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A stunning choice of plain coloured farbics with the benefit of blackout properties that help block any unwanted sun, harmful UV rays and unwanted light.
100% waterproof PVC fabrics are a group of blinds specifically designed to block out 100% of the light damaging UV rays. They are constructed from a vinyl coated material and are especially well suited to bathrooms and kitchens
If you've never had vertical blinds before then you can look forward to a number of practical and aesthetic advantages.
You have greater control over the amount of light in the room by adjusting your vertical blinds. Open them fully to let in the warm natural light, or reduce the glare on your TV screen by setting them half-closed – it's up to you. Plus, when they're fully closed, they're one of the most effective ways of blocking out the light completely.
Considering their ease of use and superb wipe-clean practicality, the benefits of made to measure vertical blinds become clearer still.
There are also options that make your vertical blinds especially suited to particular rooms in the home. For example, our blackout versions are ideal for bedrooms, while the energy-saving and insulating ECO2 range will help to prevent heat loss from even the largest windows or patio doors.
Vertical blinds offer real value for money, and when compared with curtains used in a larger window, you'll find a drastic difference in the price of perking up your décor. Vertical window blinds provide easy ventilation for any room in the house and a greater degree of control over the light you let in.
The clean and clear lines of the louvered slats also lends a more modern style to any space. Selecting vertical blinds for your home couldn't be simpler: just pick your desired make and finish from our huge range and let us know the measurements of your window.


text: Cover the bottom of the forks with these attractive polished die-cast chrome Bullet Fork Covers. Easily mounts with included set screws. Fits 1100 Classic, C50/VL800, M95/VZ1600, VN900, VT750, VT1300 S/R/T, VTX1300, XV1600, XV1700, XVZ1300, and V Star 950. Does not fit Fury VT1300 CX AND VT 750 Spirit due to Speedometer sensor.

subset: commoncrawl


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The San Jose Earthquakes and Odwalla are proud to announce Michael Torres of Almaden Valley YSL as the Player of the Month for July. Torres has played in Almaden Valley YSL since joining an Under-6 recreational team. He has played on recreational, academy and competitive teams, both as a field player and a goalkeeper.
Two years ago, Torres made his first cmopetitive team, Almaden United FC. The Almaden United FC Green Division 1 team invited Torres to play as goalkeeper at the Diablo FC Summer Classic on July 24-25, a major accomplishment for the blossoming net-minder.
Torres has shown his passion on the pitch at many junctures, including a San Jose Earthquakes Youth Development School week of training in addition to his team daily regimen.
The Quakes and Odwalla will recognize local players each month. Please check SJEarthquakes.com in the future for more information.


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ATV-1: Jules Verne
The first ATV was named after the 19th-century French author and visionary Jules Verne, who fascinated millions of young people and inspired space scientists and explorers with his extraordinary stories: From the Earth to the Moon, 20 000 leagues under the sea, and Journey to the Centre of the Earth to name just a few.
The mission of this first ATV was an extraordinary voyage and celestial journey of its own kind. Its task was to demonstrate that ATV could accomplish the cargo flight to the International Space Station safely and reliably, and that all the advanced technologies work as planned. Therefore the mission of Jules Verne was different from the textbook missions that later ATVs used.
Launch: 9 March 2008
ATV-1 was closed in Ariane 5 fairing on 25 February 2008 and placed on the top of the launcher two days later. The launch took place on 9 March at 04:03 CET when the rockets main engine was ignited and solid rocket boosters fired.
Ariane 5 twice used its upper stage engine to fine tune the orbit and release ATV to the trajectory leading towards the International Space Station. Ariane's mission ended 1 hours and 7 minutes after take-off when ATV separated from the upper stage.
After that, ATV was switched on, the propulsion system was primed, solar arrays deployed and GPS system was turned on.
After about 10 days in orbit, ATV positioned itself 2000 km away from Space Station to wait for Suttle mission STS-123 to end. Once the Space Shuttle departed and landed, Jules Verne left its parking orbit and approached the Space Station under the watchfull eye of the ATV Control Centre. Over the following days ATV demonstrated its capability to execute a Collision Avoidance Manoeuvre.
Demonstration Days: 29 - 31 March 2008
The first demonstration proved that Jules Verne could perform relative navigation with the Space Station, using its relative GPS. ATV moved to the so-called S2 keeping point, located 3.5 km behind the Space Station, at the same orbital altitude. An escape manoeuvre – similar to the Collision Avoidance Manoeuvre – was tested and afterwards ATV return to S2. ATV Control Centre analysed the flight results and gave the go ahead to conduct a second demonstration.
The second Demonstration day tested ATV's close proximity manoeuvring and control, including testing contingency manoeuvres. ATV manoeuvred to within 11 metres of the docking port located on Zvezda, the Russian Service Module on the Station. Finally the crew issued the ESCAPE command and monitored as ATV returned to a safe orbit 19 m behind the Station.
Docking: 3 April 2008
As Jules Verne got closer to actual docking, mission controllers directed the spacecraft in a step-by-step approach. This required authorisation from the Russian Mission Control Centre in Moscow, since ATV docks with Zvezda, a Russian module on the Station.
After a slow and careful approach using a Russian Kurs radar-based system, GPS, the Videometer and Telegoniometer (laser-pulsed instruments that calculate the distance and orientation with the International Space Station), under the watchfull eye of the crew, ATV docked with Zvezda at 16:40 CET on 3 April 2008. The hooks attaching firmly the docking ports together were closed 17:14 CET. ATV was now permanently connected to Zvezda.
Undocking and reentry: September 2008
Having been part of the Space Station for six months, Jules Verne undocked on 5 September 2008 at 23:29 CET. The ATV then embarked on the last leg of its journey in space, which ended with a controlled destructive reentry into the Earth's atmosphere on 29 September.
Following a final deorbit burn at 14:58 CET which slowed ATV's velocity by 70 m/s, the spacecraft entered the upper atmosphere at an altitude of 120 km at 15:31 CET. It broke up at an altitude of 75 km with the remaining fragments falling into the Pacific some 12 minutes later.


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Updated The Consumer Electronics Association is concerned about America's future. "The culture of entrepreneurship and relentless innovation has made America home to the greatest advances in technology," they argue. "But today, that culture is under threat."
The CEA's leadership has not, it appears, had the good fortune of visiting Englewood, New Jersey, home – in a bit of geographic dissonance – of Popcorn Indiana, where relentless innovators have developed the finest snacking machine ever to come from the fertile minds of cultured US entrepeneurs: the Popinator.
Behold the Popinator, proof positive that we still live in the greatest days of American ingenuity
As explained by P.I. electrical engineer Ted (no last names, please) when describing The Popinator Project, the snack-shooting robot is "a fully automated, voice-activated, popcorn-launching machine" that "uses a binaural microphone system, which is similar to the way the human hearing system works."
Simply say the word "pop" and the Popinator zeros in on you, displays your mouth's X and Y axis coordinates on its LED display, and fires a piece of popcorn towards the source of the sound: right between your lips. "I just say 'pop'," exults sales manager Barry, "I get a snack right in my mouth."
Of course, you may need to jockey a bit to ensure a perfect popcorn touchdown. As Ted explains, "Every piece of popcorn is different, different shapes and sizes, different aerodynamic properties, basically. When you're shooting a piece of popcorn, there is only so accurate you can get it."
Upon learning of this sophisticated advance in both robotics and snack-delivery technology, The Reg of course immediately contacted Popcorn Indiana to find out how much it would cost to install such a marvel here in San Francisco's Vulture Annex.
Our hopes were dashed when a company spokeswoman told us, "Unfortunately, the Popinator is not for sale right now." Those hopes rose a smidgen, however, when she quickly added, "But maybe one day."
Our faith in American innovation – after being somewhat deadened by the CEA's fears – also rose when she assured us, "Everything you saw it do in the video is real and really happened."
Our hats are off to the New Jersey home of Bacon Ranch, Buffalo Cheddar, Touch of Sea Salt, and so many more flavors of snacking goodness, as well as so many dedicated popcorn poppers and popcorn-delivery-system pioneers who, it must be said, seem to genuinely love their work.
As their website proudly declares, "We have special kettles that are filled, by hand, one scoop at a time, by real people, who are carefully producing, oh-so-lovingly, the greatest popcorn you've ever had. That sentence had a lot of commas, so you know we're serious." ®
Although the Popinator is not now available to us non–Popcorn Indianans, we have our fingers crossed that we might yet find one under our Christmas tree as 2012 comes to a close, just in time for National Popcorn Day on January 19, 2013.
A commenter to this story has cited an article by ABC News which states that the Popinator is a "hoax". The Reg contacted Popcorn Indiana for their response to this assertion, and received the following reply:
The Popinator is a prototype and is a work-in-progress. Everything you see it do in the video is real and really happened. It is a project we are working on internally and the technology behind it is still in the testing phase. We are so heartened by the positive response to our concept that we are exploring ways to bring it to life.
Due to the fact that Popcorn Indiana is located in Englewood, New Jersey, and we here in San Francisco's Vulture Annex are (according to Google Maps) a 47-hour, 2,905-mile drive from their offices, we cannot simply drop in to discover for ourselves whether this lighthearted device is, indeed, "real" – but we thought you might appreciate reading the company's response. Caveat poppator, or some such...


