she said.
Vail, who wants to be a dentist in the Army, has taken a year off from her studies at Kansas State University in order to serve as Miss Kansas.
Vail said she's been invited to speak at a number of schools because of her story of having been bullied, which became known to the public in the lead up to the Miss America contest.
As a role model, one thing Vail would like young women to know is that they can do whatever they want.
"It sounds pretty basic, but it's true," she said.


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Iran's Presidential Election: Rebellion of the Third Generation
Al-Akhbar Management
By: Elie Chalhoub
Published Friday, June 14, 2013
Iran's presidential election seems to be moving along with few controversies. Nevertheless, the election represents a profound shift in the country's politics as a "third generation" of voters assert themselves.
One exception to the prevailing calm in Iran's presidential election was the Guardian Council's rejection of Ali Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei's candidacies. That is not to say that some notable and unprecedented developments are in fact taking place underneath the surface:
1) This is the first election in which the West seems to be resigned to the fact that regardless of who wins, the election results will have little effect on Iran's major policies regarding the US, the Palestinian struggle, and the country's ambitious nuclear program.
The West also appears to have decided that there is little they can do to stir up controversy or foment division among Iranians, as was the case in the 2009 presidential election.
2) The election outcome will likely represent the final blow to the alliance between the bazaar merchants and the religious seminaries of Qom that have dominated Iran's politics for so long.
In the 2009 election, rural voters rose up by the millions to oppose the political parties that were hoping to topple President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Today's election will see a similar uprising by rural voters, but this time against the so-called religious aristocracy.
Favored conservative candidate Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said as much during a recent election rally. He declared the end of the "aristocracy...who used to come to the [war] front to take pictures with us and then return to Tehran to show them off while we fight for our very existence in the face of bombs and rockets."
The decline of the religious aristocracy is further evidenced by the fact that none of the eight presidential candidates – with perhaps the exception of Ali Akbar Velayati – are beholden to either the bazaar or Qom. Notably, as soon as the aristocracy came out in support of Velayati, his numbers in the polls began to decline.
The current crop of candidates, particularly among the conservatives, have their own support bases that have prevented them from stepping down in order to put forward a single candidate and win the election in the first round.
The two conservatives most favored in the polls, Ghalibaf and Saeed Jalili, come from poor, rural backgrounds; their achievements are due to their own hard work and commitment. They owe nothing to Qom's clergy or the bazaar's barons.
3) Just as importantly, the election represents the end of the reformist-conservative split in Iranian politics. As one of the candidates, independent Mohsen Rezaee, put it, "Goodbye to the two factions that ruled this country, both the reformist and conservative fronts have fragmented."
4) A gentleman's agreement was struck for the first time between the regime and the people to give all the candidates full access to the media, as opposed to previous elections, which were limited to presidential debates only. This helped to absorb any tensions that may have spilled into the streets, allowing them to play out in the country's media instead.
This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.
- Section: Mideast & North Africa
- Category: Articles
- Tags: Iran Presidential Election 2013, Iran
Iran began to patch up relations with the Soviets and threatened to export there, as opposed to the West. For fear of Soviet influence and expansionism, the British and Americans quickly shifted to favoring the Iranians, who were given a great increase in production. Back at home, Texan oil producers began to complain that low market prices were harming the domestic market.


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Life In Missouri... More About Trees and Plants...
Today, big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) was named the official Missouri State Grass.
4th grade teacher Christine Schmidgall and four successive classes of fourth graders in Rolla, MO, were instrumental in the naming. They worked with their state representative, lobbied the legislature, and even testified before a subcommittee. No wonder the governor came to their school to sign the bill into law.
"Big Bluestem has been here for 10,000 years," said Schmidgall. "One of the neat things about it is that it grows nine to 12 feet above the ground, but its roots go 10 to 15 feet below and nourish the soil as they decay. Really, it's incredible, and truly native to the state."
Source: "Blunt Signs Big Bluestem Bill," by Kristen Jump,The Rolla Daily News, June 12, 2007
The Associated Press was less ecstatic about Missouri's new state grass. Perhaps they were trying to be more "fair and balanced" than the hometown newspaper of the teacher and kids who successfully lobbied for big bluestem.
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site, big bluestem can be a "weedy and invasive" plant. But the agency also said the grass is good for livestock grazing, erosion control and also can provide a place for nesting by birds and other animals.
Source: "Big bluestem is now state's official grass", by staff. Associated Press, June 12, 2007
The grassy topic of this post may be unpleasant to readers who are allergic to grass pollen. It's a rough time of the year for hay fever sufferers. I hope the clump of big bluestem at the top of this post doesn't make anyone sneeze or break out in hives.