text:
Controversy is brewing over a new coffee cart in San Diego.
Customers rolling up to the "Sneak a Peek" café at the corner of Balboa Avenue and Clairemont Drive can get a latte handed to them by a barista in a bikini.
Owner, Shadi Farsi just turned 20 five days ago. Her birthday landed the day before her new business opened last Friday and she's found herself in the middle of a community controversy.
U.S. & World
For her, dressing in a bikini to go to work doesn't seem strange. "Not really, I'm very comfortable with myself," she said. "It just comes naturally."
While wearing the bikini is old hat, being a barista is new. Farsi took a semester off from college to learn the business and launch her own company.
She originally wanted to open up a little coffee shop downtown but soon realized it would be an expensive investment. Her friend, who once worked for a bikini coffee stand in Seattle, suggested they start up a similar cart here in San Diego.
Now, Farsi is working 15-hour days, is poised to hire two new employees within the month and hopes to open more than a dozen stands across Southern California.
Farsi who believes she "brings a lot of smiles to faces" is surprised at some of the criticism levied against her and her cart by local residents.
One local resident complained about girls "hanging out on the corner… with signs soliciting business for their 'coffee cart' and walking up to cars stopped at the red light handing out coupons."
"Personally, I've had two encounters where women with their children in their car were cussing at me," Farsi said. "I just waved."
With several schools in the area some parents are concerned it's sending the wrong message.
"It sends the wrong message to our young girls, that it's okay to be semi-nude in public," said Clairemont resident Lourdes Marcus. "I believe that kind of behavior belongs at the beach, on the boardwalk, the sand. Perfect. Not on our streets."
Clairemont High School kids walk by the intersection to get to school every day. We caught at least one student "sneaking a peek" of their own.
When kids come up Farsi said she asks them how they're doing in school and tells them to get good grades. "I'm very encouraging and I'm trying to make a positive effect on this community and I think I'm doing a great job," she said.
Is this all legal? They have the correct permits posted inside the cart.
Farsi said San Diego police officers have stopped by the cart to check on the situation after receiving phone calls complaining of naked women on the street.
"If we were naked, there'd be dead stop traffic," she said.
Officers, understaffed as they are, curiously managed to check out the complaints three days in a row. Officers found everything in check. They also left a business card with employees just in case they need any official police help for anything.
One woman stopped by to see what all the fuss was about. She had gotten an email claiming the women were dressed in bras and thongs. While waiting for her order, she was more than polite even remarking on Farsi's outfit. "You must be very cold," she said.
Drinks are $2.50 to $5 with tips encouraged. If you stop by to order, it's best not to be in too big of a hurry. From watching the pace at which the women work, your coffee could take a little longer than say, at nearby Starbucks.
What you will get is personal attention promises Farsi.
"I think people are taking it way too seriously and they just need to relax," she said. "There are a lot more things in life and in this community that needs a lot more help than a little bikini coffee stand."
Where is this you ask? Here's the link for exact location but don't tell anyone we gave it to you. It'll be just between us.


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Sunday, February 17, 2013
On April 3, 1959 Alan Lomax, newly returned to the U.S. after spending nine years collecting folk songs in Europe, put on a folk concert at New York City's Carnegie Hall. "Folksong '59" brought together a diverse selection of performers such Jimmie Driftwood, Muddy Waters, Pete Seeger and his brother Mike, the Selah Jubilee and Drexel gospel singers, and Memphis Slim. The event even featured a rock and roll group, the Cadillacs, who Lomax encouraged the audience to listen to while "lay(ing) down their prejudices", eliciting some resistance and boos. By all accounts the highlight of the evening was the appearance of a young Baltimore based bluegrass band, Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys.
Earl Taylor was born June 17, 1929 in Rose Hill, Virginia and like so many southern youngsters of his generation fell under the spell of the Monroe Brothers. Taking up several instruments he settled on the mandolin in the mold of his idol Bill Monroe whose post-Monroe Brothers band the Blue Grass Boys formed a pattern of imitation followed by countless southern musicians. From 1946 on he played in various regional groups across many states. In the mid fifties he played for a time in Jimmy Martin's band before settling in Baltimore and forming his own band to work local clubs. It was he and the Stoney Mountain Boys' phenomenal performance representing bluegrass (Bill Monroe was offered the gig and refused!) at "Folksong '59" that really put Earl's group on the map. Years later Taylor recalled to Tom Ewing "When we would end a number, I knew that it would take five minutes before we could go into another one - that was how much rarin' and screamin' and hair-pullin' there was."
Riding high on the success of their Carnegie Hall appearance the group recorded "Folk Songs From The Bluegrass" for United Artists the same year, with notes by Lomax. The record was probably aimed more at the folk revival crowd than at the working class southerners who frequented the Stoney Mountain Boys' Baltimore area bar gigs, but it captured the band in all its rough and rowdy glory. The LP contains seventeen tracks of incredibly hard, edgy bluegrass, the kind that seems to have in the modern day all but disappeared.
At the time of both the Lomax concert and the LP the Stoney Mountain Boys consisted of Taylor on mandolin on lead and tenor vocals, Sam "Porky" Hutchins on guitar and vocals, Walter Hensley on banjo, Vernon "Boatwhistle" McIntyre on bass, and Curtis Cody on fiddle. All, with the exception of Cody, are names that appear throughout the history of bluegrass' first generation and worked with many top bands. Nonetheless, this incarnation of the Stoney Mountain Boys ultimately failed to live up to the promise of its short lived success and by 1965 Taylor had disbanded and rejoined Jimmy Martin, and a year later spent some time with Flatt and Scruggs. He performed and recorded sporadically (sometimes with partner Jim McCall) for the rest of his life, often battling ill health and tragedy (the death of his son) before passing away at the age of 53 on January 28, 1984. While recordings such as this LP and his early Rebel singles are highly regarded by collectors, his subsequent recordings never really matched the quality and intensity of his earlier work and Taylor never achieved the legacy of his contemporaries.
Includes jacket and label scans.
1. Cripple Creek
2. Ruby
3. White Dove
4. Ho, Honey, Ho
5. Foggy Mountain Special
6. In The Pines
7. John Henry
8. Mama Blues
9. Little Maggie
10. Flint Hill Special
11. The Children Are Cryin'
12. Lee Highway Blues
13. The Prisoner's Song
14. Race Between A Locomotive And A Model T
15. Pretty Polly
16. Rabbit On A Log
17. Molly And Ten Brooks
*download here*

