text:
In recent years, China scrapped many of its export-friendly policies – a turn welcomed by foreign competitors as a step toward freer, fairer trade.
In typical style, Beijing did so incrementally, "crossing the river by feeling the stones," as Deng Xiaoping is quoted as saying.
But now, with the economic downturn in full effect, China is scrambling back toward the riverbank. The government has reversed itself on tax rebates and other export-friendly policies, restoring perks it had only recently scrapped.
The latest tax rebate hikes, which take effect Jan. 1, will be doled out to exporters of motorcycles, sewing machines, industrial robots, and other goods, according to the China Daily.
Beijing's about-face risks raising tensions with the US and other trade partners. Washington and others have long complained about China's "unfair" trade policies and a flood of cheap Chinese imports. The US welcomed the 2007 elimination of some tax rebates as a sign of progress, only to see many of them now restored.
But analysts here say China isn't trying to undercut foreign competitors. Rather, it's giving life support to flailing exporters – and trying to stave off the social unrest it fears will result from massive factory layoffs.
"The leadership here is under enormous pressure from manufacturers and local officials to do whatever it takes to save jobs and maintain stability," said Russell Leigh Moses, a China-watcher at The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies. "There are some voices within the bureaucracy who are concerned about this 'China first' strategy, but they are being overwhelmed by these domestic cries for help."
In fact, in the current gloomy climate, most nations are pursuing a "me first" strategy, and China's no exception. Trade barriers that were only recently taken down are going up again. Russia recently slapped tariffs on imported cars, and Vietnam has done the same for steel. The World Bank predicts such policies, and slack demand will cause global trade to fall 2.1 percent next year, the first contraction since 1982.
All of which has raised worries of a return to the "beggar-thy-neighbor" protectionist policies of the 1930s, which helped create the conditions for World War II.
But Andy Xie, a Shanghai-based independent economist, says such fears are overblown. "There will be some protectionist measures, but I don't think we're going back to the 1930s," says Mr. Xie. "This round of globalization is much more resilient."
Xie says there's a "disconnect" between high-level policy talks between the US and China, and the situation in places like Ningbo or Dongguan, a center of light manufacturing in southern China. There, exporters are in dire straits. He says labor costs have roughly doubled in the last five years for such firms. Many factories have closed (100,000 in 2008, by one estimate) – a massive shakeout.
The Chinese government has bigger concerns than just belly-up exporters. Failed factories means a huge unemployment problem, which in turn could fuel widespread social unrest. An estimated 10 million of China's 200 million migrant workers have been laid off and gone home, according to Chinese government statistics cited by the China Daily.
In that context, the tax rebates are a type of emergency first aid.
"I think the government is trying to lower bankruptcy rates, not to boost exports," says Xie. "The government needs to show some concern for exporters, and the [tax] rebates help relieve cash pressure."
When it did away with such rebates, notably in the summer of 2007, China hoped to reduce its dependence on the export model. It wanted to end perks for foreign firms using China as an export platform, help domestic firms better compete, and force low-end manufacturing industries up the value chain.
But its timing couldn't have been much worse.
Just months after it began taking perks away, the US subprime crisis snowballed into a global financial crisis. Now, gloomy times in the US, Europe, and Japan have reduced appetite for Chinese goods.
Chinese exports fell 2.2 percent in November, the first fall in seven years – and a striking statistic in an era of steady, double-digit growth. Analysts expect exports may continue to fall in 2009 as foreign consumers keep their wallets closed.
Zhuang Jian, a senior economist with the Beijing office of the Asian Development Bank, says China's return to export-friendly measures is only a stop-gap measure, until such bleak conditions pass.
"This kind of policy should be regarded as a short-term action," says Mr. Zhuang. "The government is concerned about how to deal with laid-off workers.... Right now, their policies are aimed at keeping exporters in operation in the coming years, rather than just letting them go bankrupt."
Some economists worry that China may also reverse course on its currency. It could devalue the yuan to give its exporters an edge, after letting it climb 20 percent since 2005 in response to foreign pressure. Zhuang says China is unlikely to do that, or to fiddle with tax policy on firms' earnings. That leaves adjusting tax rebates for exporters as one of the few policy tools at Beijing's disposal to help address exporters' woes.
Still, he and others agree that such measures are only of short-term utility. In the long term, they say China needs to boost demand at home, especially by increasing private wealth and consumption.
"The case for stimulating domestic demand is stronger than the case for trying to stimulate exports by depreciating the exchange rate or giving tax incentives to exporters," the World Bank wrote in a China report in December.


text:
One of the reasons I'm convinced we become parents is to relive the parts of our childhood that don't lay right. This is why I don't make my kids clean their plates and have never once forced lima beans and potato pancakes on anyone after the whole vomit-gag incident of '76 (never forget).
Yesterday my daughters and I visited a favorite haunt from my childhood, Frontier Town, where we panned for gold and made small talk with two cowboys while in line to buy soft pretzels. Cowboys favor Pepsi, as it was a very hot day and they were dressed in woolen pants and shirts with vests and the requisite hats. They were mighty friendly and one even volunteered that he loved his job. He broke the fourth wall and made our wait less awkward.
The first time I visited Frontier Town, I was about eight years old. I was still young enough to appreciate a mock western town where you could ride a stage coach and pan for gold, but old enough that self consciousness had settled in. The one memory that really stands out is not wanting to dance with Indian chief Red Bird at the ceremonial show. I stood there like a sore lump while the other idiots jumped around and waved their hands in the air and took complimentary paper headdresses at the end. My dad would not let me take one because I had brought shame and dishonor to my family in my fear of dance.
I do not like dancing to this day, except to look silly on purpose. You can imagine my horror when my daughters and I attended the Indian show and they again invited us up to dance and my nine-year old asked me to join her.
I wish this was the part where I could write about how I looked her square in the eye and said "Of Course!" and then we skipped to the ring and made Red Bird's spirit proud. Instead I spent two minutes trying to get my teenager to take her sister up and another minute asking the younger one if she was sure she really wanted to go and by that time the circle of very brave parents and children closed and it was too late.
Instead I distracted them with a "Hey look, a teepee! Do you think we can go inside?" though it was as empty as my rhythmless soul. I doubt we'll head back again so I figure I have one more chance, and that's assuming I get grandchildren (which I clearly don't deserve) and that Frontier Town is still around then.
I know I should have just gotten up to dance, yesterday and in 1980. I did spend a good half hour panning for Fool's Gold so both my kids could fill their ample plastic tubes, which Gold Rush miners would have loved to better admire their hard work. We also played putt putt golf and rode water slides and the lazy river at least a dozen times, which didn't exist during the Gold Rush or the early '80s, but our world is better for it now.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
D-backs hit paintball course in bonding exercise
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The D-backs had a short day of practice Monday before loading onto a charter bus for a group outing of paintball.
It is just the latest example of some team-building exercises the ballclub is taking part in this spring. Last week, pitchers and catchers hiked nearby Camelback Mountain as a group, and there is a golf outing scheduled next week.
As with the hike up Camelback, the team will get its work in during paintball.
"We'll play for probably three hours at least, and it's a heck of a workout," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said.
How effective the D-backs are at building a cohesive unit will reveal itself over the course of the long regular season.
"I think what you need to try and create is when things get tough that it stays intact," Gibson said. "This is just the start of many things that we're going to do, exercises to try and build that bond. So when it happens within the season, we'll be better able to stay on our task and not let the results or other things that are outside of us affect us."
D-backs veteran players talked throughout the offseason about how to better stick together during the season and have resolved to make sure that the team stays focused throughout.
It's a theme that the coaching staff has picked up on as well.
"One of the things we talked about is to think more like a tribe, where the bigger the adversary, the more formidable the tribe," Gibson said. "We'll know how we want to accomplish things, and we just have to stay within ourselves and continue to believe that we can do that. If you work together and you stay together, if you see a guy kind of drifting out there, then we have to pull him back in."


