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The Dalston Knapsack Medium is manufactured from waterproof textile and genuine vegetable-tanned leather. Containing a 15" laptop compartment, three wide inner pockets and two outer pockets. The Dalston is completed with practical bottle pouch in tearproof two-way stretch fabric.
Handmade in Italy from waterproof Bluesign®-textile. Bluesign® is a swiss standard that ensures the fabric is made in a sustainable way.
Worldwide: 200 NOK (approx. 24 USD).
Europe: 150 NOK (approx. 16 EUR).
We handle all taxes and duties for you, no surprises! This service is included in the shipping price.
Norway: Calculated at checkout.
Dapper Oslo ships internationally with DHL Express and in Norway with Bring. We do our best to ship as quickly as possible and your order is usually sent from our store the same day. Your package will be fully trackable and delivered within 1-3 days after being sent from us.
To return an item, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com
We strongly advise you to check items thoroughly upon receipt before removing any attached tags, or disposing of any original packaging. Please notify us immediately by email if you receive any item which is defective, damaged or missing original tags/packaging.
If you wish to return an item, you can either ship it back to us with the carrier of your choice, or contact us to purchase a DHL return label for 150 NOK. We recommend that you return any items with a trackable shipping method as we cannot be responsible for untracked returns not arriving.


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Giants can't solve Kershaw, lose in ninth
Gaudin tosses seven superb innings before Romo gives up three runs
SAN FRANCISCO -- If there's any solace for the Giants after Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Dodgers, it's that four matchups with Clayton Kershaw are behind them and at most two remain.
Kershaw, the renowned Giants killer, once again dominated San Francisco in an eight-inning effort. Only three Giants managed a hit against the All-Star, who improved to 11-4 in 20 career starts against San Francisco with a 1.32 ERA. On Sunday, his effort kept the Dodgers ahead of the Giants in the standings and prevented San Francisco from claiming back-to-back wins and a series victory for the first time since June 19.
"Once again we ran into a well-pitched game against Kershaw, one of the best," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He shut us down again.
"You're not expecting to score a lot of runs, but you're hoping to score enough to win."
But Kershaw made sure that didn't happen, and the dormant Dodgers offense lifted their ace by scoring three in the top of the ninth inning against Giants closer Sergio Romo.
After Yasiel Puig's leadoff single, the situation quickly unraveled for Romo. Adrian Gonzalez followed suit with an infield single off first baseman Buster Posey's glove; Posey picked up the ball and made an ill-advised throw toward second that rolled into left field, allowing Puig to reach third.
"I should've held onto it, but didn't," Posey said.
Hanley Ramirez tapped a possible double-play ball to Romo, but the pitcher's only play was to first because no Giant covered second. After Romo intentionally walked Andre Ethier and struck out Juan Uribe, Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis launched a high slider to left-center field that scored three runs and all but sealed the Dodgers victory.
"Sergio had a really good slider [in the inning], and that's the only one he threw up in the strike zone," said catcher Guillermo Quiroz. Romo declined to comment after the game.
The Giants spoiled an excellent start from Chad Gaudin in his return to the rotation following a stint on the disabled list with a bruised upper forearm. His 92 pitches were the most he has thrown in an outing this season after Bochy indicated before the game that he was fully stretched out during his bullpen session last week.
"Guys that compete like that you always want on your team," Quiroz said. "He located everything. He went right at people with his fastball and mixed in his changeup and curve."
In the seven-inning performance, Gaudin struck out nine for the first time since June 2009 and allowed just a second-inning run. Only five batters reached base, one courtesy of an intentional walk.
"I was keeping the hitters off balance for the most part," Gaudin said.
He lowered his ERA as a starter to 2.86 in five outings. A stellar performance by Kershaw was the only factor preventing Gaudin from becoming the first San Francisco starter to win since June 13 besides Madison Bumgarner, who has earned four consecutive victories for the rotation.
"He was good. He was really good and gave us what we needed," Bochy said. "[It was an] impressive outing, especially with the layoff he had, but he was really locating well, threw strikes, looked sharp, showed no effects on the arm and really did a nice job to give us a chance to win."
Ramirez extended his hitting streak to a career-best 18 games in the second inning with a leadoff triple -- his second of the season -- and scored a play later on an Ethier single.
Ramirez also threatened to put the Dodgers on the board in later at-bats. In the fourth, his moonshot flew just foul in deep left field. In the seventh, he doubled with two outs, but was stranded by a limp Los Angeles offense.
Quiroz injected the Giants' offense with its only life in the bottom of the third with a leadoff double. After Gaudin failed to drop a bunt to advance Quiroz -- Gaudin is in a Major League-worst 0-for-34 streak -- Kershaw unleashed a costly wild pitch that allowed the Giants catcher to advance to third base. A play later, Andres Torres lifted a fly ball deep enough to center field to score Quiroz to tie the game.
But the Giants didn't score after that and found themselves 6 1/2 games behind Arizona after the loss. The Giants remain in a funk in which they have scored two runs or fewer in 12 of 16 games and are 2-for-their-last-36 with runners in scoring position. When failing to reach three hits with runners in scoring position, the club is 16-39 this season.
"It's a tough group," Bochy said. "No question it's a tough loss -- ninth inning, two outs in a close game and you're close to getting out of it."

subset: commoncrawl


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|Achar os melhores spots
Love Wannasurf.com? Share your surf spots with all surfers around the world and help us to improve Wannasurf content! You can become an atlas editor, a translator or a forum moderator...
This site is designed to provide a World surf atlas. Actually, we create the environment for posting details and photos of your local surf spot - its up to you to add the data - via the interactive form. New surf spots are being continuously added as they are submitted from surfers around the world.
Have a look at those areas which are already beginning to be detailed - and you'll see the great potential. Now when you read about diving at surf spot X in distant country Y, you'll be able to look it up and see how it really is. Not only are there data-sheets for each surf spot, but also messages and a full interactive forum.
Not all zones are active yet - we will bring areas on-line as data are submitted by surfers. In the Add a surf spot form vastly more 'Zones' are active than in the Atlas - submit surf spot for these zones anyway, they will be included when the Zone is put on-line. If you can't find a zone corresponding to your area - tell us about it by mail or via the Add-a-Spot form.
Wanna-know-more? Read the FAQs and other help documents, or just have a look at some of the active Zones.
Extra details concerning crucial data for this site.
Contact the webmaster if we forgot something.
Wannasurf.com no seu telemóvel
RSS Todos os conteúdos RSS de Wannasurf.com
Boletim Todas as notícias por e-mail


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I'm thinking it should be possible to consume an ESRI Geoprocessing service from a python script without invoking ArcPy or needing an ESRI installation on the client machine. For example I create a geoprocessing service that takes a series of point location and returns a csv file with the values under them as a file. I would like to include this service call in a python client application that will be running on machines that don't have any ESRI installation. Couldn't you create the rest call to kick off the service and consume the result without arcpy?
Does anyone have an example of how you might do this?
Thanks, Colin


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ℹAbout Techqueria
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Find your perfect remote ready tools for art students and teachers, eLearning, and remote working.
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Please call us for pricing: 818-597-7800
Thanks to a nifty counter-balanced linkage system, you can stop your reclining chair or sofa back at any and every angle. It's truly the best option for customizing your comfort to your body, this feature is available on both manual and power recliners.
Don't be fooled by the technical jargon- Blue Steel and Dualflex springs are the real deal. The manufacturer's innovative, time-tested Blue Steel springs and the updated Dualflex system are made of heavy-duty materials and never need retying or replacing. If you don't believe it, the spring system can be replaced by the manufacturer at any time thanks to a lifetime warranty.
Available Leathers -72, -74, -80, -84Bring a contemporary addition to your living room with this reclining sofa. This sofa features deep seating comfort perfect for three. Contrast stitching highlights the detail found in the large scale design. The double pillow back gives a luxurious look that compliments the layered pad arm. Dual reclining mechanism allows for maximum relaxation in your home.
The Latitudes - Dylan Leather Reclining Sofa by Flexsteel at Reeds Furniture in the Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Agoura Hills, Oxnard, Calabassas, Malibu, California area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
Sink into luxurious seating with the this living room collection. Featuring both motion and stationary furniture, this group offers a variety of options for furnishing your living room, family area, or entertainment center. Its clean look exudes a casual-contemporary style fit for a wide-range of home decor, while its generous padding and plush upholstery options create consistent and durable seats throughout the life of the product. Make yourself at home with the sleek style and exceptional comfort of the Latitudes - Dylan collection. Available in a select group of luxurious leathers. Nailhead trim detail also available.
The Latitudes - Dylan collection is a great option if you are looking for Contemporary furniture in the Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Agoura Hills, Oxnard, Calabassas, Malibu, California area.
These images are representative of this group as a whole and may differ from this item.
Browse other items in the Latitudes - Dylan collection from Reeds Furniture in the Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Agoura Hills, Oxnard, Calabassas, Malibu, California area.
This item has been tagged as: Sectional with Recliner, Recliner Sectional, Reclining Sectional, Seating, Couches, Couch, Sofa, Reclining Home Theater Furniture, Living Room Furniture, Accent Furniture, Reclining Love Seat, Loveseat Recliner, Reclining Couch, Reclining Sofa, Couch with Recliner, Sofa with Recliner, Motion Furniture, Moving Furniture, Living Room Furniture, Family Room Furniture, Great Room Furniture, Den Furniture, Home Furnishing
Nothing on this page may be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.


