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Atrial Fibrillation: Ablation or Surgical Treatment II: FAST II
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01336075
Recruitment Status : Terminated (Too few participants)
First Posted : April 15, 2011
Last Update Posted : January 3, 2014
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
The purpose of this study is to compare two invasive treatments of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation and mini invasive thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation in patients referred for a first time invasive treatment for atrial fibrillation.
The hypothesis is, that mini invasive thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation as a first time invasive treatment is more effective compared to a percutaneous catheter based technique in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation refractory or intolerant to at least one antiarrhythmic drug.
|Condition or disease
|Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.
|Procedure: Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation Procedure: Mini invasive thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation
|Not Applicable
Atrial fibrillation is characterized by disorganized, rapid, and irregular contraction of the atria. Its effects on hemodynamic and thromboembolic events result in significant morbidity, mortality, impaired quality of life, hospitalizations, and health-cost.
It is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Over six million Europeans suffer from this arrhythmia. The prevalence is estimated to at least double in the next 50 years and is probably underestimated due to asymptomatic atrial fibrillation. The prevalence increases with age and affects men more often.
Atrial fibrillation is treated medically with varying results and there are no definitive long term curative treatments. The main goal aims at reducing symptoms and preventing disabling complications. Treatment normally includes antithrombotic, rhythm, and/or rate management, New non-pharmacological interventions have evolved over the last decades in order to prevent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and/or reduce symptoms. The main focus of non-pharmacological intervention has been on percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation and surgical maze ablation. Both approaches aim at minimizing the impact of "triggers" from the pulmonary veins by electrical isolation of the veins.
Studies comparing antiarrhythmic drug and radiofrequency ablation indicate that radiofrequency ablation has a higher efficacy rate, a lower rate of complications, and in selected patients radiofrequency ablation reduced the risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence after one year by 65 % compared with antiarrhythmic drug. In a recently published paper the success rate after a mean of 1.3 radiofrequency ablation procedures per patient varied from 57.7% to 75.4% with higher success rates in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as compared to persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation.
European Society of Cardiology recommends that radiofrequency ablation is reserved for patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal therapy and failed at least one antiarrhythmic drug.
Dr. James Cox introduced the Cox-maze surgical operation for atrial fibrillation in 1987, later modified to Cox-maze III also known as the "cut and sew" maze. It is highly successful in restoring sinus rhythm, with 90-96 % being free from atrial fibrillation at a mean follow-up of 5.4 years. Due to its complexity and technical difficulty the procedure has not been widely adopted. Mini invasive procedures for pulmonary vein isolation have been developed and can now be performed either through mini thoracotomies or using totally thoracoscopic approach. These procedures also hold the advantage of left atrial appendage excision or exclusion. The thoracoscopic maze ablation has shown promising results in small studies in patients with recurrence of atrial fibrillation after earlier catheter based radiofrequency ablation, after a mean follow-up of 11 months 84 % of the patients remain in sinus rhythm. However long-term results are still unknown. The procedure still needs to be compared head to head with catheter based radiofrequency ablation before it should be offered as a standard treatment of atrial fibrillation.
The rationale for eliminating atrial fibrillation with radiofrequency ablation include a potential improvement in quality of life, decreased stroke risk, decreased heart failure risk and improved survival.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|26 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|Single (Outcomes Assessor)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|Atrial Fibrillation: Ablation or Surgical Treatment II: FAST II A Randomized Study Comparing Non-pharmacologic Therapy in Patients With Drug-refractory Atrial Fibrillation Referred for a First Time Invasive Treatment.
|Study Start Date :
|April 2011
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|December 2013
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|December 2013
Active Comparator: Mini invasive thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation
Video-assisted thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation
Procedure: Mini invasive thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation
Video-assisted thoracoscopic approach for electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins bilaterally and left atrial appendage excision or exclusion.
Other Name: Mini invasive mini maze
Active Comparator: Percutaneous ablation
Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation
Procedure: Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation
Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation around the rights and lefts pulmonary veins, with complete circumferential ablation.
Other Names:
- Freedom from atrial fibrillation with or without antiarrhythmic drug. [ Time Frame: 12 month follow-up ]Determined by seven days Holter monitoring, ECG, and patient interviews. An episode of atrial fibrillation/flutter/tachycardia is defined as more than 30 seconds of atrial fibrillation observed on Holter monitoring/telemetry or ECG
- Quality of life [ Time Frame: 12 month follow-up ]Comparison of quality of life before ablation and at follow-up, by 4 different quality of life questionnaires AFEQT, AF-QoL-18, GAD-7 and PHQ-9.
- Procedural complications [ Time Frame: 12 month follow-up ]Thromboembolic events (TIA,Stroke), Mortality, Tamponade, need for thoracotomy, bleeding, infection, esophageal fistula, embolic events, death , pneumothorax and hemothorax.
- Health economics (cost-effectiveness analysis) [ Time Frame: 12 month follow-up ]
- Reduction in atrial fibrillation burden [ Time Frame: 12 month follow-up ]
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 75 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
- Previously failed one or more antiarrhythmic or beta-blocker medication (treatment > 30 days) or if any contraindications against treatment with these drug.
- Patient is willing and able to attend the scheduled follow-up visits
- Signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation
- Previously atrial fibrillation ablation procedure
- Atrial fibrillation secondary to electrolyte imbalance, thyroid disease, or reversible or non-cardiac cause
- Severe underlying heart disease (congenital heart disease, significant valvular disease, cardiomyopathy with LVEF < 35 %, angina pectoris/ ischemic heart disease).
- Severe enlargement of left atrium (> 45mm)
- Patient with pacemaker
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Patient unable to undergo TEE or with documented left atrial thrombus
- Patients with co-morbid conditions who, in the opinion of the investigator, constitute increased risk of general anesthesia or port access, e.g. pleural fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (FEV1 < 1.5 L/s).
- Known internal carotid artery stenosis (> 80 %).
- Patients, who are enrolled in another clinical trial
- Life expectancy less than one year
- Previously TIA/stroke
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01336075
|Dept of Cardiothoracic surgery and Dept of Cardiology, Aalborg Hospital
|Aalborg, Denmark, 9000
|Odense Universityhospital
|Odense, Denmark, 5000
|St. Antonius Hospital
|Nieuwegein, Netherlands, 3430
|Principal Investigator:
|Henrik Vadmann, MD
|Aalborg University Hospital
|Principal Investigator:
|Sam Riahi, MD, PhD
|Aalborg University Hospital
|Principal Investigator:
|Jan Jesper Andreasen, MD, PhD
|Aalborg University Hospital
|Principal Investigator:
|Søren Hjortshøj, MD, PhD
|Aalborg University Hospital
|Principal Investigator:
|Alaaddin Yilmaz, MD
|ST. Antonius hospital Nieuwegein
|Principal Investigator:
|Lucas Boersma, MD, PhD
|ST. Antonius hospital Nieuwegein
|Principal Investigator:
|Axel Brandes, MD, FESC
|Odense Universityhospital
|Principal Investigator:
|Peter Pallesen, MD
|Odense Universityhospital
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|Henrik Vadmann, MD, Ph.d student., MD, Ph.D. student, Aalborg University Hospital
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|First Posted:
|April 15, 2011 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|January 3, 2014
|Last Verified:
|January 2014
Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation
Mini invasive thoracoscopic radiofrequency ablation
Atrial Fibrillation
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Heart Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Pathologic Processes


text:
Two GOP governors say they will not expand Medicaid
- Governors say they don%27t want their states%27 taxes going to pay for others
- Thirteen GOP governors now say they won%27t back Medicaid expansion
- Democratic governors back expansion
WASHINGTON — Two Republican governors said Wednesday they will not back expanding their states' Medicaid programs as allowed under the 2010 health care law, saying the extra costs would burden their states.
The decisions by Govs. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Mike Pence of Indiana leave 10 remaining Republicans who have yet to decide on expanding their participating in the federal-state health care program for the poor. All of the governors have come under heavy lobbying by health care providers who say the economic benefits are too good to ignore.
In Wisconsin, Walker outlined a hybrid approach that involves tightening income eligibility for Medicaid, lifting a cap on a program that covers childless adults and forcing more people to buy insurance through a government-run marketplace known as an exchange.
Pence was not as definitive as Walker, saying that he would not expand Medicaid but asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to allow the state to use its Healthy Indiana Program to serve the expanded Medicaid population.
"Medicaid is broken," said Pence, adding that expanding it would cost "upwards of $2 billion over the next seven years."
Walker and Pence bucked the recent trend that had seen six Republican governors back expansion. They are from Arizona, Michigan, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio and Nevada. Thirteen Republican governors have declined to participate, and 10 others have not announced a decision.
"It's fascinating, because on the political level, it's a classic clash between money and politics," said Dan Mendelson, CEO of Avalere health advisory company. He said he and his 170 advisers working with the health care industry are hearing plenty about expansion.
"It sets up a really difficult tension between the Republican governors and the hospitals, but there's an increasing level of political cover being given to the governors to expand their programs," Mendelson said.
In Florida, where Republican Gov. Rick Scott is undecided, a recent poll found that 60% of residents would like to see Medicaid expanded, Mendelson said. Several economic studies have found the states may benefit both by federal funds going into local economies, as well as taxes from those sales going back into the coffers of local government.
Scott originally said he worried that expanding Medicaid would cost the state too much money. But since a Georgetown University study found Florida would save about $300 million in 2014, and $100 million in 2020 — after the state takes on 10% of costs, Scott has stopped saying Florida was an absolute no for expansion.
Those backing expansion said the added financial benefits outweighed their opposition to the health care law. For example:
- In Arizona, Gov. Jan Brewer said last month that she supported expansion because she worried that if she didn't participate, her constituents' federal tax money would go into the national Medicaid pot and not help Arizonans.
- Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan said expanding Medicaid would save his state $200 million a year.
- In North Dakota, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Republican dislike of the law should not stop his state from expanding Medicaid.
All states with Democratic governors have either chosen to participate or are leaning toward participating.
Under the law, states may extend Medicaid to 19- to 64-year-old individuals if their family's income was less than 138% of the federal poverty level, and the federal government will cover 100% of their costs through 2016. Beginning in 2017, the states will have to cover 5%, which will gradually increase to 10% in 2020. The Supreme Court decided the government could not penalize states for not participating in the expansion by withholding Medicaid funds for existing programs.
States must have their programs in place by January to receive the federal money.
Ed Haislmaier, a health policy analyst for the conservative Heritage Foundation, said the 10% shift in 2020 will be too much for the states to handle with their "overwhelmed" budgets. He said he understands the states' need to participate, because it's not popular for taxpayers in one state to send their money to other states if their governors choose not to participate.
Steve Filton, senior vice president of Universal Health Services, said hospitals have lobbied for expansion, because they thought they had expanded Medicaid benefits would make up for revenues they lost as part of the health care law. Filton's company owns 100 hospitals.
Last year's Supreme Court ruling that upheld the requirement that uninsured people buy health insurance also allowed states to turn down expanded Medicaid. That cost hospitals half of their expected deal, Filton said.
Though states could reap a large return from expanded Medicaid benefits, the extra costs are a challenge, said Michael Morrissey, a University of Alabama health care economist.
A recent study by Morrissey found that Medicaid expansion in Alabama would generate almost $20 billion in new income from 2014 to 2020 and $1.7 billion in extra taxes to local government. That assumed that 60% of the uninsured would get insurance. To get those benefits, Alabama taxpayers would have to come up with $771 million in new revenue to pay to administer the expansion, he said.
Alabama's governor, Gov. Robert Bentley, a Republican, declined to participate in the expansion, saying the state could not afford it.
Contributing: Larry Bivins, Maureen Groppe and the Associated Press

