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E*Trade Financial (EFTC) announced Thursday that its chairman, Frank Petrilli, has been named interim CEO effective immediately, following the departure of Steven Freiberg from that post. Petrilli, who has served on E*trade's board since January, will remain chairman while the company searches for a permanent CEO. Freiberg had joined E*Trade in 2010 following a long career at Citigroup.
In the most recent quarter ended June 30, E*Trade reported sharp decreases in both net income and revenue compared with the prior quarter and the year-ago period. Trading volume also declined: in the quarter ended June 30, E*Trade reported 8.7 million trades and daily average revenue trades of 138,653, down 10% and 12%, respectively, over the prior quarter, and down 6% in total trades and 6% in DARTs from the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
In announcing Freiberg's departure and his appointment as interim CEO, Petrilli (left), 61, said in a statement that E*Trade, is "focused on reducing costs with an enhanced focus on efficiencies. Accordingly, the board believes it is an appropriate time to transition the role of CEO to a new leader to guide the company through the next phase of its evolution."
Petrilli is no stranger to advisors, at least those of a certain age. From 1995 to 2004, he held several executive positions at TD Waterhouse, including president and CEO, before that company was acquired by Ameritrade in 2005. Another E*Trade board member that advisors may recall, Rodger Lawson, was named lead independent director for the company; Lawson will also sit on the company's search committee for a permanent CEO, along with Petrilli and three other executives. Lawson, 65, held executive positions at Prudential Financial and Van Eck Global before joining Fidelity, from which he retired in 2010 as president of Fidelity Investments.


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After weeks of discussions with 20th Century Fox, Netflix has had a change of heart and is no longer seeking to rescue Terra Nova from cancellation, leaving the studio free to shop the expensive sci-fi series to other possible suitors.
Despite the news that Terra Nova's best chance for survival has ceased being interested, 20th century Fox is not remanding the series to the dust bin just yet. For now, as a modicum of hope still lingers that some network will take a shine to the thought of Stephen Lang and a horde of CGI dinosaurs gracing its airwaves, the studio has kept all the actors' contracts in place.
After a certain point, though, the cost of keeping everything and everyone on standby, while the last glimmer of hope slowly fades, will become prohibitive to doing actual business; so if Terra Nova can't successfully woo another network, it's going to be lights out for any more prehistoric shenanigans.
Meanwhile, perhaps as an indication of their faith in the show's chances, many in the cast have already signed on to appear in other upcoming pilots. Most notably, series lead Jason O'Mara (Jim Shannon) has joined the impressive cast for CBS' period drama based on real-life Las Vegas lawman Ralph Lamb. The series touts Dennis Quaid, Carrie-Anne Moss and Michael Chiklis amongst its cast and comes from screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi (Goodfellas). Meanwhile, Christine Adams (Mira) has signed on to appear in ABC's fashion-centric drama Americana, alongside Emilie de Ravin (Lost) and Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace).
So why did Netflix pass? For one, Terra Nova cost around $4 million per episode, which may have been seen as too risky, especially since the company is seeking to define it's brand with content created solely for its subscribers. And with word that Netflix and Media Rights Capital – the studio behind the upcoming House of Cards -are currently battling director and executive producer David Fincher on matters of that series' budget, one can see why avoiding another series where dollars are certain to add up was part of Netflix's decision.
Meanwhile, in addition to House of Cards, Netflix has Hemlock Grove from Eli Roth in the works, as well as a new series from Weeds creator Jenji Kohan. To catch a glimpse of Netflix's first original offering, subscribers can currently tune into the complete first season of Lilyhammer.
Whether this announcement will play into Netflix's interest in The River is not clear, as the found-footage series' fate on ABC has not yet been determined.
Kevin Yeoman blogs at Screen Rant.

subset: commoncrawl


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NASCAR rediscovers its roots in dirt of Eldora Speedway
ROSSBURG, Ohio—The night before a little bit of history was made, Ken Schrader put his hand on Tony Stewart's shoulder.
The drivers own two tracks together in Illinois and Kentucky, although Stewart is the sole owner of the Eldora Speedway.
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Eldora, one of the finest dirt tracks in the nation, was getting ready to play host to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series—the first NASCAR race on dirt in 43 years. Schrader, who would later go on to win the pole for Wednesday night's race, had a message for his friend.
"This is big for all of us," Schrader said. It was a big Wednesday night that will go down in NASCAR history as a successful "Mudsummer Classic" race that showed stock cars can race on dirt, even if it's a little slower, and put on a pretty darn good show.
ELDORA: Photo gallery | Driver flips the bird | Cup drivers want dirt race
Austin Dillon, the 2011 series champion who competes regularly in the Nationwide Series, captured the win, surviving a couple of late restarts on the way to making history.
"This is bad to the bone,†Dillon said after stepping out of his Richard Childress Racing vehicle. "This is a great race. … This is one of the biggest wins of my career.â€
Dillon and his brother, Ty, had talked earlier in the day about keeping a firesuit or pieces of the truck or even one of the tires. They just wanted something from the race.
Now Dillon has the trophy. He helped dig some of the dirt out of the track to send to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and his truck might end up there as well.
"My dad told me a long time ago that if we won at Eldora, we'd just skip all the NASCAR stuff and go to NHRA because there's nothing more out here to do because it's just so tough to do," said Dillon, who started 19th and was fourth by lap 60 of the race that eventually went 153 laps.
"We're going to stick in NASCAR. But the coolest thing is you're out of control out there. … I'd clip the fence and I'm leading the race. You're on the edge every lap."
Dillon delighted the crowd of 18,000 (coming from 48 states), who were in their seats for time trials nearly five hours before the green flag for the main event.
The trucks were slower than what fans were used to at the banked half-mile track, which was virtually rock-hard for most of the race. Schrader topped qualifying with a lap of 19.709 seconds (91.329 mph)—well short of the 14.922 track record in a dirt late model, set by Jared Landers.
In some ways, speed didn't matter as much as just trying something new—something different but in a historic venue in front of passionate fans.
Kenny Wallace wrote a check that was for, well, let's say more than what the average passenger pickup truck was worth, to run in this race. He wrote the check Friday before telling his wife, Kim, but finally broke down and told her, knowing she would disapprove.
"Kim said, 'Kenny Wallace, we are not spending all that money on a damn dirt race,'" Kenny Wallace said. "I said, 'Kim, it's not an everyday dirt race. It's Eldora. NASCAR trucks.'"
Wallace got enough sponsorship, primarily from Jegs, so he doesn't have to sleep on the couch (or in the truck). Stewart lost some sleep just because it was the first event at his track. He was happy NASCAR changed its typical format and used heat races, which "represents short-track racing the way it should be."
Track general manager, Roger Slack, was actually recovering from brain surgery last November when word was coming out that this deal could get done.
"I couldn't talk yet and I couldn't quite see yet but I made the motion to my mom to get my phone so I could see what the latest update was," Slack said. "It's been that consuming; it's been that involved."
And it was worth every minute of it Wednesday night.
There were no big glitches, the crowd was pumped and the racing was better than predicted. Even the heat races provided some excitement, with 61-year-old Norm Benning outlasting 29-year-old Clay Greenfield for the final transfer spot to the main event—and then Benning giving Greenfield the one-finger salute out his truck window as the crowd cheered.
The crowd cheered again before the start of the race when the drivers gave them a special treat. In honor of short-track racing, the drivers put their trucks four-wide on one of the prerace pace laps, as is often done in sprint-car series.
"It was awesome—it was something special for the fans," said Cup driver Ryan Newman, who finished third in the race. "It's a product of short-track racing and dirt racing. It was a spin-off of what the World of Outlaws do with their four abreast (parade laps).
"It just shows a little more excitement, something different for the fans."
And from there, it was a truck race, except one with a lot more dust in the air, a lot of beating and banging of fenders while also clean, coming to a crescendo with a couple of late cautions.
"This is more than just a truck race," Stewart said. "This is big for every dirt track across the country. This is exposure that a lot of these tracks never get. We're fortunate to have this opportunity. This is something that can help short-track racing as a whole."