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Here you can see a detailed look at the forecast for the next 48 hours. Note that the base for this is our Meteogram product, which shows a good average forecast for Berkheim (Biberach, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany).
However, you can also look at our compact prediction based on any other model that forecasts for your chosen location.
The following models are available for Berkheim:
Swiss Super HD (2-3 days), COSMO-D2 (1-2 days), ECMWF 6z/18z (3 days), ECMWF IFS HRES (5 days), ICON-EU (5 days), Swiss HD (3 days), EURO-4 (2 days), GFS (5 days), GEM (5 days), ACCESS-G (5 days), ICON (5 days), NORWAY (5 days), SwissHD MOS (3 days), DWD MOSMIX (5 days), Serbian MOS (5 days)
This plot displays the 14 day temperature forecast for your selected location, Berkheim.
The red numbers show the expected high temperature for a given day, while the blue numbers show the expected low temperature. Because forecast uncertainty increases with time, we also display the range of possible high/low temperature outcomes, shown as the shaded red/blue regions. The actual high/low temp could fall anywhere in that shaded region, and the larger the shaded regions are, the higher the forecast uncertainty is.
Current weather - Here we've put together a glance at all the most important information about the current weather in Berkheim (Biberach, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany). You can see with the radar HD if precipitation is falling at the moment, or headed towards Berkheim soon. You can also see where there are thunderstorms currently ongoing, as well as where thunderstorms have occurred in recent weeks and months with our lightning analysis tool. Our HD satellite images of Berkheim will show you whether there's sunshine currently in the area, or if clouds are making for a more gloomy day. Finally, current observations will tell you what current temperatures look like around Berkheim at the moment, as well as if it's humid and/or windy.
Forecast for the next few days - The weather forecast for Berkheim is available in several different versions, all clearly and simply displayed here on the Weather Berkheim page. For the short term, we have data based on a single weather model that is known to deliver the best forecast for Berkheim. For the longer term, we have forecasts for the next two weeks based on an analysis of many different possible forecast outcomes that will give you a sense of not just what's most likely, but how the forecast could change in future updates as we get closer to any given date. If the range of possible outcomes is narrow, you can have high confidence in the forecast. If the range is wide, you know there's more uncertainty, and to not give too much credence to any one possible forecast outcome. We also have other products such as Meteograms and Forecast XL elsewhere on our site to give you additional options for figuring out the forecast for Berkheim.
Neighboring places around Berkheim
- Berkheim, Bonlanden, Illerbachen, Oberopfingen, Eichenberg, Haldau, Waldenhofen, Unteropfingen, Krimmel, Zell an der Rot
Cities, towns, villages
- Achstetten, Aderzhofen, Alleshausen, Allmannsweiler, Altheim, Appendorf, Attenweiler, Aßmannshardt, Bad Buchau, Bad Schussenried, Badhaus, Baltringen, Bechtenrot, Berkheim, Bethlehem, Betzenweiler, Biberach an der Riss, Biberach an der Riß, Bihlafingen, Billafingen, Binzwangen, Bischmannshausen, Boflitz, Bonlanden, Boschen, Brackenhofen, Brasenberg, Britschweiler, Bronnen, Burgrieden, Bußmannshausen, Dentingen, Dettenberg, Dettingen an der Iller, Dissenhausen, Dobel, Dürmentingen, Dürnau, Eberhardzell, Ehrensberg, Eichelsteig, Eichenau, Eisighof, Ellmannsweiler, Emerfeld, Erlenmoos, Erolzheim, Ertingen, Füramoos, Goppertshofen, Großschafhausen, Gutenzell, Gutenzell-Hürbel, Göffingen, Heinrichsburg, Herrlishöfen, Heudorf am Bussen, Hirschbronn, Hochdorf, Huggenlaubach, Hörenhausen, Illerbachen, Ingoldingen, Kanzach, Kemnat, Kirchberg an der Iller, Kirchdorf, Kirchdorf an der Iller, Kleinkellmünz, Kleinschafhausen, Kreuzmühle, Krimmel, Kronwinkel, Kunenberg, Langenenslingen, Laupheim, Leinhausen, Lochham, Luxenweiler, Längenmoos, Maselheim, Mietingen, Mittelbiberach, Mohr, Moosburg, Möselsberg, Mühlberg, Neufra, Niedernzell, Nordhofen, Oberholzheim, Oberhornstolz, Obersulmetingen, Ochsenhausen, Offingen, Oggelsbeuren, Oggelshausen, Olzreute, Otterswang, Ottobeurerhof, Reinstetten, Reute, Riedlingen, Rindenmoos, Risshöfen, Roppertsweiler, Rot an der Rot, Rot bei Laupheim, Rottum, Rupertshofen, Scharben, Schemmerhofen, Schneiderbenes, Schupfenberg, Schwendi, Schöntal, Seekirch, Sießen, Spindelwag, Stafflangen, Steinhausen, Steinhausen an der Rottum, Tannheim, Tiefenbach, Uigendorf, Ummendorf, Unlingen, Unterdill, Uttenweiler, Wain, Warthausen, Wattenweiler, Weiher, Weihungszell, Weiler, Westerflach, Wettenberg, Willenhofen, Winkel, Winterreute, Winterstettenstadt, Zell an der Rot
Mountains and hills
- Andelfinger Berg, Burgberg, Bussen, Eichelberg, Emerberg, Jordanberg, Reifersberg, Österberg