subset: commoncrawl


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Buffalo Mini Maker Faire is included with Museum admission and free for BMS members.
MEMBER DISCOUNTS ONLINE:Our online ticketing system links directly with your membership record. If you haven't done so already, please register with the new site using the "Register" button in the upper right hand corner prior to making your purchase. You will need the email address you have saved with your record in order to receive Membership Discounts. If you need to update your Member Records, please call 716.896.5200 x311 (9a-5p, M-F).


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Kids' Books
October 2018
Recent Releases
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
Jonathan Auxier
What it's about:
As a chimney sweep in Victorian London, orphan Nan Sparrow is used to loneliness and grimy, dangerous work. Then one day she's rescued from an accident by a strange creature -- a golem -- who becomes her loyal companion.
Why you might like it:
Blending fantasy, history, and Jewish folktales,
has something for lots of different readers.
Try this next:
Katherine Rundell's
, another historical tale offering a kid's rooftop view of a famous city.
Mac B., Kid Spy: Mac Undercover
Mac Barnett; illustrated by Mike Lowery
What it is
: the story of how regular kid (and future author) Mac Barnett became a secret agent in the 1980s. It's all true, too! Or so he says…
What happens
: The Queen of England asks young Mac to find her stolen Coronation Spoon, leading him to a corgi sidekick, an international search, and some extremely silly spycraft.
Don't miss
: a drawing of the Queen wearing unicorn jammies, one of the many laugh-till-you-snort cartoon illustrations in this series-starting chapter book.
The Darkdeep
Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs
What it's about:
There are rumors that a Beast lives in Still Cove, Washington, but when middle school friends Nico, Tyler, Emma, and Opal wind up in the cove by accident, what they discover is more amazing than any rumor -- and it could be far deadlier.
Series alert:
If you can't get enough of
The Darkdeep'
s eerie, imaginative thrills, you're in luck – there's a sequel on the way.
Merci Suárez Changes Gears
Meg Medina
Merci Suárez, who's having a rough year: her friendships are all confusing now that she's in 6th grade, her family duties don't leave her enough time for the soccer team, and her grandpa, Lolo, is acting weird.
Why you might like it:
Whether or not you relate to Merci's big family -- who can be as annoying as they are awesome -- it's hard to resist her honest, funny outlook.
Dactyl Hill Squad
Daniel José Older
In a world...
where dinosaurs never went extinct, domesticated dinos are commonplace for Magdalys Roca, an orphan living in Civil War-era New York City.
What happens:
After her fellow orphans are kidnapped by a shady magistrate, Magdalys and her friends plan a pterodactyl-mounted rescue mission.
Why you might like it
high-flying action,
an inclusive cast of characters, and did we mention the DINOSAURS?
Scary and Suspenseful
The Jumbies
Tracey Baptiste
What it's about:
Growing up in Trinidad, Corinne has heard the stories about the evil, shape-shifting jumbies that dwell in the forest, but that doesn't stop her from going into the forest on All Hallows Eve -- or from worrying that something followed her out.
Who it's for:
Readers who prefer fantasy with hints of horror will welcome the creepiness in this unusual, absorbing twist on a Caribbean folk tale.
Don't miss:
the sequel,
Rise of the Jumbies
Sarah Cannon
Welcome to:
Oddity, New Mexico, where aliens, zombie rabbits, scary puppets, and carnivorous dumpsters are all totally normal. What isn't normal is the disappearance of Ada Roundtree's twin sister, Pearl.
Why you might like it:
You can follow along with determined Ada and her diverse friends as they search for Pearl in this delightfully weird mashup of horror and humor.
The Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart
Lauren DeStefano
good girl Marybeth and "wild boy" Lionel, foster kids and best friends who must unravel a sinister mystery after Marybeth is possessed by an otherworldly blue creature.
Read it for:
spine-tingling scares, deep characters, a powerful friendship, and tough topics handled in a sensitive way.
You might also like:
A Curious Tale of the In-Between
, another spooky tale by author Lauren DeStefano.
Mothman's Curse
Christine Hayes; illustrated by James K. Hindle
What it's about:
At an estate sale, Josie Fletcher and her brothers discover a gold moth pin that unleashes the winged, red-eyed Mothman, a local legend who appears just before deadly disasters. Can the three siblings stop the vengeful spirit before it claims more lives?
Is it for you?
If you're looking for a good scare, don't miss the combination of well-drawn characters and chilling suspense in this "ectoplasmic extravaganza" (
Kirkus Reviews
Spirit Hunters
Ellen Oh
What it's about:
Twelve-year-old Harper can't push away the uneasy feeling she gets from her family's new house. Their neighbor, Dayo, says that the place is haunted -- a claim that gets easier to believe as Harper's little brother begins acting out in alarming ways.
Who it's for:
Filled with shivery tension and disturbing ghost encounters,
Spirit Hunters
will captivate anyone looking for a real fright.
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 8-11!
303 Laura St. N.
Jacksonville, Florida 32202


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The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association envisions future generations enjoying—undiminished—Pennsylvania's natural areas and open spaces. The Association envisions communities having deep connections with their urban, suburban and rural lands. The Association envisions people recognizing the health, safety, recreational, economic and other benefits delivered by land conservation.
Thank you to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for supporting the Association's conservation efforts.


text: Plextor has just announced a couple of new Blu-ray drives that also read HD DVDs, clearly designed for the poor saps who made the wrong choice in the format war. At first it might seem like an OK choice for people with a HD DVD collection quickly growing obsolete, but for US$450 for a reader or $600 for a burner, maybe a better idea would be to just get a straight-up Blu-ray drive and consider your HD DVD losses an early adopter tax. [Product Page via Electronista]


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"God Bless the Broken Road" follows the story of a young mother as she struggles to get by in the aftermath of her husband's untimely death.
"GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD" — 3 stars — Lindsay Pulsipher, Andrew Walker, Makenzie Moss, Gary Grubbs; PG (for thematic elements and some combat action)
"God Bless the Broken Road" is a little rough around the turns, but a poignant message gets it across the finish line just in time.
Harold Cronk's film follows the story of a young mother as she struggles to get by in the aftermath of her husband's untimely death.
Life is just about perfect for Amber (played by Utah-native Lindsay Pulsipher). Her husband Darren (Liam Matthews) is serving his country in Afghanistan, she's got a preteen daughter Bree (Makenzie Moss), and when she's not enjoying a beautiful home in Clarksville, Kentucky, she's the guitar-playing siren of her local church choir.
Then Darren is killed in action, and her world slowly unravels around her. Two years after her husband's death, Amber is working extra shifts at a local diner to try to fend off foreclosure. Darren's mother, Patti (Kim Delaney), is constantly after her about what she thinks is the best way to care for Bree, and Amber hasn't been to church — or to choir practice — for months.
Amber isn't the only one who is facing hard times. Cody Jackson (Andrew W. Walker) was an up-and-coming stock car racing star before a headstrong attitude led to a nightmare of a crash. Now he's been sent down to the minors to get some coaching on the fundamentals from a Clarksville racer named Joe Carter (Gary Grubbs).
It isn't long before Amber catches Cody's attention — Joe signs him up as a youth advisor and Cody winds up helping Bree and some other kids build their own go-karts — but after some pensive dating, Amber and Cody's respective situations go from bad to worse.
It turns out a serious crash isn't enough to get Cody to change his ways, but Amber's journey is the one that really earns the film's title. We watch as she fights to keep her home, selling off family heirlooms and taking out ill-advised 38-percent loans at the local pawnshop to keep her head above the financial waters.
All the while she pushes back against her mother-in-law, as well as the idea of returning to church, choosing to get angrier and angrier at God while the night gets darker, unable to understand why he'd take Darren away from her and her daughter.
Wisely, "Broken Road's" story arc has more to do with Amber's personal faith than whether she's going to get together with Cody, and though at times you might wonder if Cronk has pushed things a little too far on the melodrama scale, the film should be relatable to most anyone who has faced a crisis of faith, or has just been challenged in a period of difficult trial.
It's a nice change-up from the more defensive posture of Cronk's work in the "God's Not Dead" films, though "Broken Road" does get a bit heavy-handed in its efforts to get the audience tears rolling, especially towards its emotional finale.
Along with some sketchy supporting performances, the heavy-handedness may prove a distraction from the genuine message at the heart of Cronk's film. But for audiences in need of a boost, "God Bless the Broken Road" might offer just enough of a payoff to justify a few rough patches.
"God Bless the Broken Road" is rated PG for thematic elements and some combat action.