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Carbon-swaps would lead to another derivatives bubble and those who created financial crisis would benefit once again, Congressmen warn
Aaron Dykes / Jones Report | April 27, 2009
After insisting once again that there is a consensus on man-made global warming (while paradoxically comparing those not in consensus with those who deny the moon landing), Al Gore obfuscates, downplays and refuses to discuss the role that CEOs have played in crafting his Cap-and-Trade C02 trading schemes and carbon swapping systems.
Al Gore tries to put a lid in Congressional committee testimony on a little reported but vitally important subject in the global warming, carbon-tax 'debate'– the new derivatives bubble in the emerging green-energy credit-swap market.
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore denies that Ken Lay and other CEOs developed carbon scheme: "I didn't know him well enough to call him 'Kenny-boy'."
Gore's body language makes clear he does not want to dwell on the issue, as he spins every point critical of the carbon-schemes' financial structure in light of the current financial meltdown into another dire warning about the much-heralded global warming meltdown that is said to be coming.
But Rep. Scalise and others try to turn focus on the huge financial burden that will be pinned on American taxpayers and U.S. industry. Scalise claims that President Obama has already scheduled in his budget an estimated $650 billion that would be generated under the carbon taxes proposed in the bill.
The point from Rep. Scalise that is gaveled over by the chairman and stuttered-over by Gore is that many of the Congressmen are 'concerned about turning over our energy economy over to firms like Enron and some of these Wall Street firms that wrecked out financial economy.'
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore denies that Ken Lay and other CEOs developed carbon scheme: "I didn't know him well enough to call him 'Kenny-boy'."
But the point is a fair one. Gore's founding partner in his carbon-trading / sustainability investment firm is none other than David Blood, CEO of Goldman Sachs' asset-management division until 2003.
Gore & Blood founded Generation Investment Management, LLC in 2004– giving Gore an obvious conflict of interest in pushing a carbon tax.
Yet Gore ridicules the question: "I guess what you're trying to say– state there is… some kind of guilt by association- is that–"
"I'm saying there are going to be big winners and big losers in this bill– big winners and big losers. Some of the big winners are some of the very financial experts that helped destroy our financial marketplace. And I think it should be noted that companies like Enron helped come up with this trading scheme that we've got," Scalise notes.
One can hear what is presumably former Vice President Gore breathing heavily into the microphone in a subtle but immature protest over being questioned about the scientific conclusions he has reached about global warming.
Scalise reiterates that because the architecture for carbon trading is set up much in the same way as credit-default swap derivatives were during the previous economic climate, and he and others, therefore, don't feel comfortable handing over the energy economy over to them as well.
This is obvious. Don't hand over the keys to the new energy system to those who've just been caught with their hand in the cookie jar during the current economic crisis. Even if incompetence is used to diffuse the blame for what is really criminal activity, such financial manipulators can't and should not be trusted to take over a new system of swaps .
In a separate segment, Rep. Michael Burgess warns also about the 'big winners and losers' that could result from the currently-presented global-warming scheme.
"Why do we have be in a position of picking winners and losers? We've just watched a financial meltdown in this country the likes of which we haven't seen in sometime… Now if people like credit-default swaps, they're really going to like the carbon-swaps that are going to occur and the carbon-future swaps," Rep. Michael Burgess states.
He warns of another energy system with manipulation on the scale of the oil-futures market:
"We going to create, I fear, another such system that people that are– that have an inclination to react dishonestly to systems are going to have a new opportunity."
Barton estimates that 7 billion metric tons of manmade carbon per year would price at $700 billion dollars at a rate of $100 / per metric ton. This is not a small financial burden.
One can hear what is presumably former Vice President Gore breathing heavily into the microphone in a subtle but immature protest over even being questioned about the scientific analysis in any way.
Goldman Sachs and leveraged-buyout kings like Kohlberg, Kravis and Roberts have been seen in recent years attempting to pick off the bones of clean-energy schemes such as the TxU coal & energy deal in Texas.
Goldman Sachs is implicated all over the still-unfolding fallout from the last derivatives bubble? And have key former-associates in both the Bush Administration (Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson, Asst. Sec. Neel Kashkari) AND a key associate in the Obama Administration (Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner)?
This firm must not be allowed to drive a new form of taxation we already can't afford. We must say no to more Blood & Gore. There's been enough of this already.
RELATED: Chairman of Gore Climate Hearing Strikes Gavel, Cuts Off All Dissent
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Whatever their angry rhetoric aimed at each other leading up to the Oct. 21 federal election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have something in common.
They both misled voters on their plans to eliminate the deficit and balance their governments' books during the election campaigns that brought them to power with majority governments.
That politicians with such opposing views — led by Trudeau's belief in a carbon tax and Ford's legal challenge of it in Ontario — ended up in the same place on deficits and balanced budgets, suggests a reality of modern politics.
That is that election promises by any political leader in Canada on eliminating deficits should be viewed with skepticism.
During the lead-up to the June 7 Ontario election, Ford never released a costed financial platform but said he would balance the province's books during his four-year term of office, probably by the third year.
On May 16, Ford said that because he would not take a "slicing and dicing" approach to eliminating the deficit: "We aren't going to wipe out the deficit the first year, even maybe the second … We're going to make sure that we run a responsible government, a respectful government, to the taxpayers. It's probably going to take a year or two."
But in his first budget Thursday, Ford said it will now take him five years to balance the books, projecting a $300-million surplus in 2023-24, assuming the premier and the Progressive Conservatives win the Ontario election on June 2, 2022, which of course is not a given.
Trudeau, during the 2015 election campaign, predicted three years of "modest" federal deficits leading to a balanced budget with a $1-billion surplus in his final year in office in the 2019-20 fiscal year.
In his March budget, Trudeau, having blown every one of his deficit predictions to date, projected a $19.6-billion deficit in 2019-20, with no plan to eliminate federal deficits in sight.
Many economists consider a government's debt-to-GDP ratio a more accurate indicator of its commitment to fiscal discipline, or lack of it.
Ford spent the entire election campaign describing Wynne's time in office as a financial train wreck, including a 37.6% debt-to-GDP ratio in its final year of office if you believe her numbers, 40.5% if you believe the panel Ford hired postelection to assess the Liberal government's books.
That compares to what then-premier Kathleen Wynne's Liberals said would be a healthy debt-to-GDP ratio of 27%, which they promised to achieve eventually without explaining how before losing the election.
Ford's budget now predicts his government's debt-to-GDP ratio will be higher than Wynne's at 40.7%, this year and next, and 40.6% in 2021-22.
In the 2015 federal election, Trudeau predicted Canada's debt-to-GDP ratio would fall from 30% in 2016-17 to 27% in 2019-20 under his leadership.
Trudeau's Liberal budget for 2019-20 now predicts his government's debt-to-GDP ratio for this fiscal year will be 30.7%.
Deficits and debt are essentially unpaid taxes, unpaid interest to service the debt and future cuts to public services, especially damaging if governments increase them to irresponsible levels.
The lesson from the 2018 Ontario election and the 2015 federal election is that promises of political leaders to balance the budget should be taken with a huge grain of salt, regardless of their ideologies.