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|June 4, 2011, 04:16 PM
Join Date: July 10, 2010
Location: Lahore, Pakistan.
Posts: 68
Using headphones at night - A serious concern?
Hey guys!
I was wondering about this for a long time and need your input on this.
When your wife/girlfriend (Or the other way around for females) is sleeping right beside you and you want to use your laptop, probably watch a few firearm review videos etc, I'm sure the reasonable thing to do is to put on the headphones so that you don't disturb your partner.
I'm sure you know where this is going ....
Anyway, once those noise canceling devils are on, your situational awareness becomes zero. Presumably its dark, your laptop's screen is shinning in the dark right on your face, making everything pitch black in the background and since you have the headphones on, you won't even hear if a burglar has broken in to your house. Your partner might wake up but we all know that there are always a few sleepers who wouldn't even get up if a nuclear bomb went off right next to them
So anyway, just want to hear out from you guys whether you've thought about this too? Once in a situation like this, what are the things that one must do to ensure that your partner sleeps comfortably and you get to do your work/research/entertainment etc without being a disturbance.
Rain down them two cents!
"If you can't name at least 20 weapons from the WW2, you're not supposed to be a firearms enthusiast."
|June 4, 2011, 04:33 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: February 17, 2009
Posts: 385
I have used headphones at night (watched movies on ipod, etc). I also use headphones while hiking occasionally, probably not the best tactical move either. When I do, I use the old style wired phones (not the ones with the noise blocking rubber surround, or the ear muff style ones) and keep the volume just loud enough to hear what im listening to, while retaining about 80% of my normal hearing ability.
If you are really worried about it I would think the most sensible option would be to either move your laptop location away from your sleeping partner, or see if they would not mind ear plugs.
|June 4, 2011, 04:54 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: November 15, 2007
Location: Outside KC, MO
Posts: 10,128
I have a Jack Russell and a pair of bulldog mixes. They'll make more noise than my computer earplugs, if anything happens that I should know about. So no, at home, I don't really worry about it.
I don't use earplugs while driving, riding a bike, or walking near traffic.
Forward theaters have restrictions against using earplugs while on roads or sidewalks on base (you can use them in the gym); they would be a definite no-go in the field.
But at home, dogs are a very good thing.
|June 4, 2011, 05:18 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: March 19, 2011
Posts: 5
Our dog is a light sleeper and has a very loud bark, so earbuds at home are not an issue.
But when we are away from home I generally use 1 earbud and leave my "better" ear available.
|June 4, 2011, 08:57 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: June 16, 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 3,098
I think a larger problem is hearing loss from having the volume so loud you can't hear a window break or a door getting kicked in.
|June 4, 2011, 09:44 PM
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Join Date: May 22, 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,918
Dogs, and keeping the volume low enough to hear them go nuts. I also don't disturb my wife with doing anything like that in bed - I tend to sleep better without a computer on my fat tummy.
|June 4, 2011, 10:11 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: November 20, 2010
Location: WesTex
Posts: 958
Use the headphones and live life on the edge.
"And I'm tellin' you son, well it ain't no fun, staring straight down a .44"
-Lynyrd Skynyrd
|June 4, 2011, 10:43 PM
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Join Date: May 25, 1999
Location: Too close to Houston
Posts: 4,196
Do whatever makes you feel comfortable where you live. I'm sure there are safe areas in Pakistan just like there are places there you wouldn't want to be without a gun in your hand. You know your situation better than anyone here.
Personally, I don't feel the need to be "tactically aware" 100% of the time in my home.
Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.
|June 4, 2011, 11:23 PM
Join Date: September 27, 2008
Location: Foothills of the Appalachians
Posts: 12,644
Now, as far as headphones, there's not much need for noise cancellation if you're at home. Good open-backed headphones (also known as supra-aural) are a better bet. They're more comfortable, they present a wider soundstage, and they have better presentation of dynamic range in the mids and highs. Unless you're really cranking the volume, they won't bleed enough sound to be noticeable.
If we're talking about those Bose things, well, there are much better headphones out there at the price.
Sometimes it's nice not to destroy the world for a change.
--Randall Munroe
|June 5, 2011, 12:01 AM
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Join Date: March 11, 2005
Posts: 3,708
You should always have extra layers of security in your house. As some have already mentioned, a canine friend is usually enough to deter the casual criminal. Even if it doesn't, it should be able to alert you. I have a dog and an alarm system in my house. I do wear headphones when I am on the computer so I don't wake my daughter in the next room. I don't put them loud enough so that it blocks out all sound though.
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|June 5, 2011, 12:13 AM
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Join Date: January 23, 2010
Posts: 189
Besides temporarily losing situational awareness, using earbuds can result in a 25% hearing loss over 4 years.
That means you will permanently lose situational awareness.
I just try to be really, really honest with people when I think that they suck. - Santana Lopez, Glee
|June 5, 2011, 03:12 AM
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Join Date: May 15, 2008
Location: the object towards which the action of the sea is directed
Posts: 2,123
There are two of them right?
Only use one; I have been doing this for years.
I do this about every night upstairs and have zero problem hearing my dogs toenails clicking on the flooring downstairs; I also don't blast the volume, just enough to hear what I am listening to, I value my hearing greatly.
|June 5, 2011, 03:14 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 12, 2009
Location: West Coast
Posts: 450
I've been using earbuds/phones a lot in the past 5 years, my hearing is fine. Hell, I listen to some loud, angry, and often distorted death metal and the like. I agree it's not likely good, but I'm fine.
That aside, I never really have a problem with it. I'm alone in the house, so I just keep the volume low. If I am elsewhere, or have visitors I usually don't have such a problem. My neighbors two sons are druggies, and known thieves. If I worried about all of it, every moment, every day, I would go insane. Not saying I'm right in the head but you get the idea.
Headphones can indeed hinder your senses, so can staring at a computer screen. So can sitting in a car, so can frustration, so can a child, so can alcohol, and worst of all, you could be cleaning your gun when someone breaks in!
"Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men." - Miyamoto Musashi
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|June 5, 2011, 03:19 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: August 17, 2010
Posts: 579
Here's my credo: There are no good guns, There are no bad guns. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a bad thing. Any gun in the hands of a good man is no threat to anyone, except bad people.
Charlton Heston
|June 5, 2011, 06:53 AM
Junior member
Join Date: February 2, 2010
Posts: 6,846
I never understood the logic of watching TV, reading, or similar distractions in bed. When I go to bed, it's for one of two things. If I want to watch TV, I have a fine chair to sit in.
Will it really matter if you have the earphones on while awake or are asleep when someone breaks in? If they're furtive enough, you won't wake up anyway.
Situational awareness is learned over a period of time. The logical approach to my home's entrance is across a wood deck just outside the my bedroom window. I have 60% hearing loss but am often awakened by cats or raccoons walking on the deck. I seriously doubt that anyone would be able to approach w/o waking me even in winter with the window closed. Rattletraps made with empty aluminum cans cover the less likely approaches. Easy, cheap, and nonthreatening.
|June 5, 2011, 09:35 AM
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Join Date: November 17, 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,066
Headphones cancel out noise even when muted; although I never used headphones in bed.
Put pots and pans on a counter and tie a string to them. Connect the string to the door and a string across the windows.
Laugh if you wish but I've done it and it works.
|June 5, 2011, 10:19 AM
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Join Date: November 3, 2009
Location: Not close enough to the beach
Posts: 1,477
As an aside, I always thought that there were better things to do in bed than watch gun videos when you have your partner with you.
|June 5, 2011, 09:02 PM
Join Date: July 10, 2010
Location: Lahore, Pakistan.
Posts: 68
LOL @ Oldbear
For sure, there are much more 'Interesting' things to do but what even an old 'bear' like yourself would understand that some days the mama bear just needs some sleep
Excellent responses everyone!
I have an infra-red home warning alarm system in my house. Once you put the 4 digit code in at night, all the entrance points of the house are secured. If there's a breach, a warning siren rings and the the alarm company contacts you. If nobody picks up, they send over a team of 6 well armed guys who take positions and ready to deal with any threat while advancing.
If you DO pick up the phone, they ask you a YES or NO question which you've already shared with them when you were signing up. If NO means danger, they'll dispatch the guys. If you've triggered the alarm by mistakes, they'd re-confirm and then let you go.
Even with all this, I was concerned because once I was in Canada and was in my apartment with the earphones on. There was a break in next door and I only found out about it in the morning. If I wasn't using them, I could have been more aware of my surroundings. Thank God nobody was injured or harmed and all I kept thinking about was what if it was my home?
My home in Pakistan is secured. What I'm worried about is my other home which is in Canada. Only have a frying pan to defend myself with over there
"If you can't name at least 20 weapons from the WW2, you're not supposed to be a firearms enthusiast."
|June 5, 2011, 09:15 PM
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Location: Arizona
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|June 5, 2011, 11:23 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: April 16, 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,599
If it is a concern.....just use an earphone in one ear. I do this every day at work and I can hear any out of the ordinary noise. Matter of fact, I bought a set and just cut one bud off with my knife so it is not dangling about.
|June 6, 2011, 12:51 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: August 31, 2002
Location: Deep in the Heart of the Lone Star State (TX)
Posts: 2,167
+1 on shootniron......
If I'm in public, I only use one earphone in my "weak" ear....not only do I still hear what I need to, I can even carry on a conversation & not miss my favorite show/podcast.
Proud member of Gun Culture 2.0......
|June 6, 2011, 04:00 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: October 27, 2005
Location: Crescent Iowa
Posts: 2,971
Use of sensored lites outside is a dead giveaway for someone trying to get inside. then there is the dogs, then there is the camera smile it isnt candid LOL did you know you can get wireless cameras that can be put almost anywhere? and are very affordable.
|June 6, 2011, 05:40 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: November 4, 1999
Location: Rebel South USA
Posts: 1,968
I dont think that it would be a good thing for any of us to live our lives like we are in a combat zone pulling sentry duty. At some point, anyone can begin to overthink the idea of "situational awareness". After-all its not some hyper technical issue, just plain ole "paying attention".
If you are really concerned about it, re-enforce your bedroom door and door frame.
Life is a web woven by necessity and chance...
|June 6, 2011, 10:10 PM
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 16
I live out amongst the trees at a dead-end circle and at night I'm out with Maggie, my 85lb american bulldog. Not too worried about it.
Now back when I lived in philly? If I was actually worried because I was in a specific area, I wouldn't, but in general I'd wear them. Can't always live on yellow.
|June 22, 2011, 09:09 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: February 14, 2011
Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Posts: 132
To Anthrax
This is a great question and not to hijack your thread but in general headphones are notorious for creating a situation in which our guards are let down.
I lived in Brooklyn, NY for about 5 years and what I learnt from there was that situation awareness is almost important than being armed and oblivious. I have seen many women on the jug with headphones and totally oblivious to their surrounding. The element of surprise is the first step of any potential assault.
To answer your question, I have used headphones in the house so the wife can enjoy her beautiful sleep but I have always kept it low enough to hear any unwanted visitors .
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Assailant shoots into SF home with AK-47
A Sacramento man was arrested early Monday after he shot up a man's Western Addition home with an automatic rifle, San Francisco police said.
Kareem Benton, 42, got into an argument Sunday night with another man on the 1000 block of McAllister Street and followed the man to his home nearby, said Officer Albie Esparza, a police spokesman.
Benton then pulled out a fully automatic AK-47 and sprayed the man's home with bullets just after 7:30 p.m., Esparza said. The victim, who was in his home, was shot in the leg and is expected to survive.
Benton fled in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but was arrested shortly after 2 a.m. Monday on the 200 block of Cashmere Street in the Bayview, Esparza said.
Esparza said he did not know exactly what charges Benton could face, but noted that it is illegal to possess a fully automatic AK-47.
"Criminals don't adhere to any laws," Esparza said. "That's why they are criminals."
Will Kane is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: email@example.com Twitter: @WillKane


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Take a look at the ingredients of the packaged foods you eat. You'll quickly move from foods you know, such as tomato puree or wheat flour, into the strange world of food additives. Names like calcium propionate (used to control mold) or ascorbic acid (an antioxidant and color stabilizer) abound on labels.
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Experts say most additives promote food safety. Calcium propionate, for example, controls mold growth. And ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that keeps foods fresh.
Here are some types of additives, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest:
- Antioxidants. These help keep foods fresh by slowing down the chemical reaction between oxygen and fat in foods.
- Chelating agents. These trap substances that can cause spoiling.
- Emulsifiers. These keep oil and water from separating.
- Flavor enhancers. These bring out the flavor of food.
- Thickening agents. These are types of carbohydrates that absorb water, making food thicker.
The ingredient list won't tell you what most additives do, but makers must identify preservatives and colorings.
The Office of Food Additive Safety in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) study, regulate, and monitor food and color additives. The FDA is responsible for determining the safe use of additives to prevent food poisonings such as botulism or salmonella and other health concerns.
The FDA conducts a multi-stage review to determine whether an additive is safe for consumption. The comprehensive review evaluates the composition and properties of the additive, amount of additive used, immediate and long-term health effects, and other safety factors.