text:
For Immediate Release
Patricia Kiernan Johnson;
Keynote Speaker: Daniel Catán, Composer of
Florencia en el Amazonas
La Hija de Rappaccini
and the Upcoming LA Opera World Premiere of
Il Postino
Highlights Include Wagner's Acclaimed
Cycle at LA Opera, Conversations with Achim Freyer
and Plácido Domingo, OPERA America's 40th Anniversary Dinner,
Panel Sessions with Industry Experts, Networking Opportunities with Colleagues and
Introducing: Co-Production Speed Dating
Daniel Catán
Diane Paulus
Plácido Domingo
James Conlon
Achim Freyer
New York, NY —
OPERA America
, is pleased to announce details of
Opera Conference 2010: New Realities | New Strategies
, to be held in Los Angeles, CA from June 9 to 12. Co-hosted by LA Opera, this largest gathering of opera professionals in North America will convene at the Omni Hotel at California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles, across from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
OPERA America's annual conference presents a unique opportunity for the field's leaders to examine the unprecedented issues affecting the opera community today. In addition to collaborative workshops, conference attendees may look forward to a Keynote Address by composer
Daniel Catán
, and open and general sessions led by industry experts.
"The new economic landscape has had a significant impact on the way the opera field functions," stated OPERA America President and CEO Marc A. Scorca. "Navigating through these changing times requires new skills, tools and strategies to successfully produce opera, attract audiences and secure contributions.
Opera Conference 2010: New Realities | New Strategies
will engage the opera community in addressing these issues to ensure a dynamic future for our art form."
Over the past few decades, Los Angeles has transformed itself into one of the leading creative centers of the world. The city hosts a diverse array of creative industries, including music, television, film, dance, entertainment, art, architecture, design, digital media, fashion, publishing and theater, becoming a cultural mecca boasting more than 300 museums and significant world-class cultural institutions. Downtown LA, the conference location, is a bustling business center by day and vibrant metropolis by night. This is the second time that OPERA America's conference has been held in Los Angeles; the first was in 1996.
Opera Conference 2010
Keynote Address
Daniel Catán, whose opera
Il Postino
will premiere at LA Opera this fall, will deliver the Keynote Address at
Opera Conference 2010
. Catán is a strong advocate for the cultural significance of opera and his works have been performed by numerous companies around the world, including Seattle Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Theater der Stadt Heidelberg, Theater an der Wien and Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris). Significantly, his
Florencia en el Amazonas
(1996) was the first Spanish-language opera commissioned by a major American company, Houston Grand Opera. Other operas by the Los Angeles-based composer include
La Hija de Rappaccini
(San Diego Opera, 1994) and
(Houston Grand Opera, 2004).
at LA Opera
Taking place during
Opera Conference 2010
, LA Opera's
Cycle is designed and directed by the visionary artist Achim Freyer and under the musical leadership of James Conlon, an acclaimed exponent of Wagnerian repertoire. Wes Blomster of
Opera Today
said that
"…is not only a singular triumph for Los Angeles Opera, it is further a milestone in the staging of Wagner in America."
Ricky Ian Gordon's
Orpheus and Euridice
at Long Beach Opera
Conference attendees will travel by coach to Long Beach for dinner overlooking the water, followed by Long Beach Opera's "notorious opera in a swimming pool." Elizabeth Futral and GRAMMY-nominated clarinetist Todd Palmer transform the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool into the River Styx for this most innovative and visionary production.
Sessions and Seminars
Six general sessions bring together the entire conference constituency to explore topics that affect all aspects of the opera field. These sessions include Banking on the Private Purse with presenters from
Wells Fargo
; The New and Unusual: Is it Opera? featuring maestro
James Conlon
, professor and author
David Kasunic
, Long Beach Opera Artistic and General Director
Andreas Mitisek
, American Repertory Theater Artistic Director
Diane Paulus
, San Francisco Opera General Director
David Gockley
and theater designer
John Conklin
; Finding a Better Business Model presented by
David McIntosh
; Conversations with
Plácido Domingo
Achim Freyer
, and a closing keynote address by
Diane Paulus
Twenty-two open sessions will be offered during the course of
Opera Conference 2010
that address the needs of staff and trustees in the areas of artistic and artist training, management, development, finance, marketing, public relations and technical/production. Session titles include Forging Beyond the Premiere; Online Fundraising; Innovation in Assessing and Evaluating Education Programs; Managing the Multigenerational Workforce; Critics, Bloggers and the Changing Media Landscape; New Tech, New Safety Issues; Recruiting and Retaining Active Board Members; and more.
Full-day, intensive seminars have been crafted to provide expert advice and tools to help organizations thrive in vital areas. The conference seminars are: Leadership Advance, Soliciting New and Increased Annual Gifts, Making an Impact with Social Media and Technology, and Revolution in the Board Room.
New Works Sampler
Esteemed members of LA Opera's Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program will present excerpts from recently-premiered and soon-to-premiere North American operas at this popular Opera Conference event. Featured operas include:
Animal Tales
by Kitty Brazelton and George Plimpton (Family Opera Initiative),
The Inventor
by Bramwell Tovey and John Murrell (Calgary Opera),
Paul's Case
by Gregory Spears and Kathryn Walat (American Opera Projects),
Il Postino
by Daniel Catán (LA Opera),
by Mary Ellen Childs and Marisha Chamberlain (Nautilus Music-Theater) and
The Snow Globe
by Skip Ewing (Nashville Opera).
Introducing: Co-Production Speed Dating
Across North America, rental stock of the standard repertory is aging, highlighting the need for co-production relationships in the opera field. OPERA America has been asked to turn the spotlight onto increased co-production activity among its members. With this new charge, OPERA America returns to the purpose for which it was founded in 1970 — to facilitate co-production among charter members. At this event, Professional Company Member representatives will court potential co-producers during a two-hour session. The following operas will be featured:
The Barber of Seville
Anniversary Dinner
On Friday, June 11, we will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of OPERA America and the 20th Anniversary of
Marc A. Scorca
as president and CEO of the organization at the City Club on Bunker Hill.
Special Package for the Public
OPERA America has also designed a conference package for the operagoing public. For just $125, patrons receive access to OPERA America's Online Learning course on the
Cycle taught by renowned Wagner scholar Thomas May, Opening Session and Keynote Address, In Conversation: Achim Freyer, In Conversation: Plácido Domingo, the
New Works Sampler
, Is It Opera? Featuring James Conlon, Closing Session Featuring Diane Paulus and access to the Exhibit Hall. Tickets to the
Cycle and
Orpheus and Euridice
may be purchased for an additional fee.
For more information on
Opera Conference 2010
, including a detailed schedule of events, or to register, please visit the conference Web site at
OPERA America gratefully acknowledges the support of the following
Opera Conference 2010
sponsors: American Airlines, the official airline of
Opera Conference 2010
; Arts Consulting Group; Bennett Direct; DCM, Telemarketing and Telefundraising for the Arts; Deloitte; Fisher Dachs Associates, Theatre Planning & Design; co-host LA Opera;
Opera News
; Schuler Shook, Theatre Planners; and Wells Fargo.
Photo credits: Lourdes Almeida (Daniel Catán), Bob Millard (James Conlon) and Monika Rittershaus (Achim Freyer).
Photos of Daniel Catán, Diane Paulus, Plácido Domingo, James Conlon and Achim Freyer available by request to
OPERA America leads and serves the entire opera community, supporting the creation, presentation and enjoyment of opera.
Artistic services help opera companies and creative and performing artists to improve the quality of productions and increase the creation and presentation of North American works.
Information, technical, and administrative services to opera companies reflect the need for strengthened leadership among staff, trustees and volunteers.
Education, audience development and community services are designed to enhance all forms of opera appreciation.
Founded in 1970, OPERA America's worldwide membership network includes nearly 200 Company Members, 300 Associate and Business Members, 2,000 Individual Members and more than 16,000 subscribers to the association's electronic news service. In 2005, OPERA America relocated from Washington, D.C. to New York as the first step in creating the first-ever National Opera Center. With a wide range of artistic and administrative services in a purpose-built facility, the Opera Center is dedicated to increasing the level of excellence, creativity and effectiveness across the field.
OPERA America's long tradition of supporting and nurturing the creation and development of new works led to the formation of
The Opera Fund
, a growing endowment which allows OPERA America to make a direct impact on the ongoing creation and presentation of new opera and music-theater works. Since its inception, OPERA America has made grants of nearly $11 million to assist companies with the expenses associated with the creation and development of new works.


text:
D6 Conference Recap
Here are all of the highlights from the sixth D: All Things Digital conference, organized by day and speaker:
Day One
Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, Microsoft
You would have loved Windows 1.0. Walt. You would have LOVED it."
Session post | Videos: One and Two
Day Two
Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com
People loved their horses, too. But you don't keep riding your horse to work just because you love it."
–Bezos on the difference between physical books and digital ones
Session post | Videos: One and Two
Bobby Kotick, Activision
The social element has really transformed the gaming experience."
— Kotick on the impact of games like Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero IV Demo with Tony Hawk and Paula Abdul
Howard Stringer, Sony
If we were any more successful, we'd be bankrupt."
–Stringer on the success of Sony's LCD business
Barry Diller, IAC
Hollywood is a community that's so inbred, it's a wonder the children have any teeth."
Michael Dell, Dell
I could take him."
–Dell on his chances of success in a brawl with Apple CEO Steve Jobs
Jerry Yang and Sue Decker, Yahoo
I will never be a CEO again."
Session post | Videos: One and Two
Jeff Bewkes, AOL
AOL is the Rodney Dangerfield of the Web. We don't get no respect."
Nathan Myhrvold, Intellectual Ventures
We invest in the creation of ideas… It's like Baby Mama, with me as the mama."
Demo: G.ho.st Web Operating System
Lets users access their desktop from any computer with an Internet connection.
Tom Glocer, Thomson Reuters
We have one great advantage over bloggers: we write once, and sell many times to many different media outlets."
Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook
I won't ever stop until you're either the biggest thing around, or you're dead."
–Kara Swisher on her relentless coverage of Facebook
Session post | Videos: One and Two
Rupert Murdoch, News Corporation
I want to meet Obama. I want to know if he's going to walk the walk."
Session post | Full Session Videos: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six
Day Three
Demo: evri
An application that graphs the Web via grammatical information.
Demo: 23andMe
Web-based, direct-to-consumer genome services.
Melinda Gates, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
All lives are equal."
Session post | Videos: One and Two
Demo: TransMedia's Glide
A mobile-operating system that cuts across all operating systems.
Tom Rogers, TiVo
The TV set and its primary position in the home isn't going anywhere in the future."
Session post | Videos: One and Two
Demo: Deka
The "Luke Arm" prosthesis, a state-of-the-art bionic arm.
Kevin Martin, FCC and Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless
You're the chairman of the FCC. How did you allow this to happen?"
–Walt Mossberg grills Martin on the lousy broadband situation in the States
Session post | Videos: One and Two


text:
AARP Encourages People with Medicare to Take Advantage of Open Enrollment
Changes can be made to Medicare plans from October 15 through December 7;
Distinction between Medicare and Affordable Care Act open enrollment is important
WASHINGTON, D.C. – AARP encourages its members and all older Americans with Medicare to take advantage of the Medicare open enrollment period between October 15 th and December 7 th. Given the simultaneous open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, AARP is making sure people with Medicare know about the options they have during Medicare open enrollment, where to turn for help and helping to clear up confusion.
During Medicare Open Enrollment, people have the important opportunity to evaluate their current coverage and make changes they see fit based on changes in lifestyle, health status or personal preference. Changes that can be made include adding, dropping or changing prescription drug coverage or health care plans for 2014.
"Your health and prescription drug needs may change from year to year or the plan you have may make changes," said Nicole Duritz, AARP Vice President, Health Education and Outreach. "That's why regardless of whether you have original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, it's important to evaluate your choices during open enrollment."
Information on Medicare Open Enrollment is available online through the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan or by calling Medicare at 1-800 - 633-4227. When reviewing available plans, AARP recommends considering each of the following:
- Cost - not just the monthly premium, but the annual deductible and co-pays and co-insurance
- Coverage - the doctors and pharmacies included in the plan and the prescription drugs and other services you need
- Convenience – the accessibility of doctors, pharmacies and services and how they match your lifestyle
- Customer Service – the quality of service a plan provides. Quality ratings are available for most Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, so take a look.
AARP is also reminding people with Medicare that they don't need to look in the Health Insurance Marketplace for coverage. They should continue to visit Medicare.gov to find out about options for Medicare coverage.
"We know there are scammers out there," says Duritz. "So we're spreading the word to make sure Medicare beneficiaries know where to get accurate information."
For more information on Medicare Open Enrollment visit www.aarp.org/openenrollment.
For more information on the Affordable Care Act visit www.HealthLawFacts.org.