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Weddings, in life, represent new beginnings, but in sitcoms often signify the end – or the beginning of the end. "Friends" was never quite the same after Monica and Chandler wed. "Rhoda" started with the title character marrying Joe, but he didn't turn out to be good for her – or the show. "Happy Days" ended with the wedding of Joanie and Chachi, six seasons after Fonzie jumped the shark and unwittingly created pop culture shorthand for the moment that kicks off a show's decline.
In its six-plus seasons, "30 Rock" has floated plenty of ploys guaranteed to get the sharks circling – including oodles of stunt casting (Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Martin) and other gimmicks (not one, but two live episodes). But the show's cast and writers have consistently converted shopworn devices into some of TV's sharpest comedy.
U.S. & World
Now, with the series down to its last seven episodes, Tina Fey's television alter ego Liz Lemon is set to wed Thursday as she strives for motherhood (another sign of an impending shark jump) – marking perhaps a final gleeful nose-thumb by a sitcom that defied tired TV conventions by embracing them with comic irreverence.
It's hard to imagine Liz, who only looked comfortable in a gown when she dressed as Princess Leia to avoid jury duty, throwing a traditional wedding. The primary running joke of "30 Rock" has been her fruitless quest to find the right man while she remains married to her job as head writer for "TGS," the dysfunctional "Saturday Night Live"-like show-with-in-show. She's gone through a ragamuffin parade of guys, raging from outright losers to near misses, with most falling into the stunt casting or stunt naming categories – or both.
Dennis Duffy (Dean Winters) proved a crude slacker with views of womanhood even more old-fashioned than the beepers he hawked. Nice guy Floyd DeBarber's (Jason Sudeikis) past drinking problems weren't as troubling as his love of Cleveland. Dopey Dr. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm) couldn't break out of the bubble that envelopes the overly handsome, hooks and all. Unctuous Englishman Wesley Snipes (Michael Sheen) nearly got Liz to settle for a pompous twit. While she was glad they had some time together, Liz was too much like neurotic pilot Carol Burnett (Matt Damon) for their relationship to takeoff.
All were flawed in different ways, save for one: each tried to make Liz into something she wasn't or didn't want to be. Her betrothed, Criss Chross (James Marsden), is no Astronaut Mike Dexter, her imagined perfect man. But at least the goofball dreamer, who hawks gourmet organic hot dogs, doesn't want to change Liz. As long as he keeps images of Tom Jones away from her, presumably everything will remain okay in the love department.
Criss seems like a fine choice – we're just grateful that "30 Rock" also defied expectations that Liz would somehow end up with her mentor/verbal sparring partner Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin). Unlike the combustible Sam and Diane of "Cheers" fame, Liz and Jack have forged more of a "Mary Tyler Moore Show" dynamic, with Liz playing a combination Rhoda and Mary to Jack's Lou Grant.
Their bond, not easily explained or broken, provides a tenuous emotional center to a show that relies on laugh-a-second dialogue, cartoonish characters and goofy plots that by all rights shouldn't have gotten "30 Rock" past Season 2. Somehow, Liz and Jack made us care – kept us laughing.
Unlike Monica and Chandler, Rhoda and Joe, Joannie and Chachi, among other heavily hyped sitcom knot-tyings, the scheduled Liz-Criss nuptials are shaping up as a relatively low-key affair. NBC only began publicizing the episode a couple weeks ago, issuing an invitation that instructs guests to "Bring your own snacks." Presumably Sabor de Soledad chips – the cheesy treat that caused Liz to experience false positives on pregnancy tests – won't be on the menu.
Let the sharks eat the chips. Liz is our TV pal, but she's no chum. She's having it all, in her own wacky way, in her own time. No matter how domestic life turns out for her, "30 Rock" will be off the air long before the honeymoon is over – or before the sharks notice Liz Lemon is TV history.
Hester is founding director of the award-winning, multi-media NYCity News Service at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. He is the former City Editor of the New York Daily News, where he started as a reporter in 1992. Follow him on Twitter.
Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media


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Mexican Eats: Genuine Home Cooking at The Bronx's Lovely Mexicocina
At Mexicocina, a miniscule Mexican sit-down cafe up in the Bronx, a petite electric fireplace flickers from an alcove in the back. It's dark inside, but not without charm, from the faux fireplace and the decorative glazed plates from Puebla that hang from boldy painted walls. The large menu showcases all of the standard tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and antojitos, breakfasts of chilaquiles and eggs with cactus, and larger plates served with buckets of rice, plus a few treasures.
The tacos ($2.50) showered with cilantro and diced onion are fine; the tacos mexicocina ($3.50), served on handmade tortillas, are even better. Their addition of quesillo cheese and chipotle peppers will clash with your al pastor, but not with the well-done cecina and carnitas. The cemitas ($8) are appropriately massive, and the picaditas ($7)—simple with just salsa and crema—carry a scarlet sauce that pricks even the most calloused palate.
Served in beautiful terracotta bowls, the dozen or so daily specials are exceptional, like the Albondigas en caldillo ($12), delicious coarsely ground meatballs concealing golden egg yolks at their centers, like an ascetic Scotch-eggs without the breading. A small pile of them sit in a chicken-rich broth, with chunks of tender potato and floating bay leaves. This is the type of home-style cooking glorified by upscale Mexican restaurants around the city and rarely seen outside of the home, the kind of dishes you scan menus for at local taquerias, hoping the cooks have taken the time to make them.
The enchiladas de borrego ($10) are thickish, coarse tortillas wrapped around pieces of lamb and coated in a chili rub that amplifies their woodsy flavor. Moistened with a tomato and tomatillo sauce, with rings of crisp white onion and bands of crema, it's a dish that would impress Diana Kennedy.
So would the costillas en salsa verde, ($12), a plate of tiny pork ribs stewed in a green salsa, a minimalist plate that belies its miles of flavor. The sauce is made from tomatillos, garlic, and chiles, their green sweetness coaxed to the forefront, while their heat, contained in the great avocado salsa, in a bowl to the side.
800 East 149 St. Bronx, NY 10455 (map)
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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- TypeModern
- Thickness10.5mm
- BandLeather Strap
- Case MaterialSteel
- ConditionBrand New
- MovementAutomatic
NB Yeager Turbulence
NB Yeager Turbulence automatic wristwatch. The Turbulence refers to and mimics technical instruments found in aircraft. The features on the watches are genuine working and moving features which emulate the cockpit functions, but do not carry out the same function - impossible to do in the small wristwatch case. An opening at 6 oclock shows narrow and wider running lines. These shall display the turbulence alert. The date is displayed by an opening. The lines move as the time advances. For aircraft and wristwatch enthusiasts though, the functions add a very unique looking and attractive novelty to the everyday wristwatch, which in itself is an reflection on the enthusiasms, interests or even the desired aspirations of the person who wears the watch. It has a bold, distinctive and extraordinary design, absolutely stunning, clean fresh and bright automatic chronograph. It is bold and brash using daring characters and colours, but something that is appealing attractive and striking. The watch is very masculine in design and stature.
It has character and demonstrates innovation by the maker as well as the wearer of such a watch. The design is that of an aircraft instrument, adapted to a wristwatch, where there are very large and bold numerals and hands in luminous colour with blue sweep second hand and seconds markings. On the watch the turbulence indicator is on the lower of the dial and is supposed it indicate the turbulence warning on a cockpit radar system - a highly useful indicator to the pilot so that turbulent weather systems can be avoided or anticipated. Mat black dial. Day and date at the 3 position in an elongated and unique looking window. The case is solid stainless steel with steel screw on back which contains picture of jet aircraft breaking the sound barrier.
The case is brushed steel giving a mat effect, with a polished back. It has a screw down crown and is water resistant to 10 bar, which is approximately 100 metres. It has a scratch resistant sapphire crystal, super luminova luminous system and a 25 jewel Swiss made SW20A automatic movement. The leather strap version comes with a spare rubber strap, instruction booklet/guarantee card, attractive curved box and outer box.
Also available on steel bracelet as pictured in the Charlie Original below. Dimensions are width is 40 mm excluding the crown, 44 mm including the crown, 46.5 mm lug to lug, 10.5 mm thick.


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If you've ever wanted to transport yourself into the future, this is your machine. By design, the NM4 shakes up the status quo and explodes conventional barriers in order to attract a whole new segment of forward-thinking riders to motorcycling. Beneath its futuristic bodywork there's a 670cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine with four valves per cylinder, automatic dual-clutch transmission and ABS. Storage pockets in the fairing plus saddlebags add real-world utility, and the rear turn signals are neatly integrated into the rear bags. The rider settles easily onto a comfy seat that's perched a low, 25.6 inches off the ground, and there's also a cool and practical rider backrest feature—the passenger seat flips up and can be set at three different angles and slides fore and aft to one of four positions. Full LED lighting lets the NM4 stand out whether it's coming or going, the fat, 200mm rear tire imparts a cool look, and the meter display can be illuminated in any of 25 different color choices—nearly one for every day of the month.
Features and Benefits
- Neo-futuristic styling highlights Honda's capabilities for innovation.
- Sophisticated, liquid-cooled SOHC eight-valve 670cc parallel-twin engine pumps out abundant torque for a linear and smooth power delivery.
- Remarkably low seat height of 25.6 inches along with the 62-degree forward angle of the cylinder assembly help create a very low center of gravity, making the NM4 feel distinctly nimble and fun to ride.
- Second-generation Automatic six-speed Honda Dual Clutch Transmission uses two hydraulically controlled clutches to deliver quick and smooth gear changes in a choice of three modes: Manual (MT), which allows the rider to shift gears using buttons, and two automatic (AT) modes—S for sportier riding and D for everyday use.
- Twin engine balancer shafts quell vibration for smooth, comfortable operation, and rubber-mounted floorboards also add to rider comfort.
- Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) continuously monitors numerous variables to ensure the correct fuel mixture for existing riding and atmospheric conditions, thereby delivering optimal performance and crisp throttle response over a wide range of operating conditions.
- Antilock Braking System (ABS) provides full antilock functionality for secure braking action.
- Full LED lighting for the headlight, taillight and turn signals give bright illumination and a distinctive appearance with reduced power draw.
- Convertible passenger seat flips up to provide a backrest for the rider; three-way adjustable for lean angle, four-way adjustable for fore-and-aft positioning.
- Integrated storage includes two saddlebags plus two storage pockets in the upper cowl.
- Rider floorboards for added comfort.
- Large 18-inch front wheel and fat rear wheel with 200mm tire lend a distinctive look.
- High-tech meter display can be set to any of 25 different colors. Stock settings alter by drive mode: white for Neutral; blue for D; pink for S; red for MT.
- Transferable one-year, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.
Honda Genuine Accessories†
Passenger Backrest, Rear Seat Cowl, Tall Windscreen, Heated Grips
† WARRANTY: Because we're so confident in the quality of each of our Honda Genuine Accessories, we're pleased to offer one of the best warranties in the industry. One-year warranty begins on the day accessories are purchased by the customer.
Final accessory list TBD and subject to change without notice.
Source and Photography: Honda Powersports