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Eagle Grapplers Open Season 3-0; Win Larry Ritchie Memorial
The Magnolia Blue Eagle Wrestling Team, under new Head Coach Vince Monseau, has opened the 2013-14 season with three straight victories, including the Larry Ritchie Memorial Dec. 14 at Tyler Consolidated High School.
The Eagles took top honors with 195.5 points, beating out Toronto by 11.5 points. St. Clairsville came in third with 164.5 points, while Bridgeport, Ohio, and St. Marys placed finished fourth and fifth, respectively. In addition, Tyler placed sixth, Ritchie seventh, Clay Battelle, eighth and River ninth.
Winning top honors for the Blue Eagles were Clay Adams in 132 pound weight division and Caleb Nice in the 182 pound weight division. Placing runner-up for Magnolia were Riley Nice in the 113 pound weight division and Doug Riter in the 120 pound class, while Trinton Jett (106); Joseph Layman (145); Joey Kelly (152); Paden McConaughey (160); and Tyler Baker (220) each placed third in their respective weight divisions. In addition, Robert Campbell (138) placed fourth.
In their first meet of the season, a tri match with Tyler Consolidated and Linsly, the Blue Eagles won 42-33 over Linsly and 58-15 against the Silver Knights inside the MHS HammerDome Dec. 11.
Jett started the Blue Eagle action, winning a forfeit and Riley Nice would then claim a 6-5 victory before and Riter won by a fall 2:39. Adams then took care of business with a nice 8-4 victory.
After a pair of losses, Kelly would get the Eagles back on track with a quick pin. After Magnolia's Harley Price (160) won by a fall, Linsly would pick up five points on a fall of its own. However, Caleb Nice got the Eagles back on the winning side once more when the referee raised his arm in victory for a solid pin fall over his Cadet opponent.
After a forfeit, the Eagles' Tyler Baker fell to Linsly's Chimechi Oparanozie 6-1 and Phillip Harlan lost on a fall. The Eagles had several wrestlers compete in exhibition matches and did very well, winning two of three matches.
In the Tyler Consolidated bout, Jett made quick work of Ben Pratt, scoring on a fall in 0:29 seconds. However, teammate Riley Nice was even quicker to score a pinfall — only 0:15 against Zach Bonner. Next were Riter and Tristen Thomas, who each scored six easy points with forfeits, before teammate Adams won a major decision by the score of 14-6 over Tyler Johnson.
The Knights scored falls over Campbell and Kurt Starkey before Kelly, Harley Price, Josh Ruble and Caleb Nice each recorded falls to win their matches. After a double forfeit, Baker won by a fall over Brandon Keys, while Harlan lost a 8-2 decision against Austin Spencer.
The young and improving Blue Eagle squad has started the season winning its first three matches, including a tournament, and will try to keep the winning streak intact when they head to Zep Country tonight at 5:30 p.m. to take on Shenandoah. The eagles will then visit Barnesville High School Saturday to participate in the Buffalo Brawl at 10 a.m.


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As promised, Lindsay Lohan poked fun at her legal troubles when she hosted SNL last night.
During the monologue, she made light of her time wearing an electronic monitoring device while on probation. At one point, a security alarm went off and she exclaimed: "Wait, so the alarm goes off if I leave the stage? I thought it was if I left the studio!" Then and another cast member checked her eyes to see if she appeared to be intoxicated.
Lohan's other sketches included a Scared Straight parody, in which she played herself, and a Real Housewives of Disney sketch, in which she played
herself Rapunzel. But how was her performance? The MTV News review is fairly critical, mostly taking note of how little Lohan actually did.
While the crowd (and cast) was clearly supportive during at the top of the show, the evening's sketches featured "SNL" regulars doing the comedic heavy lifting. Lohan's lines were noticeably few. When she did speak, she clearly read from cue cards.
I'll admit, I missed last night's show, so I can't weigh in with an opinion here. According to MTV, Lohan's comeback earned "mixed reviews." Most of the negativity they quote, however, is from Twitter users, and we all know how critical they can be. So, was Lohan a poor choice for host, or was she just given poor material to work with? And was everyone simply looking for her to fail? I pose this to you with the knowledge that Gawker commenters are no less harsh than the rest of the internet — but hey, at least you can back up your vitriol.
[Image via AP]


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Make sure you have checked everything in the general checklist for PlayStation 4 download problems.
If the content was downloaded to the system by a user who had temporarily activated it on their account as a secondary PlayStation 4, other users do not have access to that content once the downloader has signed out of PlayStation Network. To access this content either ask the purchaser to sign into PlayStation Network or purchase the content on your own account.
If your content has suddenly stopped working you may find that this is because the license has expired if you have not used your PlayStation 4 online for a while. To fix this problem go to [Settings] > [PlayStation Network] > [Restore License] and press (X button).
Check that the file you are trying to start has fully downloaded. Go to the game either on the content launcher or in [Library], highlight it and press OPTIONS (do not select Start). Choose [Information] from the menu on the left and check Download Status. This will show you how much of the game has downloaded compared with the total size of the file. You cannot start the game until these two numbers are the same.
Delete any game data that exists for the title you wish to download:
Go to [Library], highlight the game (or go into the folder to highlight add-on) and press 'Options' and then delete. To re-download the content find it in the store and select 'Download'.