text:
The Australian government might have come up with the most brilliant prison plan ever: use hardened criminals to churn out replicas of science fiction props, and then sell them on eBay. Sadly, they aren't using the money to fund the development of robot prison guards — all proceeds are going to charity. The fools. Why not keep that dough and buy yourself a high tech lair?
The Woodford Correctional Center in Queensland, Australia has built a full-sized Dalek replica from Doctor Who that comes complete with wheels, space for an occupant, and an electronic voice changer. Granted, you have to Fred Flintstone the thing around with your feet, but it's a small price to pay. You can pedal this thing down to your local market and shout "EX TER MI NATE!" until you get arrested. Priceless.
Bidding is up to $3000 bucks Australian right now, which is roughly $2700 US, although you'll have to fly down to Australia to pick the thing up, since they wont ship it outside of Oz. You might also want to check and make sure it's passenger-free when you get it, since these same inmates melted the walls at the prison with toasters in 1997 and escaped. Maybe they've incorporated that same wall-melting in the Dalek's beam weapon.
'Doctor Who' Dalek For Sale [Comic Mix]


text:
Asia. The Orient. Land of mystique and spices.
And home to a dazzling number of catfish, from tiny dwarves to meter-long monsters. Some have special needs in the aquarium. Some need aquariums as large as your living room. In this primer, you'll see what you're likely to run into at fish stores, and learn how to keep them.
Perhaps the most misunderstood and miskept Asian catfish is Kryptopterus minor, the Glass Catfish.
Native of the Sungai Pinoh river system in Borneo, the Glass Catfish earns its common name for its transparent flesh. All can be seen other than the organs, which are enclosed in a silvery sac near the head. Two long, white barbels arch over gracefully from the corner of the fish's mouth.
Glass Catfish top out at a shade over 3 inches.
Glass Catfish need four things to thrive. First, they must be kept in groups; a dozen or more is the best display. The numbers give them security and thus a much longer life in the aquarium. Second, they need current. Glass catfish hail from very clear, swift water in rock-strewn stream. While they are fine with the flow from a power filter, they would enjoy a power head installed at one end of the tank. In such a set up and with decent light their bodies glisten in blues and greens as they ripple in the current.
Thirdly, they MUST have calm, passive tankmates. Rasboras are ideal. Dwarf goramy group; one male to three to five females, would be good tankmates for your Glass Cats.
Cichlids are out, as Glass Catfish are very easily bullied. Chose tankmates very carefully.
Fourth, Glass Catfish do best in planted tanks, as do the Rasboras and the Goramies. Planted tanks are also inherently more stable, which the catfish must have as they are very sensitive to high Nitrate levels. The plants also give them security, and are the place they will retire to at night.
Feeding Glass catfish can be a bit of a challenge, as they have small mouths. Tiny pellets designed for tetras can be a staple, but the catfish may be shy about eating them at first before they learn the pellets are food. Live food like Daphnia are very beneficial to them; the frozen alternative may work. Frozen black mosquito larvae are a beneficial choice. Experiment with small foods until you see what your Glass Catfish school will take.
Glass Catfish do best in bright, clean water near neutral in pH and moderately soft to moderately hard. Seventy-seven degrees is ideal.
Once established in sympathetic surroundings, Glass Catfish are deceptively hardy and can live for between 5 and 7 years in aquariums.
Books have had the species name of Glass Catfish incorrect for decades. Kryptopterus bicirrhis is more than twice as large as K. minor and isn't as transparent. It's doubtful you'll ever see them for sale.
Their attractive brown-golden bodies lure many unknowing fish keepers into purchasing the Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma.
A native of the Southern India district of Karnataka, Sun Catfish have but one fault; they grow to nearly 18 inches long. At that size tankmates must be chosen with great care. Sun Cats basically ignore fish too large to eat, but they will eat fish that fit in their capricious mouth.
For the large, planted aquarium in the hundred gallon range or larger, the Sun Catfish can be ideal. They have a personality and character that must be seen to believe. A planted tank should be built with the prospective Sun Cat in mind, as they must have areas scaled to their size where they can retreat to when they feel the need.
Floating plants added over the main swimming area at the front of the tank will encourage your Sun Cat to be seen nearly all day. Sun Cats do best at temperatures between 75 and 77 degrees.
One must provide the hiding places and plants, as Sun Cats can suddenly panic and rush about madly if disturbed.
Sun Cats appreciate some moderate linear current in their tanks, and they will be far more active if you provide it.
Sun Catfish will happily eat what you feed them, and they prefer meaty foods. Insect larvae, either live or frozen, are ideal, as are earthworms, live or frozen shrimp, and white fish flesh. A suitably-sized high grade pelleted food, or better, two or three brands of them, can be the staple foods. Sun Cats are also excellent cleaners, and will comb your substrate for tidbits almost constantly.
If the tank is large enough, in the hundreds of gallons, Sun Cats can and should be kept in groups, say four or more. Breeding is unknown, but I suspect that's due to not many having the facilities large enough to keep a group of them.
On a more sober note, Sun Cats are an endangered species in the species' natural range, as over-fishing. pollution, and construction have made the clean water they enjoy more and more rare. The other Horabagrus, the smaller H. nigricollaris (11 inches) is critically endangered and populations of this fish have been reduced by 70 percent over the last three years.
H. brachysoma's future is assured, as it is an important food fish in India, and are thus farmed. H. nigricollaris is relatively rare in the hobby.
As nigricollaris are darker, attractive fish, and smaller in total length than Sun Cats, it would be a worthy endeavor to dedicate an aquarium to them in an attempt to captive breed these endangered fish.
A true giant and all too available in shops are Pangasius hypophthalmus; the Iridescent Shark.
A native of the large waterways of Thailand, Laos, Viet Nam and Kampuchea, Iridescent Sharks are one of the common fishes in pet shops, but very, very few fish keepers have the facilities to keep a school of at least five specimens, for the simple reason they grow very large; more than 50 inches long. And as they are a schooling catfish, an aquarium must be of truly prodigious dimensions to keep the fish properly.
The vast majority of fishkeepers should leave these catfish at the pet store.
Iridescent Sharks are river fish, thus the prospective keeper is obligated to provide a moderate linear current though the tank to mimic the natural environs of the fish. Live plants planted around the back and sides of the tank and large pieces of driftwood will help your Iridescent Sharks feel secure, and can keep them from dashing around madly when frightened. Instead of crashing into the glass and injuring themselves, they can take shelter among the plants and driftwood. A few floating plants can be provided so the Iridescent Sharks can take shelter from the light if they wish to.
Iridescent Sharks are most comfortable and disease resistant in bright, neutral to slightly acid water that's moderately soft to moderately hard. Ideal temps are the mid-70's Fahrenheit; these fish do not do well above 79 degrees. They are very sensitive to high Nitrate levels; under 20 ppm is best, though one can invest in a Nitrate Reactor to keep Nitrate at zero ppm.
Iridescent Sharks are easily fed. They like crustaceans and vegetables. White fish flesh can be fed as a treat, as can earthworms. A variety of high-grade pelleted foods can be staple; get at least one that's primarily a meaty food, and one that's designed for herbivores; those that have large amounts of kelp and Spirulina.
As larger fish will happily eat smaller ones when the occasion presents itself, tankmates for a school of Iridescent Sharks must be chosen with great, great care. Despite their size, Iridescent Sharks are very easily intimidated, so finding fish that grow too large to eat and won't bother the catfish can be a challenge.
Iridescent Sharks can live for more than 20 years properly kept.
At the other end of the size spectrum and well worth seeking out are the Hummingbird Catfish - Rama chandramara.
Also called the Gold Shadow and the Hovering Catfish, these diminutive natives of India and Bangladesh top out at 2 inches. Ideal for the planted aquarium - and it's in these tanks these catfish do best - make it ideal to keep with Rasboras and Dwarf Goramies. Rama is by nature shy, and a school of Rasboras acting normally makes the catfish far more visible. Rama is happiest in a group of five or six, or more of it's fellows.
Rama earns its common names for its habit of hovering over the substrate, rapidly moving its ventral fins humming-bird like as the catfish looks with its large eyes for tidbits. The Gold Shadow common name refers to the catfish's partially transparent, deep yellow tinged, body.


text: The 2014 facelifted Mk 5 Polo Typw 6R now known as the Polo 6C. Subtle exterior styling such as redesigned bumpers. Interior re-vamp now includes a touch screen and new steering wheel. The facelift Polo adds technology such as Automatic Post-Collision Braking System as standard as well as CarPlay and Android Auto support since June 2015.