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Job Description
Job Reference ID: 510/000/051342
Home Name: Benarty View
Location: Kelty, Fife, UK
Weekly Hours: 45 and 33.75
Salary: 9.75 per hour
Posting Expiry Date: 03/06/2019
They say there's no place like home. When you enter into our Senior Nurse Care Assistant (SNCA) Programme, you'll have a huge part to play in making sure that's true for all of our residents. This is an enhanced health care assistant role that will, after a period of extensive training and competency assessments, enable you to provide care and clinical interventions to enhance the resident experience and the level of care residents receive under supervision of a Registered Nurse. On a daily basis you will, support the nurse community acting as a nursing assistant and delivering excellent standards of clinical care, whilst enhancing independence and personal choice.
Job Requirements
For you, it all starts with unique hands-on training; from administering medication and taking blood pressure, to putting care plans into practice. You'll support our nurses, and in turn, they'll continually support you. As the link between our nursing and care teams, you'll thrive on the chance to quickly develop your leadership skills, confidence and career within social care, with opportunities to progress if you choose, whether that's progressing into nursing, management or both.
We're looking for very experienced Care Assistants that have already achieved or are working towards a Level 3 qualification in Health in Social Care (or equivalent). Above all, we want to see real ambition to develop a career in social care. To join us as a SNCA, it goes without saying that you'll need to be caring, compassionate and empathetic. You'll also need to be a hands on quick learner ready to take on a challenge.
Full training will be provided,over a minimum of 12 weeks, where you will have a dedicated nurse mentor to work alongside and lots of support from our dedicated SNCA Team. Following this, you will become a Senior Nurse Care Assistant.
*Positions available at 33.75hours and 45 hours Night Shift- Salary paid pro rata


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Facebook is all over the place and more and more potential customers are on Facebook. So, it is important for your business to be on Facebook, too. However, many business owner are still hesitating to do so. The learning curve in the very beginning is steep and then there is also the limited amount of time that we all have. But here are some of the benefits that you can reap when using Facebook for your business.
Branding – Facebook is a great way to build up a brand – be it nation-wide or local. Name recognition becomes more and more important and so this is a great way to get the name out and established.
Customer Engagement – Social media is one of the top ways to engage with your customers. And Facebook is the largest social network on the planet at the time of this writing. Here you can communicate with your customers and also find out more about them. Knowing what your customers want and expect from you can move your business up quite a bit.
An often over-looked benefit is viral marketing. Word of mouth is and has been the most reliable way to drive business. Facebook can play a huge role in having news go viral. People like to share great content and Facebook makes it easy to do so. Post some exceptional content and you never know – the power of Facebook can drive thousands of visitors to your website.
Many business that use Facebook actively have developed certain marketing strategies to get the Facebook crowd involved. Facebook exclusive content is the magic tool they use. As an example a Facebook exclusive sales deal could be a good step to start out with. For one, the existing Facebook fans of yours will have access to this coupon, but non-Facebook fans and customers would like to get the same deal. They are "motivated" to join you on Facebook and as a result your Facebook fan base is steadily increasing.
The key to a successful Facebook strategy is having your own Facebook Fan page. A fan page can be a custom designed page or some content that is being pulled from your website. You can also mix the 2 for a very unique Facebook experience. And even better, besides your own development cost there are no additional fees involved. Facebook provides this service free of charge.
I will write a little more about Facebook pages and Facebook marketing in upcoming blog postings.


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As a corneal specialist, Keith H. Baratz, M.D., has specific interest in Fuchs' corneal dystrophy and the outcomes of corneal transplantation surgery. Fuchs' corneal dystrophy is a very common inherited condition resulting in vision loss through loss of corneal clarity. Corneal transplantation is currently the only therapeutic option for Fuchs' dystrophy, and it is the most common indication for corneal transplantation. Despite the high frequency of the disease, research into its genetic causes and the biochemical mechanisms are still at a relatively preliminary stage.
In order to uncover some of the basic aspects of the disease, Dr. Baratz has focused his research on the genetic causes of Fuchs' dystrophy. He and his colleagues have identified the genetic defect (Transcription factor 4) that is probably the major contributor to the disease in most families.
His current research involves the analysis of disease transmission within families and evaluation of genetic tests to identify young individuals at risk. He is also studying tissue specimens and cultured cells to identify how genetic defects lead to corneal disease.
Dr. Baratz and other investigators at Mayo Clinic hope to expand their research to include the identification of other potential genes affecting Fuchs' dystrophy and to identify biochemical targets for eventual disease prevention through drug, stem cell or gene therapy rather than surgery.
Dr. Baratz is also involved in the analysis of the outcomes of corneal transplantation with specific emphasis on the evaluation of newer, more selective forms of corneal transplants. In conjunction with Drs. Sanjay V. Patel, M.D., and Jay W. McLaren, Ph.D., they have published extensively, giving insight into how different types of corneal transplant procedures restore vision and identifying areas of potential improvement.
Identification of the genes causing Fuchs' dystrophy is the first step in understanding how the disease develops. Ultimately, nonsurgical treatments may be developed once the basic disease mechanisms are understood. Identifying patients at risk through genetic tests allows targeted treatment of individuals prior to the development of vision loss.
In addition, a variety of corneal conditions are treated by corneal transplantation. New procedures have improved the outcome of this surgery, but limitations in the quality of vision remain. Dr. Baratz and his colleagues have identified the causes and severity of these limitations. This research serves as a basis for comparison for future corneal transplantation techniques and also helps to establish the methods by which these procedures may be evaluated.
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A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.


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Vendor record contribution
Look good to librarians: Get bibliographic records for your materials into WorldCat as early as possible in the publishing cycle. When you put descriptive metadata directly into WorldCat—even months before titles are released—you're making it much easier for librarians around the world to catalog their newest acquisitions.
OCLC's cataloging services are the biggest and busiest in the world, indexing more than 42 million items every year. Examples of vendors that have partnered with OCLC include Baker & Taylor, Casalini Libri, East View Information Services, Ingram Library Services, Quality Books and Recorded Books to name just a few. For a complete list of partners, see our Vendor Program Participants page.
Contact OCLC by e-mail for more information >>
See detailed technical information about MARC record requirements


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RTL Group is committed to the professional development of its employees and aims to provide long-term employment.
A wide range of training and development opportunities are available across the Group, to help you grow both personally and professionally.
Your annual personal appraisal and/or target-setting sessions, along with regular follow-up meetings with your supervisor and the Human Resources team, give you plenty of occasions to identify and discuss your strengths and areas for development. Together with your manager and with the support of the HR teams, you can identify the qualifications needed to advance your career.
Moving from one subsidiary to another also broadens everyone's experience and can be a great vehicle for individual development without RTL Group losing valuable talent. Local HR teams cooperate very closely to smooth the way for mobility within our Group and our 'job search' promotes transparent hiring processes and facilitates internal moves throughout RTL Group.
Each employee is given the chance to build a truly individual career. But we also expect you to take charge of your career in an "entrepreneurial" way. You hold the keys… it is up to you to make the most of what we offer! Be ambitious! Take the initiative!


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Light Turquoise Double-Face Satin Ribbon - 5/8"
- Brand: Robert Stanley
Adorn your floral arrangements, candles, gifts, and so much more with this pretty, Light Turquoise Double-Face Satin Ribbon. With a bold, shiny color this ribbon is perfect for so many events, like weddings, parties, baby showers, bridal showers, and so much more. Get crafty and colorful!
- Spool Length: 30'
- Ribbon Width: 5/8"
- Type: Satin
Item not available in Hobby Lobby Stores.
Check your local store for availability.
ColorLight Turquoise
Send me an email when it's back in stock.
Check your local store for availability.
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I have a pair of speakers from a Kenwood DG55.
Here's the commercial for it from Japan, circa 1989:
It's an ancient system, and the components are not long for this earth, but the speakers are still in great shape. I want to buy a replacement amp instead of ditching everything. The speakers have the following written on them:
Maximum input power: 90W
Frequency Response: 40Hz - 20kHz
Impedance: 6ohms
I was thinking about this amp: http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1612-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B004U403WM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1339205004&sr=8-7
But I heard that if you mismatch the amp with the speakers, it might not work, or worse yet, you could damage one or the other. I really don't want that to happen. How can I be sure that this amp won't fry the speakers, or vice versa?