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Basic Calculators for Easy Sums
quickly determine sums in a variety of professional, educational, and personal settings using basic calculators. Calculators with large buttons are perfect for children who've yet to develop hand-eye coordination skills, and large displays make it simple to share your total with others.
Easy Readability
Select basic calculators with large displays so you can show customers their totals when you're making on-the-go sales or aiding older adults who can't necessarily see as well as they once did. Tilting displays help reduce glare when you're using the calculator outdoors or are viewing it from above. Calculators that use printer tape also allow you to create a high-visibility receipt, so you can keep track of transactions for your records or provide customers with an easily readable receipt.
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Ensure you have an easy-to-use way to figure out numerical details using basic calculators. These calculators eschew all but the most necessary calculation options, making it simple to divide, multiply, add, and subtract without all the advanced functions of scientific calculators. This makes basic calculators the perfect tool for figuring square footage on the job site or learning basic math in the classroom.
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Choose basic calculators designed for desktop use in your office to aid your accounting process. Select models that add basic financial calculations to standard functionality for an even broader range of use when dealing with money. Select basic calculators small enough to fit into your pocket, so you can make on-the-go calculations out in the field. Many calculators operate via included AC adapters, and you can also choose from options that require batteries or a more environmentally friendly model that charges in the sun.


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Hi I live in Redlands and I saw that you are looking for one more member. Is this information correct still? I am currently without a group and was looking into finding a new group :]
Hi! I live in Hemet, Ca. and I am looking for a group with whom to meet with and possibly join. DnD 3.5 is the system I most enjoy running, and have been playing for nearly 19 years.
Send an Instant Message to Igor Koslov Using...
The 300 (+7)


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I woke up this morning with these words in my head:
- 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
- To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
- Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.
This one verse song, written in the 1700's is titled "Simple Gifts".
This summer has been gift. Even though it has had its disappointments and closed doors, they were truly gifts.
Because I wasn't feeling well I didn't get to go on a beach trip in May, and there was a cancelled trip to Colorado Springs on the exact weekend that the nation watched in fear and prayed for the mercy of rain.
There were several other things that I wished and wanted to do... but instead I have received the simple gift of rest, time with those I love, time to care and keep my home. I feel 100% better and the hindsight is bright and clear. I struggled, deeply and with many tears, but as i have felt better I have been given the time to take longer walks with my husband, to exercise with a healthy mind and body; to share life with those I love over tea and cupcakes.
I've been able to use my creative talents with joy.
Today we celebrate the gift of Independence here in America. But this summer of unplanned rest has helped to change my focus. I am not to strive and push and run for an independent life, I have been given the gift of dependent living on Christ, who orders my days and give gifts that are good and right. His timing is perfect, and His care never ceases, even when I have trouble seeing it.
I am very grateful for the gift of living in this great nation, but I am profoundly grateful to live simply, in love and delight, when I turn, turn, and trust my every breathe to the Giver of life.


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Monday, January 30, 2012
It also needs a name. Maybe the P.S.E.T.
I discovered long ago that when I am ill or otherwise in pain, sewing is usually the only thing that I can tolerate doing for any length of time. This was not the case while my hand was inflamed or while I was going through the worst of the flu, but right now, even though I feel like a miserable sack of poo (as an old friend of mine used to say), I forget about it while I'm sewing. So I spent most of Saturday finishing up a project that I started several weeks ago and that had been on hold during my bout with la grippe.
Early last summer I started collecting Anna Maria Horner and Joel Dewberry fat quarters. I was aiming for a collection with a particular sort of boho look to it, and these fit what I wanted. I would have added more from other collections if I had found anything that seemed to fit, but by the time I had all of these, I thought I better stop before things got too out of hand.
I had seen several examples of Mock Cathedral Windows online and I had been eager to try it, and I had also been looking for a project that would employ my boho fat quarter collection. I wanted to go for a really super scrappy look, and see if I could make that sort of thing work.
I didn't really see any good way to test the layout ahead of time (translation: I was too lazy to try and come up with a way to test it out ahead of time) so I did what I usually do and just jumped in. I bought an Olfa rotary circle cutter and started whacking.
I cut two circles from each fabric and set aside one pile to be the tops and one pile to be the bottoms (or doms and subs, if I'm feeling kinky). That way, I figured each fabric would make one appearance as the middle of the circles and one as the "petals" (and also the squares on the back. Of course, it helps if you keep track of which pile is which and don't move them all over the sewing room because you get a big ol' bug up your butt to start organizing shit. But, whatever. The original principle was sound and that's all that matters. Execution, shmexecution.
I layered two fabric circles with a batting circle and sewed them together. Turned out that despite my handy, dandy circle cutter, I managed to cut everything all wonky. But wonky is cool, right? It's what all the kids are doing now. So I did what I always do and fudged it and figured it would all work out in the end. Or I'd give it to the kids.
So, then I had a nice pile of fabric frisbees:
Then came the fun of sewing them together. And it was fun. Really. That's not just the Dayquil talking.
The problems came when trying to sew down the petals, or flaps, or lips or whatever the hell you call them. Sometimes everything would go beautifully, and then the next one would bunch up and the quilt would seem to lurch under the needle and I'd end up with something all fucked up and wrinkly. But there was no way in hell I was ripping stitches out of this one. However it tuned out was the way it was gonna stay and if it looked like ass I would just pretend I bought it off some hippie out of the back of her VW van and then I'd make up some story about how I had to air it out for days to get the weed stink out of it and how it may not have worked because I still smell colors every time I get near it. So, you know, win-win either way.
I finished the whole thing Sunday morning and dragged it and my coughing carcass outside to photograph it for posterity.
I can't decide how I feel about it. I like it better now than I did while it was being a little bitch. And everything looks better hanging from my patented Front Porch Quilt Photography Apparatus.
Maybe it needs a cute kid.
David is all freaked out that the back just looks like this and not a reverse image of the front.:
It's also a very small quilt, like baby size, but I am no longer giving away baby quilts since no one seems to actually like them, so this may be a throw or a picnic mat or a Psychotropic Substance Enhancement Tool. Not that I would know anything about that. Anymore.
18 comments:
Very cool. I totally wouldn't have the patience for anything bigger than that, though!
- February 4, 2012 at 2:03 PM
I love it!! And the back works too! If I tell you I'm pregnant and like it, can I have it? I'm not really, but it would be worth the lie...
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
I made one of these in which I fussy cut a cute motif for the center of each circle (nut job I know). I gave it to a so called friend as a baby gift and when I later visited her she had given it to her dog for a dog bed! A comment on the fabulousness of my craftsmanship no doubt. Your quilt is truly fabulous and will avoid a similar fate I trust.
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
I LOVE this! Off to the sewing room to try it! and I agree about the baby quilt thing :/
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
- Jenna Gustafson said...
Ooooomigoodness! Next project. Done. Or maybe the project after that... Maybe I need more fabric first. Hmm, totally need more fabric first. Saving this post!!!!
ps. i'm sorry you feel like ass. that's shitty....
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Gorgeous work! I had a friend who called that feeling "week old bag of smashed-up assholes". I've always enjoyed saying it...
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
There isn't one, exactly. Look up "mock cathedral windows" and you should find some tutorials that show how to do it.
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
I love it! Where can I find the pattern for this?
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
- Natalie Bartgis said...
love it!
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Very cool! Love the boho look!
I can't get that circle cutter to work for shit.
And who collects poo in a bag? I don't ever want to meet them.
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
this looks quite amazing, a bit like an alice in wonderland substance enhancement !
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
I love it, I think it's an amazing quilt!! I hope you start feeling better soon.
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
"anymore." ha. I like the fabric and the look of it... Not sure I'd ever bother doing it though. I guess I'd have to look up the traditional way of making cathedral windows before deciding this looks like too much work. Interesting that you say people don't tend to like baby quilts... I've made my sister a couple and they don't seem to get used at all. She goes for those soft minky (my iPad autocorrected that to "kinky") fleecy things instead. I like to think its because she's afraid of ruining my beautiful handiwork, but that's probably bullshit.
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Wow. I did this in a queen size with green gold and blue for a wedding quilt a few years back. Fun! The hippie chick in the VW made me **laugh**! :-)
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Please take care of yourself. I've had pneumonia a couple of times, spent over a month in bed each time..., coughing, sleeping, missing out on life, broke a rib coughing. NOT fun. You don't want to go there.
Love your quilt. It will be very comforting while you hide under it convelessing.
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
- Sandy Navas said...
I was going to tell you that I thought you were on to something, but actually, I think you are ON something. BTW I love your quilt. I, for one, can't sew when I feel like crap. Needless to say, I don't get enough sewing done!
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Cool Beans..
- February 4, 2012 at 2:04 PM
- Ruby Murray said...
Lmao yay a quilter that isn't stuffy. Love the quilt and your post funny as....
- March 17, 2013 at 10:53 PM