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Anim8or Community
- October 28, 2020, 06:44:42 am
- Welcome, Guest
An update to Anim8or, v1.00b, is available with a few bug fixes. Get your copy HERE. See the "ReadMe" file for details.
Which idea would you like to see done the most?
Total Members Voted: 10
Voting closed: July 02, 2013, 07:10:02 am


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Buy Introductory Statistics: Exploring the World Through Data online from Valore Books today and find out why our marketplace is packed with discounted text books. College students across America already have cheap Introductory Statistics: Exploring the World Through Data pre-owned copies. Written by Colleen N Ryan and Robert Gould, this text book is affordable and insightful too. Published by Pearson Books in 2012, it gives you an easy to understand view of the world by using statistics. Try it now and see for yourself. You can sell your Introductory Statistics: Exploring the World Through Data book back at any stage as well, so bear that in mind. Ryan, Colleen N. is the author of 'Introductory Statistics : Exploring the World Through Data', published 2012 under ISBN 9780321322159 and ISBN 0321322150.[read more]
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Kareena happier after marriage: Farah KhanDec 11, 2012 IANS
Mumbai, Dec 11 (IANS) Farah Khan, who has choreographed Kareena Kapoor for "Dabangg 2" song "Fevicol Se", says the actress seems to be happier after her wedding with Saif Ali Khan.
Farah and Kareena have worked together before, but the former feels their bonding became stronger while shooting for the song.
"Kareena's bonding with me became good after the song. She is also relaxed and is in a happier state after marriage. She is hardworking," Farah said at the launch of a new channel, Nick Juniors Tuesday.
Farah says both Kareena and Salman Khan were very supportive during the shoot.
"Kareena has put in a lot of effort. She rehearsed a lot for it. In fact, she let me do whatever I wanted for the costumes and look," said the choreographer.
"Salman was learning everything in one rehearsal. The shooting of the movie was over and the song was at the end, so everyone was relaxed. It was fun shooting in the end," Farah added.
After Kareena's song "Halkat jawaani" from "Heroine" became a hit, Farah wanted to give the actress a completely different look in "Fevicol se".
"Manish Malhotra and I were aware that she did 'Halkat jawaani' a few months before and we wanted to give her a different look. I wanted her to look a little mismatched and I also didn't give her too much make-up," she said.
Farah is happy that she has had an interesting 2012.
"(The year) 2012 was good. 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi' gave me good reviews and 'Fevicol se' has also became a hit. Ups and downs come in every year, but overall it was not bad," she said.
Farah's new film "Happy New Year" will go on floors next year and its leading lady is yet to be disclosed.
Click the Movie button below for more info:
Dabangg 2
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Male • 6 weeks
Puppy ID #659207
DOB September 12, 2020
Available November 7, 2020
Color Black & White
Mom's Weight 16 - 18 lbs
Dad's Weight 14 - 16 lbs
Registry AKC
1/4 steps complete
Bonded with Mom
Old Enough
Weighs Enough
Boston Terriers are native to the United States, originating in – you guessed it – Boston. A people-loving, lively breed, Bostons are known for their expressive faces and amusing sense of humor. They are eager and easy to train, and are excellent with children. These friendly, sturdy dogs are content to be around their people, have a medium energy level, and overall make excellent companion animals. An average-sized Boston Terrier typically weighs around 25 lbs. when fully grown. Read More
We do all of the 'ruff' work - screening and vetting breeders, performing health checks and coordinating travel so you can focus on what really matters: welcoming home your new furry family member! Learn more
PuppySpot will help find the right puppy for you. Search by breed or take our Breed Match Quiz to find the perfect furry friend.
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We love our new puppy from Puppy Spot! The app always kept me up to date the whole time I was awaiting her arrival and she is perfect. She was happy as soon as she arrived with her chaperone who took great care of her the whole ride. I was able to get updates the whole day during her travels. Our family had a wonderful experience finding our puppy through Puppy Spot.
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Super responsive and patiently answered all questions. They updated me regularly through the entire process. My pup is a gem - very healthy and happy. I would definitely work with puppy spot again.


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Large Silver Curb Linked Bracelet
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Serve up a bit of attitude and edge with this chunky sterling silver bracelet. It will induce total bracelet envy with its on trend oversized links and heavy T bar clasp. It weighs 63 grams and measures 19cm in length and 1.1cm in width.
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We promise to refund or exchange any unworn jewellery you are not completely happy with (excluding earrings and sale items) within 14 days of delivery. Please send it to us using registered post as we cannot be responsible for any loss.
Please read our full Delivery & Returns information.


text:
For a saturday and to be working, I am in a good mood.
Today I'm posted in Tama Plaza. It's situated about 20 minutes from Shibuya on the Tōkyū Den-en-toshi Line.
Is there anything worth seeing there? No, not really. Not even one single UFO catcher.
Speaking of..
After a small streak of bad luck, I've managed to score big tonight.
At Taito in Shibuya, I watched a young girl sink about 2000-3000 yen trying to win an limited edition walking Rilakkuma in a cow suit. She had to go twice or was it three times (?) to the cash machine.
The first time I didn't go near it, and respected her position. There were a few people hanging around it, so the last time I went closer to stop anyone else from taking it.
When she came back I motioned to her that she was free to keep trying, but the look she gave me showed that she had finally given up on it.
I had 500 yen and 100 yen in my wallet.
I could have gone to the cash machine and changed the 500 (it was 200 yen a go, or 500 yen for three tries), but I didn't think I'd get it first time.
When the girl saw me with it, she had her mouth open in disbelief that I'd won it first go. I had an attack of the guilts and almost gave it to her, but I thought I probably put in almost as much trying for this myself the last time, so I kept it.
Because I had two goes left, I opted wisely for a different machine.
I saw some Marimokkori, so I asked them to let me use my two remaining tries on this one. This one was only a 100 yen machine, but I thought I could get it easily. I got the green one first go!
I asked to move the other yellow/green one into position. It was done nicely, so much so that I could use the claw to actually tap the bulge of the plushie, inching it into an even better angle. Yay, he shoots, he scores!
All for 500 yen. Not bad at all.
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Gambling For Kids
For a saturday and to be working, I am in a good mood.
Posted by Jimmy In Japan at 8:53 pm
Labels: Marimokkori, Rilakkuma, Shibuya, UFO catchers


text:
Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines
The Community that has grown since the first day of this Challenge has amazed me. I have failed to keep track of every person to pass this way, I could and probably will go back at some point and find out, but at the time of my updating this page we have over 30 poets averaging submissions each week. We also have new poets join almost every week.
The people that write keep telling others and inspire others to join. I have done nothing but come up with two words each week and a picture to post with their poem as a badge. I thank each one who has blessed me with the honor of taking time to write a Haiku here.~Much Appreciation and Great Respect, Ronovan
There is a lot of information on this page. I am a step by step person and former teacher and corporate trainer, so I like to give detail. Don't let the detail get in the way of you trying Haiku. It is a great creative outlet.
If things are not clear once you finish reading the guidelines let me know and I will explain better. Please don't hesitate as anything that may not be clear to you may not be clear to others.
1) To inspire creativity.
2) To have fun and enjoy Haiku.
3) To share with each other.
4) To create a community.
Tools and Sites to Help.
For Synonyms and Antonyms. When your word has too many syllables, find one that works.
For finding out how many syllables each word has. You would be surprised.
I use Haiku in English
You can use whatever style of Haiku you like.
How it Works.
The Prompt Publishes: 08:00 Monday Eastern or New York time. If you are like me about time zones around the world click here for a time zone map that shows the time right now of places on a world map and you can find out what time it is in New York right now. I use the site a lot, for more things than Haiku.
How Long Do You Have and Deadline: You have all week to complete the Challenge with the deadline as Noon Eastern or New York time on Sunday. You can always use the Challenges as prompts when you need something to write. I've even had some new people go back and do them all to catch up to the current one.
The First One to create a Haiku and Post and then either create a ping back or post a link to their Haiku Post in the comments of the current weeks Challenge Post will be Reblogged to my blog. Click here for an article about how to do a ping back or I explain later under the rules as well. You may even click here to see how to do a ping back with images included of the process.
The rules are simple.
- Take the two words and write a Haiku. I use Haiku in English as my style, but you can use the style you like. Click here for How to write Haiku in English.
- The two words can be used as you like. Words have different definitions and you can use the definitions you like. You can even use synonyms for the words.
- To do a Ping Back: Copy the URL for the current week's Challenge and paste it into your post. That's it. The simplest way. Most who do a Ping Back do something like typing the words "This is for Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Challenge" then they will highlight it and place the link within those words. Click here to see how to do that and see it with images of each step. I am not encouraging anyone to do a ping back or include my name in their post. That is simply an example. This is just permission to do so. This is a prompt and challenge to encourage people to try Haiku and give some a prompt and a place to share in comments so we can find each other.
- You may also place a copy of your URL of your Haiku Post in the comments of the current week's Challenge post.
- People from the challenge may visit you and comment or click like. I also need at least a Ping Back or a link in the comments section in order to know you participated and include you in the Weekly Review that comes out on Monday.
- You may copy the image I have created to go with the week's Challenge Post and place it on your site if you wish. I am not saying you need to, but if you would like to do so then go ahead. It is simply my way of saying thank you for participating. Most put it in the post itself and not on the actual side bars of the site. Some people even put the Ping Back in the image.
- I currently take each entry and do a Weekly Review. Click here to see a Review. I take the URL of each entry post and paste them into the review along with a Twitter Handle if you have one. I even link the Twitter Handle. The Review has New Participants first, then the First to Post for the Week, then the entries in order they submitted.
For the most recent challenge just click here and you will go to the Challenge page that includes all recent posts. Make certain to click on the current challenge post to get the correct URL.
This would be the WRONG URL: https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/category/haiku-prompt-challenge/
A Correct URL would look something like this: https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-36-fieldbeacon/
Notice how the correct one has a challenge number and words following it and also includes a date? That lets you know you have a post URL and not a Category PAGE URL. I will not get a Ping Back from a Category PAGE URL which is what the page is where you may see all of the most recent Challenge Posts and Weekly Review Posts.
After you do a couple of these challenges, it becomes so easy you won't even think about what you are doing.
Are you interested in having your Haiku entry appear in our FREE eBook Project? Click HERE to find out more.
© Copyright-All rights reserved-RonovanWrites.wordpress.com.