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I think, when you are older, things like Valentine's Day can lose their charm.
Now, please don't get me wrong. I love Valentine's. I love to decorate the house, I love to celebrate Shane and our marriage and our family--but on the other hand I have a tendency to hate Hallmark for blowing this 'lover's day' out of proportion.
Forgive me--but I do not think the family cat needs to be the recipient of a Valentine's card. (Ever see the "From the Cat/From the Dog" section at the card store? My goodness.) Neither does your dentist, your UPS man*, or your hairstylist**.
*Unless your UPS man is your husband
**Unless your hairstylist is your wife
I think it is the feeling of obligation that I struggle with. No longer is Valentine's seen as a day to express your genuine love for someone in a unique, personal way--it's now become just another excuse to do the usual: think card, chocolates, candy for us; cologne (or in my case, gift cards!) for the men.
And, I learned this week that, even though I didn't even realize it--I myself have been facilitating this all along.
Colin came home Wednesday saying that he needed to do Valentines for his class. My response was to ask him which ones he wanted to get.
"Huh?" Colin replied.
"Which ones do you want to get for everyone, Col? I can pick them up the next time I am at the store. Do you want Toy Story, Spiderman, CARS....what?"
I figured he would balk, and say that he 'wanted to pick them out himself'.
Instead, I got a totally different response.
"I want to make them for everyone, Mom."
"You want to make them? Col, you have 17 other kids in your class...that will be a lot of work, honey. Why don't you just let me buy some, you know--out of the box--for you to just sign your name to?"
But Colin was insistent. I know him well enough to know that he was determined. (And, shame on me for trying to stifle his creativity....)
But it wasn't until last night, when I was checking them all over, when I realized what my little guy had really done. He didn't just cut and color some copy paper.
In his own unique way, he had shown love to each one of his class mates.
On each Valentine was something special--designed only for the recipient.
Think outside of the box.
Be original.
Be unique.
Make an effort.
Show love in your way, and mean it with every ounce of your heart.
And have a wonderful, Happy Valentine's day with all those you love!


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Lady Amherst Pheasant Tail Feathers 12-14″ | 5 pcs.
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Beautiful and professionally picked and cleaned feathers for your craft and decoration needs.
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The service lacks direction on how to operate in cyber realm, he says.
The Air Force's chief of staff expressed concerns that the Pentagon is moving on cybersecurity spending without a coordinated plan on how defense agencies should deal with threats to sensitive networks, Foreign Policy reports.
Gen. Mark Welsh spotlighted the Air Force's lack of direction on how it was expected to operate in the digital realm. He told FP, "I don't know of a really stated requirement from the joint world, through U.S. Cyber Command in particular, as to what exact kind of expertise they need us to train to and to what numbers to support them and the combatant commanders."
While Welsh did not say he opposed computer security spending, he voiced reservations about procurement and spending without clear rules of engagement, according to the report. "I'm just not sure we know exactly what we're doing in it yet, and until we do, I'm concerned that it's a black hole," Welsh said. "I'm going to be going a little slow on the operational side of cyber until we know what we're doing." He spoke at an Air Force Association-sponsored conference outside Washington.
The federal government hasn't articulated how it intends to let agencies play both offense and defense in cyberspace, even as it begins to explore aggressive tactics more openly.
There are hints that various moving parts are falling into place, paving the way for the foundations of a more cohesive strategy. The U.S. Cyber Command is inching toward being elevated to full combatant command status, a move that would give it more access to resources and the Pentagon's top brass. Computer and network attacks can be classified as armed offensives that trigger the right to self-defense, State Department legal adviser Harold Koh said this week, in a move that laid down an early legal framework for approaching the digital realm.
NEXT STORY: Cybersecurity order 'close to completion'


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Game Summary
|(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Wideman scored three of the four goals on the power play that went four of eight against the Leafs. It was the first hat-trick by a Capitals defenseman in nearly 12 years, the last by Sergei Gonchar on January 4, 2000. It would be Wideman's first career hat-trick and first career four point game. Add another goal on the power play after Wideman passed up the shot and passed it in front to Nick Backstrom who scored his 11th goal of the season.
The Capitals were 22nd in the league coming into tonight's tilt with the extra man advantage. The last time the Capitals scored multiple goals on the power play was against Detroit on October 22 and both goals were scored by Mike Green. The Capitals found some success by getting a ton of traffic in front of the net. Since Dale Hunter took over bench boss duties, the Capitals have been working on getting the system down. Simply getting to the puck to the net on the power play worked dividends for the Capitals who struggled with that last season.
The Caps took the lead on the very first penalty by Jake Gardiner who was called for slashing. Backstrom's point shot ricocheted in front and Mike Knuble somehow settled it down with a chop and the puck landed right on Wideman's stick and he buried it past James Reimer. Both Knuble and Backstrom got helpers on the play.
In their best job of bending but not breaking, the Capitals seemed to have a little bit of luck on their side. A shot got through Caps' net minder Tomas Vokoun and trickled through the blue paint. Phil Kessel, all alone aside the Caps net, could not get his stick in front to bang home the easy goal on the yawning net and the puck bounced off the post and then cleared by Joel Ward.
The second goal was scored on the second power play early in the second period when the Leafs were called for too many men on the ice. With Knuble and Troy Brouwer parked in front of the net, Wideman took the point shot after a pass from Alex Ovechkin. It beat Reimer just passed his outstretched blocker glove.
The Leafs hung around and out played the Caps at times five on five. They would score when Vokoun let a trickler in behind him from a sharp angle shot. Kessel was there to bang home the puck. But the Caps answered right back when the Leafs could not stay out of the box and gave the Capitals a 5 on 3. With just one second left on the two man advantage, Wideman found Backstrom in front. Backstrom tipped the puck to the open net and the Leaf goaltender actually made the save with the paddle of his stick, only to knock it in a split second later with the end of the stick giving the Capitals their 2 goal lead back.
Caps went to shut down mode after that and although the Leafs made it interesting after a point shot took a funny bounce and beat Vokoun, they were able to hold off Toronto for the win. Wideman scored his third goal by bombing a laser beam one timer past Reimer on a late third period penalty by Joey Crabb.
|(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The win is a solid confidence booster for the listless power play. The Caps were only called for two penalties, a Joel Ward closing his hand on the puck penalty and an Alex Semin hooking call. They killed both penalties. Caps get their first multiple nights off after playing every other night for the last two and a half weeks before they face the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night at the phone booth.
Caps Notes:
- Semin had one assist, no shots on net and a hooking call on the night.
- Kessel is tied for the scoring lead with his goal in the second period.
- Wideman's triple goals was just the third by a Caps' blue liner in franchise history. Wideman denied he had the hat-trick saying the second goal went off Mike Knuble's "skate laces".


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If you are already a customer, you may login to retrieve your shopping cart.
DLM Blackberry Ginger Balsamic Vinegar from Modena, Italy is aged in wood casks and is known for its sweet, woodsy character. We simply enhance our famous vinegar with sweet Marion blackberries and ginger to create an outstanding flavor profile. Combine with a drizzle of olive oil to liven up your favorite salad, whether be it simple greens or a wild rice salad.