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From robotic milking to precision feed management, these new technologies promise great benefits. How will you determine if they justify their cost?
By Greg Steele, AgStar Financial Services
It has now been several years since Global Positioning Systems were introduced to U.S. crop farms. Now it's a common management tool for many tasks associated with planting, monitoring and harvesting crops. There is no question that this type of technology has optimized management in many areas by improvement in matching fertility need to soil type, enhanced water and soil protection, better economics, and improved decision- making--just to name a few.
Precision ag: not just for grain producers
So, what do these new technologies have to do with the dairy industry? Quite a bit. If you made it to World Ag Expo, World Dairy Expo or any of the many state and regional dairy industry trade events, you likely noticed the introduction of tools and concepts that improve management, replace labor and enhance milk production. These technologies can be grouped into four categories:
1. Robotic milking
2. Feed management
3. Automated calf feeding
4. Herd management sensors
Robotic milkers: This precision technology continues to gain acceptance in the dairy industry. Several companies have released their version of the robotic milkers, which were designed specifically to replace the manual task routinely done by humans to milk cows two, three or even four times a day. The benefits of robotic milkers may include:
• Reduced labor costs
• Decreased need for employee management
• Consistent preparation and milking procedures
• Improved production, milk quality and udder health
Automated calf feeders: Feeding dairy calves manually is a two-or three-times-a-day task. The development of automated calf feeders has brought many benefits, specifically:
• Increased labor efficiency
• Improved immune system development
• Environment conducive to social interaction and welfare
• Maximized growth potential, which can positively influence future milk production
Key considerations when implementing automated calf feedings systems are building layout and machine type. Good planning to design a coordinated system is a requirement.
Herd management sensors: Wouldn't it be great to be able to monitor cow welfare 24 hours a day, seven days a week? New sensor technology, which works in a variety of environments — from freestall barns to loose housing to pasture — makes this a reality and can help dairy producers:
• Increase reproductive performance
• Detect sick cows one to two days earlier
• Eliminate manual data entry
Precision feed management: Given the rapid rise in feed and grain prices, precision feed management has become very important over the past several years. Technology has gone beyond the common truck scale and computerized software designed to monitor feed costs per ingredient and adjust for shrink and moisture. State-of-the-art feed management devices can measure out various feed ingredients to prescribed levels of accuracy. The benefits of precision feed systems may include:
• Increased feed efficiency
• The ability to match nutrients fed to individual cow needs
• Feeding requirements based on dry matter intake, body weight changes and milk yield
• Inventory management
All of these technologies tout improved economic performance. Most of them provide significant statistics and data points that can improve management intervention and decisions. Precision technology does indeed hold great promise for the industry; however, what will be the cost to adopt these technologies?
Your lender will want to understand the cost benefit analysis of the investment. He or she will also need to know how it meets the investment test of improving efficiency, reducing costs and increasing production. How does a dairyman determine if these are wise investments that will provide the returns that justify the cost?
Preparing a partial budget can help. This decision-making framework compares the costs and benefits of alternatives being evaluated by a dairy business. It will focus only on the changes in income and expenses that would result from implementing a specific system such as a calf feeding system. Then further determination can be made for how the precision technology investment impacts the overall profit and loss statement for the dairy business.
Next in this series on precision farm technologies, Steele will examine how to use a partial budget as a decision tool and how it may benefit your dairy operation.
Greg Steele is vice president, dairy industry, for AgStar Financial Services. He can be reached
at [email protected].


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Some experts say that since Christmas has a strong religious base, it's been a prime target for various superstitions over the years. Others suggest it's simply a matter of local customs taking shape through time.
Regardless, there are quite a few superstitions that have been observed around the holiday.
For instance, an old Scottish tale suggests that babies born on Christmas can see spirits, and possibly even command them.
In France, it's been believed that Christmas babies have the gift of prophecy.
In old England, mothers would take their sick children to the door on Christmas night, in the belief the Virgin Mary would pass by with the Christ child.
Some Spaniards used to believe that you should treat cows kindly on Christmas, since cattle are thought to have been present when Jesus was born.
And according to one superstition, any dog that howled on Christmas Day was sure to go mad in the coming year.


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(Yes, more LOLcats. So sue me.)
I'm kind of fluttering between attitudes at the moment. On the one hand I am in severe pain - after the two hour-long torture session yesterday morning, followed by an hour of tai chi (with extra stretching - ouch!) last night (it was AWESOME! They let me play with a sword and I only hit myself in the head with it once!) I was pretty much unable to move this morning.
Of course I had a 9am session with the trainer of doom (from now I will call him TOD) so I managed to sort of fall out of bed (I'm ok as long as I don't bend my knees, so getting up from sitting, or sitting from standing hurts. A lot. Walking up stairs is slow but ok, downstairs not ok at all...), eat breakfast (not wanting to risk a repeat of yesterday's lunch-inhale), play with my dogs (slowly) and get myself there.
I met the TOD who was WAY too chirpy and I told him that I was in pain and it was all his fault. He laughed, lead me to a treadmill and blamed the tai chi. And then he made me run.
Here I must mention something. I have "one of those faces." you know, the face that says "I care! I love to listen. Tell me all your troubles oh random stranger and I will listen and sympathise and agree with everything you say." And generally I like the way that I meet very interesting people through their tendency to meet me and spill out their troubles. Of course trying to pass my drivers test while the examiner went on about her divorce and subsequent relationships was a bonus (I don't think she watched me too closely), while working at a vet, it is generally a bad thing (where you end up listening to things like: "And then he stroked the dog and it vomited and he just knew... and that was my fifteenth pet. My sixteenth was a kitten named Fluffy..."
Once people get to know me they tend to notice my total lack of tact and ability to give usable advice and then they can confide in me and I will not repeat what they tell me and I will sympathise because I actually do care.
But when I am trying to run on rather achy legs and not die, I am not particularly sympathetic about anything other than my own unhappiness. so when TOD decided to tell me about his girl-troubles I was most bemused. I mean I'm all for small-talk as long as I can breathe, but when you refer to your sex life as "doing the Boom-Boom" and discuss all four girlfriends in detail... I just want to fall off the treadmill. On the plus side my gasping at the effort stopped my natural response which would be to giggle uncontrollably and leave the room with tears streaming down my face.
And now I hurt. Leia and I were doing our twice-daily stretches in the lab (I will beat these silly short hamstrings of mine!) and I couldn't even get into the stretching poses without using my arms to push my legs into position. I had my legs crossed earlier and I only managed that by literally picking up one leg and pushing it over the other...
And poor Leia has had to put up with me. Because guess what:
And I whine. A lot. Now more than ever. And the poor girl has had to put up with my random ramblings on the awesomeness of tai chi, the pain of whatever TOD has made me do this time, the fact that the guy I really have a thing for went to her high school and a great deal of whining about the pain...
Yesterday she finally caved and told me to suck it up and shut up.
Sorry Leia, you rock. And thanks for knowing all the weird muscle groups and stretches that stop it hurting quite so much... And for listening to all my rubbish!
And of course I apologise in advance for my attitude tomorrow after I go and finish off this morning's exercises this evening and then have another session with TOD tomorrow!
If I ever get around to getting a sword I'll let you try it out!


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Keith Alexander Bonanno
November 23, 1963 – July 11, 2005
Our good friend and true SMF met his tragic end in a bike accident.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
His wake will be held on Thursday July 14, 2005 from 2-5:30pm and 7-9pm at
Scarpaci Funeral Home
1401 86th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11228
Keith Alexander lived more in his 41 years on this earth then most of us will live in our entire natural lifetime. He was as vibrant, warm, enthusiastic and positive a person as you could ever hope to meet, and I am honored to have called him my friend.
I first met Keith while doing research for my movie "StrangeLand". He was a body piercer, brander and cutter at The Gauntlet in NYC and recognized me as I was browsing in the waiting area of the shop. Openly proffessing his status as a hardcore, original S.M.F. and fan of myself and Twisted Sister, he offered to help me with my research by inviting me back to witness an actual peircing he was about to do. I seized the opportunity for some first hand experience. I was treated to the artful execution of a "Prince Albert" which I was soon to find out was a male genital piercing. I was off to the races on the StrangeLand screenplay.
Coincidently, at that time I was thinking of putting together a band to go out and play some live shows. Keith had told me that he had played guitar with Carnivore (Pete Steele from Type O Negatives first signed band), he seemed like a cool guy (my instincts did not fail me in this instance) and was a fan of my music so I figured, what the hell and asked him on the spot to be the first to join "Dee Snider's S.M.F.'s". Keith happily accepted.
Keith and I played many memorable shows together all over the world. Each time we went out, Keith never ceased to amaze me with some new look, technology or lifestyle he was passionately embracing. Keith was living every moment to the fullest.
Throughout it all I continued to work on my screenplay for StrangeLand and pursue my hopes of getting it into production. Keith was my inhouse (in van would be more accurate) consultant on all things body modification. His insights and wealth of knowledge on the subject were invaluable in helping me make StrangeLand a powerfully accurate script. I can say that the education I received from Keith on this lifestyle dramatically affected and changed my original story for the better.
I remember one 12 hour drive on Christmas Eve Day in particular. We were coming back from an S.M.F. show on the Canadian border desperately trying to make it home in time for Christmas with our families. Keith and I talked, non-stop the entire way home. We talked about body modification, my movie, music, philosophy, books, art, television and life in general all through the night. Not only did it keep me awake at the wheel, and did we make it home in record time, but I had never before and never since been in such a compelling exchange of ideas with another human being. I will always treasure the memory of that ride and his friendship.
When StrangeLand finally went into production, Keith became the technical advisor for the film helping to create Captain Howdy's powerful look. When the movie was finally ready to be released, Keith helped organize and run the premier party "A Night of a Thousand Scars" and make it the legendary event that it was. Over the past several years, StrangeLand has gone on to become a bonifide cult horror hit. It has particularly been embraced by the body mod community. I believe this is largely due to the authenticity and sense of realism that Keith helped me bring to the screen.
Due to its success, StrangeLand 2 (StrangeLand: Diciple) is well on the road to going into production. In appreciation of Keith's contributions to the first film and to the sequel, I have a scene in the movie where one of the main characters visits a body modification shop called "Modern American Body Arts" (the name of Keith's shop a few years back ) and is engaged in conversation and pierced by the shop owner, Keith Alexander. I planned on having Keith play this role (for obvious reasons). Unfortunatley, he won't be able to. In honor of his memory, when this film is finally made, the name of the shop and the shop keeper will remain the same.
I am profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of my dear friend. I will miss his energy, passion for life and our free wheeling conversations. I loved him and I will never forget him.
Dee Snider
Keith's Websites
Modern American Body Art
Keith Alexander


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If there's a bright side to the great Montreal band Wolf Parade being on "indefinite hiatus"—often a precursor to "permanently finished'—it's that the group members aren't wanting for other worthwhile musical projects. Spencer Krug arguably surpassed Wolf Parade with his brilliant 2009 album with Sunset Rubdown, Dragonslayer, and now Dan Boeckner has buffed Handsome Furs to a mainstage gloss with Sound Kapital. Pushing aside the cheap-sounding drum machines and gritty guitars of 2009's Face Control, Boeckner has crafted an even slicker follow-up to Wolf Parade's criminally underrated would-be swan-song Expo 86, settling into the anthemic rock groove that remains his comfort zone.
While "What About Us?" and the uplifting opener "When I Get Back Home" verge on full-blown synth-pop, Sound Kapital consists mainly of catchy, mid-tempo rock songs where majestic guitar solos and atmospheric keyboard swishes swoop in from mid-'80s U2 and Tears For Fears records. Compulsively listenable, Sound Kapital goes down a little too easily; a pinch of the sandpaper sonics of past Handsome Furs releases (or the disheveled energy of Wolf Parade's best) might've helped make the album more memorable. As it is, Sound Kapital rarely falters, but it's also a little safe. Even if Handsome Furs is presently Boeckner's main musical outlet, he'd be better off treating it like an oddball side project.