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Engine Power Curves - From The Dyno To The Racetrack
Searching For The X-Factor
The use of a dyno to measure horsepower and torque is a valuable tool for the racer. If you use the dyno just to see what kind of torque and horsepower numbers your engine is developing, that may be an interesting data point and a conversation starter but it really diminishes what you can learn from this tool. The measurement of the torque the engine produces and the calculation of horsepower is only one small part of the equation.
Once you have the information, developed the best power settings, and are confident that your time on the dyno has maximized a given combination it is now time to take the engine to the track and see what you can do with what you have learned. The new knowledge you have gathered will or should be driving changes to the car and possibly to even how you drive the car.
We were able to take part in a dyno test at RPM Engine Development in Chandler, Arizona. This particular engine was going to be raced in the Renegade Sprint Series and is a very heavily regulated 315.9 max cubic inch small-block Chevrolet. Series rules mandate a GM 305 block (you have a choice of 10 different casting numbers) with a spec 305 head, a max compression ratio of 10.25 to 1, flat tappet cam, and constant flow butterfly type fuel injection. Plus, all engines in the Renegade Sprint Car Series must be inspected and sealed prior to competing in any scheduled racing event.
The particular engine combination we are testing is designed more for durability, longevity, economics, and to keep the field even from a power perspective. It was not designed for all out power production. The intent of this dyno run was to develop a better understanding of the power produced and then make adjustments that were legal and within the scope of the rules. It is interesting to note that none of the seals that were in place on the engine were removed as part of the test, and engine legality was never violated.
Once you leave the dyno you should be armed with some documentation gleaned from the dyno runs. You need to be concerned not only with the peak power but where the torque and horsepower numbers are versus engine rpm. These critical bits of data are just what you paid for. Often times the data will be formatted in columns of numbers. While this is useful information, changing the presentation of the data into a series of graphs that illustrate the shape of the curve is sometimes a better way to display the data. It is the shape of the curve or curves that we are really concerned about. The shape of this curve will help you to better visualize the maximum usable engine power and the rpm where it occurs. It is far too simple to just look for the big numbers and miss what the data is really saying. The key is the shape of the curve and the range of usable power.
Just a small caution about data presentation and the potential for statistical gamesmanship as it pertains to data analysis. There are many ways to present data, what needs to be remembered is the data is what it is and no more. Please avoid the temptation to make what you have more than it really is. The quest for speed and power is not about the big number that you can get by playing with, shaping, smoothing, or massaging the data to try and see something that is just not there. It is all about taking what you can learn about the test session you just completed and understanding the power and how you can best use the information, nothing more. Do not let yourself be seduced by the quest for the "big" number. Avoid the dark side.
Prior to putting this information to use, let's talk about the dyno runs.
* What was your goal from the test, aside from seeing just what the engine would develop from a power perspective?* What were you trying to learn?* Were you trying out different engine components?* Were you looking at various adjustments and how they would effect the power output?* Were you just working to better understand the power characteristics of your engine?
We need to keep in mind that tuning is a process, a process with multiple variables and what would seem to be an infinite number of different combinations. The process of tuning is that of matching given components and adjustments to yield the best possible performance from the sum of all the components and or adjustments that you have to deal with. If we were to assign an algebraic equation to this process if would be Y= (f)X. English translation, Y is equal to a function of X. "Y" would be equal to the output of the process, or in this case the performance of the car on the track. "X" would be equal to all of the various components and their respective adjustment settings (i.e. engine, chassis, gear selection, etc. ). Quite simply, X is the product of every adjustment and component on the car. Remember the engine is just one of the variables in this equation. Contrary to popular opinion the engine is not the center of the universe on a racecar.
Sounds simple enough-just plug all of the various parameters into the setup and go out and start racing. While this is easy to say, or in this case write, the proof is in the pudding-so given the idea that the performance of the car is tied to a variety of different factors. Why do we place so much emphasis on the performance of the engine? The simple answer is that the engine provides all of the power required to move the car. It is our ability to adjust the engine to a given condition or conditions that will be a significant part of the winning equation.
This is not to say that the chassis provides a minimal contribution. In reality the contribution of the chassis is probably more significant than the engine, but you have to have all the components working together to build a winning car. You can place a very strong engine in a poor handling car and you still have a poor handling car. But place a good engine in a chassis tuned to accept the power the engine is making you will have a race winning combination. The power characteristics of the engine will help to govern the way we adjust the car. We use the dyno to quantify the power characteristics of the engine. The adjustments we make to the engine and the components we use as part of the engine package determine the power of the engine. There are a great number of factors that have a great deal of interactions and as tuners we have to integrate the whole package.
Let's spend a bit of time talking about rpm. We all have seen the in car telemetry from the tier one series on TV and the announcers seem to get pretty excited when the RPM levels start to exceed 9,200 in Cup cars while Formula 1 cars can rev well past 19,000 rpm! For the Saturday night racer it is very rare to see engines running over the 8,500 rpm level, and even that is more of the exception than the norm. For the most part the Saturday night racer will have engines that operate from 6,000 to 7,500 rpm. In the classes that are heavily restricted, the rpm levels will be biased to the lower part of that range. Just because an engine will rev to a particular level does not mean that you need to spin it that fast. There will be points where you will be able to rev past the usable part of the power band. Remember that more rpm is not always a good thing.
With the data in the form of a graph, we can see the shape of the horsepower and torque curves. Remember we are not trying to see the big number but we really are looking at the areas underneath the curves. The analysis of the data is going to focus on understanding what the engine is doing from a power perspective. In order to better see just what is happening we need to look a bit closer. In the original graph (Graph A) the horsepower and torque ranged from 0 to 450. If we change the horsepower range from 300 to 420 (Graph B) we will expand the definition of the curve and get a clearer picture of the power characteristics.
The initial runs on the dyno yielded that the engine was producing a very flat power curve from 4,000 rpm to 6,500 rpm. It was also noted that the power was falling off very quickly as the rpm climbed past 6,500. But before we claim a victory we need to look at more data. We made several adjustments to the engine on the dyno trying to maximize the power. Nothing that would make the engine illegal, but we have some room to adjust and change timing, jetting, valve lash, and work with other engine parameters. If we take the horsepower curves from several of the different tests we can see that some of the adjustments affected the power curves in different ways. Once again we will adjust the scaling on the graph and place all the runs into the graph so it becomes even easier to see any differences no matter how small or large.
When viewing all of the power curves arranged in the same graph (Graph C) we could clearly see differences in the shapes of the curves. Remember we are looking at a very small difference in peak power between all the runs. The delta between all the runs was less than 10 hp but the width of the power band or the area under the curves did exhibit some fairly significant differences up to 6 percent.
* HP-2 showed a unique bimodal peak with a hole or a dip in the power from 5,600-5,850 rpm. This run also had the highest peak power over about a 300 rpm range but it also showed a very steep fall off post peak.* HP-3 showed a reduction in total power and also exhibited the same dip in the power curve over the widest range of the power curve. Although the dip was not as severe it was exhibited over a wider portion of the power curve.* HP-6 also showed a reduction in power with some significant perturbations at the peak(s) and a nearly sign off at the end of the curve.* HP-9 curve was very good. The power started earlier in the rpm range and was stronger over a wider rpm range than all of the other curves illustrated. The peak in power was not as strong as HP-2 but it was more stable as the rpm level reached the peak. Early in the lower rpm levels this run showed one to three more horsepower from the lowest rpm to 5,500 rpm and there were no dips from 5,500 to 5,900 rpm.
As you perform any power curve analysis you have to keep several things in mind and answer some questions that will effect how you set up and adjust the car.
* What rpm ranges will the car go through on the track?* Is the current gearing allowing the engine to over rev?* Is the current gearing too tall and not allowing the engine to rpm in the correct range?* What will be your lowest rpm and what will the highest rpm be on the track? * How will the power characteristics of the engine affect how you drive the car?* How will the power characteristics of the engine affect your chassis setup?* Shocks* Springs or torsion bars* Sway bars* Is the engine power shocking the setup? (i.e., is the power too violent for the current suspension setup?)Does the driver skill and the power curve match? (This is a very important question to answer, be honest! This is often a difference between a rookie and a seasoned driver. )* How would you adjust the suspension if the car suddenly had50 more horsepower?* How would you adjust the car if you suddenly had less power?
Looking at the data and having some conversations with the driver it was discovered that in the car the engine was being spun to over 7,200 rpm at the end of the straight. At that rpm the engine was way past the horsepower peak. Clearly the car was not going to be accelerating as strongly as it was at 6,300 rpm. We need to remember that the faster the car goes the more power is required to just maintain the speed the car has attained to that point. And, the power requirement is not linear it is exponential. The acceleration rate is determined by how much extra power is needed just to maintain the forward motion at the current rate.
On this particular car they run a wing and while wings do provide downforce they also require a good deal of power to push through the air, because of the drag. Clearly spinning the engine past its power peak would result in a less than desirable condition. Not to mention that as the level of rpm is elevated the loads on the engines components rise significantly. Granted some level of over rev may be required due to how tight the corners may be at a given track, but the data says that a gear change may be in order.
This engine does not have an abundance of power when compared to a 360 or an open 410 Sprint engine and how the car is being driven may be a consideration. The act of backing a Sprint Car into the corner may look cool and be flashy but that kind of driving takes some real power to accomplish. It may make sense to try to adjust the setup on the car to a less aggressive style. The driver may need to blue groove the car or keep the car as straight as possible to avoid scrubbing off to much speed.
Placing an engine on the dyno also allows you to see the engine in operation from a unique perspective that we can't observe while it is in the car in a racing environment. In this particular engine test we were able to see a fuel leak that we wouldn't have been able to detect with the engine installed in the car. There was a cracked fitting in the fuel system that was leaking at high engine speed and at the highest fuel pressure levels. Aside from the tuning issues this type of leak can cause, there was the added component of potential fire hazards created from this leak.
Clearly, once you dyno your engine and develop a data package you are going to have to ask a good deal of questions as to how you can best use this information. I have yet to run into a racer who wants less power. The issue is that no matter if you are a hobby racer or a professional, you are racing. Understanding the type and level of power your engine is developing is very valuable and critical information. This data set can make many tuning decisions much easier. Especially those questions centered on how the final gearing will be set. The gear in the car not only will affect the rpm of the engine, it also will determine how the torque the engine makes is applied to the track. How the car is geared is often a very under utilized tuning tool.
Conversations with your engine builder will let you know just what level of power you should expect from a given package so you will know if you are close or way off base to what a given engine package will develop. If you are in the ball park great, if you are low you may need to do some more work and try to understand just why your particular package is not making the power levels it should. There are some simple rules to follow during your analysis and implementation.
* Don't spin the engine any faster than you really need. If it stops making power at 6,300 rpm there is no good reason to spin it much past the peak. You will just be decreasing the life of the engine and risking expensive internal damage.* Do not try to read more into the data than is really there.* You do not need computers and fancy statistical software to make good graphs. Just some graph paper, a ruler, and maybe some colored pencils are all you really need. Scale the graphs to make the data as clear as possible, 500 rpm increments are usually more than adequate.* Refer to the data often.* Don't be afraid to ask questions and employ some critical thinking.
This is not as complex as some would have you believe. There are many great engine shops all across the country that will be glad to help you through this process without having to get a second mortgage on your house. Get the data and spend time looking over the results. If you have questions ask the engine shop or the dyno shop that did the work. They have a vested interest in your success.


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READ about Piers Morgan's long career in journalism here.
On Tuesday evening "Piers Morgan Live" welcomed country music star Brad Paisley for a live, face to face, primetime interview.
Currently on tour with his new album "Wheelhouse," the 14-time CMA award winner has received significant criticism for his controversial duet with LL Cool J, a track entitled "Accidental Racist."
However, as current events ran their course this past Spring, Paisley's critics soon had company from supporters who admired the singers stance:
"After April came, then came the bombings, then the trial and all these things, it seems like weekly we have something that's happening," Paisley noted. "I remember as we did that, as the week went on, and I heard all of these different points of view, everybody saying great job to, you know, basically go to hell or whatever."
The release of "Accidential Racist" was soon followed by news of Paula Deen's use of racial slurs, including the "N" word. Though Paisley can't speak to the matter himself, he recognizes that the topic of race can quickly ignite a firestorm:
"What's obvious to me is this is just about the touchiest subject there is," he told Piers Morgan. "What I was saying about LL [Cool J] was, this is a personal conversation about two people in a song, me saying as a southerner, how does this make you feel, what I'm wearing? And him having his point of view."
"Wheelhouse" represents the ninth studio album by Paisley, and easily his most-provocative and soul-searching effort:
"This was an attempt to break out of that and ask really hard questions, even from opposing points of view for myself," the native West Virginian explained. "And see what discussions transpired and it was a blast for me to incorporate other types of music into what I do and guests that you don't expect, everything from Eric Idle and LL, people like that."
Watch the clip for more of Piers Morgan's race discussion with Brad Paisley, and for the next edition of "Piers Morgan Live," watch CNN every night at 9.
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America in General has a poorly educated population. America is walking away from Religion. Too many divorces create mixed up and confused unloved children. The Education system is poor. Education is English, Speed Reading, Science, Mathematics, Personal Finance, Music, Martial Arts, Etiquette and at least 2 Foreign Languages. Hence even our White House, Congress, Senate and Supreme Court are uneducated.
Got get a hit of fresh air, Richard.
Mr. Morgan, I just want to say , I always liked your show.
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Civil War in Russia (2)
Download price-list (Excel)
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The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious light tank which was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. It was widely exported to other friendly states, like India, Iraq, North Korea and North Vietnam. Overall, some 25 countries used the PT-76.
The tank's full name is Floating Tank–76 (Russian: Ïëàâàþùèé Òàíê, Plavayushchiy Tank, or ÏÒ-76). 76 stands for the caliber of the main armament: the 76.2 mm D-56T series rifled tank gun.
The PT-76 is used in the reconnaissance and fire-support roles. Its chassis served as the basis for a number of other vehicle designs, many of them amphibious, including the BTR-50 armored personnel carrier, the ZSU-23-4 self-propelled antiaircraft gun, the ASU-85 airborne self-propelled gun and the 2K12 Kub anti-aircraft missile launch vehicle.
List of conflicts
1959–1975 Vietnam War1965 Indo-Pakistani War1967 Six Day War1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia1971 Indo-Pakistani War1973 Yom Kippur War1975 Operation Seroja ( Indonesian military operation in East Timor)1975–2002 Angolan Civil War1990–1991 First Persian Gulf War1991–2001 Yugoslav wars 1991 Ten-Day War1991–1995 Croatian War of Independence1992–1995 Bosnian war1999– Second Chechen War2000 Civil unrest on the Indonesian island of Ambon2000-2003 Indonesian military operation against the Insurgency in Aceh2003– Second Persian Gulf War2003- Invasion of Iraq


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Price Range
Every home needs a decent kitchen cutlery set; why not buy the ideal set for your kitchen from ShopCookware? For every budget and for every household we have the cutlery to suit your needs. Polished and presentable cutlery not only looks incredible when presented correctly, but it serves the all-important use of keeping your dining requirements neat and tidy. Our cutlery also makes the ideal gift, suitable for gifting at any wedding, anniversary or celebratory event. Not only that there are so many different styles now available there is something for everyone. Embossed, traditional and even coloured. Cutlery is truly the gift that keeps on giving, and will hold a special place in your kitchen.
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Cutlery Styles
Cutlery can say a lot about your style. There is such a vast variety of patterns and designs becoming available and once again we are spoilt for choice. Monsoon ranges by Arthur Price and chic patterns from Viners are the statement staple on your table. Textures, patterns and colours are making a comeback with golds, titanium blacks, and geometric designs.
Once you have the cutlery set of your dreams, one can follow these simple guidelines to ensure that it is always used correctly (these tips include some basic table manners to boot):
- Cakes can be eaten by hand, but only if they are large enough. Small chunks must be scooped up with a cake fork.
- When eating a watermelon at the table, use a spoon. Place the seeds in your hand and then plonk them on the side of your plate when finished.
- Looking to keep your cutlery set incredibly shiny? Rubbing a cork on them (a real cork, not the plastic versions) will restore their lustre in no time at all. Scouring your cutlery with salt and a wet cloth is also a decent way to keep silver clean.
- For cutlery that is to be used often, stick with stainless steel, and only bring out the best cutlery for important occasions.
The best Cutlery sets can be found at ShopCookware. See above and decide which set best suits you. From the finest sterling silver from Villeroy & Boch cutlery, Stellar cutlery, Viners, to Arthur Price dinner set, we have the kitchen cutlery to suit you. Choose well, as the cutlery that you select will need to last for many years in any household. Choose us for the very best in kitchen utensils.
For Best Care of Cutlery..
Only ever place 18/10 stainless steel cutlery in the dishwasher, if your cutlery is not 18/10 then you must hand wash it otherwise the cutlery will corrode over time. Always Rinse off excess food stuff in advance of placing cutlery in the dishwasher. Once the cycle is over please remove cutlery from the dishwasher immediately and dry off any wet water spots and put away. Never leave just washed cutlery in the dish washer over long periods of time. To really care for your cutlery we would recommend hand washing in hot soapy water and hand dry.


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Event Calendar
Tuesday, September 02, 2014, 19:00 - 21:30
CANCELLATION OF "ALIVE INSIDE" SNEAK PREVIEW ON TUES., SEPT. 2 Due to a family emergency, director Michael Rossato-Bennett has cancelled his trip to Japan next week. The Movie Committee will therefore not be screening his film "Alive Inside" as this time. If we are able to reschedule the event in coming months, we hope you'll be able to attend at that time. We regret any inconvenience this has caused.
Karen Severns, Movie Committee
Tuesday, September 2 at 7:00 pm
*Please note the Q&A will be in English.
In English with Japanese subtitles
USA, 2014 78 minutes
Written and directed by: Michael Rossato-Bennett
Featuring: Dan Cohen, Dr. Oliver Sacks, Bobby McFerrin
Film courtesy of Unplugged


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Showing its support for developers and love for stock Android, Sony has created an AOSP project for its latest flagship – the Xperia Z. The Xperia S started the trend of AOSP project from Sony, and the Z takes it a step further.
The AOSP project will be maintained by two senior developers at Sony, Johan Redestig and Bjorn Andersson. The AOSP project is Sony's way to supporting the open source community, and allowing developers to run stock Android on their handset.
Below is a video of AOSP running on the Xperia Z -:
Currently, AOSP on the Xperia Z is still not good enough for day-to-day use because of the reliance on some binaries that Sony is not allowed to share. In its current form, Sony has managed to get SD-Card, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, Notification LED and partial sensors to work under AOSP on the Xperia Z. While the radio and camera also work, they require some binaries that Sony cannot share with the general public.
The good news is that going forward Sony will work on replacing the binaries with their open-source drivers and make the NFC binaries available as well. If you are a developer, you can help Sony in making the Xperia Z supported by AOSP by contributing your own code. Head over to the AOSP for Xperia Z project on Github for the issues list, and to get yourself familiar with the code.
AOSP stands for Android Open Source Project, and is what the Nexus 4, Galaxy Nexus and other Nexus devices from Google run when combined with a few proprietary binaries. AOSP always contains the latest version of Android, which in this case is Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The Xperia Z runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box.
Via – Sony Developer World


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WASHINGTON The first randomized controlled study to evaluate a procedure that removes blood clots in the brain from patients experiencing severe strokes finds it delivers no better outcomes than non-invasive standard medications. In addition, the study found imaging techniques were not helpful in identifying patients who potentially would benefit most from clot removal.
The study, led by a Georgetown University Medical Center researcher, was published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine and simultaneously presented at the International Stroke Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.
"The hope was, and to some degree still is, that if you pull out the clot within a certain period of time and there is salvageable brain tissue, there will be better outcomes," said lead researcher Chelsea Kidwell, M.D., professor of neurology and director of the Stroke Center at Georgetown University Medical Center.
Currently, the only proven effective treatment for a stroke caused by a blood clot (ischemic) is tPA (tissue plasminogen activator). The treatment, administered in the hospital, must be given within the first few hours after stroke symptoms appear. For patients who don't meet the timeline for treatment or whose clots do not respond to tPA, an interventional procedure to remove the is another option.
The study, named MR RESCUE (Mechanical Retrieval and REcanalization of Stroke Clots Using Embolectomy), was conducted at 22 institutions in the U.S. The trial evaluated outcomes in 118 patients at an average age of 65.5 who had suffered a severe ischemic stroke in one of the large blood vessels carrying blood to the front of the brain (the most common location for this type of stroke).
By removing the clot within the first eight hours of having the stroke, researchers hypothesized that the procedure would restore blood flow to the affected area of the brain. Prior to conducting the procedure, the patients received an array of MRI or CT scans, including a blood flow study, to help identify those with viable brain tissue who presumably would benefit if the clot was removed and blood flow restored.
After imaging studies were processed using study-specific software to determine if substantial salvageable brain tissue was present, the patients were randomized to receive either standard medical treatment (aspirin or other medicine) or clot removal with a special device. Patients who received tPA were allowed to enroll in the study if the treatment failed. Tools used to remove the clot included the MERCI Retriever (a tiny corkscrew-like device) or the Penumbra System (an aspiration device).
Researchers found no greater overall benefit in patients who had their clot removed compared to standard medicines. More specifically:
Kidwell says these findings may not apply to the newer clot removal tools that can open vessels better and faster. "The safety data for these tools examined in this study are encouraging, which is important as we move forward to evaluate newer and possibly better devices," she said
|Contact: Karen Mallet
Georgetown University Medical Center


text: Bill Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., and chairman of the board for the Willow Creek Association. The bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Leadership Axioms, Holy Discontent, Just Walk Across the Room, The Volunteer Revolution, and Courageous Leadership, and classics such as Too Busy Not to Pray and Becoming a Contagious Christian, Hybels is known worldwide as an expert in training Christian leaders to transform individuals and their communities through the local church. He and his wife, Lynne, have two adult children and two grandsons, Henry and Mac. Kevin and Sherry Harney serve at Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California. They have authored Finding a Church You Can Love and Loving the Church You've Found and more than sixty small group Bible Studies. Learn more at: kevingharney.com and sherryharney.com


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Technical Paper
Visualization of Mixture Preparation in a Port-Fuel Injection Engine During Engine Warm-up
The fuel injection process in the port of a firing 4-valve SI engine at part load and 25°C head temperature was observed by a high speed video camera. Fuel was injected when the valve was closed. The reverse blow-down flow when the intake valve opens has been identified as an important factor in the mixture preparation process because it not only alters the thermal environment of the intake port, but also strip-atomizes the liquid film at the vicinity of the intake valve and carries the droplets away from the engine. In a series of "fuel-on" experiments, the fuel injected in the current cycle was observed to influence the fuel delivery to the engine in the subsequent cycles.


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A list of book releases compiled by Dr. Dobb's to keep you up-to-date on parallel programming and multicore technology.
Joe Celko's SQL for Smarties, 4th Edition
by Joe Celko
This edition features new examples to reflect the ANSI/ISO Standards so anyone can use it. Updates also include data element names to meet new ISO-11179 rules and expanded coverage of SSD, parallel processors, and how new hardware will change how SQL works, all with the same experience-based teaching style that made the previous editions the classics they are today.
Grids, Clouds and Virtualization
edited by Massimo Cafaro and Giovanni Aloisio
This text/reference introduces the fundamental principles and techniques underlying grids, clouds and virtualization technologies, as well as reviewing the latest research and expected future developments in the field. Readers are guided through the key topics by internationally recognized experts, enabling them to develop their understanding of an area likely to play an ever more significant role in coming years.
Software Automatic Tuning: From Concepts to State-of-the-Art Results
edited by Ken Naono, Keita Teranishi, John Cavazos, and Reiji Suda
Automatic Performance Tuning is a technology paradigm that enables software to tune itself to its environments so that it performs well on any computer, even on computers unknown to the programmer. This book summarizes the research efforts to date and state of the art of automatic performance tuning. Software developers and researchers in the area of scientific and technical computing, optimized compilers, high performance systems software, and low-power computing will find this book to be an invaluable reference to this powerful new paradigm.


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FOLCROFT - A borough man picked up on an unrelated burglary offense has been charged today with arson in connection with the series of recent car fires, police said.
The man has been identified as Brian Baglivo, 23, police said.
Police Chief Robert Ruskowski said late Thursday that a suspect has confessed to three of the four car fires, which occurred over the last month. He remains a suspect in the fourth incident.
The suspect was detained overnight and is expected to appear for preliminary arraignment this afternoon.
Check delcotimes.com later for updates to this story.
EARLIER: Folcroft police investigating fourth vehicle fire this month
EARLIER: Officials seek leads after suspicious fires in Folcroft


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Case IH Magnum 310 Wheeled
- Highest horsepower row crop tractor with industry-leading fuel efficiency for maximum productivity.
- No job is too tough with reliable power, advanced hydraulics, and industry-best turning radius. No day is too long with the Magnum's comfortable cab engineered for a smooth, quiet ride.
- Available on all Magnum models.
Field Leading Power and Performance
Case IH Magnum tractor 6.7 and 8.7L engines combine class-leading horsepower with proven emissions technology. What does that mean to you? Optimum power and fuel efficiency from an engine that has a legacy of performing in the toughest agricultural applications.
Reliable and Durable
FPT engines are developed and tested in Burr Ridge, Illinois. Our 6.7 and 8.7 L engines have clocked over 25 million hours on North American farms, field-tested and proven in the conditions you face.
Power Growth for Tough Operations
FPT engines are designed to develop up to 14% power growth, providing the power you need when you need it. They also feature a power boost of up to 35 additional horsepower to maintain speed and productivity with PTO applications.
Powerful and Proven
Case IH has been committed to an SCR-only solution for its unmatched overall fluid efficiency and power. Plus, it eliminates the need for additional components such as DPF and CEGR. You can enjoy greater productivity since the system allows for 600 hours between oil changes and doesn't require regeneration.
Fuel Efficiency Without Compromise
With industry-exclusive options, Magnum engines can offer the next level of innovation like engine braking, which reduces drivetrain wear and improves machine control. Transmission
Power that Puts You in Total Control
Today's powerful lineup of Magnum tractors is engineered to make your job easier and more productive, allowing you to keep up with the demands of farming. And, with two industry-leading transmissions to choose from, you can be assured you have the most efficient power for your operation.
CVXDrive Transmission
Industry leading CVXDrive Transmission delivers uninterrupted power to the ground, incorporating three ranges to be more efficient and deliver more power for tough jobs. And oo from zero to 25 mph standard (30 mph opt.) simply by moving a lever. CVXDrive automatically selects the best transmission range for the desired speed or load, eliminating the need for clutching and shifting.
With ActiveStop (or power neutral), the engine holds the tractor in place, letting you more easily start and stop on inclines without using the clutch or brake. And CVXDrive software updates provide faster acceleration when using PTO-powered implements.
PowerDrive Powershift Transmission
Proven 19-speed PowerDrive powershift transmission provides ultra-smooth shifting and power transfer for maximum productivity. And with Diesel SaverTM APM, you set the speed, rpm and shift frequency, and your transmission does the rest, so the job gets done faster and at the lowest possible cost.
Perfectly matched for high horsepower demands, and provide efficiency in heavy draft load applications.
|Case IH
|Magnum 310 Wheeled (2018-Present)
|Engine Performance
|Advertised Engine Power, Rated, hp (kW)
|310 (231)
|Maximum Engine Power, hp (kW)
|380 (283)
|Rated Engine Speed, rpm
|Power Boost, hp (kW)
|70 (52)
|Fuel Tank capacity, gal (L)
|179 (678) PowerDrive; 163 (617) CVXDrive
|Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank capacity, gal (L)
|26 (99)
|PTO Performance
|PTO Horsepower, Basic / Optional Transmission, hp (kW)
|265 (198)
|PTO Speeds, rpm
|1000 std; 540 / 1000 opt
|PTO operational Type (Independent; Live; Continuous)
|Basic Engine
|Engine Make
|Case IH FPT
|Engine Model
|Number of Cylinders
|Displacement, cu in (L)
|531 (8.7)
|Engine Bore, in (mm)
|4.61 (117)
|Engine Stroke, in (mm)
|5.31 (135)
|Block Design, Replaceable Liners
|Wet liners
|Aspiration, Turbocharged or Naturally Aspirated
|eVGT Turbocharged, Aftercooled
|Fuel System
|Fuel System Description
|High Pressure Common Rail
|Fuel System Control, Electronic or Mechanical
|Fuel Injection to combustion chamber, Direct or Indirect
|Emission and Exhaust Treatment
|Emission Level, US EPA Tier
|Tier 4B / Final
|Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) w/Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
|SCR w/ DEF
|Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
|Cleanup Catalyst (CUC)
|CUC standard
|Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)
|DOC standard
|Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
|Exhaust Pipe, Vertical stack or Horizontal
|Vertical stack
|Cooling System
|Fan Drive Type
|BorgWarner Visctronic
|Electrical System
|System Rating, Volts
|Alternator Rating, Amps
|Basic Transmission Configuration
|Manufacturer's Description
|Transmission Type
|Full Powershift
|Number of Forward / Reverse Speeds
|Maximum Speed Forward, mph (kph)
|25 or 30 (40 or 50)
|Creeper Range Available
|See CVXDrive or 23F options
|Shuttle (Forward-Reverse) Available
|Optional Transmission 1
|Manufacturer's Description
|Transmission Type
|Continuously variable
|Number of Forward / Reverse Speeds
|Infinite, 4F / 2R ranges
|Optional Transmission 2
|Manufacturer's Description
|23F/6R PowerDrive, 25 mph/40kph
|Transmission Type
|Full powershift w/Creeper
|Number of Forward / Reverse Speeds
|Wheel or Track Configuration
|Drive Wheels or Tracks; 2WD, 4WD, 2WD / 4WD, 2 Tracks or 4 Tracks
|Steering Configuration: Front Steer, Frame Articulated, or Track-type Steer
|Front Steer
|Rear Axle Assembly
|Final Drive Location and Description
|Inboard / Planetary
|Axle Output End, Flange or Bar
|Axle Bar Diameter, in (mm)
|4.5 (115)
|Front Axle
|Suspended Front Axle Available
|Service Brake Type
|Wet disc
|Hydraulic System
|Hydraulic System Type
|Pressure-flow compensating (PFC)
|Main Hydraulic Pump Type
|Variable Displacement
|Implement Pump Flow, gpm (Lpm)
|44 (166)
|Optional Pump Flow, gpm (Lpm)
|59 (225) or 75 (282)
|Number of Standard Remote Valves
|4 std.; 5th or 6th opt.
|3-Point Hitch Features
|3-Point Hitch Category
|Category 3 / 3N
|Optional Hitch Category
|Category 4N / 3
|Draft Sensing or Lift Control
|Electronic position and/or draft control
|Draft Link Ends Telescopic
|Adjustable quick coupler
|3-Point Hitch Lift Capacity
|Standard Lift Capacity 24 Inches behind pin, lb (kg)
|15,900 (7210) w/43" links, quick coupler
|Optional Lift Capacity 24 Inches behind pin, lb (kg)
|17,500 (7940) w/43" links, quick coupler
|Standard Lift Capacity at lift pin, lb (kg)
|Optional Lift Capacity at lift pin, lb (kg)
|Drawbar Description
|Category 3 std; 4 opt, adjustable
|Wheelbase / Trackbase
|Wheelbase, 2WD, in (mm)
|No 2WD
|Wheelbase/Trackbase, MFD/4WD or Track, in (mm)
|120 (3050) PowerDrive; 122 (3100) CVXDrive
|Length, 2WD, incl. Hitch/Drawbar, in (mm)
|No 2WD
|Length, MFD/4WD or track, incl. Hitch/Drawbar, in (mm)
|246.4 (6260) w/front weights
|Vertical Dimensions
|Height to Top of Cab, in (mm)
|131.5 (3339)
|Height to Top of ROPS raised, in (mm)
|No open ROPS
|Width w/Tires or Tracks
|Overall Width, with standard wheels or tracks, in (mm)
|120 (3048) bar axle ends
|Weight (w/Tires or Tracks)
|Weight, 2WD w/ROPS, lb (kg)
|No 2WD
|Weight, MFD/4WD w/ROPS, lb (kg)
|No open ROPS
|Weight, 2WD w/Cab, lb (kg)
|No 2WD
|Weight, MFD/4WD or Tracks w/Cab, without ballast, lb (kg)
|28,800 (13082)
|Weight, Total allowable, w/maximum ballast, lb (kg)
|35,847 (16260)
|Tire / Track Size
|Front Tire Size, 2WD
|No 2WD
|Front Tire Size orTrack Width, MFD/4WD or Track
|Rear Tire Size or Track Width
|480/80 R50, R1W Duals
|Sales Literature
|Literature Number
|Literature Date
|Secondary Literature Source
|Secondary Literature Number
|Manual 47754918
|Secondary Literature Date
|Other Documentation
|Document Number
|Document Date
|Status and Entry Dates
|Manufacturing Status, Current or Archive
|First Entry Date
|Revision Date


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Dear Lifehacker,
I know I should have health insurance and renter's insurance, but I got a letter in the mail that said I should probably have flood insurance too. My coworker is always going on about "whole life" insurance, but I have life insurance through work. What types of insurance should I actually have, and what's just a scam?
Not So Insured
Dear Not So Insured,
Insurance is a tricky business. There are more specific insurance types out there than you'll ever actually need, so don't feel bad if your head spins every time you watch an infomercial telling you that you need a specific kind of insurance, or more life insurance than you already have, or some special kind of medical or health insurance. Let's try to boil things down so you know what you need, and you have resources to go looking for other types if they're applicable to you.
The Insurance Almost Everyone Needs
Let's start with the types of insurance that just about everyone needs, regardless of where you live or what your personal condition is:
- Health and Disability Insurance: This is the big one. Whether you get it through your employer (or a spouse or partner's employer), through a labor organization or union, or individually through the federal health insurance marketplace or a state equivalent, quality health insurance will make sure you're able to see a doctor when you're sick, get a routine checkup, purchase prescrription medication, or seek medical care in the case of an unexpected illness or an accident. Disability insurance, also usually offered by your employer or through an independent marketplace, is designed to provide supplemental income in the case that you're hurt and unable to work for a short or long period of time. Both are all but necessary. Your health is your most important asset—putting aside all of the controversies around it, health insurance makes sure you can preserve it.
- Homeowner's or Renter's Insurance: Whether you own your own home or you're renting from a landlord, you should have some kind of property insurance that protects your belongings in the event of a fire, burglary, weather event, or some other manmade or natural disaster. We've sung the praises of renter's insurance before, and even told you how you can get it for free with other insutance policies. In many cases, your car insurance company will just give it away just because you're already a customer. If you own your own home, homeowner's insurance serves the purpose, and protects your property and investment against even more threats. Your mortgage may even require that you have homeowner's insurance. It's also improtant to note that homeowner's or renter's insurance may not cover water or flooding damage. You'll also need flood insurance from the federal government, something we've reminded you to get before.
- Auto Insurance: If you don't drive or don't own a vehicle, you can skip this one, but if you do, you should absolutely have at least the minimum required auto insurance coverage for your state. Ideally, you'd have more, since some states only require you carry enough coverage to insure against the damage of another vehicle or injury or death of another person should you be at fault in an accident—they may not require you have enough to repair your own damage, or to cover against other incidents, fender benders, rental cars, or other problems. Find out what the minimum is in your state or region, then compare that to your current level of coverage. You don't wait until an accident to find out what your policy does and doesn't cover.
- Life Insurance: Life insurance is also important, but it's often overlooked. Like health insurance, most people get life insurance through their employer. It's designed to make the lives of your spouse, children, or parents a little easier in the case of your death. Ideally it would help cover funeral costs, or at least provide a short-term revenue stream for your loved ones so they have time to get back on their feet after your passing. Most employer-based life insurance policies pay out a percentage of your annual salary in case of your death, and allow you to buy more at a decent rate if you think your family will need it. In some cases, your auto or property insurer may offer life insurance as well. If you're young, you may not think too much about life insurance, but you should at least have some. Of course, the older you get, the more important life insurance is—it'll make things much easier on the ones you leave behind.
Those four types of insurance are the common types that almost everyone should have. We can excuse you from having auto insurance, for example, if you don't drive a car, or property insurance if you live with your parents or a family member (and your possessions are covered by their policy), but if you're a working adult out on your own, you should probably have at least considered all of these, if not for your personal protection, but for the protection of people around you or close to you.
Other Types of Insurance You Might Consider
That said, they're not the only types of insurance out there that you may want to consider, depending on your specific situation, age, or occupation. Here are a few others you may want to look into:
- Pet insurance: If you have a beloved animal companion, pet insurance can be just as important as your own health insurance. Depending on the pet you have, medications, surgeries, and trips to the vet can add up quickly, and pet insurance can help you keep those costs under control, give you access to affordable medications for your pet, and help you find and pay for expensive but life-saving treatments. Pet insurance can pay out in the event of an illness or death of your pet, or even if your pet is lost or stolen. Unlike health insurance though, pet insurance reimburses you for your costs (like property insurance), as opposed to paying up front and deciding what to cover and what not to cover at the time of treatment. It's not for everyone, but if your pet means the world to you, you should look into it. Some employers offer pet insurance (more now than ever), but do your homework. The ASPCA offers pet insurance, as does VPI and PetPlan. Shop around for the level of coverage you need, and deductibles and costs you can afford.
- GAP Insurance: If you prefer new cars to used cars, the thrill of being the first butt in the seat can wear off quickly if you have an accident, a total, or suddenly have to sell that brand new car for less than you owe on it. That's where GAP (Guaranteed Auto Protection) insurance comes in—strictly, it covers the monetary gap between the amount the vehicle is worth and the amount you owe on it. That way if you need to sell it or you get an insurance payout and it's less than you owe on the vehicle, you'll have insurance to cover the rest. You don't need this if you're not buying new or leasing a vehicle, but if you are, you should certainly consider it, since the value of your car diminishes significantly as soon as you drive it off the lot. GAP insurance is usually available from your auto insurance provider.
- Whole Life Insurance: Whole Life Insurance is, strictly, an insurance policy that covers and can pay back out to you over the course of your entire life—so while it can pay out upon your death to your loved ones the way term life insurance does, it can also be used in your later years to cover medical expenses, or it can be borrowed against. However, that's not the complete picture—premiums are high, benefits can be often low, and the whole category of insurance is difficult to get your head around. This article from US News Money breaks it down very well, and this Wall Street Journal article puts an even finer point on the argument against it. Strictly speaking, most people don't need this—the returns on your investment in whole life insurance are terrible (although no more terrible than many other traditional options), and your money can be best served elsewhere. However, do your homework, talk to your life insurance provider, and see if it makes sense for you.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is often hailed as a lifesaving resource should something go horribly wrong with your vacation or trip overseas—it can offer money to replace lost or stolen luggage, cover medical expenses while you're abroad, or even help you re-book transportation if your original travel plans are canceled or you miss a flight. The trouble with travel insurance is that it almost always duplicates coverage you already have. Before you pay up for travel insurance, make sure your health insurance doesn't already offer you a way to get medical care abroad. Similarly, check with your credit card or the airline or booking company you used to book your travel—they usually have numbers to call and services they offer if your flight is cancelled, you miss a plane, or something else crazy happens, like your luggage is lost or stolen. Your renter's or homeowner's insurance policy may even cover your possessions while you're traveling. Travel insurance can be useful, but it's often an expensive duplication of services that seems attractive because it's in one place, but is largely unnecessary.
- Supplemental Insurance: Supplemental insurance (aka, Aflac, although they're not the only people who offer it), is designed to bridge any shortfalls from your traditional insurance plans. It can pay for bills, rent, mortgage expenses, even groceries if you're waiting for another insurance company to pay out. Supplemental insurance can also cover extra expenses that your normal policies won't, like added costs for expensive treatments, cancer therapy or surgery, and so on. Essentially, it's designed to soften the financial blow of other insurance shortfalls. The problem with supplemental insurance is that even though it sounds attractive, you may not need it, and you wind up over-insuring yourself, spending money better served invested or saved in case of an emergency. Read the fine print, check your current levels of coverage, and then consider it. Most people don't need it, regardless of how heavily it's advertised on TV. This goes for other types of supplemental insurance, like cancer insurance and mortgage life insurance, both designed to piggyback on existing policies for very specific situations.
Those are just a few more types of insurance you're probably seen in advertisements or suggested to you by others—possibly even your employer. We're not saying you should or shouldn't invest in any of them, but only that you carefully read the fine print and the coverage offered by each of them, then compare them against your current policies to make sure you're not paying for expensive overlap.
For example, some people swear by pet insurance, for example, while other people would prefer to just save their money in an emergency fund in case their companion needs surgery or medicine. The same applies to travel insurance—you wouldn't want to spend a ton of money on travel insurance only to find out that your health insurance provider already covers medical care in the country you're planning to visit.
Stick to the first four, and then branch out from there, Not So Insured. If any of the others are particularly applicable to your situation, then look into them, but as long as you've got the basics covered, you're already in good shape. Good luck!
Have a question or suggestion for Ask Lifehacker? Send it to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Photo by Colorlife (Shutterstock), Jennifer Morrow, and Fotos Govba.


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Here is a measure of both this movement's effectiveness and Barack Obama's stark, brazen criminality: Even the RINOs are talking impeachment.
In Rochester, New Hampshire, on Monday morning, former Utah governor and Obama's one-time ambassador to China Jon Huntsman told a citizen that Obama's war in Libya may be an impeachable offense. ABC News posted the following transcript of the exchange between Huntsman and the "voter":
Voter: You mentioned Libya, and you mentioned the Constitution a couple of times. The president has decided to make Congress irrelevant, go around Congress, not — not go to Congress and ask for whether permission to go to war for — with, with Libya. He takes, what he thought, a UN resolution as his mandate to be able to go to war in Libya, do you think that's unconstitutional in what he's doing in Libya right now?
Huntsman: Well, last I looked the UN was not our Constitution. We ought to recognize who's responsible for declaring war and giving the approval for these kinds of things, and get back to the basics of who should be driving these decisions.
Voter: What should Congress be doing in the fact that he went around Congress and he's, he's not abiding to the War Powers Act?
Huntsman: I think, I think Congress is, is in a mild uproar about it.
Voter: It's very mild.
Huntsman: I have a fundamental problem, generally, I mean beyond this decision, just with the decision that has been made to get involved, in Libya, in a tribal country, when we have no definable interest at stake, we have no exit strategy. Look in Afghanistan, you want to get involved in tribal government? How hard it is to extricate yourself once you've gotten involved? Let history be your guide. Thank you.
Voter: Do you think it's impeachable?
Huntsman: I'll let Congress make that decision.
The mainstream media, flexing its sagging muscles, tried to turn Huntsman's words into a bigger scandal than the president's unconstitutional war itself. To his credit, when pushed for a clarification, Huntsman replied, "Congress should do whatever Congress chooses to do."
As proof of Republican "extremism," that is pretty weak stuff. Uber-Democrat Jerrold Nadler has compared Obama to a king, a dictator, and "an absolute monarch" precisely over launching an unauthorized war — not in a barbecue pit in someone's backyard but from the floor of the House. But the media have a love affair with Huntsman, the liberal Republican who supports homosexual civil unions and the debt deal. In their skewed world, Huntsman is John McCain-lite, the "straight-talking" candidate who tells the GOP base what it does not want to hear. To media talking heads, this is a dog whistle that, if "even" Huntsman refuses to "rule out" impeachment, then far-Right Tea Party "insanity" must have infected the entire party.
Thus, the media quoted Democratic operative Ty Matsdorf, who fumed "it's sad to see Jon Huntsman abandon his convictions for a chance to appease the rabid right-wing base by refusing to rule out impeachment."
Of course, as a private citizen, Huntsman is not in any position to "rule out" anything. As he properly noted, that is Congress' job. Yet this tempest-in-a-teapot is a triumph for Matsdorf's employer, American Bridge 21st Century, which ABC News describes as a "Super PAC," and which captured the "damning" video. This anonymously funded 501(c)(4) opposition group was founded by Media Matters head David Brock, a major recipient of George Soros' money. The secretive group has raised a paltry $1.5 million in the first half of this year. However, it has attracted a number of top-level Democratic Party operatives, including Rodell Mollineau, Staff Director of the Senate Democratic Communications Center; Shauna Daly, former research director at the Democratic National Committee; and Susan McCue, Harry Reid's chief of staff.
If the group has its way, it will have many more videos of this kind. The New York Times reported earlier this month it has hired at least 12 full-time "trackers," employees with video cameras tasked with stalking and recording every statement Republican candidates make in hopes of finding a word or phrase they can twist to Obama's advantage.
As a foreign policy statement, Huntsman's words are not particularly surprising. Like Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann, Huntsman opposed the Libyan war from the beginning, and in May Huntsman said, "We probably don't need to be in certain parts of the Middle East where there are domestic revolutions playing out, where we probably just ought to let them play out." The real story is that Obama has so overstretched his constitutional powers in Libya that even a Republican willing to serve in his administration cannot defend him.
Instead, the media present this as a case of Republican "extremism," using as proof a piece of video that records a non-committal answer from an irrelevant candidate.
This, America Bridge hopes, will make the contributors shell out the big bucks. Step right up, folks!


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Checkered Sisal Basket - White
Made in Kenya
by artisans using locally sourced grasses
$ 10.00 - $ 56.00
These must-have neutral baskets make the perfect planter or storage solution for your home. Each purchase empowers artisan women at Kasigau Basket Weavers in Kenya.
White Checkered Sisal Basket | Decoration, Storage + Planter
As with all handmade items, no two pieces are the same. Variations in size, color, and design will occur.
- Materials: Sisal and dyes.
- Sizes: approximately 3" x 3", 6" x 6", 9" x 9", 12" x 12"
- Care instructions: Spot clean using minimal water. Dab (do not rub) using an undyed paper towel or cloth to prevent the colors from bleeding. Dry completely to avoid molding. To preserve the natural colors and stop fading, do not place in direct sunlight.
- As with all handmade items, slight variations can occur
Kasigau Basket Weavers
Female artisans at Kasigau Basket Weavers, a social enterprise in Kenya, handcraft beautiful, natural baskets. The female artisans, who are between the ages of 25 and 90, are able to come together and collaborate in units, which leads to increased integration into the community and opportunities for them to creatively exchange ideas and advice to support one another. The income the artisans earn by creating these baskets supports their household earnings, which are usually generated from agriculture and farming. The female artisans have the opportunity to feel empowered, use their voices, and participate in essential decision-making processes at home and in the community at-large. We are proud to work on an exclusive line of vibrant sisal baskets with these artisans and to help generate additional income for them and their families.
Learn More
In Kenya, inspiring female artisans at Kasigau Basket Weavers use sisal leaves to handcraft each woven basket. Kenya is the world's third-largest producer of the sisal crop, which is originally from Mexico. While several artisans may grow sisal on their farms, many also supplement harvests with locally purchased sisal, as the local elephant population relies on the crop for food. To make each basket, the artisans follow an intricate cultural technique that is passed down from women to women. Artisans carefully cut and collect the sisal leaves, drain the liquid from the leaves, extract and weave the fibers, and dye the strands with natural dyes for vibrant colors. After the dyed strands have time to dry, they are woven into the basket's frame and body. The baskets are customized according to the design.
Learn More
Kenya has a population of more than 35 million people comprising of 42 ethnic groups, each with its own language and culture, as well as Asian, Arab and European Communities, which makes for a fascinating mix of traditions and cultures. Kenya's multifaceted culture is expressed in different forms, from its people and language, food, music and dance, art, artifacts, theatre and literature to its ethnic values and ethical norms.
Kenya is among the world's 30 poorest countries, ranking 145 out of 185 countries on the 2012 Human Development Index, and more than one-half of the country's population lives below the poverty line on less than US $1 a day. Years of drought in this region have had a serious impact on the well-being of children, increasing malnutrition rates, morbidity and mortality.
Learn More
Fair Trade Products
Fair Trade is an approach to international trade centered around equitable partnerships, transparency and respect. It seeks to empower marginalized producers by providing them safe working conditions, fair pay, and a means to establish a sustainable business free from exploitation. As a member of the Fair Trade Federation, we are committed to the Fair Trade principles.
Learn More


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Commonwealth Financial Network announced on Tuesday that it's added three independent financial services firms located in Overland Park, Kan. Pegasus Capital Management, Trinity Planning Group and Stanziola Financial Group joined Commonwealth in May, bringing with them $375 million in combined total client assets.
"Pegasus Capital, Trinity Planning and Stanziola Financial are consistently recognized as top advisor teams in Overland Park, Kan., and throughout the industry," Andrew Daniels (left), Commonwealth's managing principal of field development, said in a statement. "We look forward to helping them grow their practices by combining their innovative strategies and dedication to client satisfaction with the best tools and resources to deliver unparalleled value to their clients."
Pegasus Capital Management, led by Ray Evans, generated $1.2 million in gross dealer concessions in 2011 and oversees more than $200 million in client assets. The firm focuses on wealth management planning for high-net-worth clients.
"Aligning my firm and clients with a privately held broker-dealer was a top priority," Evans said. "Commonwealth has no conflicts of interest and can dedicate the necessary resources to meet our business needs. We were also drawn to Commonwealth's unique and strong culture of integrity and can-do attitude."
Trinity Planning Group, led by Timothy DiSette and David Pacer, focuses on estate, business, investment, and retirement planning for high-net-worth business owners. The firm generated $1 million in gross dealer concessions in 2011 and oversees more than $150 million in individual client and retirement plan assets.
Stanziola Financial Group, led by James Stanziola, focuses on closely held, family-run businesses in the estate and business succession planning areas. The firm generated $400,000 in GDC in 2011 and oversees more than $25 million in client assets.
Founded in 1979, Commonwealth claims to be the nation's largest privately held independent broker-dealer, with headquarters in Waltham, Mass., and San Diego. The firm has 1,400 independent registered representatives nationwide.


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Here is our "new" glass-topped wrought iron coffee table that I bought last weekend from the Housing Works thrift store on Montague Street. It is also solid 40-pound evidence that my husband loves me.
I found the table in a corner of the store marked down to $30. It was so wobbly that if you touched it, it did a kind of hula dance, and it was covered in dust. We each took an end and carried it down two blocks of Montague Street. Then we changed strategy. Tom, who was perfectly happy with our leather ottoman as a coffee table, took the frame and put it over his shoulder while I carried the glass top down three blocks of Columbia Heights. I expected to trip on a historic slate sidewalk slab and drive a shard of glass through my heart. But we all made it. Also, did I mention it was really cold?
Thankfully, I have a husband who knows how to use an allen wrench. In 20 minutes, he had the coffee table fixed. Although it's bigger than our leather ottoman, it doesn't seem as "heavy" because of the glass top and airy legs.
Rule #17 of small space living: If you bring a piece of furniture into your home, you will have to move every other stick of furniture to make room for it. Rule #18, subsection c states that for each item brought into your apartment, an item of equal or larger size will need to exit.
The ottoman went into the foyer.
The bookcase that was in the foyer went into the bedroom.
The porch, a favored storage spot in some communities for non-functioning washing machines and broken-down sofas, became the repository for our displaced chairs. In this case, they were deck chairs anyway, so we weren't totally trashy about it.


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[Pages 31-32]
Despite the small size of our town, there were many Hassidim, divided according to their various courts: Husiatyn, Chortakov, Vishnitz and others. The most well-known of the Hassidic leaders (known as admorim ) in our town was the Rebbe of Husiatyn, who had many followers among the Jews of Skalat.
My father was a follower of the Rebbe of Husiatyn and for that reason I was left with many memories and impressions of the Hassidic atmosphere of those days.
A wealthy Skalat Jew, Yoseph Milgrom, the owner of a flour mill and a great admirer of the Rebbe of Husiatyn, hosted the Rebbe in his home. Milgrom lived in a large house at the edge of town. The house was bordered by a garden with rich earth, which created a natural slope. At the edge of the garden, Milgrom built a wooden cabin - a schlass. Past the schlass was a pasture with a flowing stream.
The Schlass was divided into two sections. The Rebbe of Husiatyn prayed in the smaller section, generally sitting in solitude.
The second section was the central hall, resembling a synagogue. Tables and benches were arranged along the walls. A section along one wall was elevated, to allow the Hassidim to was the Rebbe's face as he prayed.
The Rebbe would arrive in Skalat towards the Shavouth holiday and remained six to eight weeks. He lived in Vienna and his visits to Skalat were apparently connected to his visits to the grave of his father, in Husiatyn. His visits to the town were a special occasion for all the local Jews. Everyone came out to welcome him. A select group of Hassidim went in carriages to meet escort him into town. In front of the house where the Rebbe would be staying, the Hassidim lined up in two rows and welcomed the Rebbe with the traditional shalom aleichem. The Rebbe's glance alone would excite the crowd, who believed him to be holy.
During this period, Hassidim came from all over Poland, particularly Galicia, to Skalat. Hotels, inns, even private homes were insufficient for the visitors, and the city came to life. In the courtyard of the schlass, crowds sang and danced, particularly on the Sabbaths and the holiday.
The Rebbe was considered holy and was treated like a king. The Rebbe excelled in his knowledge of medicine and of law. The simple Jew saw him as a source of advice, particularly in times of trouble. The Rebbe would also refer the ill to the most notable doctors of the day. Occasionally, Poles would turn to the Rebbe for advice, as well.
The Rebbe's stay brought a temporary prosperity to the town and many a family looked forward to that aspect of his visit. Paying boarders often made significant contributions to the famlies' budgets. I recall that Hassidim from Rzeszow and Krakow stayed in our home. They say up until late at night, occupied with weighty matters of belief and religious practice, and with stories of the Rebbe's greatness. The meeting between the ordinary Hassid and his Rebbe was one of the great events in the life of a believer.
The Rebbe of Husiatyn made aliyah and lived to age ninety-two. He is buried in the Old Cemetery in Tiberias.
JewishGen, Inc. makes no representations regarding the accuracy of
the translation. The reader may wish to refer to the original material
for verification.
JewishGen is not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions in the original work and cannot rewrite or edit the text to correct inaccuracies and/or omissions.
Our mission is to produce a translation of the original work and we cannot verify the accuracy of statements or alter facts cited.
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Updated 30 May 2008 by LA


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On the 7th and 8th of May, the Barbican celebrates the legendary composer Steve Reich with six unique concerts under the title 'Reverberations: The influence of Steve Reich'. Ahead of the event, we got some of the artists performing to talk about Reich's influence on their work.
Listen below to a special edition of the Barbican's monthly podcast, dedicated to Steve Reich and his influence.
For more info about the line-up of the weekend, please visit www.barbican.org.uk/reverberations
May 2011 (Steve Reich, Kronos Quartet, Bryce Dessner, Owen Pallett, Tyondai Braxton & more) by Barbican Music
Hauschka on Reich
In 2007 I played my first tour in USA and I supported the Icelandic band MUM. On my way from Boston to NYC I made a stop at Wesleyan University where I played at the University church in front of 20 people. But at some point I felt that the concert was not the reason why I was there. A friend of mine who was an assistant of Anthony Braxton invited us for a lecture of Alvin Lucier in front of students and he was talking about Meredith Monk's video works and a John Cage recording that was based on only words that changed just by putting the emphasis on different syllables. Also he played "Different Trains" by Steve Reich and me and my cousin, who travelled with me, felt very attached to this piece, also out of historical reasons.
So I had the impression that the reason to be in Wesleyan was to learn more about the older minimal composers and to get in touch with these wonderful works of Steve Reich.
And then in Chicago at the club Empty Bottle, a quartet played the full "Different Trains" piece as an opener to my concert. I felt a very strong connection to the music and to the style of Steve Reich....the rhythmical string arrangements and the involvement of samples.
It seemed to me that in his music the popular music was not locked away ....somehow it felt like a part of it but it was not at all pop music.....I had always had a strong connection to classical music but for me all the pieces that were written before the second world war were pieces that had no influence on the music that I listened to when I was young, when I danced, when I stage-dived, or when I jumped around......but in Steve Reich's compositions I heard a story , I felt classical music and influences from modern music and it was a relief.
In "Different Trains" especially, the connection between these two trains driving at the same time had something poetic and at the same time extremely sad and touching which is somehow comparable with memories of pain and sadness coming to you while you are watching something beautiful....This could be seen somehow as masochistic but for me it feels like a chance for a new perspective. I like this attitude.
So for me his combination of experimental, tonal and repetitive elements and also the very melancholic undertone are somehow very close to my musical ideals.
Clogs on Minimalism
Minimalism has contributed to Clogs a sense that it is OK to do simple patterns which repeat, and following from that, the use of repetition with mutation. In Clogs, this mixes with similar elements of interest in rock. However, this is only one of a number of observable stylistic or formal influences from which Clogs draw. We are not purposefully stylistic, except as dictated by the musical idea itself.
I think Steve Reich belongs to a huge bunch of influences that range from African rhythm, Medieval Isorhythm, limited use of modes, polyrhythm, a fascination with repetition and in the case of Clogs, a working of a kind of micro-minimalism into the music. As a 20th Century educated composer, I (Padma) have encountered many of the techniques composers use, systems, processes, and aesthetics. The revolutions in sound, into Modernism and out again, experimental music, tape and electronic music, the renaissance of the lyrical: all these changes are the changes of our forefathers and mothers. Thank you.
The three kinds of Reich music which are seminal to the history of 20th century music for me are the more pure non timbral representations, like "Clapping Music," looping and tape experiments like "Come Out," and the more organically performed and perhaps conceived, "Music for 18 Instruments."
Clogs doesn't really have any avid musical paradigms, we don't have music Gods, we are quite fickle, and mostly are seeking the beauty in a musical idea.
(Padma Newsome)
So Percussion on Listening to Steve Reich's 'Drumming'.
By which I mean not how you should listen, but how you could.
I hope that soon it will not be a novelty to play music that is mostly for percussion instruments. We're getting to a point where we evaluate content.
The first note of "Drumming" seems like a blatant gesture, but it is the first ambiguity.
Phasing is a machine-age method, but its results are ancient: canon.
All of "Drumming" is melodic and harmonic.
After the first phase has occurred, there are now millions of motivic possibilities. Reich allows them to loop so you have time to hear some of them.
The drummers, singers, whistler, and piccolo player suggest a few musical phrases that exist within that texture. You may also hear some that they do not play.
Any division of 12 can be heard as the correct pulse.
Any part of the rhythm is a valid downbeat. Once phases have occurred, any part of any player's rhythm is also a valid downbeat.
There are no downbeats.
Large-scale organization is by timbre and register, not by inherited forms.
In "Drumming", the human voice should emulate the percussion instruments as closely as possible.
(Adam Sliwinski)
Jóhann Jóhannsson on Reich
I first heard Steve Reich in my late teens listening to a library copy of Music for 18 Musicians. A bit later I was introduced to his early work, the tape pieces and the phase pieces. I was fascinated by his use of found recordings and the idea of music as process. Works like "Come out" and "Different Trains" were influential on my piece IBM 1401, a User's Manual, for example, both conceptually and in their use of found sound. "Four Organs" partly inspired me to form my own organ quartet, Apparat Organ Quartet, whose original aim - before we started writing our own music - was to play those early minimalist electric organ pieces by Reich, Glass, Terry Reilly etc.