text:
Gf insists that I say this. She gave me some delicious Sawoshika, an azuki cake. You can't really taste the azuki, but it was good.
Today we went to Harajuku and Shinjuku.
Gf said that last time we were there we only looked around the Meiji-jingu and Yoyogi Park area.
She wanted to show me the other side where there are a lot of trendy (and weird) shops, as well as the Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art.
As soon as we got out of the station we walked to the area where the japanese like to pose in their weird outfits.
There wasn't that many to look at this time either. There was a weird "performance artist" (I use that term VERY loosely), dancing strange and singing along with U2's "Vertigo", attracting the tourist's cameras.
We then made our way down Takeshita Street (yes, that name makes me giggle too). We got some free iced coffees from the Maccas you see on the left. The street was packed with people.
The museum, (700 yen, and not covered by the GRUTT pass) was small but pretty interesting. We looked at the works of Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Toyokuni Ⅲ. The most famous probably being the "36 views of Mt Fuji" by Hokusai.
After that we went to La Fée Délice, a french crêpe restaurant. I had vanilla and lemon, and gf had a chocolate and banana crêpe. Probably a little expensive (950 yen), but it kept us from being hungry for a while.
Walking back to the station I noticed at the KDDI Designing studio, signs saying "free internet" so we hopped online for a few minutes, surprised that I had access to my email. (The Sony Building internet access is restricted).
The gf was a bit annoyed that I wanted to go back up Takeshita-dori to look for a small umbrella and a t-shirt I saw.
We caught the next Yamanote line train to Shinjuku. We looked at a few clothing shops that made gf much happier. So much so, she was happy for me to go to the UFO catcher arcades. It's a good thing she did. This turned out to be my lucky night.
We saw a catcher with penguins. The gf handed me 500 yen pleading for me to win it for her. I actually thought I wouldn't be able to get it, but unbelieveably I got it first go (100 yen!).
We moved onto the next arcade and I saw a dog hovering over the shute so I asked gf if I should try for it. It was only 100 yen and she said yes, so yet again on my first try I got this as well!
At the NEXT arcade I finally found a Super Mario machine and had my mind set on a mushroom. There was another character there, so gf asked the staff if they put the mushroom in a better position. I won this first go too(200 yen). On the video my phone memory ran out, so unfortunately you can't see the toy drop but here's a pic to prove I got it (and the other toys).
One thing most people aren't aware of, is that if you ask the staff to move the toys, or put it in a better position they are happy to do it. They will even give you advice (in japanese though), how to best play to win it!
I was definitely on a roll. I almost wanted to keep going until I actually lost, but (wisely) I quit while I was ahead and walked home with a noticeable spring to my step.
On the way back I bought a small, black fold-up umbrella for 500 yen. For some reason he gave me a discount from 520 yen. Looks like my luck has yet to end.
Sunday, 2 September 2007
UFO Catchers Are Go! (3 Times)
Gf insists that I say this. She gave me some delicious Sawoshika, an azuki cake. You can't really taste the azuki, but it was good.
Posted by Jimmy In Japan at 11:43 pm
Labels: Harajuku, museums, Shinjuku, UFO catchers
1 comments:
- Unknown said...
MAN! you have the life!
- 3 September 2007 at 16:15


text:
So I know opinions have been divided on Man Against Machine, some of you calling it his weakest, some of you calling it his best. Personally I would've been in the middle had it not been for another album that came out around the same time that MAM came out (technically a month prior, but I digress). That album was a self-titled one by Wade Bowen, I bought it on release day, but I didn't want to listen to it until MAM came out so I could enjoy both albums at the same time.
But one week in, I decided to create a playlist that combined both albums together so I could easily get used to the songs lyrics for when I would drive around and sing along with them, I also included two tracks from Garth's other albums. The end result of my playlist made me enjoy both albums even more, to the point where I can't listen to one album without the other and wouldn't have it any other way.
I've talked about Wade Bowen being the best singer I found since Garth and even though he hasn't become a bigger star like I hope he would be, I think he and Garth would blend together perfectly if they worked a song together, or if Garth ever thinks of cutting one of Wade's songs in the future. But since that hasn't happened yet, I figured it'd be a good way to ease some of you people into Wade Bowen's music and sound by sharing my playlist with you all. Now in order to get Wade's album, your best bet is with Amazon Music because that's where Garth's music is home to. Hope you enjoy it.
(*)=Wade Bowen Track, (**)=Outside Garth Track
- Man Against Machine
- When It's Reckless*
- She's Tired of the Boys
- Sweet Leona*
- Don't Close Your Eyes**
- West Texas Rain*
- Rodeo and Juliet
- Fish
- Midnight Train
- Hungover*
- When I Woke Up Today*
- Cowboys Forever
- My California*
- You Wreck Me
- Mom
- Send Em On Down the Road
- Honky Tonk Road*
- People Loving People
- Welcome Mat*
- More Than a Memory**
- Cold Like That
- Sun Shines on a Dreamer*
- Long Enough to Be a Memory*
- All-American Kid
- Watch Her Drive*
- Tacoma
- I'm Gonna Go*