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Saturday October 31, 2020
Case of the Week
George's "Green Gift Now" Unitrust IV
Case:George Green was a man of humble beginnings. George was both resourceful and determined to succeed. He enrolled in chemical engineering and studied diligently. His diligence was quickly recognized by faculty. After graduating with honors, he became a graduate assistant and earned a master's degree in engineering. With his early years on the farm, George always loved nature. He interviewed and became a product development engineer with a company that built emissions control equipment for automobiles. Soon after, George met Helen Wilson and they married.
After saving $5,000, he convinced Helen that it was time for him to go out on his own. George started a company that offered environmental consulting. As soon as he could gather and borrow the funds, he also started to produce components for emissions control equipment. After a terrific struggle, the business took off and George began to manufacture probes for company smokestacks. When asked if that was a good business, George responded, "It is a great business. Companies buy my probes to measure their smokestack emissions and then the government changes the rules! Then, they all have to buy upgraded probes!"
George incorporated the probe manufacturer as Green Probe (GP). Ever the entrepreneur, he later had a chance to buy a company that built converters for automobiles. He bought the assets of that company and transferred them into a company named Green Converters (GC). Finally, George started a third company to build "smokestack scrubbers" that would clean the emissions from the smoke of power plants. Later, there was a huge increase in the cost of energy, power companies began to build more coal-burning plants. The "smokestack scrubbers" from Green Scrubbers (GS) were in high demand.
Question:Fourteen years ago, George funded a unitrust with the GC stock and then GC sold all assets to General Auto. Three years earlier, George sold Green Probe to Major Power Company. Over the years, the unitrust has grown to over $10,000,000. At age 88, he and Helen now would like to fund a major building at their favorite charity. But they need to make a $2,000,000 gift for the "Green Center." How can they accomplish their goals? George called their CPA, Arnie Arnst, again and asked, "What should I do now? We would like to make a $2,000,000 gift, but the funds are in our unitrust. The unitrust is now over $10,000,000, and we do not need more income."
Solution:Arnie reviewed the situation and offered a suggestion. George and Helen retained the right to select charities for the remainder of their unitrust. Since they do not need income from the full $10,000,000, Arnie suggested that they make a $2,000,000 gift from their unitrust to fund the Green Center. They could do so by irrevocably designating their favorite charity as the remainder recipient and as the income recipient of 20% of the trust. This would accelerate part of the trust to charity during George and Helen's lifetime. Under the trust doctrine of merger, their favorite charity will own 20% of the unitrust and the trustee may distribute $2,000,000 outright to their favorite charity.
A smiling George and Helen watched their trustee hand the $2,000,000 check to the President of their favorite charity. An added bonus of this gift was another charitable tax deduction. Based upon the 5% trust payout and their ages, there was a deduction for the value of the income interest transferred to charity. This new deduction of over $600,000 will save about $200,000 in taxes over the next three years.
George and Helen are very pleased with this plan. They attended the dedication of the Green Center and were delighted with both the gift and their added charitable deduction.
Published May 8, 2020
Previous Articles
George's "Green Children" Unitrust III
George's "Green" Sale and Unitrust II
Wild Bill Enjoys a "Russell" Art Deduction


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Solid State Relay Primer
Solid state relays (SSRs) turn on or off the power being supplied to other devices, in a similar fashion as a physical switch. However, instead of being switched by human interaction like a physical switch, SSRs are switched electronically. With SSRs, you can control high-current devices such as lights or appliances with low-current signals, like a standard DC signal from a Digital Output. Most SSRs will switch on with a voltage of 3V or higher. This makes them perfect for use with Phidget Interface Kits, or any device with a digital output.
SSRs perform the same job as Mechanical Relays, but have the following advantages:
- SSRs produce less electromagnetic interference than mechanical relays during operation. This is mostly due to the absence of a phenomenon called contact arcing only present in mechanical relays, where the physical contacts of the relay tend to spark internally while switching. The reduced interference can also be attributed to the fact that SSRs do not use electromagnets to switch.
- The switch contacts of a mechanical relay will eventually wear down from arcing. An SSR will have a longer life because its internals are purely digital. Properly used, they will last for millions of cycles.
- SSRs turn on and off faster than mechanical relays (≈1ms compared to ≈10ms).
- SSRs are less susceptible to physical vibrations than mechanical relays.
- Since the switch inside an SSR isn't a mechanical switch, it does not suffer from contact bounce and operates silently.
However, compared to Mechanical Relays, SSRs:
- Are more expensive.
- Will dissipate more energy in the form of heat (1-2% of the energy intended to power the load).
How SSRs Work
The control inputs are connected internally to an LED, which shines across an air gap to light sensors. The light sensor is connected to the transistors which open or close, supplying the relay's load with power. When a transistor is closed, current can flow freely through the relay, causing the load and power supply to be connected. When a transistor is open, almost all current is blocked, causing the load to become disconnected from the power supply. The pairing of an LED with light sensors is called an optocoupler, and is a common technique to link two parts of a circuit without a direct electrical connection.
Basic Use
Controlling an SSR is no more complicated than turning an LED on and off. This can be accomplished by any Phidget device with one of the following outputs:
In addition to the above: < Table: has_digital_outputs has_led_outputs has_oc_digital_outputs >
The ability of an SSR to switch a load is very similar to a mechanical relay or simple switch. By turning the digital output controlling the relay on and off, you control whether or not the load is connected to its power supply.
The challenge is to pick an appropriate type of SSR for your application. There is no single SSR perfect for all applications. To choose an SSR for your particular application, please follow the Choosing an SSR section.
Since relays switch high currents and voltages, standard precautions apply. Make sure you never touch the terminals while the relay is powered. If your SSR came with a plastic cover, use it. Even when the SSR is switched off, a very small amount of current will flow.
When an SSR fails, it most often fails permanently closed. This is because when the transistor inside fails due to excessive current or heat, it will usually short out, allowing current to pass through unimpeded. This means that as long as the power supply remains on, the load will be powered, possibly creating a fire or safety hazard.
Choosing an SSR
Identify your voltage
First, determine whether you need to switch AC or DC voltage. The electrical grid, and thus your wall outlet, runs AC, whereas batteries and most small power supplies are DC.
Next, determine the maximum number of volts you will be switching. If you are switching DC, particularly with batteries, assume your voltage is at least 25% more than what your battery is rated for. Even larger fluctuations occur on AC, but AC SSRs are designed to handle these surges. Typical AC voltage from a wall socket in North America is 110VAC, whereas in Europe it is usually 220VAC. If you are switching AC voltage from a wall socket, check which standard your country uses, and use that number as your voltage.
Identify your current
The current drawn by your load when turned on affects how large of an SSR you need, and how hot it will be when it is in use. If you know how much current, on average, your load draws, this is what we call Average Load Current. If you don't know the average current, but you know the wattage (power rating) of your load, you can calculate Average Load Current by:
Next, you need to know the current drawn by your load when it is first turned on. Many loads demand a huge inrush of current when the load is first turned on. This places a significant amount of stress on the electronics inside the SSR. If you've ever noticed the lights dimming in the house for a second when the furnace starts up, this is caused by the fan motor starting up. In the same way that it takes a lot of force to move a heavy object from rest, it initially takes a lot of current to power up a fan or incandescent bulb. It's very difficult to measure the Surge Current itself, so we use a multiplier based on your device type. Surge Current is also referred to as inrush current.
|Incandescent Light Bulbs
|Complex Electronics i.e., Motor Controllers, Phidgets
|Fluorescent Light Fixtures (AC Only)
Multiply your Average Load Current by the multiplier for your device type to calculate the Surge Current.
I need to switch AC
Most AC applications will be switching 110 to 240 Volt power coming from the grid. If that's you, go to the Mains Voltage (110 to 240V AC) section.
We also cover low voltage AC applications - 28 VAC (Volts AC) or less. For more information, visit the AC/DC SSRs section.
I need to switch DC
If you only need to switch a small amount of current - 9 Amps or less, consider our compact, cost effective AC/DC SSRs.
If you need to switch more than 9 Amps, you need a serious DC SSR.
If you need to switch up to 16 small loads of 2 Amps or less, you can use the open collector digital outputs on a 1012 PhidgetInterfaceKit 0/16/16, which can be wired to behave similarly to relays.
I need Gradual Dimming
Instead of simply turning the load on/off, if you want to dim it gradually, you can use a proportional control SSR. They are able to reduce the average power to the load gradually, in proportion to the strength of the input signal. For more information, you can visit the Proportional Control SSR Section.
Mains Voltage (110 to 240V AC)
We sell AC SSRs for 120 VAC or 240 VAC operation. If you are unsure what voltages you could eventually need to switch, the 240 VAC relays can be used to switch 120 VAC with no problems. Please note we are very conservative in how we rate SSRs - our 120 VAC relays are rated by the manufacturer for 240 VAC, and the 240 VAC for 480 VAC. We strongly recommend against using them to the manufacturer rated voltage. To understand why, read the AC SSR Protection section.
Load Type - Inductive vs. Resistive
If your load is inductive, you need to choose a Random Turn On relay. If your load is resistive, choose a Zero Crossing relay.
Your Load will probably be inductive if it is built around a large coil of wire - motors and transformers are typical examples. A load considered resistive may also have loops of wire - for instance, hair dryers, toasters, incandescent bulbs use twisted wire elements to generate the heat. An inductive load will have thousands of loops of wire - it's a matter of scale. There is no such thing as a perfectly resistive load - but a load has to be very inductive to cause the zero crossing SSRs to malfunction.
SSRs are designed to either turn on immediately (Random Turn On), or wait until the next 'alternation' of the voltage (Zero Crossing). Zero Crossing SSRs create less electromagnetic 'noise' when they turn on. They are best used with resistive loads - Zero Crossing SSRs are not able to turn off some inductive loads. It's very difficult to determine which inductive loads will create problems - well beyond the scope of this document. If your load is inductive, we recommend buying the Random Turn On SSRs.
|Load Type
|Incandescent Light Bulbs
|Fluorescent Light Fixtures
|Inductive or Resistive *
|Computer / Electronics
|AC/DC power supplies (brick heavy type)
|AC/DC Power supplies (lightweight switchers)
* For fluorescent light fixtures, older units (magnetic ballast) may be inductive, and newer units are often resistive (electronic ballast).
Choosing your AC SSR
Now that you have identified your Operating Voltage, Average and Surge Current, and your load type (inductive or resistive), you can create a short list of relays whose
- Maximum Load Voltage are greater than or equal to your operating voltage,
- Maximum Surge Current are greater than or equal to your surge current, and
- Load type matches what you chose for random turn on/zero crossing.
< Table: +ac_ssr >
|Phidgets Product #
|Manufacturer Part #
|Current Type
|Turn-on Type
|Control Voltage (V)
|Max. Load Voltage (V)
|Max. Load Current Without Heatsink (A)
|Max. Load Current with 3955 Heatsink (A)
|Max. Load Current with 3956 Heatsink (A)
|Max. Surge Current (A)
|Output Type
|Random Turn-on
|Random Turn-on
Now compare the Max. Load Current without Heatsink value for the SSRs on your list to your Average Load Current. If your Average Load Current is greater, you may need a heatsink. For selecting a heatsink, please consult Picking a Heatsink. Alternatively, look at other SSRs on your list - there may be an SSR that can handle your average load current with no heatsink.
At this point, you know the SSR you need.
Instead of simply turning the load on/off, if you want to dim it gradually, you can use a proportional control SSR. They are able to reduce the average power to the load gradually, in proportion to the strength of the input signal. For more information, you can visit the Proportional Control SSR Section.
If you are interested in learning more about SSRs in general, check out our "Did you know?" section.
AC SSR Protection
Your AC SSR from Phidgets comes with a circular disc with two legs (pictured). This is a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) and should be installed across the load (larger) terminals of your SSR. MOVs are the classic surge protector - an inexpensive component that absorbs high voltage spikes. High voltage spikes are caused by inductive loads when they are turned off, and also happen very often on the electrical grid, as nearby devices are operated. Even if your load is resistive, use an MOV to protect the SSR.
Matching an MOV to an SSR is not easy - this is why we include an MOV with your SSR. If an MOV is chosen for too low of a voltage spike, it will wear out quickly. If it is chosen for too high of a voltage spike, it will not protect the SSR adequately. To balance SSR protection against MOV lifetime, we have found it necessary to use SSRs built for 240 VAC in 120 VAC applications, and SSRs built for 480 VAC in 240 VAC applications. If you must operate our AC SSRs on higher voltages than we recommend, do not use the included MOV.
As MOVs wear out from use, they will become more sensitive to common voltage spikes, causing them to wear out quicker. When they entirely fail, they will become a short circuit, potentially creating a fire hazard. The MOV included with your SSR has a fuse built in which will disable the MOV when it becomes a hazard. To be on the safe side, avoid mounting your SSR near any flammable material.
Proportional Control SSR
Proportional Control Relays (often simply called "Control Relays") are SSRs you can use to control the amount of power to the load. Rather than reduce the voltage, or somehow limit the current - which would be very expensive solutions, the Proportional SSR reduces power by turning the load on/off quickly, feeding full power in short pulses.
Proportional SSRs are controlled by a variable voltage - as the control voltage increases, more power is available to the load. Our PhidgetAnalog product can be used to control Proportional SSRs, since an analog output can output various amounts of voltage, as opposed to a digital output, which only has two states- high and low. We don't sell Proportional SSRs - but they can be purchased from Digikey, where they are called AC Linear Controlled SSRs.
A quick and dirty solution for dimming with Phidgets is to use an RC Servo Motor with a PhidgetAdvancedServo controller to rotate the knob on a light dimmer. From software, the RC Servo Motor is rotated to the desired position, cranking the knob as it turns. While this may seem like a roundabout way of achieving proportional control, dimmers tend to be much less expensive because they are less specialized and are manufactured in greater quantity.
Example circuits with AC SSRs
When wiring up an AC circuit, particularly for long term installation, you may find it helpful to buy a book on residential wiring from your local hardware store. There are many wiring conventions (and often legal codes) which will help you plan your project, and the legal codes are often a great source of wisdom.
DC SSRs (0 to 50V DC)
We sell DC SSRs for that switch a maximum load of 50 volts. If you are unsure what voltages you could be switching in the future, higher voltage DC SSRs can be used to switch lower voltages. Common engineering practice would be to purchase an SSR rated for 50-100% higher voltage than the voltage you plan to be switching. For instance, if you are switching 24V, a 50V SSR is reasonable.
Choosing your DC SSR
Now that you have identified your Operating Voltage, Average and Surge Current, you can create a short list of relays whose
- Maximum Load Voltage are greater than or equal to your operating voltage,
- Maximum Surge Current are greater than or equal to your surge current, and
- Maximum Average Current is greater than or equal to your Average current.
< Table: +dc_ssr >
|Phidgets Product #
|Manufacturer Part #
|Current Type
|Turn-on Type
|Control Voltage (V)
|Max. Load Voltage (V)
|Max. Load Current Without Heatsink (A)
|Max. Load Current with 3955 Heatsink (A)
|Max. Load Current with 3956 Heatsink (A)
|Max. Surge Current (A)
|Output Type
Now compare the Max. Load Current without Heatsink value for the SSRs on your list to your Average Load Current. If your Average Load Current is greater, you may need a heatsink. For selecting a heatsink, please consult Picking a Heatsink. Alternatively, look at other SSRs on your list - there may be an SSR that can handle your average load current without a heatsink. SSRs rated for a larger load than the load you're using will be more efficient (meaning less energy lost in the form of heat) than an SSR that's being operated at its maximum load.
At this point, you know the SSR you need.
If you are interested in learning more about SSRs in general, check out our "Did you know?" section.
DC SSR Protection
Your DC SSR from Phidgets comes with a diode. This diode should be installed across your load, with the Cathode installed towards the positive terminal of the power supply (as shown in the diagram).
If the diode is installed backwards, as soon as the SSR is turned on, the load will be shorted out, likely destroying the diode, or the SSR, or your power supply. A fuse protecting your power supply is always a good idea. You can place the fuse in between the positive terminal of the power supply and the positive terminal of the load side of the SSR.
The diode protects the SSR from powerful residual currents after the SSR is turned off. While your load is being driven, inductance builds up magnetic fields around the wiring. Every load is inductive to some degree, and when the SSR turns off, the magnetic fields will ram current against the now open SSR, easily damaging it. The diode allows these currents to recirculate in the load until they have lost their energy.
Example circuits with DC SSRs
The electrical isolation built into a DC SSR allows them to be placed within a circuit just like a switch. Since it is isolated, you don't have to worry about grounding or voltage offsets.
With a DC SSR, always make sure the positive load terminal (labeled +) is facing towards the positive terminal of the power supply. If the load terminals are reversed, your load will immediately turn on. There is a diode inside of the SSR that allows current to flow freely through it when the SSR is connected incorrectly. This feature is included because this sort of wiring mistake would destroy the transistor in the DC SSR otherwise.
The DC SSR can be installed on either side of the load, and it will work properly, but there is an advantage to installing the SSR between the power supply and the load. If the load is connected to the power supply, it will always have a potentially dangerous voltage on it, even when it is not operating.
AC/DC SSRs (0 to 40V DC / 0 to 28V AC)
Our AC/DC SSRs are built on a small PCB, making them physically smaller than the large "hockey puck" SSRs, and less expensive. They are limited to lower currents, and cannot be mounted on a heatsink.
We sell AC/DC SSRs that can switch up to 40 Volts DC or 28 Volts AC. This is indicated on the SSR Product pages under the Maximum Load Voltage specification. There is no lower limit on the voltages that the AC/DC SSRs can switch. If your voltage is close - be conservative. For instance, a 36 Volt system built from 3 Lead Acid batteries can reach 45 volts when charging.
Picking your AC/DC SSR
Now that you have identified your Operating Voltage, Average and Surge Current, you can create a short list of relays whose
- Maximum Load Voltage are greater than or equal to your operating voltage,
- Maximum Surge Current are greater than or equal to your surge current, and
- Maximum Average Current is greater than or equal to your Average current.
< Table: +versatile_ssr >
|Phidgets Product #
|Manufacturer Part #
|Current Type
|Turn-on Type
|Control Voltage (V)
|Max. Load Voltage (V)
|Max. Load Current Without Heatsink (A)
|Max. Load Current with 3955 Heatsink (A)
|Max. Load Current with 3956 Heatsink (A)
|Max. Surge Current (A)
|Output Type
|40DC or 28AC
|40DC or 28AC
If you are interested in minimum cost, you will likely choose the cheapest option that meets these criteria. If you are interested in high efficiency operation and less heat generation, consider buying an SSR with higher current rating.
Your AC/DC SSR from Phidgets has built in protection from static electricity, and dangerous residual currents after the SSR is turned off. If the load you are switching is powered by a DC source, installing a diode across the load will offer even more protection. Refer to the DC SSR Protection section for more information.
To learn more about SSRs in general, visit the "Did you know?" section.
Example circuits with AC/DC SSRs
The electrical isolation built into a AC/DC SSR allows them to be placed within a circuit just like a switch. Circuits without electrical isolation require a lot more care - proper grounding, careful consideration of voltage offsets.
Using heatsinks with Hockey Puck SSRs
SSRs will only achieve their promise of reliability and long life if they are kept cool. Cool is relative, of course, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the metal base of the SSR at less than 85°C (185°F). A thermocouple can be used to precisely measure the temperature of the metal base.
Excess heat usually comes from too much current and too little heatsinking. A lot of heat can also be generated by frequently turning the relay on and off. If your relay is operated for brief periods of time, you may not need as large of a heatsink - provided the relay is never accidentally left on for extended periods. Unless space is a concern, it's better to err on the side of caution.
Before buying a heatsink, consider if you actually need it. If your application is running at room temperature, and your average current is less than the Max. Load Current without Heatsink specification of your SSR, then you don't need a heatsink. Alternatively, if your project has a large metal chassis that the SSR can bolt to, this can be used as your heatsink.
Each SSR suitable for use with heatsinks will include a specification of how much current it can switch with each heatsink we sell. This specification assumes a reasonable airflow over the heatsink, and that the flowing air is at room temperature. Our SSRs have a sheet of metal underneath, where the heat is concentrated - this is also where the heat is measured to tell if the SSR is too hot. Phidgets includes a grey thermal pad with our Hockey Puck SSRs (see pictured). You place this pad under an SSR when mounting it on a heatsink, or on large metal surfaces that can dissipate heat. The pad performs the same function as thermal grease - it helps conduct heat between the base of the SSR and the heatsink. If you prefer to use thermal grease, you can use it instead of the pad. Our heatsinks include screws for mounting SSRs. Use a good size screwdriver when tightening the SSR down on the heatsink to ensure good conduction.
|Phidgets Product #
|Product Name
|Manufacturer Part #
|Dimensions (mm)
|Thermal Resistance (C/W)
|Small Heatsink for SSR
|Large Heatsink for SSR
Hooking up wires to the Hockey Puck SSR
When wiring your load to the SSR, the wire is looped clockwise around the terminal, so when the screw is tightened down, it will draw the wire in tighter. We recommend using wires up to 10 AWG in size - any larger, and the screws will not have enough thread left to tighten down, and they will strip. Larger wires can be attached using a wiring lug. The lug is clamped under the SSR screw, and the wire attaches to the lug.
Loose wire connections can generate a lot of heat - use a large enough screwdriver when clamping down the load wires to ensure that the screws are on tight enough.
For the current ratings of various wires sizes, please see Page on Wire Sizes.
Did you know?
- Mains Voltage AC SSRs cannot switch DC. They will never turn the load off. AC SSRs turn off twice per AC Cycle, when the current changes direction and is momentarily zero. For example, AC is 60 Hz in North America, so the AC SSR has 120 opportunities per second to turn off (the SSR will only stay off if the control signal is low). If the SSR is operating from DC, the current will flow continuously, and the load will not turn off, even when the control input is off.
- An AC SSR turns off automatically every time the load current reaches zero. It will turn back on almost immediately as long as the signal controlling the SSR is high. An AC SSR will actually have a low, non-zero current value that it regards as 'zero'. This specification is usually called "Minimum Load Current" in the data sheet. If your load requires less than this minimum current, your SSR will never turn on, or will not reliably turn on. The simplest solution to this problem is to connect another load in parallel with the first, increasing the Current required by the load.
- SSR Manufacturers have started adding a simple circuit inside AC SSRs, across the load terminals, called a snubber. The snubber absorbs very fast electrical changes that could normally cause an AC SSR to turn on accidentally. When the AC SSR is turned on, there is little voltage difference between the terminals, so the snubber has very little effect. When the AC SSR is turned off, the snubber is actively protecting the SSR - but at a cost, as it allows a small current through the SSR, which is wasted.
- An AC SSR uses bipolar transistors - an old technology that has been replaced by CMOS transistors in modern digital circuits. Bipolar transistors are still superior for handling high voltages. Bipolar transistors, and the more complex transistors built from them, will lose a constant voltage as current flows through them. The collection of transistors in your SSR will lose about 1.7 volts - so on a 120 VAC system, you will lose about 1.5% to the SSR. This energy converts to heat inside the SSR, and the heating from these transistors is the reason SSRs often need heatsinks.
- SSRs, and semiconductors in general, usually fail as a short circuit. A short circuit is a circuit whose internals have been damaged such that current can flow through it freely. This means your load will probably turn on permanently (until you disconnect the power source) - make sure this doesn't cause a safety hazard. For instance, Sauna Heaters have a simple thermally-triggered mechanical shutdown to protect them if control electronics fails.
- DC SSRs (at least the units we sell) use Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs). MOSFETs do not lose a constant voltage - instead, when they turn on, they act as a very slight restriction to the flow of current - a resistor. At low currents, the slight restriction wastes very little power, giving high efficiency and often not requiring a heatsink. This efficiency is lost as the current increases - a doubling of current quadruples the production of heat.
- Normally, a MOSFET can only block current in one direction - as soon as the voltage reverses, the current flows through a diode run in parallel to the MOSFET. If a MOSFET were used to switch AC, the load would be turned on half the time. A common solution is to use two MOSFETs back to back - which is what we do with our AC/DC SSRs.


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Message Board
Sally Beauman Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Beauman has written!
Author Beauman's Book Reviews
Rebecca's Tale
In a sequel to Daphne du Murier's Rebecca, the author has taken the family story forward to the 20th anniversary of Rebecca de Winter's death in 1931. Her widower Maxim, who married again, is long since dead and his widow has moved to Canada. Their close friend Colonel Julyan, now elderly and in poor health, still lives in Cornwall, close to where their family seat Manderley had been burnt to the ground. The Colonel receives an anonymous parcel in t...


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The 2012 Tour de Goose will take place over six days during a nine-day period, with various competitions and challenges, and each stage could use a few volunteers to help with set up, registration, course marshaling, results, and other small tasks that will keep the Tour humming along efficiently. Volunteers will earn 50 TdG points just for helping, and are of course still eligible to compete in other stages. And depending on the volunteer assignment, you may even be able to take part in the same stage you help out at.
Here is the schedule:
Thursday, July 12, at the Goose Run (3 volunteers needed)
Monday, July 16, at the WAMR run at the Portland Running Co. in Beaverton (3 volunteers)
Tuesday, July 17, at the Duniway Track (2 volunteers)
Wednesday, July 18, at the Fulton Run (4 volunteers)
Thursday, July 19, at the Goose Run (3 volunteers) and the downhill mile nearby (2 volunteers)
Friday, July 20, at Washington Park (BBQ afterward!) (6 volunteers)
All stages take place in the evening, and you should expect to arrive by 5:45. Stayed tuned for more details on specific volunteer needs, and post here or email Steve Trautwein at email@example.com if you are interested in helping out. Thanks!
Edited by Joe D., 05 July 2012 - 08:40 PM.


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Wifey went for her daily 1 hour morning walk and on coming back found her bungle of keys missing.
So she walked back and after half hour, found it sitting on top of a Letter Box of a house.
Obviously that owner must have found the keys on the drive-way and he left it on top of his Letter Box hoping the owner can find it again.


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Early Care & Education
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Visit our Resource Library for more SRP news.
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JEFF LOOMIS Launches 'The Ultimatum' Guitar Lesson
Former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis has teamed up with Guitar World magazine to share his shredding skills with fans. A guitar lesson for "The Ultimatum", demonstrating how to play the lead guitar part of the song, can be seen below.
"The Ultimatum" comes off Loomis's second solo album, "Plains Of Oblivion", which sold 2,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 179 on The Billboard 200 chart. The effort landed at No. 2 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Plains Of Oblivion" was released on April 10 in North America (one day earlier in Europe) via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES) and features cover artwork by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design, who has previously worked with ALL SHALL PERISH, THE END and XERATH.
Loomis and his solo band recently part in a 24-date, coast-to-coast U.S. tour with PROTEST THE HERO, PERIPHERY, THE SAFETY FIRE and TODAY I CAUGHT THE PLAGUE.
Jeff was accompanied on the stage by the following musicians:
* Joe Nurre (SHADED ENMITY) – Guitar
* Gregory Macklin (SYSTEM DIVIDE, ORDINANCE) – Bass
* Anup Sastry (INTERVALS, SKYHARBOR) – Drums


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Arcadia Aquarium Products
From aquariums to filters, specialist foods to test kits, you'll find everything you require to set up and maintain any type of Tropical, Marine and Coldwater aquarium. This is just a selection of the vast array of aquarium products that can be found throughout our stores. Please note that not all of our stores will have a particular item in stock, so we would always recommend calling them to check current availability. And if for any reason you still can't find what you're looking for, then we'll do our very best to order it in for you. Additionally, many of these products are also available to purchase via our online store.


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Jenina Smith, January 24th , 2019.
Dabs and gems are great increases without making a lot of a sprinkle. These come in glass, gem, precious stones, and other material also and can be included diverse territories around the hair to give a rich look. Barrettes will likewise contain globules or gems, some of the time in lovely course of action like flower designs. These adornments for the most part come in sets and are the least expensive things accessible.
Tiaras and bun wraps are hair adornments that have a greater amount of an effect in general look. Bun wraps are extraordinary things to join to updos. They come in plans which incorporate distinctive gems including pearls and some are planned in delightful botanical examples that can make a fantasy look while everything fits. Tiaras are likely the most costly hair extras that you can get and can have the most effect, on the hairdo as well as the general look. There are an assortment of tiaras to browsed extending from modest to very costly. From flower plans to unadulterated jewel studded ones, the wedding tiara is an exceptionally delightful extra for some wedding hairdos. Anyway I do recommend running little with the tiara as a greater one just removes an excessive amount of consideration.
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Land Use, Development & Zoning
The City Council guides development, land use, and zoning to ensure sustainable growth through a range of mechanisms and tools. The Council's authority includes the power to:
- Adopt, enforce, and amend or modify a comprehensive plan for development across the entire city as well as small area plans to address development within specific sections of the city;
- Make final decisions on appeals of any land use applications;
- Adopt, enforce, and amend or modify a zoning code, and to consider requested zoning changes; and
- Consider applications for vacations of public streets or alleys, historic designation of properties, historic variances, and waivers from moratoria.
The primary tools governing land use and development in the city are the comprehensive plan and the zoning code.
The Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth is the City's current comprehensive plan, adopted in 2009. This plan is the primary policy document that describes the City's vision for growth and development, and serves as a tool to address land use and development issues in a sustainable manner. The Minneapolis Zoning Code provides a regulatory framework for the implementation of the City's comprehensive plan in a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
The Community Planning & Economic Development Department (CPED) is the primary City department charged with growing a sustainable city under the Council's direction. Its Long Range Planning Division drafts and maintains the City's comprehensive plan, small area plans, and strategic planning initiatives; conducts research; oversees the Public Art Program; guides public realm principles; guides development; and partners in implementation. The Development Services Division provides planning and zoning tools and assistance; manages zoning administration; and reviews proposed development activity in the City. CPED's Development Services Division also supports citizen advisory bodies to the City Council on land use matters, including:
- The Planning Commission, which makes decisions regarding various land use applications and advises the City Council regarding long-range planning;
- The Heritage Preservation Commission, which works to preserve historically and architecturally significant buildings, districts and sites while allowing modifications for contemporary use; and
- The Zoning Board of Adjustment, which hears matters of zoning appeals, zoning variances, and the establishment of legal nonconforming rights.
Recommendations of these bodies are submitted to the City Council for applications for re-zonings, street or alley vacations, Zoning Code text amendments, comprehensive plan amendments, historic designations, historic variances, and waivers from moratoria. Advisory body decisions are final on all other items unless appealed. The Council's Standing Committee on Zoning & Planning hears all land use related matters before the City Council, and provides recommendations to the City Council for its final action.
Last updated Jul 2, 2018


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2012 Previews: N.L. East
11 homers, 44 RBI, and a .769 OPS, in 103 games.
It's kind of hard to believe that looking at those numbers, or more correctly looking at the loss of those numbers, would lead lots of folks to completely write off the 2012 chances of one particular club.
Those are, of course, the 2011 statistics of Chase Cameron Utley, who may or may not be the second baseman in PHILADELPHIA for part of 2012. Filling a similar role of not-quite-two-thirds-of-a-regular last year, Utley was part of a Phils squad that won its division by 13 games. In slightly fuller part-time duty the year before, Utley's Phillies won the East by six games. In 2009, his last complete year, they also won by six games. In 2008, his last great year, they won by three.
It's ludicrous to suggest that the Phillies have gotten better the less Utley has played. But it's just as ludicrous to suggest that he is somehow irreplaceable. They replaced him fine the last two years, and even when he came back to hit .438 in the NLDS, they still managed to lose with him. But now Utley is a complete maybe, and the Phillies are supposedly dead.
The actual argument about the loss of Utley is that a healthy version would have compensated for the real damage done by the absence of Ryan Howard. Yes, he basically can't hit lefties any more (in 2008 counting the post-season he drove in 52 runs against left-hand pitching; last year, 28, including 0-for-6 against Cardinal southpaws in the playoffs). But he's still like the big fat kid on the playground: he tends to win nearly all the wrestling matches.
Utley's presence was ultimately necessary because of Howard's absence. Hell, they could've played him at first and saved a little wear and tear on him. But as immobile as Howard appears as the dawn of a new season breaks, his problem now is largely down to recovery from an infection that sounds suspiciously like a hospital bed sore. If and when it is fully knocked out, he will heal up quickly, and his stamina will recover adequately.
In short, the message to the assumed contending trio of the Braves, Marlins, and Nationals is: you'd better bury Philadelphia while Howard is still out. Because if you don't, you won't when he comes back. There's just too much there there, especially in pitching, especially with the seeming Nostradamus act of Ruben Amaro almost re-signing the destined for injury Ryan Madson only to suddenly pull Jonathan Papelbon out of the hat. If the Phillies get any worthwhile production out of Jim Thome, Ty Wigginton, Juan Pierre and Freddy Galvis, they'll be good if not great (and surely Galvis is a defensive upgrade at second base).
The three other contenders in this division are hard to sort out, and are probably all overrated. WASHINGTON has no pennant race experience, ATLANTA has too much, and MIAMI thinks it isn't necessary.
The Braves are the likeliest to provide the challenge. Jair Jurrjens' incremental velocity loss is a major concern, as are the horrific springs of Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran. So is the prospect that last season they actually burned out – rather than just wearing down – Jonny Venters. There are, however, waves of pitching options, and a strong offense that cannot again crater the way it did last September. I don't think much should be expected of Chipper Jones, but on the other side of that coin, the Braves may have stolen a Jose Bautista-like player from Cincinnati in last Sunday's trade for third baseman Juan Francisco.
Francisco has always had a reputation for tremendous power and a throwing arm not exceeded anywhere in the minors. But the Reds had transformed him from prospect to suspect by bringing him up in each of the last three years – and not having him do anything. We all know Dusty Baker's inexplicable twist of the '60s catchphrase: Don't Trust Anybody Under 30. But Francisco may be Baker's most appalling victim, worse even than what he did to Todd Frazier. Until September 1st of last year, Juan Francisco had started consecutive major league games once in his life. With little to play for down the stretch, Baker gave him a few more shots – three streaks of three starts in a row and three more of back-to-backs. Francisco responded with what was basically a 19-games-as-a-starter sample slash line reading 3/15/.280/.314/.500/.814.
I know straight extrapolations are dangerous it stretches out, but in just 114 games in a theoretical platoon with Martin Prado, Francisco's line stretches out to 18/90/.280/.314/.500/.814. The kid has a thick body and needs to work harder, but countless are the examples of the underachievers who blossom when somebody has no choice but to play them regularly.
I do not see the Nationals competing offensively unless Bryce Harper ascends early, and all the indications from spring training implied this would be a 2013 event. Desmond and Espinosa can be a valuable offensive tandem but strike out fearfully often, Michael Morse and Adam LaRoche begin the year hurt, and there is still no indication that Jayson Werth's 2008-10 run was not his peak. The bullpen is very nice and the rotation is probably second in the division, but who has felt the heat, close and late? LaRoche, Werth, Lidge, and the ever-relocating Edwin Jackson.
The problem with the Marlins is that all of their offensive stars – Hanley Ramirez, Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Reyes, Gaby Sanchez, and Logan Morrison – could live up to expectations and the team could still linger around .500. I do not like this rotation. Josh Johnson is overpowering, but though he has been with them off-and-on since 2005, he has only once thrown a full complement of starts. Mark Buehrle is an innings eater but no all-star, and if you're depending on Anibal Sanchez, Ricky Nolasco, or Carlos Zambrano, you haven't been paying attention. It is intriguing that 74 percent of the homers hit by Morrison and Stanton last year came with nobody on board, but that rotation and most of that bullpen seems shaky.
As an aside, the Miami experience will be as important at the gate as on the field. If the Marlins underachieve – or achieve and the fans still under-attend – there could be a quick fire sale, or a desperate effort to move the mega-contracts. And this isn't just about South Florida. It reflects no great insight to realize that the willingness of the state of Florida, and the cities of St. Petersburg and/or Tampa to contribute to a new ballpark for the Rays, is almost wholly dependent on what happens in Miami. If the Marlins don't draw, there is no other conclusion to reach than that the Rays will almost certainly have to move before 2017. They have developed a winning machine in Tampa Bay, and a loyal fan base, but very few of those fans seem to want to express their loyalty by paying, and fewer still want to pay their way into that nicely redecorated aircraft hangar.
I don't have the heart to be rude about well-meaning NEW YORK. It is infuriating, knowing how that organization is infused from almost the top, to the very bottom, with earnest, hard-working people, that a team in a smaller market and a younger mega-tv deal spent the winter vacuuming up Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, while this club with its own tv channel couldn't even make a serious offer to Jose Reyes. Worse yet, despite a few bright spots on the horizon, there is no immediate hope of improvement. Barring somebody collapsing above them, the Mets are likely to finish last this year and for several to come.
The Phillies hang tough long enough for Howard to return in time to beat back the Braves, Nationals, and calamity-stricken Marlins, in a tight but possibly anger-filled race. The last-place Mets will sparkle on some days and Johan Santana's comeback will be heart-warming – and then they might still have to deal him off.
8 Comments
Enough already with the Dusty Baker bashing. He has been criticized plenty in the past for sticking with youngsters Cueto, Bailey, Bruce, and Stubbs when they were not producing. And now the GM trades Francisco and this is somehow Dusty's fault? The Reds are depending heavily on players under 30 this year with two rookies in the starting lineup most of the time.
All that Dusty Baker Bashing makes this guy Olbermann sound like a racist POS.
In my opinion once a season starts no matter the Sport, all "bets" are off. To me that is why watching sports is so much fun, you never know what can and will happen.
The Phils have been counted out before, actually they thrive on that sentiment.
I have been a Phillies fan since High School, I'm now 55. As with the ups and downs of life, so goes the Phillies, its been mentally healthy to share the paralles together.
Great Article Mr. Olbermann, as with everything you do.
Go Phils!!!!!
Keith Olbermann is a turd stain on the boxer shorts of Cable News History.
Interesting take on Dusty Baker. As for the idea that KO is somehow racist…what are you drink/eating/smoking? In a word, no, he isn't. And there are plenty of people in Cinti who aren't Dusty fans. Me? I dunno. Don't live there, wouldn't pay for MLB…just wonder sometimes about Mr. Baker's managerial abilities sometimes. I'm on the fence, partially because I think so much of Walt Jocketty and how the Reds managed to get him. IMHO, Jocketty's one of the best…except for Madson and how no one could have suspected possible fraud on Madson's part after getting $8.5 million and now he's out for the season. But Jocketty did damn well in St. Louis. So…. Juan Francisco? Interesting take – the folks on Pete Rose way were annoyed that Francisco came in this spring overweight – but if it's as KO says, then one can hardly wonder…why bother.
Hoping for a better opinion of the Reds but I trust KO as an able and honest arbiter. Still…go Reds.
Thank you, Keith, for making me feel better after my beloved Phillies lost 2 of 3 this weekend. I needed a reminder that once Howard comes back, it's going to be okay. It's only April. (repeats to self: It's only April.)
Seemed like Chase Utley was all I heard…and then I saw them chasing Utley! He has the right name. Your creativity is showing now that you are out of the rat race. LOL I am nuts. Anyway, I love the references to Bolshoi and Nostradamus! A little rest opens a window for sure! Oh, those Yankees, too. I kept wondering if it was karma. But they will be okay, according to Jeter who just thinks the Rays have a better team. Could that be what I actually heard him say? Wow. This is a strange season…not that I have seen many of them. This is only my second, but it is WAY different from the first. Glad we have YOU for the Baseball Nerd, Mister Man.