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Used 2019 LincolnMKT Reserve Sport Utility
- Stock: PREL03082
- Odometer
- 26,129 miles
- Fuel Economy
- 15.0/21.0 mpg City/Hwy
- Exterior Color
- Ceramic Pearl Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
- Interior Color
- Light Dune
- Body
- Sport Utility
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Drivetrain
- Engine
Detailed Specifications
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd row head airbags
- 4-wheel ABS Brakes
- 50-50 Third Row Seat
- 911 Assist
- ABS and Driveline Traction Control
- Anti-theft alarm system
- Audio controls on steering wheel
- Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity
- Braking Assist
- Compass
- Cruise control
- Cruise controls on steering wheel
- Digital Audio Input
- Driver and passenger heated-cushion, driver and passenger heated-seatback
- Driver seat memory
- Driver's side electrochromatic auto-dimming mirrors
- Dual illuminated vanity mirrors
- Electrochromatic rearview mirror
- Express open/close glass sunroof
- External temperature display
- Front Ventilated disc brakes
- Front and rear reading lights
- Front fog/driving lights
- Fuel Consumption: City: 15 mpg
- Fuel Consumption: Highway: 21 mpg
- Genuine wood/chrome dash trim
- Genuine wood/chrome door trim
- Heated driver mirror
- Heated passenger mirror
- In-Dash single CD player
- Leather seat upholstery
- Leather/chrome shift knob trim
- Leather/genuine wood steering wheel trim
- MP3 player
- Manufacturer's 0-60mph acceleration time (seconds): 6.3 s
- Memorized Settings for 3 drivers
- Memorized Settings including door mirror(s)
- Memorized Settings including pedals
- Memorized Settings including steering wheel
- Metal-look center console trim
- Navigation system with voice activation
- Passenger Airbag
- Polished aluminum rims
- Power Adjustable Pedals
- Power Folding Third Row Seat
- Power liftgate
- Power remote driver mirror adjustment
- Power remote passenger mirror adjustment
- Power remote trunk release
- Power windows
- Privacy glass: Deep
- Radio Data System
- Rear air conditioning with separate controls
- Rear heat ducts with separate controls
- Rear spoiler: Lip
- Remote engine start
- Remote window operation
- Remote, digital keypad power door locks
- Side airbag
- SiriusXM AM/FM/HD/Satellite Radio
- Speed Sensitive Audio Volume Control
- Stability controll with anti-roll
- Surround Audio
- Tachometer
- Total Number of Speakers: 14
- Trip computer
- Turn signal in mirrors
- Twin Turbo
- Video Monitor Location: Front
- Wheel Diameter: 20
- Wheel Width: 8
Dealer Notes
KBB.com Consumer Reviews
- 4.0
Its been a very comfortable, quiet and reliable
By tucker on Wednesday, February 17, 2016A great interstate cruiser, gets 21 to 25 mpg (speed dependent); very quiet and been totally reliable, one recall to reprogram steering. Easily carries 6 with luggage and great accelleration for merging and passing. Even tho its almost 5 years old, I'm keeping it a few more years.
- 5.0
Nicest driver since the 'o3 BMW 540I Sport:drv 1
By d ira on Sunday, January 06, 2013Drives like a dream and has features and comforts way beyond the German and especially Japanese counterparts for alot less money. You'd be nuts to buy without a test drive of the MKT first.
- 5.0
By LAVARDIS on Sunday, November 29, 2009I rec my MKT oct 6, 09, I am very satisfied, I drove it to atlanta over thansgiving day holiday weekend.I have fwd 3.7 v6 using premium fuel 20..5 city/highway w/cruise constant 75 mph on I 75 tampa to Atlanta for4 days. My wife & adult daughter described the second row buckets as limo quality. My son asked twice if I had eco-boost after from 55 to 75!!! I just retired, this will be my 10 yr. car (sorry Lincoln dealer) This is one of the best vehicle I have owned. I have leased several lincoln Navigators over the past 12 yrs. I would reccomend this vehicle to anyone looking for a premium, very safe, all the (men) toys you can think of. The only optons I don't have are eco-boost, and park assist. I have paralllel for over 50yrs. this is truly a great car. test drive for your self!!!!!!Lavardis
All vehicle specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice. See above for information on purchase financing and lease program expiration dates. Prices and payments (including the amount down payment) do not include tax, titles, tags, documentation charges, emissions testing charges, or other fees required by law or lending organizations. The estimated payments may not include upfront finance charges that must be paid to be eligible for the purchase financing program used to estimate the APR and payments. Listed Annual Percentage Rates are provided for the selected purchase financing or lease programs available on the current date. Program expiration dates reflect currently announced program end dates, but these programs are subject to change at any time.
Lessees will be financially responsible for mileage beyond the elected quantity and for vehicle maintenance and repairs and excessive vehicle wear. Option to purchase at lease end for an amount may be determined at lease signing. Payments may be higher in some states. You may not be able to combine other incentives with the purchase financing or leasing programs presented above. Residency restrictions may apply. See dealer for details.
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New Arrivals
2019 Lincoln Navigator L Reserve Sport Utility
- Price:$81,991
Quick Specs
- Sport Utility
- Blue Exterior
- 3.5L 6 Engine
2019 Lincoln Navigator L Reserve Sport Utility
- Price:$81,991
Quick Specs
- Sport Utility
- Silver Exterior
- 3.5L 6 Engine
2017 Lincoln MKZ Reserve 4dr Car
- Price:$26,991
Quick Specs
- 4dr Car
- Gray Exterior
- 3.0L 6 Engine


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Native Plants
Welcome to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's collection of 70,018 plant images.
This site is not designed for commercial use
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rate this image
Magnolia tripetala
Magnolia tripetala (L.) L.
Umbrella Tree, Umbrella Magnolia
Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family)
USDA Symbol: MATR
Image InformationPhotographer: Makin, Julie
City: Guelph
State: ON
Location Notes: University of Guelph Arboretum -- north of native range
Accession date: 2013-06-27
Filename: J_M_IMG1274.JPG
Slide Index: Magnolia_tripetala_P5259868.jpg
Restrictions: Unrestricted
Collection: Wildflower Center Digital Library
Original Format: Digital
Orientation: Landscape
Shot: Expanding foliage surrounding flower bud.
Date Taken: 2013-05-25
NPIN Image Id: 35700
Image VerificationThis image has been verified.
By: JAM
Date: 2013-06-26
From the Image Gallery
Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Magnolia tripetala images in USDA Plants
Google: Search Google Images for Magnolia tripetala