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Posted by Editoress on 01/10/12
Rossland, BC, native Mike Hopkins has signed on with Norco Bicycles for 2012 as an independent rider. For the upcoming riding year, Mike will be aboard the Norco Aurum, Sight, Shinobi, Rampage and custom slopestyle frames as he accomplishes his season goals.
Mike comes to the team with a strong list of accomplishments, boasting major video spots in Life Cycles, From the Inside Out, Red Bull Rampage and many other videos. Mike has also been recently featured in several print publications and websites internationally. His dedication and passion for the sport have made him one of the most recognizable athletes in mountain biking.
Looking forward at 2012, Mike has even grander plans than in years past. This coming season he will be working on major video projects with Sherpa Cinema, Second Base Films and Absolute Zero. Mike is also planning to participate in the 2012 Deep Summer Photo Challenge and the Redbull Rampage. With his Norco bike Mike will work closely with Norco and his other sponsors: Monster Energy, The North Face and others on many of these key projects.
Mike comments, "I am excited to work with a company like Norco that has built its brand around bikes engineered for my style of riding. The opportunity to work with Norco's engineers on new design ideas and platforms is very exciting. Watching Gravity Tune come out of Norco in conjunction with the Dirt Norco Race Team illustrates Norco's dedication to its riders and product development."
"We couldn't be happier about adding a top-tier Big Mountain rider such as Mike Hopkins to our list of supported riders. The level of skill, professionalism and exposure that he brings with him will do great things for Norco and I know that we can offer Mike the opportunity to push his success and career even further," said Pete Stace-Smith - Norco Marketing Manager.
Mike brings with him a list of personal sponsors including Monster Energy, The North Face, Marzocchi, Shimano, 661, Gravity and Smith Optics.
Courtesy Norco
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


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Victoria-based exotic and classic car restorer Rudi Koniczek is always enthusiastic about the cars that he restores. But he absolutely comes alive when he talks about unearthing one of the rarest cars in the world from decades of dusty storage in a rat-infested garage at a home in Santa Monica, Calif.
For the past 40 years, Rudi & Company has been one the foremost restorers of Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadsters and gull-wing sports cars. Owners have shipped cars for restoration from as far away as Europe, South Africa and Japan. He has restored about 100 of the cars and currently has half a dozen under restoration. His shop also restores other special interest cars to concours standards.
He takes pride in having restored the 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL bought new in Montreal by Pierre Elliot Trudeau. It was a rush job to be completed in time for Justin Trudeau's wedding in Montreal. The restoration that usually takes a full year was compacted into eight months. The silver roadster is magnificent and is part of Canadian history.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat, closed sports car with distinctive gull-wing doors and was the first gasoline-powered car with direct injection. Later it was offered as an open roadster. It was the fastest production car of its day.
The 300 referred to the threelitre engine and SL stood for Sport Leicht. From 1955 through 1963, there were approximately 1,800 M-B 300SL roadsters built and 1,383 gullwing coupes produced from 1955 through 1957 in Stuttgart, Germany. Gullwing describes the way the doors lift open.
In the '50s, the factory turned out 29 special lightweight alloy body gull-wing coupes with Plexiglas windows. These are among the world's most valued collector cars, worth about $2.5 million each.
Only 28 of the alloy-bodied cars were accounted for. The whereabouts of No. 29 was one of the great mysteries in the classic car world. Koniczek had restored numbers 1 and 6. He knew where all the other alloy-bodied cars were except for No. 21.
Twenty years ago, he heard about a gull-wing that had been stored in a garage in Santa Monica, Calif., for decades. It was a rumour that he and a California enthusiast followed up on over the years.
This spring, Koniczek was able to make a deal with the owner of the car. But getting the Gullwing out of the garage was a challenge. The widower owner was in his late 80s, and his garage was full of old mainframe computers. The car couldn't even be seen in the garage.
He hired two men to clear the way to the car. When the car began to emerge from the clutter, it became apparent that the search for No. 21 was over. "I took a magnet out of my wallet and ran it over the car and it didn't stick," Koniczek recalls of the moment.
The owner of the car, Tom Wellmer, had received the new 1955 special alloy M-B Gullwing coupe in New York as a graduation gift from his parents. He drove it into the 1970s until the transmission broke. Then he put the car up on jack stands and began taking it apart. He took the wheels and hood off, the interior out and removed the transmission. And then the car just sat – for more than 40 years.
"This is the ultimate garage find and may be one of the greatest finds ever in the collector car world," Koniczek says. "It's amazing to know that the car had been there all those years without anyone knowing about it." It still had the 1971 California license plates.
Koniczek guides seven full-time artisans and a bevy of other craftsmen who contribute their talents during the restorations. His mission statement is just three words: Best or nothing.
or nothing. His restorations have won every major award there is. The M-B Museum in Stuttgart features some of the cars he has restored.
There is a row of 300SL cars in various states of restoration, including a roadster once owned by Canadian Forest Products founder Peter Bentley. Other cars are receiving body and paint jobs in a downtown Victoria shop.
Koniczek is the ultimate self-made man. An only child, he and his parents came to Canada from Germany in 1953. As a teenager, he got an after-school job in a model shop, taking his pay in kits that he would build into his favourite car – the M-B Gullwing.
Koniczek will start the restoration of the "missing" alloy-bodied 300SL early next year. The only stipulation made by the original owner in selling the car was for the rare car to be given a full restoration to look as it did when he took delivery in 1955.
Alyn Edwards is a classic car enthusiast and partner in Peak Communicators, a Vancouver-based public relations company. email@example.com


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Contact Us
Phone: (936)-494-1111
CRG Nordam LLC, is now the Official North American distributor managed directly by the CRG factory in Italy.
The CRG Factory North American operation "CRG Nordam" will have their headquarters and distribution facility established in Conroe, Texas in collaboration with the Motorsports Development Management Group.
This consolidated bond with the MDG Group will offer the North American market a factory direct distribution center that will stock the latest 2016 product with the intent of offering a cost effective and speedy delivery service to satisfy all CRG dealer necessities.
The MDG Group is currently in the development stage of a world class karting circuit to open mid 2016 where CRG Nordam operation as a fixed member.
Some key people back on board with CRG, Joe Ramos together with Dave Davies will be heading up the dealer sales and distribution program, Christopher Sparacino direct from CRG Italy will be the operations manager, Stuart Robinson from MDG will act as a support figure for the CRG Nordam operation.
The official CRG factory direct North American race team will be managed under Eddy Tinini (CRG race operations director) working in close contact with Giancarlo Tinini (CRG founder and president) and will also have the logistic support and coordination of Danny Kacic.
The first official debut for the CRG Nordam Factory Racing Team will be the SKUSA Las Vegas Super Nationals. The objective of this new race team initiative is to bring back the much needed race support the valued CRG customer base has been demanding. The objective of the Nordam race team will be to attend all major national, regional and local venues.
All CRG dealers, drivers and persons interested in knowing more about the CRG Nordam operation are more than welcomed to send all enquiries and request to the following contact information:
Conroe, Texas 77301
Tel: +1.936.7602002
Web 1: www.kartcrg-nordam.com
Web 2: www.kartcrg.com
The CRG Nordam operation is looking forward to an exciting year ahead confident that the factory direct operation will help rebuild the CRG brand and market confidence.
For more information on CRG Nordam visit www.kartcrg-nordam.com and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/crgnordam/?fref=ts
For more information on Motorsports Development Management Group visit www.motorsportsdevelopmentgroup.com and follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mdgtx


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Women who go through menopause before age 46 are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as women who hit menopause later, according to a new study.
"These are women who should keep in mind that they are at increased risk," said Dr. Melissa Wellons, the lead author of the study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
"My advice to them would be to get your traditional risk factors checked... and do the things that we know, based on evidence, can improve your risk of developing heart disease, like keep your cholesterol in check and keep your blood pressure in check," she told Reuters Health.
The findings from a diverse group of US women support results of earlier studies, which had focused on white women. Little was known about age at menopause and heart disease risk among women of other ethnicities.
Wellons and her colleagues collected health information through surveys of 2,509 women, including 331 Chinese, 641 black and 550 Hispanic women.
Close to 700 of them, or 28 per cent, had gone through menopause early - before age 46. (The average age when women in the U.S. stop having periods is 51.)
That group included women who went through menopause naturally or had a hysterectomy - surgery to remove the uterus - which can cause early menopause.
None of the women had cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the study. Researchers tracked them for an average of five years to see who ended up having a heart attack or stroke.
They found 23 of the women who had gone through menopause early, and 27 who hadn't, suffered a heart attack or cardiac arrest or died from heart disease, according to findings published in the journal Menopause.
That translates to 3.3 per cent of women in the early menopause group and 1.5 per cent of the other group.
Similarly, 18 women - or 2.6 per cent - of the early menopause group had a stroke during the study, compared to 19 (one per cent) of women who hit menopause later.
It's not clear why early menopause might be linked to cardiovascular disease.
Wellons said estrogen could be related. Women's bodies produce little estrogen after they go through menopause.
But there's no evidence taking hormones to make up for that change can lower a woman's risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, the Women's Health Initiative study on hormone replacement therapy was stopped early when women taking hormones after menopause had a higher risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Another possible explanation for the results is a shared trait underlying both early menopause and heart disease risk.
"It could be a genetic association, (where) genes that are related to ovarian function may also be associated with cardiovascular disease, and those two things are related but not through a common causal pathway," Wellons said.
She said more research is needed before doctors can know how to intervene to try to reduce the higher heart disease risk among women with early menopause.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among US women. Combined with strokes, it is responsible for almost one in three deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SOURCE: bit.ly/NMR37P Menopause, online June 11, 2012.