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Remarks of NEA President Reg Weaver : Social Security Fairness Act Press Conference
February 6, 2007
- Thank you Representatives Berman and McKeon for holding this very important press conference.
- NEA has been proud to work with both of you for many years as we have fought to repeal these unfair offsets. But, as hard as you and we have worked, we are still waiting for action.
- We can wait no longer.
- Today, I am calling on Congress to act immediately to pass the Social Security Fairness Act.
- This is an issue of fairness, justice, and respect.
- It is about Martha, an NEA member from Georgia. An education support professional who spent years caring for two bed-ridden relatives, and who now faces a retirement in poverty and the possible loss of her home.
- It is about Janice, a teacher from Illinois. A widow at a young age whose husband, her high school sweetheart, thought he was providing for his family by paying into Social Security. She now faces life without him and without the Social Security benefits he earned.
- It is about Perry, a retired teacher from California. Together, he and his wife paid into Social Security for a combined 47 years. Because of the offsets, they have lost over $57,000 in benefits since retiring 20 years ago.
- It is about Peg, who you will hear from in a moment. A recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching who now finds herself penalized for leaving the private sector to devote herself to teaching.
- And, it is about Cecilia, an NEA member from Texas who will lose half the benefits she expected. She says she is simply too old to find another job and, if she had known about the offsets, she would never have taken a job in the public school system.
- This is also about the education profession. Do we respect our teachers and education support professionals enough to ensure them a secure retirement? Do we respect our children enough to want to provide the very best educators for them? Or, do we want to keep discouraging dedicated and committed individuals from considering education professions?
- If Congress is serious about encouraging professionals from the private sector to move into teaching, you have to repeal the offsets.
- If you are serious about encouraging members of the armed forces to consider teaching when they leave the military, you have to repeal the offsets.
- And, if you are serious about fulfilling the basic right of every child in America to a great public school, you have to repeal the offsets.
- We simply cannot continue to tell hundreds of thousands of public servants that they have to wait. I know I cannot continue to tell that to the countless NEA members who call, write, and e-mail us every day desperate for news on when the offsets might be repealed.
- The time to act is now. Let's get moving.
- Thank you again to Representatives Berman and McKeon for their outstanding and unwavering leadership on this issue.
- Thank you.


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Miners Cabin w/ chimney... The walls and roof of this kit are laser cut wood. The kit is very easy to build and requires basic skills and a single evening.
The foot print is 11 scale feet wide by 16 scale feet deep. (3" x 4")
Note: This kit DOES NOT include a stone chimney like the old kit.
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Free UK delivery on orders £45+
DMC Petra No.3 Crochet Yarn - Dark Red/5321
£5.35 £2.99
This product is unavailable
Say hello to Petra, one of DMC's most popular and long-standing crochet yarns. Ideal for many crochet projects, it's particularly great for home decoration and novelty/toy projects.
Due to the mercerisation process used on this crochet, it allows the colour of the thread to really shine through, making for great colour vibrancy in your project. Compared to the Natura yarn, the finish of Petra is more shiny and luxe, creating a more polished look.
Great for: crochet and knitting projects including home decor, clothing, babywear, and fashion accessories.
- Mercerised crochet thread made from 100% long staple cotton.
- Size 3 yarn
- Size 2.5-3mm crochet hooks or 3-3.5mm knitting needles recommended for this yarn
- Can be used as 4ply
- Suitable for crochet or knitting
- 100g ball


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United Kingdom
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Click on the links to visit the recommended websites or scroll down to hear how to say Greek names.
Websites to visit
Website 1
See pictures of Hercules and his twelve tasks on ancient Greek pots made over 2,500 years ago. (Click on "Labors" then click on a picture.)
Website 2
Can you spot Zeus and Hera? (Click on the gods and goddesses to find them.)
Website 3
Watch a video clip about Hercules and how he slays the monster Hydra. (Click on "Hercules".)
Website 4
Print out and shade in pictures of Hercules and Zeus.
Website 5
Read about Hercules' adventure with another Greek hero, Jason. (Click on "Jason".)
Website 6
Life in Ancient Greece. (Click on a topic for facts, interactive scenes and video clips. Videos may not work where you are due to BBC copyright restrictions.)
Website 7
Find out about some other ancient Greek myths.
Website 8
Paint a Greek pot online. (Click on "Ancient Greece" then "Design a Greek Pot".)
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Sound files
Heracles (the Greek name for Hercules)
Hydra (creature with snake-like heads)
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Young Reading Series 2
Hercules: the world's strongest man
Alex Frith has been a children's author for more than a decade, covering every topic on Earth, from prehistoric animals to robots with artificial intelligence, and everything under the Sun, from the origins of the Universe to the adventures of Thor, God of Thunder. At home he reads too many comics, and attempts to raise three children with an awful lot of help from his wife, and no help at all from his cat.
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The Creators Project: How did music become part of your life?
António Pinto: Well, I'm not part of a family of musicians, I'm part of a family of artists. Music came through my sisters, because when I was younger they loved musicians. (laughs) When I was seven or eight years old, my sister was dating a bass player from a band and I would follow them. I went to their shows and so on. I loved sitting down to play the drums after the shows were over, and I ended up getting a set. In my house we had a piano, a set of drums, and a guitar, and I started to play them out of curiosity. There was another thing, too: When I was young I would play albums at home, put some cushions in a chair, and pretend I was the drummer. I would close my eyes, and I was in a concert.
What kind of music did you listen to at that age?
Like I said, my sisters introduced me to music, and it was through them that I acquired three albums that were important to me in my youth: one was Heavy Weather by Weather Report, another was something by Stanley Clarke, and the third, if I'm not mistaken, was Miles Davis's Bitches Brew. I got those albums when I was ten, and it really opened my mind in terms of listening to music. I started to get curious so I would research to find more things to listen to. You have to remember at the time there was no internet. Back then you would get the album and listen to that album exhaustively. You could say that I had an "internet" curiosity, let's say, for music, way before the new easiness there is today existed. So more than my first attempts at playing and making I think it's good to be curious about what you listen to. Seek out things that can open your mind.
When did you decide that this is what you wanted to do with your life?
My professional life is kind of an accident. Unfortunately I've never been that determined. Excuse me for what I'm going to say, but that American thing of "This is what I'm going to do, and I'm going to be the best at it," is the opposite of how I work. Things happened very naturally for me. The music itself, it was a natural process -- it wasn't a search, never. I am where I am by chance.
How have you integrated technology into your music?
My music has evolved with the technology. The first work I did, in terms of recording, was using this little device where you had to record one cassette to another. Then there was Tascam, which was a four- channel recorder. Then there was the first Sound Designer, which was one of the first audio-sequence programs. I know all of the programs: Logic, Performer, Studio Vision, Live, and Pro Tools, so my musical knowledge came together with my technological knowledge, and they both contribute to the result of what I do.
Where do you compose most of your music for movie soundtracks?
I do it at home. I have a piano there. I usually compose at home or come here, and then I do what I call "knitting." I start distributing the music throughout the movie. With Pro Tools. That way I can start seeing how the music will work with the moving image, and then I see the music in synch with the image. Then I redesign it, cut it, assemble it, make downloads, and see how the movie flows with the song.