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Submitted by: WhiteRooster
(If you have an article and would like it submitted to our homepage, send it to me at email@example.com and we'll see what we can do. Thanks!)
A short look into the life of rural America.
Thank you to all that has influenced my life.
And to those who read this.
Remember that this is part of my life. And I do not expect everyone to like what I say. But, understand that Opinions are like a$$*ole's. Everyone has one….
Where to begin....
I am an American citizen. Born and raised in this wonderful country. I served in our Military. Never had the call to but, Would die for my Country and its beliefs. I work seven days a week three hundred and sixty five days a year caring for my family and my home. I am a well rounded person. If you ask my daughter I am the best dad in the world. I try to teach my children to be good, honest, and most importantly law abiding little citizens. The way I was taught when I was young. I moved us to the country because the city got too violent. the last year we lived in the city I bought my kids new bikes for Christmas. Three boys beat my oldest son (he was nine years old at the time) up and stole his new bike. City life in my opinion has been swayed by television and rap music. Putting no value on life or a fellow American. Country values are an unspoken, unwritten code of ethics. Where your word means more than a piece of paper called a contract. In a bad storm we check on our neighbors to make sure their okay. Where your family and friends actually mean something to you. Getting together on a Saturday to let our kids play together grill some burgers and drink some beer. The American dream of life. Something that I believe is almost extinct from city life.
What is the American way of life? Do you live it? Everyone has the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Of course I will not agree with every law that is passed. If it's for the greater good then so be it. But when laws infringe on my Natural born rights as an American I have to stand up and say something. I am not a very political person. Nor do I claim to know the difference between the Senate and the House. But I do know this, I have found a passion that I live for. My children know almost as much as I do about it. The general public knows only what they have been told. If I were to say to you that my hobby, my passion was growing roses what would you say? If I had a green house and nurtured my roses through the winter. To grow the longest, brightest, fullest flowers I possibly could. What would you say? If I spent thousands of hours a year clipping, weeding, fertilizing my roses. Only to harvest them and watch as they loose their color and die. What would you say? You might not even give it much thought.
My hobby is not roses. If I could just bring you in to my life for a moment. I live in rural America. Not in the city or a suburb. I don't go to clubs. Sit at the coffee shops and use the Internet. I love drinking a beer and riding my lawn mower for hours mowing grass. Seeing my kids flying in the driveway after riding their bikes down the dirt road sweat beading on their foreheads. Knowing that they are making good memories. And when I get home from work having them ask if we are going to do any work today. They are ready. Of course they play video games. But would rather be outside working on our little piece of America. Living and loving life.
As I grew up in the suburbs I was never able to really see farm animals. So when I moved to Arkansas now over fifteen years ago I seen a sign saying "Chicks For Sale" I thought to myself it would be fun to have some chickens for eggs. I stopped at the house, an elderly lady came out and said "Good afternoon". She showed me all she had. I bought some Cochin Bantams from her. Now where do I buy food for them. One of my neighbors had chickens also. I stopped in to talk to him about his chickens and to ask where to get feed. We will name him Harvey. He willingly gave me all the information my little brain could digest in one evening. He had standard size chickens. I was really intrigued by the history of the breed he had. So doing what I do.... I searched and talked and found out all I could. In the mean time I bought some laying chickens for eggs. Checking twice a day excited to get my first egg. Finally, I started getting more eggs then we could eat. We began selling the eggs to help pay for feed. At the feed store where Harvey told me to buy my feed. I meet another chicken guy. He seemed to have an answer to every question I could ask. He also raised the breed of chickens that I wanted. He would play a major role in my hobby. We will just name him Clay. After becoming friends Clay gave me four pullets to get me started. I then needed to find a rooster to breed to the young girls. I saved money up and bought a rooster from Clay. I had my start. By now I would imagine you have figured out I started raising Game chickens.
I must tell you that I have not fought or engaged in any cockfighting since it was made a felony. I still raise my fowl for breeding, show, and historical purposes only. And I will not sell any for any purpose.
The world of Game Chicken breeders is almost a sub-culture in America. To get in you have to know someone. I got lucky and met two people. That would both gave me a good word. After meeting some of the cock fighters I was amazed to find out these where people that you would never imagine fought chickens. Cock Fighting used to be a gentlemen's sport. The men in their suits, Women in their Sunday best would gather with each other and have social time. Talking about daily events and life since they had last seen each other. If you ever have a chance to watch the movie "The Cock Fighter" with Warren Oats, I strongly recommend you do. I would like to quote from the movie, "anything that can fight to the death and not utter a sound, Wow!". All of the people I became friends with are very decent people. Some go to church regularly. But all of them are good honest Americans. The kind of people you would want for a neighbor.
Clay and I would spend hours talking about the endless possibilities of crosses we could make with our birds. Having several different types of Game chickens in our brood pins. Hatch being one of the most popular types. We have Mclean and Mel Sims Hatch. Hatch is a very powerful bird and game to the end. The Regular Greys, which Clay had been breeding for over thirty years. Allen Round head where breed by Will Allen of Mississippi. Bobby Boles Asil, an Asian breed that was originally fought slick healed (no weapons attached). And will still fight to the death. Some beautiful white Sonotal Asil to add into our whites to keep them white. Spanish headhunters, they get their name because they concentrate on the head and neck and are very fast. We would come up with a four way cross that came white that was most promising. Attributes from all these breeds changes the station, weight, and fight intelligence of their offspring. I remember my first time handling a rooster in a fight. Having no idea what I was doing. After a couple of pittings I was rubbing the Grey rooster, when He grabbed my arm and kicked one of his gaffs through three of my fingers to be embedded in my hand. Clay had to release me from the roosters grasp. That is one of the many perils involved. And a choice I make to deal with them.
One might think that you would have to be a cold, evil, heartless person to fight chickens. Quiet the opposite. We are hard working, good hearted people. I can not tell you why other people do it. But, I can tell you what I believe. Gamecocks are chickens. They where breed for the simple reason to fight. Just as production chickens where breed to eat. Some animals where breed for food. Others are caught from the wild and put in zoos for human enjoyment. They have a purpose. With out this purpose what would they do? Are they treated cruel? Some may be. But mostly they are very well taken care of. And the zoo animals do not have to worry about their natural predators any more. In America we have all but eliminated all the predators. If we did not hunt deer they would over populate become more of a hazard to human life, cars, and gardens. they could become plagued with disease.
We all have watched the nature show on t.v. showing a cheetah killing a gazelle to feed her young. Death is a part of life. Gamecocks will fight regardless of training or having gaffs or knives attached to their legs. Cockfighting is a sport. Enjoyed by a select many. People are different in so many ways. Some people have lots of tattoos others would never get one. Some people collect marbles, while others collect knick-knacks. That's what makes us individuals. To take away the things that make us different would be taking our souls away. If I do not like something I choose not to be around it. I don't really care for rap music. So I tune into a country station. I would not start a group to try and make rap music illegal.
I could argue that rap music makes children criminals. That it promotes sex, drugs, and violence. The same that is said about cockfighting. I see rap artist on the news all the time being shot or arrested for some kind of felony. It would be absurd to think that I could or would push what I believe on the people that enjoy that type of music. If you where to actually stop and think about the reason cockfighting is illegal, you would find that it is just a group of peoples opinions that they have pushed on you and I with lies and prejudices. I understand what they say. I do not agree with their thoughts or opinions. I will not go into great detail with the exact numbers and such. But, the things I say can be found very easily on the Internet. Please don't just take my word, read for yourself what has been happening. Make sure you read both sides.
How these Domestic Terrorist and our States have been going behind our back passing laws without our votes. One of the better websites is Humanewatch.org. everything they say has fact to back it up. And no! I am not some crazy individual that thinks everyone is out to get me. I am just sickened by where America is heading. In Arkansas the people voted against the ban on cockfighting. Only to have the law passed by the state. If the people did not want the law passed. But, the state passed it regardless wouldn't that be against the will of the people? Unconstitutional?
There are so many ways that laws got passed to abolish cock fighting. The H$u* for example, is a non-profit 501 organization. That is not a hands on shelter and please do not confuse them with your local humane society, which could use your donations. With their non-profit status they are limited to how much lobbying they can do. They have however far exceeded the limit of their non-profit 501 status. They would claim victory's for every law that has passed in many states that concerns animals. They pray on our fellow Americans for donations showing pictures of poor starving animals in horrific conditions. Spouting lies and mis truths with no leg to stand on. Bringing in millions of dollars a year to lobby our states fill their pockets with money and try to get more idiotic laws passed. Giving less than 1% of their annual revenue to actual hands on shelters. All the while killing the animals they say they want to protect. The H$u* is gathering signatures in the state of Washington to make it illegal to produce or sell eggs. If they could pass that law it would make thousand of people criminals for just having farm chickens for eggs. Recently members of congress have ask for an investigation into the H$u* non-profit status. At least cock fighters are honest and tell what they believe in and back it up.
Pet@ is another non-profit group that brings in millions of dollars in donations. Pet@ takes it to a different level. They have paid for the defense of a person that fire bombed an animal research facility in Michigan. Wouldn't that be defending a terrorist? They did however adopt 8 animals in 2009. Way to go! But killed 2352 dogs and cats in the same year. Unbelievably Pet@ ask Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream to stop making ice cream out of cow milk. I shake my head in disbelief when I tell you what they want them to use, Human breast milk. How would that be any different? Its still milk. Who would sell their breast milk for everyone to eat? And it would make the ice cream so expensive no one would buy it. They want animal testing stopped. If someone could find a cure for a deadly disease and stop human suffering I am for it. P:et@ also promotes the vegan lifestyle. I could care less. Because I choose to eat meat and use animal products such as leather does not mean they should look down on me and ridicule me. I am an American and would not do that to them just because their beliefs are different than mine. They have went as far as to through paint on people wearing fur coats. I would consider that battery. Freedom of speech is a right that all Americans have. To physically hurt other people or their property is not. My chickens are my property, to be used as I see fit.
With that I would like to bring up where the two biggest "Animal Rights Groups" are going. Reading so much on the Internet I have found that They wish to abolish the use of animals in All aspects of human life. Production animals (Beef, Pork, Chicken, etc..) One of America's all time favorites, Rodeo's. The multi million dollar industry of Hunting. Which I might add will lead to the Government banning all guns. Another Million dollar industry, Fishing. And in one state ban the use of barbed hooks. I believe they are currently going after The American Hunting Dog Association. Which is asking for help from everyone. Not understanding that when they got Cock fighting banned others would be in their sights. No animal lover is safe. They say that having a dog or cat is just like slavery. When do we put animals rights over ours? I agree that if someone takes two cats and ties their tails together to drop them over a close line is cruel. How many of you grew up in the country? How many have done that? Are you a serial killer now? How could you charge them with a felony. I don't agree. If more people don't stand up and let their voice be heard we the humans will suffer.
I have read news articles that made me laugh. One said that Cockfighters fight chickens for sexual gratification. That we are Passive Aggressive. That we would not fight ourselves so we use the rooster's to be emasculated. What a crock. Look at the actual study's. The majority of Cocker's have served in the military, Are patriotic, have stable employment, pay tax's. And not one serial killer has ever fought chickens! So the argument that taking kids to cock fight's is making them a John Wayne Gacy is idiotic. Raising game fowl is a ton of work. If it teaches them anything it would be responsibility, patience, humility, and friendship. Some people live a privileged life and do fine. Other's will not. Before you form a starch opinion do some research. The internet is a wonderful thing.
Now to put into perspective what it takes to raise game chickens I will take you through a quick two years of raising my fowl. Of course it begins with an egg. I choose what I believe to be the best rooster and hen and put them together. Early spring the hen starts laying eggs. For the first two months I pull the eggs to put in the incubator. 99.5 degrees is the best temperature to make the eggs start developing. I will have to keep the temperature at that for the next 21 days. Humidity plays a major role. I must keep water in the incubator also. They must also be turned so that the yolk does not stick to the shell. On the eighteenth day I stop turning the soon to be chirping fluffy little chicks. Out of one hundred eggs I will end up with about seventy five chicks. They go from the incubator to a brooder box with a heat lamp to keep them warm. Still needing to be around 99 degrees. I will spend about thirty minutes at least twice a day feeding and watering them. How much money have spent so far you may ask. Well to raise 75 chicks to be two months old I will have spent close to $200.00. That is counting electric, water, feed, Wood chips for bedding, and vitamins. And keep in mind that I have had to change the bedding every three days. Now by the end of two months I will have about 55-60 chicks left.
Its time to get them out side. I have built a cage with chick wire so they cannot get out. I will take them out on nice days and let them eat grass and bugs. When evening comes they have to go back in the brooder box. I will continue to do this for the next month. Now the cage is to small. I will open it up so they can run the yard. The chicks are now too big for the snakes to eat. But the perfect size for hawks. They are smart enough to know that anything flying over them is a threat. They will call to each other a warning call and run for cover. By the time they are four months old I have no idea how many hours I have spent taking care of them. I always have favorites that just stand out. They stand taller or have fuller tails. Just something stands out. And those are the ones that usually get ate by the hawks.
In the mean time I have let the hens set on their own eggs. They will lay a clutch of 12-16 eggs. Last year I had three very large black snakes that cleared just about every nest I had before I could catch them. Predators will take over half of the chicks I raise. Now at six months I have about 30 chicks left. They are eating regular chicken feed now. Pullets are the females and stags are the Males. Out of thirty about half will be stags. Unless I need more hens or some look to be very good, the pullets will be culled (culling is basically making Chicken and Dumplings). Now, out of the incubator and hens I should have 25-30 stags. When it was legal to fight I would need at least 50 stags to fight one season. Now I have watered and feed them twice a day for the last six months. Winter has come. Through the cold, rain, snow I still feed and water twice a day. With the added head ache of having to clear frozen water dishes. They are now having little scraps on the yard. It's time to separate the stags. I have to have enough space to put each stag in his own area without being able to touch another stag. By the time the stags are a year old there is no way that they could live together. Again, I have no earthly idea of how much time I have spent taking care of them. Back to the money issue. Around $1300.00 has been spent on feed alone. I would not be able to feed my birds without a job.
Raising game chickens has been such a roller coaster for me. Noting I have never been very wealthy. My cages have been constructed to the best of my financial ability. For some reason every time I have thought I had my breeding pairs or trios together something would happen to ruin my plans. More times than I can count I have lost roosters from pin fights. A rooster does not know that there is wire between them and fight as if they where in the open. Breaking toes, beaks, and legs. Only one rooster that I have had lived after a pin fight. Which through my breeding program out the window. It took four months for him to heal up and just start crowing. He wouldn't be able to breed a hen until that fall. and with his beak broke he will never be able to be shown. Another very big disappointment was when some one dropped off a bunch of dogs by my house. Starving infested with fleas and ticks. They ravaged my yard. Killing chicken after chicken only to leave the dead body's lay. There where six of them. Chickens can not defend themselves against a large predator. My wife called me and told me what had happened. Leaving work early I rushed home hoping to get there before the dogs killed anymore. My wife trying to scare them off shooting at their heels with a .22 rifle expending all of the .22 ammo I had. They did not leave. I arrived home and checked on the destruction. I was beside myself. Thinking not of the dogs that slaughtered my fowl. But, the persons responsible for the abandonment of them. When you live in the country there is no animal control to come pick up stray dogs. And for what ever reason people think that we will take care of their animals. If I want a dog I will get my own. Fearing for my birds, I stationed myself in the corner of my yard with two firearms. A nine millimeter pistol and a Sks rifle. I seen the pack heading towards the chicken pins to wage war again on my birds. I took a breath and opened fire. There where three down. Two ran never to be seen again and one was caught by my wife to be taken away to her moms. Later it would be adopted. I did not take pleasure in defending my chickens in that way. Taking into consideration that I took an oath to defend my country. That also applies to my livestock. I had no other choice.
If for some chance the roosters can survive to be fought. Chance and patience plays a major role to end up with the strongest fowl.
It seems ironic to save them from death only to take them to it. The difference being, fighting one of their own kind they have the chance to be the victor. Money has never been the reason for me raising and fighting them. To me its about developing the absolute best in breed. Like the akc show dogs. To make the best in class with what has been given to me. This is not just a hobby. But, a life style. To be with out my chickens would be like taking my family away. My children all have game chickens. They have been in everything but the fight. My kids have been deprived of the right to use their fowl in the way they where intended to. A call to my fellow Americans. Give back the rights that have been taken from us. And guard against these domestic terrorist taking more of our liberties from us. Cock fighting hurts no human. Only harvests the roosters in the way they where meant. Some might say that slavery was also a way of life. And argue that it is the same as Cock fighting. It is not! Slavery involves people. Human's! Not animals. There is no comparison. For some one to try and put the two together is moronic! And now I will tell you about the conditioning or keep. I will not go into detail of all that's involved. Just a brief overview.
Before a rooster is ready to fight he must be conditioned. When I say conditioned that is what I mean. I do not in any way train my roosters. They have the natural ability. The "Keep" consists of two weeks of total dedication. Four hours a day building the roosters muscles, cardio, and the like. The same as a boxer would do before a fight. Feed is cooked and prepared daily. My day starts at 6:00am taking the roosters from their keep stalls and putting them into scratch pins. Letting them kick around in the straw that has been put in the bottom for fifteen minutes. Then they go back into the keep stall for feeding and watering. Feed comes first. Then the water. Now before I leave I put them on a tether hooked to a barrel so they can get sun and eat grass. Upon returning in the afternoon I ready the night feed. Then taking the roosters from the barrels I return them to the keep stalls. Resting them for a bit while I mill around in the cock house. One by one I take them out and work them. Flying them to give them more wing power. After working all the roosters its time for feeding and watering again. The roosters weights are checked every couple of days to make sure he isn't putting on any fat. The same thing will continue on for the next thirteen days. The "Gameness" of a fighting cock is his ability to stay in the fight. They are not forced to fight. I have seen roosters run in the pit. When that happens the fight is over. The opinion money is the motivation for fighting chickens is absurd. If you win a fight yes you would get money. If we still had pits, the pit would have a derby. A derby would be an entry of three to eight cocks under one entry fee. If you where to win all of the fights you would win the pot. A three cock derby with $100.00 per cock entry fee would be $300.00. Ten entry's would leave the pot at $3000.00. Remembering how much money it takes to raise chickens that's not a lot.
Hoping that I have done the best I could for my roosters. Breeding, raising, and conditioning. Better than anyone else has done I go to the pit. Getting my roosters in letting them rest from the drive there. I walk around looking at everyone else's roosters thinking there is some good looking birds here. I take care of the business of entry fee's and weigh my roosters in. My number is called to the pit. I get the first rooster out and my handler, I will call him Nick, holds the bird to be heeled up. As I tie the first gaff to his left leg I talk to him. Getting ready to tie the second gaff he flaps his wings. Calming him and continuing on. The second gaff is tied. I pop his toes, rub his knees, wipe both gaffs off and head to the pit. He is weighed again and band number checked. We step into the 12 foot by 12 foot square ring. The opposing rooster crows followed by mine. I shake Nick's hand and say "give 'em all you got rooster…." as I leave the pit I shake hands again with the other handler. I get to my spot in the bleachers greeted by pats on the back and more hand shakes. "You brought some good ones this time" I'm told. "you might have a chance of beating me this week" With some general chit chat and a little more friendly banter. The referee say's "Peck" holding tight to both roosters the handlers let the roosters see each other getting just close enough to let them peck at each other. "Flush your birds!" letting go of their wings pushing them towards each other a few times. Fluttering their wings to stay balanced. My heart sinks low as I hear the referee yell "PIT". My rooster is dropped on the score line. He stands there for what seem to be forever. He yells a very loud Rrr RRR rrr Rrr Rrrrrrrrr and attacks the other rooster. Both fly into the air buckling and falling, kicking and flapping all the way back to the dirt floor. The referee yells "handle" the other rooster has a gaff stuck in the wing of mine. The handlers take the birds apart. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten "PIT". as the other rooster flies, my rooster steps to the side and dodges the advance. Again the other rooster shoots first. Instead of just dodging my rooster waits for the right moment and shuffles into the bird coupling him. "HANDLE" the referee yells. Again the handlers take them apart. "Pit" the referee calls again. Placed on the score lines the roosters charge each other flying at the last second. My rooster flips on his back and in a furry shuffles faster than my eyes can see. Placing the gaffs exactly in the kill zone. The crowd gets very loud as the roosters smash into the dirt for the final time. "Handle!" you can barely hear over the chants from the stands. Both handlers rush in to pry the roosters from each other. Breathing heavily my rooster holds his mouth open. The opposing rooster is dead. My rooster lets out with a victorious crow. Not knowing what he has just done. I meet Nick as he steps over the pit wall holding my hand out for a strong hand shake with a congratulant grin on my face. Now to go through all the hand shakes of all the people between the pit and my rooster boxes. Thank you I say repeatedly. Trying my best not to show too much emotion. Thinking in my mind, this just might be my day.
I have so many feelings running through me right now. People start coming up to me asking to buy my rooster. I have to decline after spending ten years developing my own breed. I do not want some one just to have it. "What are those white cocks your fighting?" I was asked, My reply "I call them Broilers". a four way battle cross. The second fight was a little tougher. Nick comes out of the pit and with a concerned face says "we almost lost that one". Back to my boxes. I give the final rooster to fight a peck out of an apple and put him in the drop pin. The last of the derby fights is at hand. Nick and I heel the white warrior. On the way to the scales my challenger offers a gentleman's bet. I accept. Again I shake Nick's hand and tell the rooster to "Give 'em Hell!". It starts with Nick reaching across the pit with a hand shake and the words "Good luck". "Peck", "flush your birds", "Pit". The gladiators are released and erupt of the ground to almost defy gravity. Landing on his feet my rooster does a circle looking for the other rooster finally seeing him laying on his side. Running so fast he almost trips. Grabbing the other rooster by his tail and kicking with absolute power. Both gaffs are stuck. "Handle" releasing the gaffs from the other bird it is apparent he is done. No longer able to stand the fight is called in my favor. Nick holds up the broiler in victory. Claps and whistles fill the air. After caring for the rooster and putting him up to rest. Nick and I go back to the pit to watch the rest of the fights and talk about how well our roosters did. Everyone knows that we have won three. So we are in the money. If anyone else wins their three we will have to split the pot. We sit and listen to some old timers reminiscing of days gone buy and fights they have won. As we get ready to leave nick says "This will pay for some chicken food". We have spent the better part of a Saturday at the pit. We have had our time in the winners circle. Now the long drive back home to care for the wounded roosters and start back to the daily work on the chicken ranch.
Which brings me to this, Should my rights as an American be put second to a chicken? I read about all of these raids that happen all over the United States. Law enforcement agency's bust into people's homes with guns drawn like we are some kind of violent criminals regardless if there are children present. Only to take their property and have the Humane Society of the United States say that now these chickens will live a better life. Live? The chickens are killed right after they are counted. Never leaving the property from which they where hatched. I believe the person that had their fowl taken should get reimbursed for the property unjustly seized from them. Because years of labor have gone into the chickens the H$u* and Pet@ slaughter. The laws banning cock fighting has hurt many people. From independent gas stations to the feed and farm supply stores. Making good upstanding citizens felons. Taking away our lives, our liberties, our happiness. In Oklahoma alone it was a $200 million dollar a year business. Yes I said Two Hundred Million dollars! Come on you government pansies stand up! Do you have any idea how much revenue would be made from making cock fighting legal? The money that has been given to you by the Animal extremist is just a drop in the bucket compared to how much local business' would make. Helping local economies to come back. Or are you more concerned with your campaign fund? I cannot find anything that has been published about how much Arkansas lost. But it would have to be close to what Oklahoma lost. After meeting a legend of cock fighting and becoming friends. He has taught me more about the money involved with politics. In my opinion the politicians are more concerned with the money they make then the living conditions of the citizens they are supposed to serve. Forgetting that we are the reason they are there in the first place.
If I may just talk about the economy for a minute. Right now all over America there are people that are having an extremely hard time supporting their family's. Think about opening a State sanctioned pit. One in every State that would allow it. The people that would travel there would be spending money all the way. They will need a place to stay. They will need to eat. Not only would the State get taxes from the pit. The local community would gain by the money spent by the Cocker's. Making more local job's. More job's equals economic growth. It may be just a small step. But, it is a step forward. What type of car do you drive? I'm a Chevy person myself. Don't like Ford's. So because I like Chevy's that would mean I have to degrade and speak ill of any one that owns a different make of car? I have read so many comments by too many misinformed people I am almost outraged. The Constitution of the United State's protects "People" Not animals. There should have never been a law passed to take away the Right's and Liberties of our fellow Americans. You have the right to your opinion. Tell the people that want to hear you! That is their Right to listen or not. We are American's, People. Cock fighting was brought here by the first settler's. Not by Mexican's, or Asian's. BY AMERICAN'S!!!!!!
I will defend my county with my life against all enemies' foreign and domestic..... Right now my Country is not defending me or my rights. It is letting in my opinion domestic terrorist and money hungry career politicians take my rights away. I know that this would seem to be insignificant to all the fights the American people are fighting. While many animal rights groups are getting millions of dollars in donations American people are starving and unable to pay their bills. American military are being killed fighting battles that seem so impossible to win. I must ask why? Why have wars been fought? Maybe for you and I to have the rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.....
I think my main argument is that We are Americans. We live in what is supposed to be the land of the Free. I would not hurt another person unless I had to defend myself. I value other peoples opinions. I do not think that what I believe should be the beliefs of all people. Politics and Religion have long been a bad topic for conversation among new friends. People take these to seriously. If I have at least opened your mind just a tiny bit. Than I have done what I intended. And for those who still think that myself and people like me are bad or what ever word you would have for us. That's okay too. We will pray for you.
Thank you for reading this. I hope you have a different view of the life and sport of CockFighting. Understanding that if you do not want to see it, don't watch. That is your right as an American!
With respect and sincerity, a Fellow American.


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There's a rare photograph hanging in pride of place on the wall of Solva Yacht Club of the Queen stepping ashore onto the new Queen's Steps.
It was taken by a photographer from the local newspaper The West Wales Guardian, now defunct, and was the only one showing her historic first step ashore on the stone stairs, specially built for her visit on Solva Quay.
Solva is a small coastal village set in a deep inlet on the north shore of St Brides Bay, well hidden from the sea end, where the cliffs curve round in a protective arc.
Reminiscent of similar secret harbours on the Devon and Cornwall coasts, the traffic between Newgale and St Davids descends steeply in either direction, virtually to sea level, taking the visitor quite suddenly into an earlier era. Stone cottages line the narrow main street and a carpark, with yachts sharing the space with the vehicles, allows visitors to take a walk down the quay to the Yacht Club on one side and the southern shore on the other.
At low tide the walk along the strip of sandy and rocky beach on the left side, takes the stroller past a row of well-preserved lime kilns and round the corner to the south where a little cove called The Gwadn is the perfect gentle spot to introduce toddlers to the sea. Shallow and calm, the sand is heated by the sun, warming the water to a temperature comfortable for tiny feet and legs.
The harbour is full of small boats, which ground at low tide, their masts sloping like soldiers' rifles, their colourful hulls reflecting in the wet sand and mid-channel mud: a virtual artist's palette of different hues. For the slightly more energetic, a rough path climbs along the left-hand cliff to the top of a peninsula called The Gribbin, where the golden gorse exudes its pleasant coconut aroma and stonechats click among the colourful squill and seapinks as a magnificent panoramic vista of St Bride's Bay opens up at the rocky summit.
Here the clamour of gulls, the sharp piping of oyster catchers and the sight of gannets diving offshore add to the pleasure of the place, and a glimpse of a shy chough, like an orange-billed, red-legged jackdaw, may well be a reward for the climb.
Solva harbour was once the main trading centre of the bay, with around 30 registered trading ships in the 18th century.
Now it is a centre for yachting and generally messing about in boats, for walks along the 180-mile-long National Park Coastal Footpath between the Cardiganshire border at Poppit and the Carmarthenshire boundary at Amroth, There are all kinds of water sports and visitors are well-catered for with gift shops, an art gallery, pubs offering excellent food and restaurant facilities and, at nearby Middle Mill, the oldest continuously working woollen mill in the County with its own tea room and shop.


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Our GIJoe Club FSS 8 order period is EXTENDED to Friday night! We have had some requests to go through one more Friday pay period. We have extended the final deadline.
Our GIJCC Figure Subscription Service 8.0 is an optional separate purchase if you are an active member of the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club. You can subscribe now through the May 4, 2018 deadline (11:59 PM)!


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Newport Commercial Roofing
One Day Roofing Company
FREE Next Day Roof Estimates!
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Schedule Now for Free upgrade to architectural shingles!
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One Day Roofing Company
We will call you within 24 hours to schedule your estimate.
Is your commercial building or commercial flat roof leaking? Is your flat roof aging and in need of tune-ups, maintenance, or even replacement? Or perhaps your commercial roof doesn't need a full replacement and could be a candidate for roof restoration for a fraction of the cost. If so – our recommended Newport commercial roofing contractors may have the solution that you're looking for. With extensive experience and knowledge in the commercial roofing space, you can rest easy knowing you're in good hands.
Our Newport commercial roofers take pride in their high-quality workmanship, customer relations and roofing services. We realize that running a business and commercial operation can be stressful – and when it comes to repairing your flat roof, that's just one more headache to add to your plate. Some of the commercial services that our roofers can help you with include:
Our Newport commercial roofing contractors can help you with a variety of commercial roofing solutions to meet the needs and goals of your business. Not all commercial roofs are the same. Some are gravel. Some are flat. Some are metal. Some are very large commercial shingle projects (i.e. HOA, apartment complexes, large churches, etc.). Our contractors have experience in many flat roof materials, such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer), TPO (thermoplastic olefin), commercial metal roofing, rubber roofing and roof coatings. A free inspection include a complete assessment of your commercial roof to help you explore your options & the condition of your roof.
Look for commercial roofing companies that you can proudly trust, and have a proven reputation to help commercial building owners. A quality commercial roofing contractor should exceed your expectations with their customer service and workmanship.
We search for industrial and commercial roofing companies that are educated and knowledgeable on numerous commercial roofing systems. Not all buildings have the same needs, and while one flat roof may be best suited for TPO, another may be a prime candidate for roof coatings and eligible to save 50% as compared to a full roof replacement. A consultative Newport commercial roofer will help you explore those options.
Strive to find commercial roofing contractors that are licensed, professional, and experienced to tackle both small and large complicated jobs. This is important – as a quality commercial roofer should be able to quickly help you identify leak spots, evaluate necessary repairs, and long-term issues you could expect without a replacement.
Commercial roofing is not inexpensive. Thus, a top-notch Newport commercial roofer should offer competitive pricing based on your needs and budget. This can be done by offering an array of commercial roofing systems, a coating can be less expensive than a full tear-off and replacement. And a longer warranty may be more expensive than a shorter one.
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It is important to work with a local Newport commercial roofer that prioritizes quality and craftsmanship. Whether your roof is a commercial flat roof, or metal roof, and whether you're looking for TPO or EPDM for your industrial building, our contractors can help you find the right replacement or repair option to fit your business and budget. You should request references and seek reviews before making any decision with any commercial roofing company.
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More Info
Newport is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is on the Christina River. It is best known for being the home of colonial inventor Oliver Evans. The population was 1,055 at the 2010 census.[4] Four limited access highways, I-95, I-295, I-495, and Delaware Route 141 intersect within one mile (1.6 km) of the town.
Newport is located at 39°42′49″N 75°36′34″W / 39.71361°N 75.60944°W / 39.71361; -75.60944 (39.7137238, −75.6093709).[5]
Message from the Owner
I started this company to build something different. A company that's been built off word of mouth and satisfied customers. Not TV commercials, no radio ads and no huge mark up's. Yes we are in business to make money but fair pricing is our motto.
Hope we can satisfy thousands more customers for years to come.
~Matthew Rozanski, OWNER
Does it take long to replace a roof on a house?
Replacing a roof is a labor intensive project and depending upon the type, size and complexity of the roof it could take one day or a few days or more to complete. It also depends upon weather conditions. Bad weather always creates delays and hinders completion of the project.
Can you install roof shingles in winter?
Asphalt shingles can be installed properly in winter (late fall and winter) but only if some additional costly measures are taken. A specialized adhesive is needed to be manually applied to each shingle if the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the minimum roof pitch for asphalt shingles?
The manufacturers say a 4/12 pitch is the minimum but the absolute minimum is 2/12. Pitch is measure in inches in vertical rise over one foot of horizontal run. So a 4/12 pitch roof rises 4 inches vertically for every 12 inches of horizontal run.
How long do asphalt shingles last?
Asphalt shingles can last up to 30 years. Wood shingles and shakes have a target lifetime of 30 years, but they can last much longer under moderate weather conditions.
What roof lasts the longest?
Material lifespan:
|Wood Shake
|14-20 years
|Asphalt Shingle
|10-30 years (20 is the norm)
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|Built-Up (BUR)
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So the metal, steel, tile, concrete and slate roofs last the longest. Asphalt, built-ups and single ply are the next longest lasting roofing material.
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This may surprise you but metal roofs, when installed with solid sheathing, are actually quieter than asphalt roofs. These metal roofs, when installed properly, can actually silence the noise from rain, hail and other bad weather better than those other roofing materials.
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No. Metal roofs do not attract lightening and are not struck any more often than any other roofing materials. People's concern about metal roofs being hit by lightning strikes comes from the fact that metal can be an electrical conductor.
Bottom line, what is the cost to the homeowner?
If you have insurance and insurance is paying, then the homeowner's cost is their deductable and any upgrades. Call for a free quote and check your insurance policy to see the amount of your deductable to help you know the costs involved.
Does my roof have to be replaced or can it be repaired?
The common thought is that a leaking roof has to be replaced, but this is not necessarily the solution unless it is very old. Those missing, cracked, broken, or curling shingles are able to be repaired and replaced to stop a leak without replacing the whole roof, while older roofs or roofs with many leaks or other issues should be replaced.
What is the cost to repair my roof?
Repair costs vary and depend upon the pitch of the roof, the kind of shingles used, the condition of it, and how many different layers of shingles are on the roof. The only way to know what the price is to have someone come out to your house and provide you with a free quote.


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Organic Brown Jasmine Rice
IngredientsOrganic Brown Rice, Water.
Healthy Heritage Jasmine - in 90 seconds
Lotus Foods' new convenient Heat & Eat microwaveable rice bowls—ready in just 60-90 seconds—make eating organic, whole grain heirloom rice a quick and simple pleasure while supporting family farmers practicing unique sustainable growing methods.
The health benefits of whole grains are well established*, but getting delicious whole grains into the diet can be difficult. Our rice bowls deliver "fast food" for today's busy, health-conscious families without sacrificing great taste and nutritional value.
Our Organic Brown Jasmine Rice is aromatic with a buttery taste and soft texture (kids love it). It is produced through Lotus Foods' partnership with organic cooperative rice farmers located in the provinces of Takeo, Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia, who are using More Crop Per DropTM growing methods.
Generally known as the System of Rice Intensification or SRI, this set of practices enables farmers to grow more rice with less water, seed and labor, especially less labor for women. Because their rice paddies are not permanently flooded, there is little or no emission of methane, a major greenhouse gas that warms the earth. Lotus Foods is the first and only US company to date to work with SRI farmers to help them market their more sustainably grown, high-quality traditional rice.
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Microwave-safe bowl, BPA free. PPE 5 plastic can be recycled in most urban communities and many curbside recycling programs.
*Diets rich in whole grains and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.


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This Grammy nominee is ready to give an award-winning performance in front of the camera.
Fans can now catch the beautiful face of American R&B singer Janelle Monae on multiple magazine ads and commercials, because this 26-year-old has been named the newest face of CoverGirl!
She tweeted, "I'm strong. I'm beautiful. I AM A COVERGIRL!!!!"
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
Pink also joined the Cover Girl group of beauties!
Monae told Vogue magazine, "Growing up and trying to find myself as a woman and experimenting with makeup, I'd go buy magazines. I'd see Tyra Banks [in the CoverGirl ads] and I'd think, Wow, she's beautiful. It never looked like she had on too much makeup. There was just something clean and classic about her face."
"I believe it's time that women truly owned their superpowers and used their beauty and strength to change the world around them," Monae said in a statement. "One of my core values is to help redefine what it means to be a strong and beautiful woman in the music and fashion worlds and to empower the wonderful things that make us unique.
"Becoming a CoverGirl is truly an honor and a gift. It opens up a new platform for me to inspire women to feel stronger, braver and more beautiful inside and out."


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I have been pretty lazy about the whole "practice makes perfect" thing when it comes to creating and decorating cakes. So when I realized one of my wonderful, hard working friend's birthday was coming up, I knew I had to get off my lazy booty and created something special for her. She is a surfer and a huge fan of the ocean. She is also currently single. (Any single men looking for one hot mama?) So, using these known facts about her, I created this birthday cake... introducing "'Sexy Steve' at the Beach"!
It was difficult to get started with this cake because my skills were rusty and my baking and decorating supplies were buried deep down in the pantry somewhere but I managed to get started. My problem is always timing-- I never dedicate enough time to decorating and end up rushing in the end.
I first created the umbrella top, some goldfishes, and a yellow sun (which was discarded later) using some brand new gum paste I just bought.
I have never tried gum paste before because I don't see the difference between working with gum paste and rolled fondant. After playing with the two, I noticed slight differences, but not enough for me to prefer one over the other. The umbrella was fun to make because I had to be creative about the process. First I cut out a large circle out of yellow-tinted gum paste. Then I used toothpicks to make slight indentations into the umbrella, dividing it into eight equal sections. Next I used my round cookie cutter and made the edge of the umbrella. Last I laid the piece over a water globe so it can dry into a rounded shape. It look about a day to dry perfectly. (By the way, all of "first, next, then, last reminds me of my "sequence of events" language arts writing lessons... haha! I always have a long list of transition words posted on the wall for my students to use.)
While frequenting one of my favorite website Bake It Pretty I came across "Sexy Steve" (in white or black). I knew he would be perfect for my beach themed cake for Joanna so I immediately ordered in from the website (and no, it is NOT an erotic baking website David... haha!). When Sexy Steve arrived in the mail, I was surprise to find that he was bigger than I thought! Darn, now he isn't proportional to my tiny umbrella. Oh well.
Afterwards, I found some time to create a rugged looking beach towel (I want it to be sand-beaten and wrinkled, just like the real thing). I used a toothpick to make all the right creases and made sure the towel dried with the correct folds and curls.
The surfboard was easier to make, yet it gave me the most problems. I was tired by the time I got to the surfboard so some of the gum paste was dried, which made it harder to work with. Also, the surfboard was so tall my dad accidentally knocked it over during the drying process and broke off the bottom third. Now the surfboard is short and not proportional to Stevie. I also finished off with adding red lines and a sugar pearl to the umbrella, made the letters J, O, A x2, and N x2 for the name.
Last step create the two-layered chocolate Devil's cake with raspberry filling, frosted it with whipped vanilla icing, then covered it with blue-marbled fondant so a smooth clean finished. Then I added some frosting and crushed-up graham crackers to add the sand effect. Added all the decor and some white frosting waves at the bottom and you have a beach themed cake with Sexy Steve.
Sexy Steve was a big hit at the party. Everyone loved him and he was the butt of many, many jokes. Ah, good times.
Happy birthday, Joanna of Floral Sense! Also check out her beautiful website and in updated blog.
Cake: two-layer chocolate Devil's food cake with raspberry filling covered with slightly tinted fondant and lined with whipped vanilla frosting; decor made from tinted gum paste, fondant, and graham crackers; umbrella stick and "Sexy Steve" are non-edible