text:
After five seasons in [R493R, Whistler], receiving a fashion degree and landing an internship at Arc'teryx, Tara Lathan is now a full-time designer with the Canadian company and a big part of the inspiration behind the new White Line. OnTheSnow's Krista Crabtree caught up with Latham about design, who she'd invite to dinner and for a sneak peak at Arc'teryx's White Line.
Tara Lathan plays a vital role in creating many of Arc'teryx's award-winning products. Photo Courtesy of Arc'teryx.
Krista Crabtree: The story behind Arc'teryx's beginning is really cool—it was essentially a bunch of dirtbag climbers with big ideas. Has this attitude pervaded through the years and how does it effect what you do?
Tara Latham: Most of those "dirtbag climbers" still work at Arc'teryx. It's not unusual to see people literally hanging from the rafters as they test product. Today, the Arc'teryx founding team is our mentors, they have a rich wealth of knowledge to pass on and that helps to guide the design team.
KC: Arc'teryx seems to have a unique business culture... that is to say that getting outside and really testing products is encouraged. How does this culture effect your innovation?
TL: We live and breathe what we design, so the snow sports team often gets out ski touring before going into the office. [The] Head office is nestled just below the North Shore Mountains [in Vancouver] so there is unlimited inspiration to be found in the backyard.
Likewise concept products are passed around among staff and our athletes and we all go skiing together. I like to hand someone a product and observe how they first react to it, how they put it on and, of course, how they ski in it. We chat about what we want out of our gear, what we like and dislike about what we have on; innovation comes from there.
KC: You have a background in design but it seems most of your education comes from on-the-job training. Is this true? What do you love and hate about your job?
TL: Arc'teryx has a unique way of doing things, so although a background in hands-on design helped me jump in, I've pretty much learned it all on the job. Being hands on means that we don't sit at computers all day, we make patterns and sew and then try to wreck what we've sewn to test durability. It keeps it real and keeps us engaged in what we're designing.
Sometimes this can feel like the long way around, but by going through the process of sewing something up I almost always discover something unintended, good or bad. The bad may stop the show but the good might create a whole new show.
The Aphix Hoody uses 80gr of Coreloft Insulation and retails for $249. Photo Courtesy of Arc'teryx.
KC: You have sited different inspirations for design from architecture to shapes of things in nature. What are your latest muses?
TL: In 2010, I had the amazing opportunity to visit Japan. Japanese design always seems to elevate in another solar system all together. The entire package is cohesive from product to website to retail space. The Tokyo design studio Nendo is in the spotlight right now. They create products and spaces that mess with your perception—like a chair or lamp that look like they're floating or a shoe store space where all of the shoes on display are walking up stairs. It's the minimalist discipline mixed with a sense of ingenious wonder that draws me in.
KC: What's the timeline of creating a jacket... from idea to an actual garment?
TL: We work on a yearly calendar which allows us to spend almost half of the year working on "blue sky" concepts; ideas that we feel strongly about but are not yet in the proposed product line. If we can prove them out to prototype stage, these ideas will be tested and incorporated into the line. The other half of the year we focus on getting the elected concepts ready for production.
KC: Who is your ideal consumer and what does the brand Arc'teryx mean to you?
TL: Our ideal customer for the White Line collection is someone who is about the entire skiing experience. They won't let anything stop them from getting the best lines; not ropes at the resort, stormy conditions or ill-tempered gear. They need the best performance out of their gear, because they'll be in it all day cat skiing or on a backcountry hut trip. Arc'teryx is about uncompromised strength, knowing you can trust what you've got on no matter where you go.
KC: If you could invite three people to dinner (from past or present) who you think would help inspire you in terms of design, who would they be?
TL: Can I invite someone from the future? Now that would really be an edge, being able to chat with that 11-year-old kid who is hucking hard now, when he's 15 years older. Okay, Okay, I'll play by the rules…
Marcel Duchamp – French artist during the Dadaist and Surrealist movements (early 1920's). Even though he uses human subjects, his work appears to have an engineered approach. Using an array of mixed media from glass and wire to moving parts of a clock, his early works look more like complex plumbing apparatuses than life drawing.
Dieter Rams – German industrial designer for Braun in the 1960's. He is famous for creating a set of 10 design principals, which he strictly adhered to throughout his career. During the design process we frequently reference Dieter Rams work and many of the designers have his principals posted in their workspaces.
Josh Dueck – Canadian sit-freeskier. To come back from a life-changing injury, which put him in a wheelchair, and continue to huck and ski hard is mind-blowing. What I think is so cool about Josh's story is that he put in the time to master his sport racing GS and then changed the game by becoming the first big mountain sit-skier. He's totally got it right, learn your trade inside and out, and then reinvent it.
The Modon Jacket uses two weights of Gore Pro 3L (the new wicked bomber N80p-x and the N70p). It retails for $699. Photo Courtesy of Arc'teryx.
KC: Can you tell me about Gore fabrics and technology that you use in snow sports apparel?
TL: We work very closely with Gore to develop new ideas for the snow sports market. One of our most successful fabrics in the White Line collection is GORE-TEX® Soft Shell. It has a soft backer for added warmth and comfort and just feels really great on.
Something new and cool is GORE-TEX® Active Shell. This is a super lightweight fabric that is extremely breathable. I often use my Alpha FL when touring, it keeps a perfect microclimate inside and blocks wind and snow.
KC: Gore's testing standards are renown. Can you speak to some of the specific tests Arc'teryx conducts so that you reach your high standards?
TL: I can't be too specific about our methods, however, I can say we spend a great deal of time and resources in testing. Testing occurs at every level of product development from working closely with Gore in fiber, coating and fabric development to putting sample constructions through pull tests to having early prototypes on our athletes for extensive field-testing. At all levels we are going back, analyzing test data and looking for ways to improve the product.
KC: Can you comment on how high-tech fabrics and construction technology has really progressed over the years?
TL: It's amazing that things like laminated soft-shell and sealed seams are now commonplace and used by virtually every sporting goods company. Consumers expect unparalleled performance out of their outerwear. Fabric mills are responding with fabrics that are more durable, breathable and waterproof. In these "lean" times it seems people are really looking for those items that will last them many seasons.
KC: Can you give a sneak peak to any new innovations that you've been working on for Arc'teryx?
TL: For the White Line collection we have been focusing on warmth and are introducing a line of insulated jackets and pants. These pieces are built just like our GORE-TEX® shells, with all the key features such as WaterTight® pit zips and our renowned Storm Hood™, but with insulation built in. It's the best of both worlds, the durability and function of shell technology paired with our Coreloft™ technology making it one sweet package. If you're standing on the top of a stormy peak you won't want to be wearing anything else.


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Matthew Festing - aka His Most Eminent Highness The Prince and Grand Master of the Knights of Malta - bounds into the sitting room of his magnificent Renaissance palazzo sweaty and somewhat disheveled, and asks an aide if he should take off his sweater to be photographed.
Matthew Festing – aka His Most Eminent Highness The Prince and Grand Master of the Knights of Malta – bounds into the sitting room of his magnificent Renaissance palazzo sweaty and somewhat disheveled, and asks an aide if he should take off his sweater to be photographed.
Garrulous and self-effacing, Festing embodies some of the paradoxes of a fabled Catholic religious order that dates from the medieval Crusades: Steeped in European nobility and mystique, the order's mission is humility and charity – running hospitals, ambulance services and old folks' homes around the globe. It has many trappings of a country, printing its own stamps, coins, license plates and passports, and yet – a stateless state – it rules over no territory.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta's world headquarters, down the block from the Spanish Steps and with an Hermes boutique on the corner, features reception rooms draped in oil portraits of grand masters past and a gem of a chapel where King Juan Carlos of Spain was baptized by the future Pope Pius XII. On the ground floor, it runs a health clinic that, while private, provides free services for anyone who can't pay.
"It is, I suppose, a series of contradictions," Festing told The Associated Press ahead of the order's 900th birthday this week. "I'm on the inside of it, so it doesn't seem to be contradictory to me, but maybe it is."
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And as the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, as the group is officially called, celebrates the anniversary on Feb. 9 with a procession through St. Peter's Square, a Mass in the basilica and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, the ancient order is confronting some very modern-day issues.
Once drawn exclusively from Europe's nobility, the order is trying to shed its image as a purely rich man's club while still tapping the world's wealthy to fund its charitable work. And though its military past is well behind it, the order is waging real legal battles to fend off what it says are impostors seeking to piggyback on its name to con people out of money.
Festing, a 63-year-old Briton and former Sotheby's auctioneer, is expansive about the unusual attributes of his organization of 13,500 Knights and Dames who make promises to be good Christians and fund the order's humanitarian work.
"On the one hand it's a sovereign entity. On the other hand it's a religious order. On the other hand it's a humanitarian organization. It's a complicated mixture of things," he says in an interview in the gold silk brocaded state drawing room between meetings with parting Vatican nuncios and visiting ministers, diplomatic receptions and silent prayer.
The order traces its history to the 11th century with the establishment of an infirmary in Jerusalem that cared for people of all faiths making pilgrimages to the Holy Land. It is the last of the great lay chivalrous military orders like the Knights Templars that combined religious fervor with fierce military might to protect and expand Christendom from Islam's advance during the Crusades.
In February 1113, Pope Paschal II issued a papal bull recognizing the order as independent from bishops or secular authorities. That "birth certificate," as Festing calls it, is the legal basis for asserting the order's sovereignty and the reason for Saturday's anniversary celebrations at the Vatican.
Festing himself is a "Professed Knight" – the highest rank of members who take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The poverty vow seems a bit relative in this context: Knights on the order's governing council have their own private apartments inside the palace, complete with a valet and driver for cars that carry either diplomatic plates or the order's own SMOM plates. Wine from the order's own vineyards is often served.
Pope Benedict XVI is a member, though he's an exception. Professed knights aren't ordained priests and traditionally descend from noble blood.
Festing, whose family traces its ancestry to 14th- and 16th-century knights, was elected grand master in 2008. It's a title he holds for life and is equivalent to the rank of cardinal, though he can't vote in a conclave to elect a pope.
Currently there are about 60 professed knights and Festing hopes to increase their numbers as he seeks to expand the rank-and-file base to a younger generation of equally Catholic but not necessarily noble classes around the globe.
"It's not exactly out of date, but you can't maintain that in the 21st century," he says. "In general terms, in the old countries of Europe, we maintain the nobiliary requirement to an extent. But only to an extent. But in places like Australia, Central America, North America, Southeast Asia, it's all done on a different basis."
Members are still expected to chip in when natural disasters strike or wars erupt. Contributions in the tens of thousands of dollars are not unusual. Members also volunteer, bringing the sick to the shrine at Lourdes or pitching in at a one of the order's clinics, like the maternity hospital it runs in Bethlehem just a few steps from Jesus' traditional birthplace, where most of the patients are Muslim.
Even though it's a Catholic aid group – whose origins date from the Crusades – the order works in several Muslim countries, including Pakistan and Syria. "We do not hide that we are Christian, but we do not proselytize. That is impossible," said the order's health minister, Albrecht von Boeselager.
One perk of membership in the top ranks, reserved for men only, is the fabulous uniform: bright-red military-style jacket, with sword, spurs and epaulettes for official duties, a dark cloak with a white, eight-pointed Maltese Cross on the front for religious services.
All told, members, employees and volunteers who total 118,500 work in aid projects in 120 countries; the overall annual operating budget can run to euro 200 million, Festing says.
"We certainly don't want to be, and in fact we're not a sort of rich man's club," Festing insists. "To a sort of an extent you could say, `Well maybe they are, slightly.' But that's not the basis of it. Otherwise I wouldn't have gotten in."
That elite reputation, however, combined with the order's neutral and apolitical relief work, has earned it a level of prestige that few organizations can match. Governments, the European Union and U.N. agencies finance the order's humanitarian operations; it has observer status at the United Nations and diplomatic relations with 104 countries – many in the developing world where such ties can help smooth the delivery of aid.
But the prestige has come with a price: Copycat orders have sprung up claiming to be the Knights of Malta or an offshoot that may or may not legitimately trace its origins to the group. These "false orders" prey on people eager to contribute to a Catholic charity thinking it's sanctioned by the Holy See.
The con jobs are sometimes so good that even the Vatican has been fooled. In October, the Vatican issued a public reminder that it recognizes only two ancient equestrian orders – the Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy See Sepulcher of Jerusalem – after a group purporting to be the knights obtained approval to host a ceremony within the Vatican walls, Festing said.
"It was entirely innocent," on the part of the Vatican, said Festing. "But it wasn't actually us. It was somebody else."
Follow Nicole Winfield at http://www.twitter.com/nwinfield