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A duodenal ulcer is a sore in the lining of the intestine. The first part of the small intestine, just past the stomach, is called the duodenum.
|Duodenal Ulcer
|Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Upsets in the balance of stomach acid and digestive juices can lead to an ulcer. This can be caused by:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
- Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Less common causes include:
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Radiation therapy
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Alcohol use disorder
- Tumors
- Other medications, such as steroids or those to treat osteoporosis
- Severe stress such as surgery, trauma , head injury, shock , or burns
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase the chances of a duodenal ulcer:
- H. pylori infection
- Taking NSAIDs for a long time and at higher doses
- Prior peptic ulcer disease
- Cigarette smoking
- Excessive alcohol intake
Duodenal ulcers do not always cause symptoms. Symptoms may come and go. Food or fluids sometimes make symptoms better. Having an empty stomach may make symptoms worse. However, symptoms can occur at any time.
Symptoms may include:
Gnawing pain:
- May awaken you from sleep
- May change when you eat
- May last for a few minutes or several hours
- Feels like unusually strong hunger pangs
- May be relieved by taking antacids
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Burping
- Weight loss
Ulcers can cause serious problems and severe abdominal pain. One problem is bleeding. Bleeding symptoms may include:
- Bloody or black, tarry stools
- Vomiting what looks like coffee grounds or blood
- Weakness
- Lightheadedness
A perforated ulcer is a break through the wall of the duodenum. It causes sudden and severe pain.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include:
- Rectal exam and fecal occult test
- Blood test, stool test, or breath test
- Endoscopy
- Upper GI series —x-rays with contrast material to highlight abnormalities (also called a barium swallow)
- Biopsy
- Measurement of bile acid in the small intestine
Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options may include one or more of the following:
Your doctor may recommend:
- Antibiotics if an infection is present or possible
- Over-the-counter antacids
- Proton pump inhibitors
- H2 blockers
- Medications to coat the ulcer
- Medications to protect stomach against NSAID damage
Lifestyle Changes
You and your doctor will discuss lifestyle changes. These may include:
- Quit smoking . Smoking worsens symptoms and slows healing.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Avoid NSAIDs. This includes common over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen.
Surgery and Endoscopy
Surgery and/or endoscopy may be recommended for:
- An ulcer that will not heal
- Recurring ulcers
- A bleeding ulcer
- A perforated ulcer
- Problems with food passing out of stomach
An upper GI endoscopy may be done to stop bleeding. A thin, lighted tube is inserted down the throat into the stomach or intestine. Heat, electricity, epinephrine, or a substance called fibrin glue can then be applied to the area. This should stop the blood flow.
Surgery for duodenal ulcers is rare, but it can greatly reduce acid production. Common procedures include:
- Removal of the ulcer
- Removal of part of the stomach or small intestine, and creating a new connection between the them
- Tying off the bleeding blood vessel
- Taking tissue from another part of the intestine and oversewing the ulcer
- Cutting part of the nerve to reduce acid production
To help reduce the chances of H. pylori infection:
- Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food.
- Drink water from a safe source.
- Do not smoke . Cigarette smoking increases the chances of getting an ulcer.
To help reduce the chances of a duodenal ulcer from NSAIDs:
- Use other drugs when possible for managing pain.
- Take the lowest possible dose.
- Do not take drugs longer than needed.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking the drugs.
- Ask your doctor about switching to medications less likely to cause ulcers. Talk to your doctor about taking other drugs to protect your stomach and intestine lining.
- Do not smoke. Cigarette smoking increases the chances of getting an ulcer.
American College of Gastroenterology http://patients.gi.org
American Gastroenterological Association http://www.gastro.org
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology https://www.cag-acg.org
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation http://www.cdhf.ca
Fashner J, Gitu AC. Diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori infection. Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(4):236-242.
Peptic ulcer disease. American College of Gastroenterology website. Available at: http://patients.gi.org/topics/peptic-ulcer-disease. Accessed April 4, 2018.
Peptic ulcer disease. American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: http://www.gastro.org/attachments/6522/All%5FPepticUlcerDisease%5F2017.pdf. Updated July 2017. Accessed April 4, 2018.
Peptic ulcer disease. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116374/Peptic-ulcer-disease . Updated April 2, 2018. Accessed April 4, 2018.
Peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers. Accessed April 4, 2018.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Daus Mahnke, MD
- Review Date: 03/2018
- Update Date: 05/07/2014


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17 Celebrity Sibling Duos Who Might Actually Be the Same Person
Celebrity siblings are sort of a weird case study in everything from family dynamics to facial features.
Do the younger siblings try to become famous because of the older siblings? Are they trying to make their own name on merit or just riding on coat tails?


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Most dog foods on the market today are meant to be the only source of nutrition for our dogs. You will find the words "complete and balanced" printed on back of the bag. Foods must meet nutritional standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). It is important to note that a dog food that meets AAFCO standards is not necessarily precisely balanced. To prove they are healthy, foods must either be made from a recipe that meets certain requirements, or they must be put through a special feeding trial.
Maintenance dog foods contain anywhere between 30-70% carbohydrates. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can process carbohydrates as a source of energy. Common cereal grains such as wheat, corn, rice, barley, and oats give kibbles structure and texture. An ingredient such as beet pulp, which contains carbohydrates that are less digestible (fiber), helps keep dogs "regular." Fiber also helps keep the animal feeling full longer, decreasing the amount of food needed, and preventing obesity.
One of the most important nutrients for dogs is protein. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks that create strong muscles and repair body tissues. Because the dog can only make half of the amino acids he needs, the other amino acids (called essential amino acids) must be provided by the diet. Common ingredients such as chicken, egg, beef, turkey, lamb, soybeans, and fish meal provide necessary protein levels.
Dogs require a balance of fatty acids that must come from the food they eat. Fats provide energy, as well as taste and flavor to foods. They also help the animal to absorb certain vitamins. Fat in the diet provides healthy skin and a shiny, healthy coat. Quality fats used in dog foods include poultry fat, vegetable oil, soybean oil, and fish oil. A balanced diet provides about 10-15% fat.
Last, but not least, essential vitamins and minerals must be added to a dog food recipe to maintain good health. Vitamins and minerals are found in many common foods, including fruits and vegetables. This is why these ingredients are often used in dog foods.
Sometimes vitamins and minerals are added in the form of powdered premixes, but they can also come from other ingredients like legumes, grains, meats, fruits, and vegetables.
And don't forget, a healthy diet is not complete without the addition of fresh, clean drinking water. Water is essential to eliminate wastes from the body, regulate body temperature, transport nutrients around the body, and prevent dehydration. While there is some moisture still present in dry dog food kibbles, dogs should be given a source of quality water available at all times, in addition to a healthy, balanced diet.


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Wrigley Field has plenty in store for 100th birthday
Cubs set for promotions to celebrate historic ballpark's centennial year
CHICAGO -- Long awaited, the Wrigley Field centennial season arrives on Friday.
In a perfect world, the Cubs would mark the occasion by running a pennant up the flag pole or welcoming All-Star players in July, with Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo as the greeters. They would be in their third consecutive season as a playoff team, not the third in the Theo Epstein rebuild. The ivy would already be green after a mild winter and balmy start to the spring.
But if it was going to be easy, it wouldn't be the adventure of so many lifetimes, would it?
Word of advice to Cubs fans for Friday: get to the park early or stay late, when the place is its quietest. Close your eyes, cover your ears and see if you don't hear echoes from the back-to-back Bruce Springsteen shows two Septembers ago.
The Boss sang "Thunder Road" both nights, and you know how it goes:
"So you're scared and you're thinking
"That maybe we ain't that young anymore
"Show a little faith there's magic in the night ..."
And in the day, as Ernie Banks is always quick to tell us.
The Cubs have lots of cool promotions planned, including a Chicago Federals jersey giveaway on April 23, the 100th anniversary of the Feds' win over the Kansas City Packers in the first baseball game ever at the ballpark, and bobbleheads to commemorate Banks, Joe Tinker, Gale Sayers, Red Grange and even Babe Ruth's "Called Shot."
But in the spirit of Mr. Cub and eternal optimism, here are some happenings that can make the 100th season of baseball at Wrigley as special as it should be:
• No rain, no rain, no rain -- That chant didn't exactly work at Woodstock, but maybe it will in Chicago, beginning with the marginal forecast for Friday. Nothing's better than baseball in great weather, so here's hoping that an idyllic spring and summer is the payoff after the frigid, frightful winter.
• Saying hello to the new Banks (or Ryne Sandberg) -- Few organizations have ever had a middle infielder lead their league in home runs, but Chicago has had two. Javier Baez,who smacked 37 home runs last year, is likely to make his debut at some point in 2014. He's worth a look at shortstop, but the Cubs remain committed to Castro to write him off, so he'll probably play alongside Castro as a second baseman.
• A chip on their shoulder against the Cardinals -- Historically, this has been a one-sided rivalry. But Chicago baseball is its best when the games against St. Louis seem to count double, as they did when Dusty Baker squared off against Tony La Russa. The Cubs are 19-32 against the Cards the last three years. They don't have the roster to match up this season, but maybe Rick Renteria will be Mike Matheny's Kryptonite.
• Phil Wrigley/Bill Veeck Day -- Wrigley's civility and Veeck's creativity paved the road for the Cubs to thrive as a franchise. It's easy history to honor.
• Fans lyrically chanting a favorite player's name -- When the wind blows right, you can hear the crowd a mile away. That made the first half of 2008 so much fun, with newcomer Kosuke Fukudome being celebrated with sing-song versions of his name -- Fuke-o-dome-eh, Fuke-o-dome-eh. It was beautiful, and it showed the power of multi-syllabic names.
If Emilio Bonifacio continues to get four or five hits a night, fans might try Bon-eee-fass-eee-oh, Bon-eee-fass-eee-oh. Or more likely, Ja-vee-Buy-ez, Ja-vee-Buy-ez. That one works whether he is in a Cubs uniform or hitting home runs in Des Moines.
• A no-hitter -- Once, the Cubs were no-hit twice in 22 days. First by the Reds' Jim Maloney on Aug. 19, 1965, and then again that September when Sandy Koufax threw his perfect game. One of the stubborn points of pride for Chicago fans is that the team hasn't been no-hit since then -- a longest-in-baseball streak that stands at 7,666 games. That's cool, but the Cubs haven't thrown a no-hitter at Wrigley since Milt Pappas' in '72. There have been only seven no-hitters ever at Wrigley Field, half as many as at Fenway Park and two fewer than at the Coliseum in Oakland, which opened in '66.
• A Derek Jeter moment -- He'll visit on his farewell tour from May 20-21, and it would be nice if he did something, especially since his home in Kalamazoo, Mich., is only about 145 miles from Wrigley Field. He's played Major League games in 41 ballparks, including three games in Wrigley back in 2003 (he was on the DL when the Yankees played at Wrigley in '11), but it and San Diego's Petco Park are the only two places where he doesn't have an extra-base hit, an RBI or a stolen base.
• Hack Wilson Day -- It has been 84 years since the Cubs' brawling slugger set the record with 191 RBIs, and only Manny Ramirez has come within 25 of it (165, 1999) in the last 75 years. Wilson took the mark from Lou Gehrig on Sept. 17, 1930, homering twice at the Polo Grounds off the Giants' Tiny Chaplin, and oddly it wasn't celebrated at the time. In fact, according to Bill Chastain, author of "Hack's 191,'' the feat was relegated to the third item of a Chicago Tribune notebook. Why not blow that out on Sept. 17, when the Cubs host the Reds?
• A September that begins with a shot at .500 -- High Draft choices are great, and the Cubs are likely to get another future building block with the fourth overall pick in June. They did that when they landed Baez, Albert Almora and Kris Bryant with the ninth, sixth and second picks, respectively, the last three years. But the on-field needle is going to start pointing upward at some point. Why not during the Wrigley Centennnial?


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I have an assignment for class. I am a going for a degree in networking, but for some reason they require us to take a Java programming class and they really let you have it. This is only the 2nd week and we are supposed to write, what seems like, a difficult program. I'm sure to the more experienced programmer that this isn't a big deal at all and is actually quite simple. But, even after reading all the material for the week (which ended up being close to 100 pages) and watching tutorial videos, I feel that I am even more lost. I was wondering if anyone could help me at all with this, and it would be GREATLY appreciated.
Write a Java application using NetBeans Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that calculates the total annual compensation of a salesperson. Consider the following factors:
A salesperson will earn a fixed monthly salary of $4,000.00.
A salesperson will also receive a commission as a sales incentive. Commission is a percentage of the salespersons annual sales. The current commission is 20% of total sales.
The total annual compensation is the fixed salary plus the commission earned.
The Java application should meet these technical requirements:
The application should have at least one class, in addition to the applications controlling class (a controlling class is where the main function resides).
There should be proper documentation is the source code.
The application should ask the user to enter annual sales, and it should display the total annual compensation.


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Unbelievable night in Jacksonville for Round 11 of the 2011 AMA Supercross Series here at EverBank Field – home stadium of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Trey Canard wins Premiere Supercross Main Event. Justin Barcia wins Supercross Lites Main Event. Ryan Villopoto crashes twice in LCQ and didn't make the Supercross Main Event. James Stewart crashes in Supercross Main Event and did not finish
EverBank Field
Beautiful, warm and sunny day in Jacksonville.
In timed practices, James Stewart is on top of the Supercross class with a lap time of 44.38 seconds. Next is Ryan Dungey at 44.70, followed by Davi Millsaps 45.34, Trey Canard 45.43, Ryan Villopoto 45.46, Kevin Windham 45.74, Austin Stroupe 45.75, Justin Brayton 45.82, and Chad Reed 45.90.
In the Supercross Lites East, Ryan Sipes is on top with 45.65 seconds. Next is Dean Wilson with 46.13. Then it's Justin Barcia 46.30, Matt Lemoine 46.71, and Blake Baggett 46.95.
The first 250 East Qualifying Heat – the leader coming out of the 90 degree right hand first corner – Dean Wilson number 15 on the Pro Circuit Kawasaki.
Wilson is starting to pull a nice lead. Second place in this six lap race is Matt Lemoine number 48 on Kawasaki. Third is PJ Larsen riding for KTM.
This race is won by Dean Wilson, with a nice lead. Second goes to Matt Lemoine. PJ Larsen on KTM finishes third. Fourth is H Hewitt, and fifth is L Smith.
250 East Qualifying Heat 2 – It's number 139 on Suzuki Malcolm Stewart with the holeshot! But not for long – Blake Wharton goes by and into the lead before the end of the first lap.
At they close near halfway point of this race – Wharton leading, Malcolm Stewart is second, Darryn Durham on Honda is third. Ryan Sipes is fourth. Some guys are having some problems – Justin Barcia ninth, Blake Baggett 13th.
Now on lap five – it's Wharton, Durham, R Sipes, M Stewart, T Futrell, and Barcia into sixth.
At the finish – Blake Wharton wins! D Durham second, R Sipes third. M Stewart is fourth, Barcia comes up to fifth. Baggett 11th.
Supercross Qualifying Heat 1 – Holeshot goes Mike Alessi number 800. And he's pulling a big lead already by the end of the first lap. Second is Fabien Izoird. But as lap two gets going …. it's Alessi out front, but Ryan Dungey has swiftly moved into second. Third is Ivan Tedesco, then Izoird, and Kevin Windham. This race will go eight laps.
Lap four – running order – Alessi out front … but Dungey has closed up right behind him. They are side by side. Dungey makes the pass for the lead – then it's chaos! Dungey went into first, then Canard has burst into second. Tedesco third. Windham fourth. Alessi back to fifth – all in the matter of a few seconds.
Last lap – Dungey leading, but Canard is right on his tail. At the finish, it's Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey with the win! Canard is second. Tedesco is third. Windham is fourth. Alessi finishes fifth.
Supercross Qualifying Heat 2 – It's Andrew Short with the holeshot leading into the first corner … but it's James Stewart sneaking by and exiting the first corner in first place!
Just a few seconds later, at the end of the next straight – 2011 Supercross Series points leader Ryan Villopoto goes down. And he is out. Out of this race. We will probably see him in the LCQ.
Meanwhile – James Stewart is leading on lap four of this eight lap race. Chad Reed has moved into second place now, Andrew Short third, and Austin Stroupe is fourth, Davi Millsaps next, and Cole Seely sixth.
Former Supercross Champion James Stewart (2007, 2009) is leading former Supercross Champion Chad Reed (2004, 2008) by almost eight seconds. Third is Andrew Short, then Millsaps, Stroupe and Seely.
At the checkered – James Stewart with the win! Chad Reed is second. Third goes to Andrew Short. Then Davi Millsaps, Austin Stroupe, and Cole Seely.
250 LCQ – only two riders go from an LCQ to the Main Event. Blake Baggett, currently second in the points for 250 East Lites, goes into the first corner with the lead … and falls over. He can't get his bike restarted. Finally, he gets going again – in last place.
The top two in this four lap race – A Catanzaro and S Lipanovich!
Supercross LCQ – Unbelievable. Ryan Villopoto crashes in the first corner. He remounts, almost in last place. Ryan goes down the next straight away, re-enters the track over a hay bale, and falls over again.
Villopoto has to get up to second position to make it to the Supercross Main Event. There are six laps.
Fabien Izoird is the leader. K Patridge is second. Villopoto is up to 14th.
Unbelievable. Ryan Villopoto, the 2011 Supercross Series points leader, will not be racing the Supercross Main Event. Fabien Izoird has won this Supercross LCQ, and Kyle Patridge second. Only they go to the Main. Villopoto finishes eighth. Unbelievable.
Justin Barcia on top in Jacksonville
250 East Lites 15 Lap Main Event – The leader is Justin Barcia! Blake Wharton is second. Third is Dean Wilson.
Barcia, leading the points series, riding with a brace on his wrist because of two broken bones, is pulling out a lead. Wilson has now moved past Wharton and into second. Wharton is third. Ryan Sipes is fourth. And Wharton has fallen.
On lap seven, Barcia has a five second lead over second place Dean Wilson. Ryan Sipes is next, followed by Matt Lemoine, Darryn Durham, PJ Larsen, and L Smith. Malcolm Stewart DNS.
Lap ten of this race has Justin Barcia out front on the number 17 GEICO Honda. (You'll see a little video interview with Justin next week on Supercross.com.) Dean Wilson is second, about six seconds back. Third is Ryan Sipes, fourth Matt Lemoine, then Durham, Larsen, Smith, Futrell, Hewitt, J Sipes.
The win in the Jacksonville Supercross Lites Main Event goes to Justin Barcia! And he extends his series points lead, as the series heada to Toronto, Canada next weekend.
Second is Dean Wilson, third Ryan Sipes, then Matt Lemoine, PJ Larsen, Darryn Durham, L Smith, T Futrell, H Hewitt and J Sipes.
Justin Barcia "I want this thing bad (the 2011 Supercross Lites East Championship). This was a crazy race. I wrecked hard in practice and wrecked again in the heat race but I just put it out of my head and did what I had to do in the Main Event. I'm fully stoked right now. It stinks that kid (Baggett) didn't make the race but it didn't change the way I rode. I just charged at it from the start and I kind of rode mad. I've been mad all day and I came out of the gate knowing I really needed the holeshot. Once I got out front I just attacked. It was an awesome race."
Premiere Supercross 20 Lap Main Event – Mike Alessi with a holeshot! And about 100 feet later, James Stewart crashes on the next straight.
The end of the first lap – Trey Canard has a big lead. Chad Reed is in second. Ryan Dungey is in third. Davi Millsaps fourth. Mike Alessi fifth. James Stewart's bike is being pushed off the track, and James is still on the ground. What a crazy night for so many top riders. With Villopoto not able to make the main event tonight, it was a good opportunity for James Stewart to close that points gap.
Trey Canard is leading on lap five. James Stewart is being put on a stretcher. Chad Reed is second, about three seconds behind Canard. Ryan Dungey is in third position. They are equally gapped, and then fourth is Andrew Short, then Ivan Tedesco. And James Stewart is being taken slowly out of the stadium strapped to a stretcher on the medical cart.
On lap ten, Canard is looking smooth and comfortable out front. He's headed for his second Supercross Main Event win of the season if he can maintain his position. Chad Reed is second, Ryan Dungey third. Kevin Windham has moved into fourth.
Trey Canard is stylin' over the jumps … but Chad Reed has found a sudden burst of speed and is now right behind Trey with three laps to go! As they complete lap 18, they are side by side! They are riding close together, but safely.
Last lap – Canard has a slight advantage. They are far ahead of everyone else. Reed makes a last corner attempt … but Trey Canard wins the Jacksonville Supercross Main Event! Chad Reed second, Ryan Dungey third.
Trey Canard and Honda on top in Jacksonville Supercross
Kevin Windham fourth, Andrew Short fifth, then Tedesco, M Alessi, Austin Stroupe, Nick Wey and C Blose round out the top ten.
Winner Trey Canard "I really needed this win. Can't give enough credit to the Lord Jesus Christ. Tim Ferry has been here for me a lot. So has my mom and my mechanic. Can't thank them enough. I was kinda' nervous when dicing with Chad. But I tried to put on a fight. This track is tough with the 180 degree corners. I'm so happy with my second win of the season tonight."
Chad Reed "That's what we love about motorsports (now that he's in second place in the points). Anything can happen. Congratulations to everyone at Honda – you've got the top two spots here tonight!"
Ryan Dungey "There's still a lot of racing left. This season has been something for me, and for the fans. Gotta' love it."
What can you say about tonight? Blake Baggett doesn't make 250 Main Event … Ryan Villopoto crashes twice in Supercross Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) and doesn't make it to the Main Event. James Stewart has opportunity to make up points on Villopoto … crashes in the first lap of the Main Event and is carried off on a stretcher. Officially, even though he didn't make it thru two corners, James Stewart scores an 18th place for three points. And Ryan Villopoto, who scored zero points this weekend, still retains the series points lead with 221. Chad Reed is second with 214, Ryan Dungey third with 203, James Stewart fourth with 198, and Trey Canard fifth with 194.
Justin Barcia and Trey Canard had great nights. And the next race is next Saturday in Toronto!
There has been no official information yet on the condition of James Stewart – we will have any info on the site as it becomes available.
Jake Weimer injury update: Jake was all set to jump into his rookie premiere Supercross season for Kawasaki. However, he crashed while practicing before the 2011 Supercross season got underway, breaking his arm and requiring surgery.
Jake says: The arm is coming around and getting better. I was able to get on the bike a couple of weeks ago, so the arm is pretty much healed. It is still progressing, but we are back on the bike, so it is getting better. I began training physically about three weeks after I broke the arm. I have been training full-on for about a month or so now. All that is going really well, but obviously there is no substitute for riding the motorcycles.
Right now, we are trying to get ready to come back to racing Supercross at the St. Louis event. But, we will see how everything goes.
Click to view large image. You'll see Ryan Villopoto number 2, Justin Barcia on top of the podium for the 250 East Lites Supercross race, Trey Canard on the top step of the Supercross podium, nice shot of the stadium and track, number 21 Blake Wharton, 57 is Blake Baggett, next photo is of Blake crashing, 17 Justin Barcia, Justin Barcia's Honda, Trey Canard doing a nice "nac-nac", Trey Canard and Honda celebrate on the podium, Trey taking the win in the Supercross Main Event, number 1 is Ryan Dungey, outside of EverBank Field, number 25 is Ryan Sipes, 22 is Chad Reed, check out Tye Simmonds on the KTM, number 7 is James Stewart, another shot of the track, Ryan Villopoto crashing at the start of the LCQ, two shots of a War Memorial outside of the sports complex, overview of the waterfront and the pits, and number 15 is Dean Wilson.
Download the Supercross.com iPhone app. Get race results on your iPhone from the major series
Follow Supercross.com on Facebook & Twitter
2011 World Motocross Schedule for MX 1 and MX 2
Community – build your own profile, post in the message boards, and more
Supercross.com's YouTube Video Channel
AMA National Supercross and Motocross Numbers for 2011 season
Mini Moto Supercross in Las Vegas coming
Great Indy Supercross Photo Feature
Video – RJ Says: Moving to Pro 4 Off-Road Truck Racing in 2011
|Supercross Results
|Trey Canard
|Chad Reed
|Ryan Dungey
|Kevin Windham
|Andrew Short
|Ivan Tedesco
|Mike Alessi
|Austin Stroupe
|Nick Wey
|Chris Blose
|Fabien Izoird
|Michael Byrne
|Jason Thomas
|J J Browne
|Cole Seely
|Kyle Patridge
|Davi Millsaps
|James Stewart
|Matt Goerke
|Weston Peick
|Supercross Points
|Ryan Villopoto
|Chad Reed
|Ryan Dungey
|James Stewart
|Trey Canard
|Andrew Short
|Kevin Windham
|Justin Brayton
|Davi Millsaps
|Brett Metcalfe
|Ivan Tedesco
|Nick Wey
|Mike Alessi
|Chris Blose
|Kyle Regal
|Kyle Chisholm
|Matt Boni
|Fabien Iziord
|Michael Byrne
|Austin Stroupe
|250 Lites East Results
|Justin Barcia
|Dean Wilson
|Ryan Sipes
|Matt Lemoine
|PJ Larsen
|Darryn Durham
|Les Smith
|Taylor Futrell
|Hunter Hewitt
|Justin Sipes
|Lance Vincent
|A Catanzaro
|Kyle Keylon
|S Lipanovich
|B Ripple
|L Kilbarger
|Blake Wharton
|Chris Gosselaar
|Gannon Audette
|Malcolm Stewart
|250 Lites East Points
|Justin Barcia
|Ryan Sipes
|Dean Wilson
|Blake Baggett
|Matt Lemoine
|Blake Wharton
|PJ Larsen
|Malcolm Stewart
|Jason Anderson
|L Vincent
|Alex Martin
|Les Smith
|T Futrell
|Hunter Hewitt
|Brad Ripple
|L Kilbarger
|A Catanzaro
|G Audette
|Justin Sipes
|Ian Trettel


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(Pocket-lint) - How do you make a Bluetooth headset remotely interesting and useful? Jabra believes it's the latest manufacturer to do just that with the Jabra Stone, a Bluetooth headset with an element of "cool" for those who like to pretend to be important on the move. We plug in to see if the claim can be matched.
The Jabra Stone is a cute looking Bluetooth headset that comes with a docking station that, you guessed it, looks like a pebble or a little black stone.
Get the headset out of the box, something that would even challenge Robert Langdon from the Dan Brown novels, and you're off. You've got to pair it of course, but this will take seconds as Jabra have done away with the need to input a PIN number into your phone - I mean who needs this anyway? Once connected, you're ready to make phone calls. In our tests it took us around 10 seconds each time to pair it with a range of handsets (iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android powered), and handily you can actually pair it with two devices at the same time - ideal for using with your computer and your phone.
With no on or off switch the idea is that when it's docked in the "Stone" it's off and when it's not it's on. In principle and practice this works very well. The catch is that you'll have to carry the pebble around with you wherever you go, but then unlike headsets like the Jawbone it means you can't snap the ear loop off in your pocket either.
The docking station is also the charging unit and you can therefore charge the headset via your laptop as long as you remember a Micro-USB cable (you get a proper AC charger in the box). You also get an optional clip so you can attach it to a bag or your jacket (stylish) and a light to let you know how much juice the headset has got left.
The small headset hangs off your ear, literally, which is not great if you wear glasses. While another annoyance is that it will only work for your right ear as the headphone element can't be rotated - a trick we think Jabra have missed here especially considering the design.
The design is flexible enough to get it on/in your ear without too much effort and small enough to be hidden by longer hair. It's a "one design fits all" offering meaning if you've got overly large ears you'll have to do a bit of bending - we even got a complaint from one caller when we struggled to put it on our ear. The Jabra Stone ships with three different silicon ear buds although none of these will help it fit in your ear any better than the default offering.
But that's no bad thing. While it's down to personal preference, it's actually not as bad as it sounds just hanging there and means that we found we could wear it for longer without that "I've got something in my ear" feeling.
Buttons are, on the surface, non-existent, however they are there, just hidden. This has its pros and cons. Pros in that it keeps the design minimal, cons in that you'll hang the call up trying to turn up the volume and it's a pressure-sensitive button panel that isn't that pressure sensitive, with volume and call accept/hang-up on the same panel.
Looks are one thing, but what about call performance? Boasting dual-microphone "Noise Blackout Extreme" noise cancelling tech the Stone's call quality in our tests was good when we were in a quiet environment. Inside our quiet office nobody knew we were on a headset and we didn't get the usual "you sound like you're in a crisp packet" comments.
However, take it out of that "safe zone" and it's a different story. In a range of outside environments from a walking the dog, to in a car, to Starbucks, the Jabra Stone was appalling with the handset offering a better sound quality for those we were talking to.
We found battery life varied massively depending on how many calls you made and whether you left the headset unplugged from its docking station, so it's not really fair to say how many hours it's good for. We weren't leaving it days between charges, or having to charge it every couple of hours either - Jabra claims 8-hours of talk-time and 12 days on standby.
The Jabra Stone is a handset that looks nice on the surface but fails heavily in use. On a design side of things the pebble idea actually works and gives you a protective case that doubles up to have a purpose rather than just being a piece of plastic.
If we are being picky, and why not, we would have liked a longer cable on the power adapter and the ability to wear the Stone headset in our left ear, but this comes down to personal preference.
So should you opt for the Stone? No. While it worked in our quiet office we actually had to turn it off in loud environments. Now you could question why would you want to wear it in the pub or coffee shop, but if you've got to remember to turn it off at certain points, to us, that kind of defeats the object.