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Healthcare Industry News: neuromodulation
News Release - May 16, 2011
Neuronetics, Inc. Raises $30 Million in Series E FinancingPolaris Venture Partners and Pfizer Lead the Round
MALVERN, PA--(Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) - Neuronetics, Inc., maker of the NeuroStar TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Therapy� System for the treatment of major depression*, announced today that it has completed its Series E financing totaling $30 million. Two new investors, Polaris Venture Partners and Pfizer Venture Investments, led the round.
"This financing is a tremendous vote of confidence in the potential of NeuroStar TMS Therapy by two premier life science investors," said Bruce J. Shook, President and CEO of Neuronetics, Inc. "The financial resources, experience and knowledge that Polaris and Pfizer bring to our company will allow us to build on our success and accelerate our efforts to bring NeuroStar to the millions of people suffering from depression."
Neuronetics has been marketing the NeuroStar TMS system for the treatment of major depression for patients who have not adequately benefitted from prior antidepressant medication* since it was cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2008.
"The market opportunity for a novel, non-invasive and non-systemic treatment for major depression like Neuronetics' NeuroStar TMS Therapy is extremely attractive," said Kevin Bitterman, Ph.D., Principal at Polaris Venture Partners. "The NeuroStar TMS system gives psychiatrists an entirely new tool in their effort to treat those patients who are struggling with depression and do not get relief from existing therapies. The team at Neuronetics has done an impressive job of bringing this technology into mainstream medical practice, and we look forward to helping advance this important effort."
Dr. Bitterman will represent Polaris Venture Partners on Neuronetics' Board of Directors. Elaine Jones, Executive Director, Pfizer Venture Investments will serve as an Observer to the Board. They will join existing Board members Leslie Bottorff, General Partner at Onset Ventures; Michael Dale, former President and CEO of ATS Medical; Brian Farley, CEO of Entellus Medical; Wilfred Jaeger, M.D., Partner at Three Arch Partners; P. Sherrill Neff, Partner at Quaker BioVentures; Dan Sachs, M.D., representative for Investor Growth Capital; and, Bruce Shook.
"Pfizer has had a longstanding interest in treating depression," said Elaine Jones of Pfizer Venture Investments. "We look at Neuronetics' progress as the beginning of a potentially important advance in how we treat this often debilitating, chronic and costly disease. We are excited about supporting Neuronetics' effort to bring a new and innovative solution to psychiatry."
About Neuronetics
Neuronetics, Inc. is a privately held medical device company focused on developing non-invasive therapies for psychiatric and neurological disorders using MRI-strength magnetic-field pulses. Based in Malvern, Penn., Neuronetics is the leader in the development of NeuroStar TMS Therapy, a non-invasive and non-systemic form of neuromodulation. For more information, please visit www.neuronetics.com.
Neuronetics, Inc. was represented in the Series E financing by Pepper Hamilton, LLP.
About NeuroStar TMS Therapy
Neuronetics' NeuroStar TMS Therapy system was cleared by the FDA in October 2008 for the treatment of adult patients with major depressive disorder who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode. NeuroStar TMS Therapy is a non-systemic (does not circulate in the bloodstream throughout the body) and non-invasive (does not involve surgery) form of neuromodulation. It stimulates nerve cells in an area of the brain that has been linked to depression by delivering highly focused MRI-strength magnetic field pulses. The treatment is typically administered daily for four to six weeks.
In clinical trials, patients treated with active NeuroStar TMS Therapy experienced an average reduction in their depression symptom score of 22.1 percent compared to a nine percent reduction in patients receiving inactive treatment.(1) In an open-label clinical trial, which is most like real world clinical practice, approximately one in two patients experienced significant improvement in symptoms, and one in three experienced complete symptom resolution(2). There were no systemic side effects such as those experienced with some antidepressant medications. The most common adverse event related to treatment was scalp pain or discomfort at the treatment area during active treatment.(3) There is a rare risk of seizure with TMS Therapy (0.1 percent of patients under general clinical use).
NeuroStar TMS Therapy is contraindicated in patients with non-removable metallic objects in or around the head. It is not indicated or effective for all patients with depression and it is available only upon the prescription of a psychiatrist. For full safety and prescribing information, visit www.NeuroStar.com.
Availability of NeuroStar TMS Therapy
Treatment with NeuroStar TMS Therapy is available at more than 300 treatment centers in the United States. For specific information on treatment locations with NeuroStar TMS Therapy, please visit www.NeuroStarTMS.com or call the Neuronetics Customer Service Center at (877) 600-7555.
About Depression
Depression affects at least 14 million American adults each year. Of those suffering from depression, 6.8 million do not even seek treatment (4). Often a debilitating disorder, depression results in a persistent state of sadness that interferes with an individual's thoughts, behavior, mood, and physical health. It is important to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible.
*NeuroStar TMS Therapy is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode.
This press release is neither an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
NeuroStar�, NeuroStar TMS Therapy�, and TMS Therapy� are registered trademarks of Neuronetics, Inc.
1. Data on file, Neuronetics, Inc.
2. Demitrack, M. A. and M. Thase (2009). "Clinical Significance of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in the Treatment of Pharmacoresistant Depression: Synthesis of Recent Data." Psychopharmacology Bulletin 42(2): 5 - 38.
3. Janicak, P., J. P. O'Reardon, et al. (2008). "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Comprehensive Summary of Safety Experience from Acute Exposure, Extended Exposure, and During Reintroduction Treatment." Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 69(2): 222 - 232.
4. Kessler, R., P. Berglund, et al. (2003). "The Epidemiology of Major Depressive Disorder: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R)." (JAMA) Journal of the American Medical Association 289(23): 3095-3105.
Source: Neuronetics
Issuer of this News Release is solely responsible for its
Please address inquiries directly to the issuing company.


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Rusty quoted a report back in May that Provigil (modafinil) was no more helpful than a couple of cups of coffee. I have to step in here and make a couple of things clear - well, "clear" as I understand them. Provigil is a drug used primarily for narcolepsy, a serious sleep disorder. As a person living with the poorly understood disease of MS, I can only imagine how that must have made people living with narcolepsy feel - "Just drink more coffee and your disease won't be an issue."
Provigil, like many drugs that we take for MS symptoms, seems to have a "we're not sure how it works, but it does" factor. It is widely assumed that the drug works on one of the neurotransmitters (dopamine) in affecting fatigue.
Most of us know very well that these neurotransmitter chemicals live between our axons or nerve endings. They are the substance through which nerve firings occur. We also know that some of our damaged axons do not fire strongly enough to pass signals to the next due to demyelination.
I've spoken on HealthTalk programs about the central nervous system as a complex electrical system, which is affected greatly by heat. The way the drug may work on dopamine may help many of us as we (in the northern hemisphere) move into summer.
It seems to me (and this is just me) that if a couple of cups of coffee helped us in this way, Starbucks stock would be through the roof.
There is something else to consider about fatigue. Many doctors and researchers see fatigue as two separate issues - one physical and the other cognitive – and prescribe different doses for each (on average 100mg for physical and 300 mg for cognitive). Again, not something that coffee or caffeine would address.
The drug is not cheap and as it is "not approved" for use in MS patients (I'll explain if anyone needs off-label prescriptions detailed), can be very expensive. I had to go through several hoops to get my prescription paid by my insurance.
Most of my contemporaries who use Provigil or other anti-fatigue meds self-dose, with their doctors being fully aware. (Note: Don't self-dose, self-medicate or take yourself off a drug to "see if it's working" without your doctors knowing about it. Yet another reason you should have a good working relationship with the doctors and nurses at your provider's office.) Some nibble at a tablet all day; some take one in the morning, one at noon and not later to salvage sleep; still others (myself included) use it for special occasions (or, in my case, tradeshows).
I think of these drugs as a withdrawal slip from my energy bank. I can take Provigil for a few days (four at tops) and "borrow" energy from later in the week. I'll make it through the event, but I'm going to pay for it later. It's just one more way I am taking control of my disease when I can or really need to.
Sometimes I shake my head in wonderment at what we have been told, heard or think for ourselves about MS. I wanted to get that out of the way and open the discussion about Provigil, Amantadine and other drugs you might use for fatigue.
I'd also like to open the floor to discussion about rumors and third-hand information you hear about MS treatments. It seems there are a lot of misunderstandings out there and we should address them.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.


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"Los Angeles" Snapback Blue
Sold Out
Sold Out
There are currently delays from all major carriers. USPS and UPS are overwhelmed, even domestically, with volume and new social distancing / sanitation measures. In addition to that USPS is currently being dismantled internally by Trump's appointed postmaster in order to supress mail in voting in the US. Please be aware that normal delivery standards do not currently apply!
Big one to note: INTERNATIONAL orders (outside the US and Canada) are currently made at the buyer's own risk as far as timing goes, due to individual countries' restrictions on imports at this time as well as severely minimized air travel around the world. We ship them out but cannot guarantee any timing - delays of over a month have been reported to certain locations. The best way to avoid this is to inform yourself about your country's current policies on parcels coming from abroad before ordering. Here's the USPS' current page on International service disruptions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
Thanks for you understanding, stay safe. - Ben


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Let DeMille take your concept and really get your point across. Whether you'd like to remain anonymous or ensure that your name appears as well – look no further.
Want a Better Meme by DeMille?
Over 150 guests joined DIAGEO onboard the Ambassador Yacht in Newport Beach, California. They met Captain Morgan, enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dancing, and spoke freely about their relationship with DIAGEO. Video captured by OC Videography. Edited by DeMille Sias of orangecountyvideography.com "Cake By The Ocean" performed by DNCE. Song rights belong to the owners of "Cake By The Ocean" No copyright infringement intended.
We (OC Videography) were hired by the Orange County District Attorney's Office for their Victims Rights March & Rally. It's a beautiful event. I was honored and privileged. Too many victims of senseless crimes that have no voice. The challenge was to capture 4 hours of non-stop footage - and edit it down to a 3 minute film. Starting at the D.A.'s office, following the marching crowd to the county court house for the ceremony. I needed to capture the essence of the event, yet find a way to convey the positive spirit of those who are still fighting for all of the victims and survivors. As with any positive event, there were very loud, and very visible protestors everywhere. Over 90% of the footage I captured has protestors purposely making sure they were caught by my camera. As one man... with one camera... on April 11, 2014 - I'm very proud to present The 2014 OCDA Victims Rights March & Rally...
Fiesta Hall in Whittier provided the classic setting for the ultimate celebration! We had an amazing time at the Quinceanera of Sariah Acevedo! This beautiful and very talented young lady was accompanied by her honored court, friends, and her very loving family. It was our great privilege and pleasure to be part of Sariah's incredible day!
We always look forward to filming the annual recital for Newport Dance Theater at the Robert B. Moore Theater. It's a beautiful venue located at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California. The studio owners, Kimberly Davis and Taryn Chavez, put so much heart and soul into their work that it's more like watching a family performing rather than your every day dance school students.
Bill Medley Auditorium, Santa Ana, California. For an exceptional experience, contact: The Academy of International Dance via aidancecrew.org
Anaheim High School's APAC (Anaheim Performing Arts Conservatory) performed "The King and I" in January 2016. It was the first time AHS incorporated younger students into its annual musical along with APAC. A must see! Available on DVD in March 2016. Just e-mail email@example.com or submit an inquiry through orangecountyvideography.com
At the Blue Moon Theatre in Whittier, California, we were so fortunate to film this amazing concert by one of the best Beatles cover bands ever! You simply must see it to believe it!
One of the best local performances around is the Spring Concert by Arreis. The Newport Harbor High School dance team, under the direction of Julie Simmons, is an advanced group of dancers performing teacher and student choreography for one of the most entertaining yearly shows in Newport Beach.
Zack Zumbek / "Somewhere Only We Know" / July 13, 2012 / DVD is still available
Amazing Voices / TAABC / July 13, 2012 / Newport Beach, Ca / DVD is still available / Just send us an inquiry
Bar Mitzvah Party Highlights of Matthew D
We were honored to capture Hali's unforgettable Bat Mitzvah Ceremony at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma'alot in Irvine. The after party certainly was one of the most spectacular events ever held at Celebrations Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa. We'd like to thank Hali's parents for allowing us to be part of her incredible day!
A wonderful Bar Mitzvah starting at the magnificent Shir Ha-Ma' alot in Irvine, California. Braden read from the Torah beautifully. His parents were bursting with pride. The day continued with an unforgettable after party at the very elegant Pacific Club also located in Irvine. What a blast! It was our privilege and honor to be part of Braden's incredible day!
An absolutely beautiful ceremony at Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach! Cerise was incredibly, warm, friendly & gracious. Her parents were a pure delight, and you won't find a more likeable couple. The after party took place at the Hyatt Regency. The planning, decor & attention to details were remarkable. The guests had an amazing blast as they danced and celebrated late into the evening. We can't thank Cerise and her family enough for allowing us to capture their incredible day!
During the extraordinary Bat Mitzvah of Arianna Neimark - we had the extreme privilege of capturing one of the most powerful, genuine, and heartfelt moments ever recorded! We would LOVE to capture your incredible day! Please contact us via https://orangecountyvideography.com/
Another beautiful ceremony at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma' alot in Irvine. Griffin could not have been more impressive and his family was bursting with pride. In addition to his flawless academic performances, he also treated everyone to an amazing violin solo. The after party was held at the Mission Viejo Country Club.
Bar Mitzvah Photo Montage of Alexander Miller
Let DeMille take your concept and really get your point across. Whether you'd like to remain anonymous or ensure that your name appears as well - look no further. Want a Better Meme by DeMille? Please let us know.
We were extremely fortunate to capture the amazing wedding of Kathleen & Arron at The Heritage Museum of Orange County. Our bride & groom could not have been more gracious. Their families were also incredibly warm & thoughtful. The Heritage Museum is an incredibly beautiful place to get married. Kathleen & Arron - Thank you both so much for allowing us to part of your incredible day! Please visit the Heritage Museum of Orange County: http://heritagemuseumoc.org/visit-us/the-kellogg-house/ It's a great place to get married!
Kelly & Georgis chose the iconic Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church for their spectacular ceremony in Long Beach, California! Seated right next to the church is the immaculate Betty Reckas Cultural Center. It was the perfect choice for their epic reception! Thank you Kelly & Georgis! It was our absolute pleasure!
It was our great privilege and pleasure to capture the phenomenal wedding of Beatriz & Dan in Newport Beach! It was followed by an epic reception at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach. Beatriz & Dan - Thank you both very much for allowing us to be part of your incredible day!
The setting was an immaculate estate in San Juan Capistrano. The planning and design of the event was remarkable. Every single detail of the decor was absolutely gorgeous! And you won't find a more likeable couple. Loving, caring, intelligent, interesting, and as funny as can be! Tracey & Candice - Thank you both for allowing us to be part of your incredibly beautiful day!
Congratulations Sogol & Mike! It truly was our privilege & pleasure to capture your spectacular wedding! Such an incredibly beautiful fusion of Western & Persian delights. And such an incredibly gorgeous & classy couple!
An absolutely beautiful Greek wedding ceremony in Long Beach, followed by an amazing reception at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda. Congratulations Anastasia & Donald! We were honored to be part of your incredible day!
At home, in a very casual, relaxed setting, Jenna prepared for her amazing wedding at Talega Golf Course in San Clemente, California. As her stylist worked, the girls from her bridal party did their best to keep her relaxed and entertained.
We were quite thrilled by the unique opportunity to film an entire wedding & reception onboard the enchanting Athena Yacht as it sailed through the unparalleled beauty of Newport Harbor. Blessed by perfect Orange County weather, the ceremony was beautiful and filled with unplanned moments of genuine laughter and tears.
The Concordia University Center in Irvine, CA is known as the jewel of the school. Pew seating for 500 and dramatic architecture give it a contemporary yet cathedral-like ambiance. A very attractive couple of Korean descent managed to fuse Western and Korean traditions into a spectacular wedding ceremony and reception at this Orange County venue.
We were thrilled to capture the amazing wedding of Emily & Phillip in San Juan Capistrano. The day started with an unforgettable bride prep in Capo Beach. The elegance and decor of the venue was stunning. They were incredibly gracious, and a blast to work with! Emily & Phillip - Thank you both so much for allowing us to be part of your spectacular wedding!
Let DeMille take your concept and really get your point across. Whether you'd like to remain anonymous or ensure that your name appears as well - look no further. Want a Better Meme by DeMille? Please let us know.


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The Speakeasy Blog
What Does Congress's Medical Marijuana Legislation Actually Mean?
Earlier this year we noted here that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives had enacted two pro-medical marijuana amendments. One of them, the long-fought for Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, bars the US Dept. of Justice (parent agency of the DEA) from using taxpayer funds from interfering with state medical marijuana laws. The other allows banks to accept deposits from marijuana businesses in states where it is legal (any type of state legality, not just medical).
What will this mean on the ground? It should mean that DEA and other branches of the Dept. of Justice can no longer threaten medical marijuana providers (or more theoretically, patients) with arrest or prosecution, and that landlords should no longer face the threat of asset forfeiture for property being rented to medical marijuana businesses. But the precise language, which focuses on states' implementating medical marijuana systems, could be argued as applying more narrowly, giving reassurance to state officials about their participation but not going further. Another concern is that a prosecutor could argue, for example, that a given marijuana business is not operating in strict accordance with a state's law. Our perspective in the movement is that that determination should be up to state authorities, not federal, but that's not necessarily the perspective of federal law enforcement. Those are some reasons why it remains to be seen just how thoroughly and reliably the protections that the new law provides will turn out to be, and these questions are being debated right now.
Where there's the most pessimism is about whether the new law will halt medical marijuana prosecutions that are already underway, but we'll see. In the past the administration has allowed such prosecutions to continue, but the administration's stance on marijuana policy, criminal justice in general, and their willingness to take concrete actions, has markedly increased during the last two years, so perhaps there is hope.
The CRomnibus also includes language barring the District of Columbia from enacting marijuana reform legislation. On its face that would seem to block Initiative 71 from going into effect, the measure passed by nearly 70% of voters that legalizes possession and home growing of marijuana in the District. But that also isn't clear. Advocates have pointed out that the language doesn't explicitly block Initiative 71, which normally is the action that Congress is required to take if it doesn't want DC legislation to go forward. Because DC has already enacted the measure, and because it only removes penalties and doesn't have a regulatory component (which DC initiatives can't have), that will hopefully mean that the law can change in January after the Congressional review period expires, assuming Congress doesn't take another vote to explicitly block it. One question may be whether transmitting the measure to Congress, as the process requires, would count as an expenditure of funds as defined in the language (though I haven't seen anyone else bring that up yet). According to several Democratic representatives including minority leader Nancy Pelosi, Congress's legislative intent was to allow the initiative to become law, but only to block a bill advanced by a committee of the DC City Council last month to establish a regulatory and taxation system with marijuana stores in the District.
Along with that gray lining, it should be noted that the banking issue, which as far as I can tell is unaddressed by the CRomnibus, is a really huge problem for the marijuana industry. Some consider it an even bigger problem than prosecutions. An attempt by the administration in February to establish safe harbor procedures for banks to take marijuana money has elicited only extremely slight movement on the part of banks, who mostly want to see clarity in federal statutes, not just a policy. So there is a pressing need to pass that second of the House's pro-medical marijuana amendments too.
Still, we have seen an amazing and historic victory this weekend. Whatever the legislation does or doesn't achieve in concrete help for medical marijuana defendants, businesses and patients right now, it clearly eases the way for further legislative progress on the issue. Mostly I think it will depend on whether the new Congress is able to do business at all. If they can, I will not be surprised to see even the Republican-controlled House and Senate to pass banking. And I expect to see bills to fully move medical marijuana into the realm of legality to see substantially increased support from both sides of the aisle.
Washington Sheriff Tells Oregon Voters: Legalization Is Already Working
King County Sheriff John Urquhart has recorded a message letting Oregon voters know that legalization in Washington State has seen wasteful arrests decrease, DUIs decrease, taxes going to schools and police, and drug prevention programs getting funding. Watch this video about it from the Yes on 91 campaign:
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. Click here for an event listing. (Click here for info on the vigil being held by our friends at the Harm Reduction Action Center in Denver.)
DC Marijuana Initiative Qualifies for Ballot
More info later today, see @DCMJ2014 in the meanwhile...
Summer Reading Assignment for Congress
Phil reviewed Dean's book last night.
I was also on Dean's radio show last week talking about my two new papers; check out the audio or transcript of the interview, which also featured Judge James P. Gray.
House Votes to Let Banks Take Deposits from Marijuana Businesses
In a historic vote this afternoon, the US House has approved an amendment to the Treasury Department appropriations bill barring the agency from spending any money to punish financial institutions that provide services to marijuana businesses where it is legal.
This is the second time in less than two months that the House has voted to roll back marijuana law enforcement. In May, the House passed an amendment prohibiting the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from undermining state medical marijuana laws and passed two amendments prohibiting the DEA from interfering with state hemp laws.
"Congress is yet again rejecting the failed war on marijuana," said Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance. "They have read the poll numbers and are doing both what is right and what is politically smart."
House Committee Votes to Block DC Decrim
The GOP-dominated House Appropriations Committee stuck a thumb in the eye of democratic governance in the nations capital this morning. The committee voted to prevent the District of Columbia from implementing marijuana decriminalization approved by the District government.
The amendment could also threaten the District's medical marijuana program.
Speaking of the District's medical marijuana program, this vote today brings back some bad memories. DC voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana in 1998, but, thanks to a measure similar to today's amendment, Congress blocked it for nearly a decade. It wasn't until 2009, with Democrats in control of the House, that the block was lifted.
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) says it and other advocates will seek a floor vote to strip this amendment from the appropriations bill. It would seem to go against the spirit of a House that less than a month ago voted to prevent the Justice Department from enforcing federal marijuana laws against patients and providers in compliance with state medical marijuana laws.
Here's what MPP director of federal policies Dan Riffle had to say:
"The District of Columbia wisely decided to use stop wasting its own resources enforcing ineffective and racially biased laws and to allow those with serious illnesses whose doctors recommend it to use medical marijuana. Unfortunately, unlike every state in America that gets to determine its own laws, Washington, D.C. laws are reviewed by Congress where Washington, DC residents have no voting representatives," he said.
"Marijuana is significantly less harmful than alcohol, and polls clearly show most Americans want to see it treated that way. We'll do everything we can to restore democracy in D.C. and ensure this regressive amendment is rejected when it is considered by the full House. Mr. Harris's antiquated, unscientific views on marijuana should be his constituents' problem, not the District of Columbia's," he vowed.
Senate Could Vote to Cut DEA Funds as Soon as Tonight
Cut that funding!
The vote could come as soon as tonight or tomorrow, MPP says.
While the House vote was historic, it will be only a symbolic victory unless the Senate also joins in. Passage of the DEA defunding by the Congress (and the presumed signature of the bill by the president) would, on the other hand, have real world consequences--for the better.
Stay tuned for what could be a very well-deserved slap in the face for the DEA. Even if the measure fails in the Senate, it should provide a heads-up to the agency that there is growing dissatisfaction with it on the Hill. But we don't want to settle for that; we want the DEA handcuffed when it comes to medical marijuana.
DEA Leaning On Massachusetts Docs with Dispensaries Ties
The Boston Globe is reporting today that the DEA has been visiting Massachusetts doctors involved with yet-to-open medical marijuana dispensaries and giving them an ultimatum: Cut your ties with the dispensary or lose your DEA-issued license to prescribe drugs.
That could have an impact on the opening of some dispensaries, and that could have an impact on Massachusetts patients, who've already been waiting nearly a year-and-a-half for them to open since voters approved medical marijuana there in November 2012.
The DEA's actions to screw around with medical marijuana in Massachusetts come even as, in a historic vote, the House just a week ago voted to bar the DEA from interfering with medical marijuana in states where it is legal. Stories like this one from the Globe are only going to add pressure for the Senate to go along.
The DEA doesn't get it. It has already lost this war. It's time for the agency to get out of the way, or better yet, go the way of the dinosaurs. But while the DEA and the prohibition regime it enforces may be dying dinosaurs, those final twitches of the tail still have the power to inflict injury. Better to put the beast out its misery.
There Were Several Drug Policy Amendments to the CJS Bill
There were three several other votes, though, that are important to know about. One of them, which passed, is a mean-spirited amendment to block the clemency initiative that Pres. Obama and AG Holder are taking. If it becomes law it will seek to prevent the administration from transferring staff temporarily to increase the Pardon Attorney Office's capacity. There was another good amendment that passed, though, by Rep. Steve Cohen, which shifts $5 millions of DEA funding, to spend it instead on grants to state and local police agencies to help them reduce the backlog in rape testing kits. Cohen sponsored another amendment that didn't get passed, which have shifted three times as much money from the DEA to the Legal Services Corporation.
We have info, including how every member of Congress voted, online here. There's a zipcode lookup form you can use, a the top of the page, to identify your own US Representatives and how they voted.
Update: There were more relevant votes than I'd realized when I wrote this. One of them had to do with hemp. We'll add them as able.
House Passes Historic Medical Marijuana Amendment
Late Thursday night, the House of Representatives told the DEA to butt out of medical marijuana states by approving a budget amendment barring the use of taxpayer funds to do so.
Tom Angell of Marijuana Majority is liking what he's seeing:
"This historic vote shows just how quickly marijuana reform has become a mainstream issue," he said. "The last time a similar amendment came up it didn't come very close to passing but, since then, more states have passed medical marijuana laws and a couple have even legalized marijuana for all adults. More states are on this way later this year and in 2016, and it's clear that more politicians are beginning to realize that the American people want the federal government to stop standing in the way. If any political observers weren't aware that the end of the war on marijuana is nearing, they just found out."
It ain't a done deal just yet, though. If the Senate version of the bill doesn't contain similar language, it will be up to the House leadership to fight for the amendment (or not) in conference committee.
Still, this is historic. I like it when we make history like this. And it seems to be happening more often these days.
Angell also makes another astute point. While we can grumble about the spate of what I call "limited CBD medical marijuana bills," and how they are so extremely restrictive, they have also spread the medical marijuana meme to places where it hadn't thrived before, like the Deep South. And that could be paying off in congressional votes like this one.
"This year's huge vote increase can largely be attributed to the fact that lawmakers only recently began hearing the moving stories of the many children whose severe seizures are only relieved by marijuana. Being able to list these CBD states in the amendment text meant that more members of Congress that represent these states voted yes than otherwise would have. Counting these states, 60 percent of the U.S. population lives in a place where state law disagrees with federal law."
Kentucky Gets its Hemp Seed as DEA Backs Off
It's a done deal. A UPS truck delivered more than 250 pounds of hemp seed to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture this afternoon. It took a lawsuit and a lot of political pressure on DEA head Michele Leonhart, but the agency has backed away from its initial refusal to allow the seeds to be imported.
That prompted an intense and angry reaction from state officials, who promptly sued the DEA, the Justice Department, and Customs in federal court, and from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who just happens to be from Kentucky. It's not clear exactly what went down, but after two Wednesday meetings, the DEA started singing a different tune.
One meeting brought together lawyers for the federal government and the state of Kentucky before a federal judge; the other was face-to-face between McConnell and Leonhart. By the end of the day Wednesday, the DEA had backed down.
The DEA just ain't getting no respect these days. Leonhart was recently chastised by her boss, Attorney General Eric Holder, over her remarks before Congress dissing the administration's moves to reduce the reliance on mandatory minimum sentencing, the Drug Policy Alliance is calling for her head, and drug expert Mark Kleiman is suggesting maybe it's time to disband the agency. Couldn't happen to a more deserving set of folks.
The Largest Marijuana March Ever? 150,000 Protest in Buenos Aires!
Good Golly, Miss Mary Jane! I've been watching marijuana legalization marches for a long time and I've never seen a crowd like this.
Now, maybe they're exaggerating. Maybe it was only 100,000. But this is humongous. I can recall seeing 70,000 turn out in Rome one year, and crowds in the tens of thousands sometimes in European capitals and major Canadian cities.
But just look at that mass of humanity in Buenos Aires! That's sending a very strong signal to the Argentine government that it needs to quit dilly-dallying and get down to freeing the weed.
And it wasn't just Buenos Aires. Organizers reported marches in numerous Argentine cities, with more than 15,000 showing up in Cordoba, 11,000 in Rosario, 7,000 in Mendoza, 2,500 in La Plata, 300 on the slopes at Bariloche, and even 200 way down Patagonia way in Comodoro Rivadavia.
The Argentine may be suffering from some legalization envy -- situated just on the other side of the Rio de la Plata estuary is Uruguay, where the government is formally announcing its legalization regulations this week. Whatever the reasons, congratulations to the Argentines, and may we all be inspired by their example.
Uruguay's Mujica is the Grumpy Old Man of Global Marijuana Legalization
Uruguay will formally unveil the regulations for its legal marijuana commerce next week, although the broad outlines are already known. The stuff will be genetically tracked from seed to sale and beyond, it'll see for less than a buck a gram, and registered consumers will only be able to buy 40 grams a month.
In that interview, Mujica, a former leftist guerrilla who spent years in prison during the time of military dictatorship in the 1970s, made clear that he's no hipster.
"We don't go along with the idea that marijuana is benign, poetic and surrounded by virtues. No addiction is good," he said. "We aren't going to promote smoke fests, bohemianism, all this stuff they try to pass off as innocuous when it isn't. They'll label us elderly reactionaries. But this isn't a policy that seeks to expand marijuana consumption. What it aims to do is keep it all within reason, and not allow it to become an illness."
Well, with all due respect, Mr. Mujica, you sound like an elderly reactionary. This is a guy who has never smoked pot, and it shows. Referring to marijuana use as an addiction puts him in the company of mad scientists like NIDA head Dr. Nora Volkow and the professional prohibitionists of Project SAM, and spouting platitudes like "no addiction is good" manages to conflate being physically addicted to things like heroin and prescription opiates to habitually puffing a pot pipe or having a cup of coffee first thing every morning.
Mujica also took some gratuitous pot shots at Colorado's legalization regime and at medical marijuana in the US. Uruguay's system will be superior to Colorado's, he said, because Colorado doesn't track pot after it is purchased.
The AP quoted Mujica as saying "it's a complete fiction what they do in Colorado," which seems to be his way of claiming that legalization there is out of control because it doesn't track individual purchasers. Well, I find it kind of creepy to think the government is keeping track of my consumption habits (like with, say, a prescription monitoring database—oops, never mind), and I have to wonder why Mujica isn't pushing for something similar for alcohol purchases in his country.
And, Mujica said, the medical marijuana laws in US states are based on "hypocrisy" because they allow people with "fake illnesses" to obtain marijuana. Well, he has something of a point there, but only to a degree. California is by far the most wide open medical marijuana state, and people do take advantage of the loosely-written law to obtain and use medical marijuana without fear of arrest.
California can remedy that by recognizing reality and just getting on with legalization, as it will almost certainly do in 2016. But the other medical marijuana states are much more restrictive, and, perversely, the more public support grows for medical marijuana, the tighter the restrictions seem to be.
So, why is Mujica being such a grumpy old man about marijuana legalization? After all, he's the guy who pushed it through in Uruguay. I think there are a couple of things going on.
First, he's a square. He's a straight, old leftist, a former revolutionary, with no experience with marijuana and no connections to the cannabis culture. He really sees this as a public health and public security problem, not as a step toward human liberation. In that sense, he's your grandpa.
But he's also moving forward with legalization in the face of strong public opposition to it in Uruguay. In a poll last week, nearly two-thirds remained opposed to the new law, although 51% said it was better to give it a chance than to kill it at birth. I suspect many of Mujica's comments were made with that domestic audience in mind. In that sense, he's a smart politician.
And grumpy old man he may be; he's still the guy who is leading the first country to break with global pot prohibition. Adelante, companero.
Big News from the Administration About Commutations
Watch Attorney General Eric Holder's video speech about it, posted this morning.
Phil is driving home from Denver at this time, but will be doing a feature story on this, as well as on marijuana legalization in Colorado (he visited on 4/20), later this week.
It's 4/20 in Denver!
Denver is pot city this weekend, with the High Times Cannabis Cup, the 4/20 rally downtown, and dozens of related musical and cultural events.
On East Colfax Avenue this morning, people wearing their Sunday attire for Easter services are outnumbered by people wearing tie-dyes, 4/20 t-shirts, and pot leaf caps heading down to today's session of the 4/20 rally (it went on yesterday as well, with thousands in attendance.
The Cannabis Cup is massive! Organizers estimate more than 30,000 people attending each day, and for blocks around the expo hall, there are masses of stoned humanity wandering to and fro. Inside, the commodification of marijuana continues at a dizzying pace, with hundreds of vendors and exhibitors hawking their wares.
I visited the Walking Raven retail outlet yesterday and interviewed the owner. Look for some of that interview to appear in a feature article later this week on the state of play in Colorado.
I also made my first legal marijuana purchase in the United States. It was a proprietary 30% THC strain called Hong Kong Diesel. It wasn't cheap, and prices are something I want to address in that coming feature.
The parking lot at Walking Raven was notable for the plethora of out of state license plates. People are coming from all over the country to take part in and celebrate the new reality of legal weed.
I'm off to the 4/20 rally in a bit; may post something later tonight. Then I basically disappear for a couple of days as I head off across Colorado, Utah, and Nevada on my way to Northern California. Look for regular Chronicl action to recommence by Wednesday.
I'm Denver Bound, So No Chronicle AM for Friday
I'm driving from eastern South Dakota to Denver Friday in preparation for the 4/20 weekend there.
The High Times Cannabis Cup is going on, and there's the 4/19-4/20 event at the civic center. Pot is legal in Colorado, but smoking it in public isn't. It'll be interesting to see how the Denver PD responds.
I expect to interview a retail outlet owner, among other people, too. I'll be writing about this next week, but first I have to drive from Denver to Northern California. I should be back in the regular swing next Wednesday.
Maryland Becomes 18th Decrim State, 21st Medical Marijuana State
With Gov. Martin O'Malley's signature today on two bills passed by the legislature, Maryland decriminalized marijuana possession and becomes a full-fledged medical marijuana state.
Senate Bill 364 makes possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana a civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $100 for a first offense, up to $250 for a second offense, and up to $500 for subsequent offenses. Third-time offenders and individuals under 21 years of age will be required to undergo a clinical assessment for substance abuse disorder and a drug education program. The measure will officially go into effect on October 1.
The Marijuana Policy Project was among groups pushing for both bills, but it isn't resting on its laurels.
"It's time for legislators to take a long, hard look at replacing marijuana prohibition with a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed," said MPP legislative analyst Rachelle Yeung. "Marijuana should be sold by licensed businesses, not criminals in the underground market."
I predict that will happen in 2017, after the next two rounds of legalization initiatives start to convince legislators that they need to hop on the bandwagon.
Medical Marijuana Expansion, Decriminalization Pass in Maryland
It was a banner day in Annapolis Monday, where legislators, working against an end-of-session deadline, managed to pass both marijuana decriminalization and medical marijuana expansion bills.
The bill decriminalizes up to 10 grams of marijuana for adults 21 and over. A first offense will result in only a $100 citation. A second offense will result in just a $250 fine, but a third offense would require an appearance in court and possibly drug treatment.
Also on Monday, the House and Senate reached final agreement Monday on a bill that would create 15 licenses for medical marijuana growers. The measure is Senate Bill 963. It also would allow dispensaries to operate and let growers sell the medicine directly. Passage of the bill into law would make Maryland a full-fledged medical marijuana state.
Two marijuana reform measures pass in one session. Too bad legalization didn't. But it is coming.
Obama Needs to Slap Down His Rogue DEA Chief
DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart told a congressional committee today her agency is "fighting back" against Justice Department policies tolerating marijuana in states where it is legal. The president needs to dump her, or at least remind her who the boss is.
DEA Administrator Tells Congress Her Agency Is "Fighting Back" Against Administration's Tolerance of Marijuana Legalization
At a Wednesday House subcommittee hearing, DEA director Michele Leonhart publicly opposed Department of Justice position on legal marijuana in Colorado and Washington and warned of dangers of marijuana legalization … to pets.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Michele Leonhart, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), repeatedly criticized the Obama administration at a hearing Wednesday on the DEA's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
In a memo released in July 2013, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it would not interfere with the effective implementation of laws regulating the cultivation and sale of marijuana for adults in Colorado and Washington. When asked by Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) during a Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing whether the Obama administration's tolerant views toward legal marijuana had affected morale at the DEA, which is a branch of the DOJ, Leonhart replied that "our agents are fighting back against those messages. It makes us fight harder." She had earlier criticized the DOJ for a perceived delay in issuing a response to Washington and Colorado's new laws, claiming there was "a lot of confusion in those 296 days."
Leonhart also claimed that public opinion in Colorado is turning against the initiative making marijuana legal, yet two recent polls suggest Colorado residents are more supportive of the law than ever before. A Public Policy Polling survey from March showed that 57% of Colorado voters think marijuana should be legal, and a Quinnipiac poll from February showed 58% support for the state's legalization law. It was supported by 54.8% of voters in 2012. Finally, Leonhart claimed legalization would be dangerous to pets in Colorado and warned of a surge in veterinary clinic visits due to dogs consuming marijuana.
The Marijuana Policy Project has launched a Change.org petition calling on the president to fire Leonhart and replace her with someone who will base decisions on science and evidence instead of politics and ideology. The petition currently has more than 29,000 signatures and is available at https://www.change.org/petitions/president-barack-obama-fire-anti-marijuana-dea-administrator-michele-leonhart.
"Administrator Leonhart's comments were shocking," said Dan Riffle, MPP director of federal policies. "The DEA is not simply ignoring the administration's policies with respect to regulating marijuana, but actively undermining them. Publicly criticizing and questioning the competence of your supervisor would get anyone fired in the private sector. It's frankly astounding to me that Ms. Leonhart is still employed and American taxpayers continue to foot her $165,000 salary to publicly campaign against the president's policies. As more Americans recognize that marijuana is safer than alcohol, more think we need to start treating it that way. Michele Leonhart is standing in the way, and it is time for her to go."
Yes, it is time for Michele to go. I would nominate someone like Ethan Nadelmann or Eric Sterling to replace her, but honestly, Zippy the Pinhead would do as well.
Maryland Senate Okays Marijuana Decriminalization
The Maryland Senate today overwhelmingly approved a marijuana decriminalization bill with bipartisan support. It now heads to the House of Delegates.
The bill's next stop is the House Judiciary Committee, where a similar bill last year died without a vote. If you are a Maryland resident, contact your members of the House of Delegates to tell them to fight for this bill.
Kudos to the Maryland senators who did the right thing on decrim--even if they couldn't get a legalization bill through--and to the Marijuana Policy Coalition of Maryland and the Marijuana Policy Project for helping show them the way.
Say What? UNODC Panel Says Criminalizing Drug Use "Not Beneficial"
Yep, you read that right. The global anti-drug bureaucracy doesn't think it's a good idea to criminalize drug use.
Today, a key working group of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) announced the release of groundbreaking recommendations discouraging criminal sanctions for drug use. The Scientific Consultation Working Group on Drug Policy, Health and Human Rights of the UNODC – which includes Nora Volkow, head of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – is releasing the recommendations at the High-Level Segment of the 57th UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The working group recommendations say "criminal sanctions are not beneficial" in addressing the spectrum of drug use and misuse.
DPA was happy to hear it:
"There is simply no good basis in science, health or ethics for bringing someone into the criminal justice system solely for drug possession," said DPA executive director Ethan Nadelmann. "Hopefully the UN's recommendations will help accelerate the global trend toward ending the criminalization of drug use and possession. That certainly would make an enormous difference in the United States."
And so are we. While decriminalizing drug use does not remove all the harms associated with drug prohibition (especially since it would still leave a huge black market in drug production and sales), it would be a huge step toward recognizing the humanity of drug users. In the US alone, it would also save about 1.5 million each year from being saddled with arrest records.
A Thousand March for "El Chapo" in Culiacan
As many as a thousand people marched through the streets of Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state, Wednesday in support of arrested Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
They called for his release from a Mexican prison and for him not to be extradited to the United States. Many of them said he provided employment in poor areas of the nearby Sierra Madre mountains and that his group had provided security for residents.
Many were dressed in white, holding signs with messages that included "Don't Extradite El Chapo," "We Want Chapo Freed," and "Sinaloa Supports You, Chapo."
"The government doesn't give any job opportunities," said Daniel Garcia, an unemployed 20-year-old. "The situation is, honestly, really difficult and he helps out the young people, giving them jobs."
"We support 'Chapo' Guzman because he is the one who gives us jobs and helps out in the mountains," said Pedro Ramirez, who was part of a group of 300 who had travelled from Badiraguato, a town in the Sierra Madre where Guzman was born 56 years ago.
Another demonstrator said he trusted Guzman more than any elected official.
The obvious question, of course, is how did this demonstration come about? Going back to Pablo Escobar in Colombia, drug traffickers have sought and won popular support by providing jobs, services, and facilities to communities where they operate. Mexican traffickers have done the same thing, hosting children's parties and building soccer stadiums and the like.
Was this a spontaneous outpouring of support for Sinaloa's most famous son? Or did El Chapo's buddies buy themselves a demonstration? In either case, the power of the cartels to mobilize popular support should not be underestimated.
Mexico's El Chapo Guzman Reportedly Captured
Reports are coming out that Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the elusive head of the Sinaloa Cartel has been captured in a joint operation by US and Mexican forces.
But in Mexico City, presidential spokesman Eduardo Sanchez would say only that police have "captured an individual" whose identity has not yet been confirmed.
If they actually have El Chapo, this will be a huge victory for the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto, which, like its predecessors, has been criticized for its inability for years to track down the head of the country's most powerful drug trafficking organization.
Many, many Mexicans (and others) believe it was not the lack of ability of the government to find Guzman, but the lack of will -- that his huge narco-wealth had protected him from capture for more than a decade since he bought his way out of prison in Mexico.
Somewhere around a hundred thousand people have died in the multi-sided Mexican drug wars in which Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel battled rival drug trafficking organizations, and the cartels fought the police and the Mexican military. (Or, sometimes, the military or the police fought for the cartels, especially Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel.)


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Advanced Format
The Advanced Format is a generic term pertaining to any disk sector format used to store data on magnetic disks in hard disk drives (HDDs) that uses 4 kilobyte sectors instead of the traditional 512 byte sectors. The main idea behind using 4096-byte sectors is to increase the bit density on each track by reducing the number of gaps which hold Sync/DAM and ECC (Error Correction Code) information between data sectors. The old format gave a format efficiency of 88.7%, whereas Advanced Format results in a format efficiency of 97.3%.
There are two types of AF drives:
- Advanced Format drives, marked with an orange "AF" logo: internally, they use 4k sectors, but provide an emulation layer for compatibility with OSes which lack support for them.
- Advanced Format 4k native drives, marked with a blue "4Kn" logo: they require OS support (Windows 8+, or Linux 2.6.31+). Because they do not need a translation layer, they are cheaper, however they might be incompatible with old tools.
How to determine if HDD employ a 4k sector
The physical and logical sector size of hard disk
/dev/sdX can be determined by reading the following sysfs entries:
$ cat /sys/class/block/sdX/queue/physical_block_size $ cat /sys/class/block/sdX/queue/logical_block_size
Drives with a translation layer (see above) will usually report a logical block size of 512 (for backwards compatibility) and a physical block size of 4096 (indicating they are AF drives).
Tools which will report the sector of a drive (provided the drive will report it correctly) includes:
# fdisk -l /dev/sdX | grep 'Sector size'
- smartmontools since 5.41:
# smartctl -a /dev/sdX | grep 'Sector Sizes:'
- hdparm since 9.12:
# hdparm -I /dev/sdX | grep 'Sector size:'
Note that both works even for USB-attached discs (if the USB bridge supports SAT aka SCSI/ATA Translation, ANSI INCITS 431-2007).
See also
- Western Digital's Advanced Format: The 4K Sector Transition Begins
- White paper entitled "Advanced Format Technology."
- Failure to align one's HDD results in poor read/write performance. See this article for specific examples.


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Don't let the summer end! Check out these affordable cool "recipes on a stick" by blogger Matt Armendariz. in his new book On a Stick!
Though not all of his recipes are kosher, you can get some great entertaining inspiration for about $11. Great ideas for sticks include using sugarcane, rosemary,
popsicle and bamboo sticks to skewer your gourmet chunks.
Pick on Us has a great selection of wooden sticks!
Bio and Chic is another cool resource for eco-friendly skewers and entertaining!
Panzanella on a Stick:
Serves four
For Salad Sticks
- 12 cocktail picks
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into 24 (1-inch) cubes
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 24 cherry tomatoes
- 24 small fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
- 24 basil leaves
- 1 English cucumber, sliced into 1-inch pieces, then quartered
For Sherry Vinaigrette:
- ¼ c. sherry vinegar
- ¾ c. extra virgin olive oil
- ½ shallot, finely chopped
- 1½ tsp. stone-ground mustard
- Pinch of sea salt
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Toss bread with oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake 10 minutes, turning halfway through.
3. To make the vinaigrette, whisk all dressing ingredients in a small bowl until fully incorporated. Season with salt as needed.
4. Thread 2 pieces of bread, 2 tomatoes, 2 pieces of cucumber, 2 mozzarella balls, and 2 basil leaves onto each cocktail pick. Just before serving, drizzle liberally with vinaigrette.
recipe via Daily Candy
Related articles
- Italian Panzanella Salad by Lisa Bailey (thejewishhostess.com)


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Uncyclopedia:Anniversaries/September 4
< Uncyclopedia:Anniversaries(Redirected from September 4)Jump to navigation Jump to search
September 4: Unnecessary Surgery Day
- 30 - The Original Artists release album "20/20: The 20 Greatest hits from the 20's"
- 1427 - Katie Price formed by sending an electric current through plastic. Generally seen to be a lousy idea.
- 2003 - Al Gore has an aditional nose surgically attatched to his back, thus letting him smell his own farts.
- 1834 - Vlad Drakul cancels newspaper subscription.
- 1933 or 1934 - Eduard Khil was born. Let the trolling begin!
- 1952 - Colonel Potter tries to take out Lt. Radar O'Riley's appendix, only to discover after making an incision that it's already out.
- 1954 - In the only such instance in recorded history, your mom lost weight.
- 1971 - Elvis gets a paper cut.
- 1972 - Elvis gets a paper clip.
- 1975 - A distant relative of a famous musician accidentally stumbles in front of an oncoming taxi cab, but the car stops, and he survives.
- 1980 - John Denver hits the snooze button.
- 1983 - Michael Jackson nearly dies of food poisoning after eating 12-year-old nuts.
- 1984 - Pop star Prince has a second penis surgically attached. Millions think he's a gimp. Millions more just think it is so he can go and fuck himself. A recent internet video proves this.
- 1985 - Cary Grant finds his bedside table has a small crack on one of the legs.
- 1994 - An Ace Of Base song is released. The subsequent decontamination process takes 15 years to complete.
- 1996 - Pop star Prince (or whatever the fuck he's called now) has a third penis surgically attached.
- 1997 - Prince succesfully sues his surgeon for giving him the penis of an impotent man, claiming it has given his other two penises "performance anxiety". Nobody knows what the fuck he's talking about. Again.
- 2005 - Steve Irwin kills a stingray in a boating accident while 5 times over the drink drive limit.
- 2006 - Steve Irwin is murdered by a stingray. Police say it was an accident and the stingray isn't charged.
- 2050 - Australians finally stop referring to Steve Irwin as a great bloke/battler/fighter/true Aussie and generally agree he was a bit stupid.