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End of Watch
The easy chemistry between Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña draws you into the lives of their characters - two LAPD officers who work a particularly rough part of South Central Los Angeles - and sells the gritty reality of David Ayer's End of Watch, a particularly resonant cop drama that makes first-person, handheld footage relevant again. The handheld footage is supplemented with security cam and dashboard shots, as well as eyewitness POVs, and End of Watch proves more than a gimmick. It's not a buddy-cop flick, but Gyllenhaal and Peña are the most believably human partners in some time. This is easily Ayer's best work since he wrote Training Day, and, while End of Watch lacks the bravado of Denzel Washington's Alonzo Harris, it rides past genre clichés on the backs of its lead actors and a smart script.
Former U.S. Marine Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) works the beat with family man Mike Zavala (Peña). They patrol neighborhoods rife with rival gangs and gun violence, and each traffic stop brings new danger. Between calls, the partners discuss sports, family and politics inside their cruiser, and unlucky-in-love Taylor backhandedly admires Zavala's strong marriage to wife Gabby (Natalie Martinez) and impending fatherhood. The film's explanation of its handheld footage is quick and easy: Taylor is filming his daily police work for a film project. This irks others on the force, especially humorless Officer Van Hauser (David Harbour), but Taylor and Zavala stick together or with backup officers Davis (Cody Horn) and Orozco (America Ferrera). Routine drug busts and welfare checks are replaced by bullets and death threats from a vicious Hispanic gang after the guys stumble onto the work of a powerful cartel.
Ayer, whose L.A.-centric work includes writing Dark Blue and directing Street Kings, knows the streets where Taylor and Zavala work, and stocks the cast with amateur actors from the area, including ex-rapper Yahira Garcia as deadly gang mistress La La and Maurice Compte as head honcho Big Evil. These players feel real if somewhat generic, and Ayer gives them flair without losing track of his officers. The script is surprisingly funny, and Taylor and Zavala constantly rib each other like drunken fraternity brothers. A recurring joke is the pair's dissimilar cultural upbringing; Taylor feigns offense at Zavala's large family and traditions, and Zavala assumes Taylor will be very excited that Starbucks started offering a new flavored coffee. Throughout the film, these interactions remain funny, honest and believable, and the actors appear to be living the parts rather than acting.
End of Watch depicts the adrenaline-fueled work life of LAPD officers, but balances its shootouts and car chases with scenes of home life. Taylor begins dating Janet (Anna Kendrick), whom he eventually marries, and she becomes part of the extended law enforcement family. Fellow officers recall partners lost and victims saved, and Taylor and Zavala contemplate what it means to be a hero after saving children from a burning house. End of Watch is memorable not because of its antagonists but because it so honestly portrays the lives of police officers. Ayer makes the medley of footage work, and keeps the film moving at a steady pace while giving its characters room to breathe. Gyllenhaal and Peña have already been overlooked for this year's acting awards, but their performances here are some of the year's finest. End of Watch takes a well-worn genre and makes it feel new again.
The film's 1.85:1/1080p/AVC-encoded transfer is comprised of footage taken from handheld digital cameras, Steadycam rigs and traditional tracking dollies, among others, but the overall product is consistently impressive. Although it varies from shot to shot, detail is often quite strong. In-car shots reveal heavy facial detail for Taylor and Zavala, and landscape shots offer up the haunting beauty of the L.A. skyline. Skin tones appear natural, and colors are nicely saturated. Black levels vary depending on the stock, but crush is never a big issue. There are, of course, instances of aliasing, compression artifacts and ringing, but these are no fault of the transfer.
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack certainly doesn't sound like it was recorded on a handheld camera. This is a busy, active mix, and it provides some weighty support for the frenetic action and intense drama. Dialogue is always clear, even when it has to compete with street noise, gunfire and pounding music, and ambient effects immerse the viewer in whatever environment the officers find themselves working. Action effects make good use of the subwoofer and surround speakers, as does the film's score and popular music. English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles are available.
Universal provides End of Watch its usual "combo pack" treatment. This two-disc set arrives in a standard Blu-ray case, which is wrapped in a slipcover. The set includes the Blu-ray, a DVD copy of the film and an insert with codes to redeem iTunes-compatible and UltraViolet digital copies. In the Commentary from Writer/Director David Ayer, the film's captain proves knowledgeable on all things L.A., and provides extensive background on the cast, shooting on location and formulating the script. Ayer reveals that the various cameras allow viewers to experience the action from several vantage points, including those of the officers, gang members and innocent bystanders. There are a number of Deleted Scenes (46:41/HD), some of which were clearly cut to keep the film at an appropriate length. There are a lot of good moments in this reel, and some of the material with the supporting cast might just as easily been kept in the film. Finally, there are a couple of Internet Featurettes (10:59/HD), which provide brief interviews from the cast and crew. The segments include: "Fate with a Badge" (2:10/HD), "In the Streets" (2:10/HD), "Women on Watch" (2:00/HD), "Watch Your Six" (2:35/HD), and "Honors" (2:04/HD). Universal also includes its My Scenes bookmarking feature and D-Box Motion Code.
Director/Writer David Ayer turns in his best work since Training Day with his latest Los Angeles-set crime drama, End of Watch. Buoyed by lead actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña, End of Watch overcomes genre clichés with a solid script, inventive filming techniques and a willingness to capture the reality of life as a police officer. The lead actors prove a formidable duo, and their natural chemistry is the best part of the film. Highly Recommended.
William lives in Burlington, North Carolina, and looks forward to a Friday-afternoon matinee.
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This Resource Center was developed to assist managers in handling the responsibilities of individual team management. Its purpose is to serve as a quick reference tool for managers. You will find the answers to some of the most common questions as it relates to the club's guidelines and policies.
Please familiarize yourself with these policies. The guide is divided into easy-to-find sections as shown on the Menu to the Right.


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The best part about Uruguay being knocked out in the semifinals of the World Cup was that it guaranteed an all-European final, which pretty much guaranteed a final between countries that, at one point or another, fought each other in a war.
The special thing about the showdown in South Africa between Spain and the Netherlands,* though, is that this is a rematch of multiple wars. And it ain't no rubber game: The Dutch are going for the sweep.
*Did you know that Holland technically only refers to two counties in the Netherlands? And that it really shouldn't be used to talk about the country as a whole? But that the Dutch don't seem to mind because they're so agreeable? Also, where does the Netherlands rank in terms of countries that require "the"? Do they get past the United States AND the Seychelles?
It started in the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648), in which the Dutch revolted against their distant Spanish leaders because they were being taxed too much. Yawn. The Eighty Years' War is interesting for only three reasons: