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Day One
Excited to be in Nashville for ESX 2017, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, returning to where it all started in the music city.
Started Day One moderating a very interesting session "CounterPoint of the Day: DIY Security - Passing Fad or a Real Opportunity?" featuring two great speakers—Megan MacDonald, vice president of marketing, My Alarm Center, headquartered in Newtown Square, Pa., and John Campau, president and CEO of Comtronics, headquartered in Jackson, Mich.
I want to extend a big thank you to both of them for making my job easy by getting some great conversations and interaction going with the audience.
MacDonald, who was instrumental in launching My Alarm Center's DIY division LivSecure, started the session by defining DIY.
In the DIY space, she noted, there are two distinctions—professionally monitored and then the systems that are completely DIY, including MIY or monitor-it-yourself.
"Those are the ones you buy on the retail shelf at [big box stores], and it is truly a DIY—you set it up, there is no professional monitoring component, and no integration with a third party provider; it is literally a do-it-yourself," she explained. "As we refer to DIY in our business, it is a bit of a misnomer, because that is not what we do from a DIY perspective—that is MIY. What I refer to as DIY … is self installed professionally monitored systems, which is a lot of what we are going to talk about today, and that is what we do at LivSecure. So the customer sets the system up themselves but it integrates with our CRM and with our monitoring center just like a professionally installed system does."
In terms of professionally installed systems vs. DIY, Campau said, "We are a professional installing alarm company going on 60 years, so DIY is not a threat for us; we embrace this." He made a good analogy to someone who needs to have their house painted. Some will choose to paint it themselves while some will choose to hire someone to come and paint it for them.
In regard to whether DIY sales impact sales of the professionally installed side of the business, MacDonald noted, "LivSecure is a complement to our existing offerings and as a tool to close more sales, not to replace existing sales that we were already making. It is another option for our sales reps, and we will pay them a multiple of RMR, just like we would do on a professionally installed system."
MacDonald said it is all about closing the sale—"selling the right product to the right person at the right time."
"If we get a DIY system in the wrong hands, they will eventually deactivate," noted Campau. "With DIY in particular, we've got a very low churn rate in our business; we are hyper-focused on keeping our customers."
Both pointed out that by just having a DIY option, it opens the conversation and can lead to that potential DIY customer choosing to have the system professionally installed, which "is just a better sale, because that is a stickier customer," said Campau, one who is more likely to use and add to the system and less likely to attrite.
"If you are getting into the business or launching this, I would be very firm and specific on what the process is and the requirements are for rolling a truck to a self installed system," MacDonald said, noting that otherwise you are going to put yourself in a difficult situation of rolling a truck much more than you would like.
Campau said that if a customer has a problem and needs assistance, he will roll a truck, but for a $100 fee and a commitment to an additional year on the traditional two-year monitoring contract that he offers. "You'd rather have that convo before the sale, on the front end; don't rush to get that sale."
The discussion also covered RMR potential, which is in the $40 to $45 range, as well as branding, marketing and engaging the customer. Both agreed that the more engaged a customer is with their system, the less likely they will cancel the service and much more likely that they will add more services over time.
Day Two
I started Day Two in the session "Must Know Future Trends of the Industry," featuring two highly knowledgeable speakers in Speros Venios, VP of channel sales at Interlogix, and Michael Barnes, founding partner of Barnes Associates, an advisory and consulting firm that specializes in providing financing and acquisition related services to the security alarm industry.
Venios, who is responsible for the integration of security and smart home devices in the residential and commercial segments through the distribution, MSO and OEM channels, said that 50 billion objects are projected to be connected to the IoT by 2020.
"Connected homes will be the largest sector for IoT technologies," he said, noting that by 2019 it is estimated to be a $490 billion market. "According to one survey, more than two-thirds of consumers plan to buy IoT technology for their homes by 2019."
Despite all the disrupters, such as the cable, telecoms and tech companies in the market right now, "The security channel is well positioned to deliver these solutions," Venios said, noting that they have an opportunity to be that trusted provider of both security and smart home products and services.
Barnes pointed out that over the past year his focus on operating performance and valuation trends in the industry—how product and technology is affecting the industry—has revealed three big trends: Faster product evolution and shorter lifecycles; a broadening array of capabilities and services; and a changing competitive landscape.
"The number of new products coming out each day is much faster than it was before and those products are expected to have shorter lifecycles … not because they're not manufactured well, but because they're going to be replaced with something faster, better or cheaper," Barnes said.
The broadening array of capabilities and services is "a wonderful thing for consumers and commercial end users of all types," he said. "But, of course, it puts strains on those of you who are trying to provide those services—how do you pick which ones to offer, how do you package them and how do you price them?"
With all of the disruptors in the industry right now creating a changing competitive landscape, "Clearly technology is enabling some of these new competitors … that previously wouldn't have been a competitor in the industry," he said.
Despite some of the challenges presented by the abovementioned trends, "This is a great time to be in the business," Barnes said, noting that he sees nothing in the data that would tell him otherwise. "We look at, and we track hundreds of alarm companies and we try and track every deal that is going on in the industry, every dollar of capital that is being raised to support the growth for all of you."
Next, I sat in on a spirited discussion, "CounterPoint of the Day: Cable Service Companies Are Here to Stay - What Impact Are They Having on the Industry?" which was moderated by ESX chairman George De Marco, and led by speakers Daniel Herscovici, Comcast's senior VP and general manager, and John Knox, owner and president of Knox Integrated Systems, who was elected as ESA president in 2012.
De Marco noted that the counterpoint forum is new to ESX this year, with the goal of getting everyone in the session involved in an interactive debate. A cushioned square, which had a microphone inside, was available to pass or throw around to anyone who had a comment or question.
De Marco started the discussion by asking Herscovici why Comcast entered into the security industry and how this has helped or challenged traditional companies.
Herscovici pointed out that Comcast is not only a direct-to-consumer home security solution but through the acquisition of Icontrol, it is also a platform provider.
"We entered the industry mostly because we saw a real opportunity to offer a great experience and leverage our current assets," he said. "Comcast has 27 million household relationships through our Internet, video and voice products." Plus, the acceleration of the connected home drove that as well, he said.
"More than half of our customers have never had home security before, so it is not that we are out there converting or doing a bunch of takeovers—a lot of our acquisition is new to the category, new to home security," he said. "Awareness of what the possibilities are with the connected home security product on a broad scale and the awareness that we generate through our reach, through our consumers, kind of lifts all boats, and makes your conversations easier when you are selling."
Knox said that he hasn't personally seen any affect. "I don't think that I have lost any customers to the cable companies," he said. "I think it is more like what he [Herscovici] says: They are bringing more people into the market that weren't in the market before."
He continued, "Since I have been in the business, every five years someone has been putting me out of business. We have been living that our whole lives and we are still here. And if they don't do a good job of supporting the customer, we are going to benefit off of that."
With the invasion of the telecom companies into the smart home space, security dealers have been faced with new challenges and battles as they try to compete for new business created by this new era of smart home connectivity and automation.
Whereas in the past when customers would turn to their security provider first to ask about smart home products, a new report from research firm Parks Associates shows that there has been a shift in homeowners' purchase behaviors. Among current smart homeowners, 26 percent purchased their device from a retailer such as Home Depot, Walmart, or Sears, followed closely in second by security dealers, with approximately 20 percent purchasing these products through them.
Homeowners now have "more options, increased personalization, and enhanced value across the full spectrum of IoT experiences," Dina Abdelrazik, research analyst, Parks Associates, said in the announcement of Parks' annual report, Global Connected Living Outlook 2017: Building on the IoT. "Following early disruptions, many players are now rising to the challenge to create competitive solutions that better accommodate the needs of the connected consumer."
Although the big retailers are getting a bigger portion of the pie, they are also raising awareness and educating the public, which is creating additional opportunities for dealers to be the channel through which smart home owners purchase all of these interconnected devices, many of which work in tandem with security systems and services.
For example, additional Parks' research, which was unveiled at the firm's 21st-annual CONNECTIONS Conference in May, shows that two-thirds of smart homeowners and shoppers want crossover applications that integrate with their home entertainment devices.
"Key crossover use cases include safety and security alerts popping up on a smart TV and video from networked cameras shared across the connected screens in the home," Elizabeth Parks, senior vice president, Parks Associates, said in the press release. "In both cases, two-thirds of smart home owners and shoppers find these features appealing."
Security dealers can also provide homeowners with a better level of interoperability and network security and stability, as Parks found that as more products are purchased standalone and then brought into a connected home, the risk of fragmented consumer IoT experiences increases.
"As consumers become more connected, their digital lives in many ways become more complicated, and solving this potentially fragmented consumer experience, addressing privacy concerns, and crossing traditionally separate boundaries will be the dominant challenges for companies in 2017 and 2018," Abdelrazik noted.
Security dealers can and should be the ones to solve this problem, and from my conversations with dealers, many already are doing this, providing security as well as support, guidance and options to be that smart home provider as well.
CHICAGO—GTCR, a private equity firm based here, today announced that it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire GreatCall Inc, a large provider of PERS and cellular devices to seniors.
GTCR has some roots in the security space: GTCR bought Protection 1 in 2010 for $828 million, then sold the company to Apollo Management Group in 2015.
GreatCall has more than 800,000 subscribers across its cellular phone and PERS device business. The company operates its main monitoring center in Carlsbad, Calif., with a secondary facility in Reno, Nev.
"Everything they do, I think we would characterize as PERS—they deliver it a bunch of different ways. Some of it is cell phone based and comes with a cellular service as well. Some of it is traditional mobile PERS, pendant based," David Donnini, managing director for GTCR, told Security Systems News. "There's access to an operator in everything they offer."
"We focus on recurring revenue service businesses, by and large—whether they're B2B, B2C. A lot of them are technology enabled. We do a fair bit of healthcare investing as well, [along with] some technology, media and telecom. This investment hits on a lot of what we do across our firm," Donnini said.
It was GTCR's experience with security alarm monitoring that led the firm to GreatCall, Donnini said.
"Our goal is to continue to work with the company to continue to grow it. They have a business plan around entering more [of] the commercial side of the industry as well, providing the service to health care insurers, health care facilities, operators and so forth who can benefit from it as well," Donnini said. "In our model, M&A is always an opportunity as well. I think there's strategic businesses in this space that we'll hope to acquire."
What stood out to GTCR about GreatCall? "I think the thing that leapt out to us about GreatCall is efficiency, some of the best performance metrics and return on investment—as well as growth—in the industry," Donnini said.
GTCR has thought of the PERS space as an interesting area for investment opportunity over the past five to 10 years, according to Donnini.
"We are excited to partner with GTCR as we continue to provide seniors with exceptional services that provide peace of mind and extend independent living," David Inns, GreatCall's CEO, said in a prepared statement. "GTCR brings significant resources and experience in building industry-leading companies, and we believe they will be a valuable resource in the long-term expansion of our business."
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017. "The existing owners of GreatCall decided to sell a few months ago. So, the discussions have been ongoing for a couple of months now, we've been evaluating the company and working on a transaction which we agreed to [in early June]," Donnini said.
Jefferies LLC served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to GTCR. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisor and DLA Piper served as legal advisor to GreatCall.
I've been hearing a lot about PERS and mPERS lately. Specifically, I've been interested to hear views on how older PERS users feel about technology.
When discussing Essence's Care@Home Active offering, which uses a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone, company head of marketing Rafi Zauer said, "The obvious question is: How many seniors have smartphones now-a-days? There's ample evidence … [smartphone use] is going to become almost ubiquitous over the next few years with seniors for several reasons."
Zauer continued, "The availability of old phones, or non-smartphones is depleting. … Plus, the baby boomers in the next few years are becoming seniors themselves, and we know baby boomers use smartphones almost across the board."
Following that conversation, as well as others, I was interested to come across a new report from Pew Research Center, titled "Tech Adoption Climbs Among Older Adults," which looks at older Americans and their stance on technology.
The report's authors, Monica Anderson, Pew Research Center research associate, and Andrew Perrin, research assistant, had some interesting figures about the way older generations could view technology.
The report reads: "recent Pew Research Center surveys find that seniors are also moving towards more digitally connected lives. Around four-in-ten (42%) adults ages 65 and older now report owning smartphones, up from just 18% in 2013. Internet use and home broadband adoption among this group have also risen substantially. Today, 67% of seniors use the Internet—a 55-percentage-point increase in just under two decades. And for the first time, half of older Americans now have broadband at home."
The report also mentions higher tech adoption in some areas among seniors that are younger, between ages 65 and 69. "Seniors ages 65 to 69 are about twice as likely as those ages 80 and older to say they ever go online (82% vs. 44%) or have broadband at home (66% vs. 28%), and they are roughly four times as likely to say they own smartphones (59% vs. 17%)," it read.
Though, the report also notes, that some seniors chose to "remain largely disconnected." Anderson and Perrin write, "One-third of adults ages 65 and older say they never use the internet, and roughly half (49%) say they do not have home broadband services. Meanwhile, even with their recent gains, the proportion of seniors who say they own smartphones is 42 percentage points lower than those ages 18 to 64."
I'll be curious to find out if increased technological familiarity among seniors will change the way PERS devices are designed in the years to come.
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. and SANTA ANA, Calif.—Allied Universal continues to diversify with the acquisition of ALERT Protective Services, a residential community security firm based in Sarasota, Fla.
"This is a company that does most of the high-end residential communities in South Florida," Allied Universal CEO Steve Jones told Security Systems News. "Not only are they providing the security guard services but they do it differently where they use technology to help augment that, which is what we have been pushing toward and striving toward with our business."
With a portfolio that consists of 95 percent residential condominiums and communities, ALERT Protective Services owns the homeowners association and residential lifestyle communities' security space in Southwest and Southeast Florida. Founded in 2005, the company has more than $10 million in revenue and 430 employees, most of which will be joining Allied Universal.
"We are excited to join Allied Universal," Jeff Haidet, CEO of ALERT Protective Services, said in the announcement. "Both companies embrace combining the use of state-of-the-art technology with manpower to provide an optimal solution to our customers. We also share the same passion and commitment to be the employer of choice for security professionals and provider of choice for security users."
Similarly to Allied Universal, ALERT Protective Services offers integrated security systems and uniformed security professionals to work in tandem with a complete security program at community gatehouses, concierge desks, or security command centers. Some of these solutions include remote video monitoring, access control and an electronic patrol-reporting program that enables security professionals to report threats in real time and alert authorities if back up is needed.
"This was an opportunity for us to not only expand our footprint in Florida, but to really get a springboard on providing those security officer services along with remote video monitoring and the use of technology for ingress and egress around the community, which is where we want to focus on," said Jones. "We are excited that we can leverage the technology applications that we feel are changing and enhancing the industry."
Moving forward, Jones said the company still has a few more acquisitions up its sleeve.
"We've got a pretty robust pipeline of deals that we are looking at—some in the technology space and some in the traditional manguarding space—and we hope to announce a few more before the year is over that will help us to diversify our company and bring more value to our clients."
With headquarters in Santa Ana, Calif., and Conshohocken, Pa., Allied Universal has more than 150,000 employees across North America.
FLIR Systems Inc. announced yesterday that James J. Cannon has been appointed president and CEO, effective June 19, 2017. Cannon will succeed Andy Teich, whose retirement after 33 years of service was previously announced on February 14.
"The opportunity to join this outstanding leadership team and serve alongside over 3,000 talented FLIR employees worldwide as the company's next CEO is a great honor," Cannon said in a prepared statement. "The FLIR brand is synonymous with continuous innovation and delivering value to customers around the world. From my own personal experience having relied on FLIR technology as a combat veteran, I've seen firsthand the powerful, life-saving impact the company's portfolio of solutions can have for our customers."
Cannon served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as an infantryman and armor officer in a wide variety of assignments around the world, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Iraq.
Prior to joining FLIR, Cannon served for more than 16 years in a variety of senior leadership positions at Stanley Black & Decker Inc., most recently as president of Stanley Security North America & Emerging Markets, FLIR noted.
"As President of Stanley Security North America & Emerging Markets, Mr. Cannon held direct P&L responsibilities across five business units, managed over 5,000 employees, and oversaw the operations of numerous manufacturing plants and distribution centers. In this role, he successfully developed and executed a strategic plan that reduced complexity and cost while driving continued and sustained improvement," the announcement read.
Prior to his role as president of Stanley Security North America & Emerging Markets, Cannon was president of the Stanley's Industrial & Automotive Repair business unit, first in North America and subsequently in Europe and Latin America, before then serving as president of Stanley Oil & Gas.
"We are delighted to appoint a chief executive of Jim's caliber," Earl R. Lewis, chairman of the FLIR board of directors, said in a prepared statement. "Jim's proven track record of achieving strong results in both business and the military make him uniquely well qualified to serve as FLIR's next CEO."
Cannon serves on the board of directors of Lydall, Inc. and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. Cannon will be based out of the company's Wilsonville, Ore., headquarters.
The Security Industry Association (SIA) recently announced its establishment of the SIA Public Safety Working Group, which will be chaired by Steve Surfaro, industry liaison, Axis Communications.
"This working group has been in the works for quite some time," Surfaro told Security Systems News. "SIA began working on public safety through some work with the Homeland Security Science and Technology group, and it was thought that one of the best ways to really serve the security industry and public safety industry was to come up with a very agile and focused working group."
According to SIA CEO Don Erickson, the goal with standing up the SIA Public Safety Working Group is to develop recommendations to improve the safety, security, and sustainability of cities and communities using technology, as well as provide advocacy of public policies in support of the group's mission.
"As new and developing technologies undergo trial and testing or enter the field in use by public safety agencies, it is critical that the security industry maintain its voice in the appropriate adoption and deployment of these technologies," Erickson said in the announcement. "SIA members are uniquely qualified to provide council alongside active practitioners in police, fire, emergency medical services and other disciplines to maintain the safety and security of our cities and communities."
Erickson is excited to have Surfaro as the inaugural chairperson for the SIA Public Safety Working Group. "His connections throughout the security industry are exemplified by his achievements, for example, as chair of the Security Applied Sciences Council for ASIS International," he said.
The working group will involve a number of different key entities within the security and public safety spaces, including practitioners, solution providers, systems integrators and specialty manufacturers.
"The most important thing to realize is the PSWG is going to have equal representation across all interested parties, by both practitioners and solution providers, especially SIA members," said Surfaro. "The mission is to provide guidance through education and publications, including special education sessions and events at ISC West and ISC East, for example, as well as a centralized repository of subject matter experts who have already had success overcoming public safety security challenges."
In addition to looking at emerging technologies, such as autonomous systems and unmanned vehicles, the working group is creating a Tactical Solutions Handbook, a working document that will be the working group's "first deliverable," said Surfaro.
"A while ago with Homeland Security Science and Technology we had some great success together with SIA in publishing a Video Quality handbook," he explained. "But now things are not just about video—they are about access control, acoustic sensing and signal detection, thermal imaging, screening techniques, body worn cameras, license plate technology, explosives detection—to name just a few."
He continued, "Everything that we are going to put into this handbook is going to be equally used by both public safety and corporations with high risk, which will be able to get guidance for hardening their facilities as well."
The working group should have four- to five chapters of the handbook ready by the fall, said Surfaro. "Each chapter will have a structure where a SME leads each chapter, and then has contributors," he explained. "And then each of the contributors for the other chapters are going to be reviewers on the chapters they did not write, which will add to the collaborative nature of the handbook."
Surfaro said the handbook will benefit greatly from having so many different perspectives. "We need to be agile enough to be able to work with multiple practitioner groups and leverage the SIA membership, which is very far-reaching with a lot of solution providers, and they will have a tremendous opportunity to contribute to the working group and to this handbook."
Another goal with the handbook is to provide a guide for matching the different types of emerging threats today with an appropriate tactical solution. "So it will be a nice use-case method where the security industry will learn more about what is happening in public safety and public safety will learn about how many of the solutions that they need to defend against these emerging threats already exist," said Surfaro.
Since the announcement, SIA and Surfaro have already gotten a great response from those interested in contributing. "In the past week alone, there are many who have reached out to SIA and myself pledging interest in the working group," said Surfaro. "And it has been a wide variety of folks—systems integrators, solution providers, as well as those who are involved in law enforcement and fire. Working within a consensus-driven environment is vitally important with a group like this."
As reverberations from last week's ransomware attack continue to be felt throughout the world and the security industry, the answer to how we can minimize the impact that these types of attacks can have on a company may be found in the cloud. For example, WannaCry ransomware, as it is called, preyed on Microsoft computers that failed to update the latest security patch that was issued in March, an oversight that an IT savvy company operating in the cloud would not fall victim to.
The good news continues to pour in on increased adoption of cloud-based services, including a new report from Intel Security, titled Building Trust in a Cloudy Sky: The State of Cloud Adoption and Security, which finds that cloud services are now a regular component of IT operations, and are utilized by more than 90 percent of organizations around the world.
Many are working under a "cloud first" philosophy, only choosing to deploy an internal service if there is no suitable cloud variant available, and as a result, IT architectures are rapidly shifting to a hybrid private/public cloud model, with those surveyed expecting 80 percent of their IT budget to be cloud-based within an average of 15 months, according to the report.
For the report, Intel Security surveyed more than 2,000 IT professionals in September 2016 to produce this annual review of the state of cloud adoption, representing a broad set of industries, countries, and organization sizes. In the face of a continuing shortage of skilled security personnel, the impact of this scarcity on cloud adoption was a priority for this year's report.
"Cloud first. Two simple words, but the approach is now well and truly ensconced into the architecture of many organizations across the world," Raj Samani, chief technology officer, EMEA, Intel Security, said in the report. "Our initial assumption when designing the survey, that there was a gap between intent and implementation and that the transformation to cloud would take several years, was proven inaccurate. The desire to migrate quickly towards cloud computing appears to be on the agenda for most organizations."
In the forward to the report, Jim Reavis, CEO, Cloud Security Alliance, said, "This report clearly resonates with the anecdotal information I have received in my travels representing the Cloud Security Alliance this past year. Cloud computing is maturing and broad-based adoption is occurring."
Overall, the study found that cloud services are widely used in some form, with 93 percent of organizations utilizing software-, infrastructure-, or platform-as-a-service offerings. Cloud architectures also changed significantly, from predominantly private-only in 2015 to increased adoption of public cloud resulting in a predominantly hybrid private/public infrastructure in 2016. Also, the average number of cloud services in use in an organization dropped from 43 in 2015 to 29 in 2016, indicating potential consolidation of cloud providers or solutions.
Interestingly, almost half (49 percent) of the professionals surveyed stated that they had slowed their cloud adoption due to a lack of cybersecurity skills.
The trust and perception of public cloud services continues to improve year-over-year, the report said, and most organizations view cloud services as or more secure than private clouds, and much more likely to deliver lower costs of ownership and overall data visibility. Those who trust public clouds now outnumber those who distrust public clouds by more than 2:1. Overall, 62 percent of organizations reported storing personal customer information in public clouds.
"Improved trust and perception, as well as increased understanding of the risks by senior management, is encouraging more organizations to store sensitive data in the public cloud," the report found.
Virtualization of private data center architectures is progressing, and on average, 52 percent of an organization's data center servers are virtualized, and most expect to have the conversion to a fully software-defined data center completed within 2 years, according to the findings.
Because businesses are trusting cloud services with a wide range of applications and data, much of it sensitive or business critical, the report stated that this movement of sensitive data to the public cloud may attract cybercriminals.
"Security vendors are delivering tools to address fundamental security concerns, such as protecting data in transit, managing user access, and setting consistent policies across multiple services," the report concluded. "Attackers will look for the easiest targets, regardless of where they are located. Integrated or unified security solutions are a strong defense against these threats, giving security operations visibility across all of the services the organization is using and what data sets are permitted to traverse them."
The report noted that organizations should ensure that they are using authentication best practices, such as distinct passwords, multi-factor authentication, and even biometrics where available.
"Despite the majority belief that Shadow IT is putting the organization at risk, security technologies such as data loss prevention (DLP), encryption, and cloud access security brokers (CASBs) remain underutilized," according to the findings. "Integrating these tools with an existing security system increases visibility, enables discovery of shadow services, and provides options for automatic protection of sensitive data at rest and in motion throughout any type of environment. Consider adopting a Cloud First strategy to encourage adoption of cloud services to reduce costs and increase flexibility, and put security operations in a proactive position instead of a reactive one."
The bottom line: The cost and resource savings of cloud services are real, and the wide variety of offerings makes it possible to choose the best fit for the organization, according to the report.
Click here for the full report.
MIAMI—On Monday I headed down to Aventura, Fla., just outside of Miami, to attend Affiliated Monitoring's second annual Catalyst, a conference focused on the sales and marketing aspects of PERS technologies. There have been a lot of interesting conversations happening at the conference; included below is a brief overview of the conference and some of the topics discussed.
Prior to the first official day of this year's Catalyst, the company held a PERS marketing primer for attendees. Mike Zydor, Affiliated's managing director, and Matt Solomon, director of software solutions for Affiliated, presented the introduction to the technology and the market. The number of people aged 65 years and older will increase in years to come, they said, adding that the typical PERS customer is in their low- to mid-eighties.
"We have lots of seniors and they live at home, they own their own homes and they want to stay in their own homes," Solomon said. Solomon and Zydor highlighted the point that often in selling PERS, a dealer is not interacting directly with the user, but with the user's adult children.
The two gave an overview of products on the market, such as in home technologies, fall detection, mobile PERS.
Zydor and Solomon delved into marketing in two key areas, direct-to-consumer and through partnerships. In discussing direct-to-consumer options, they gave an overview of paid search marketing, content marketing and SEO, print advertising, and social media among others. Of these, content marketing and SEO was highlighted as a good possibility for local efforts.
When looking for partnerships in the market, Solomon and Zydor said a dealer can look to hospitals, home healthcare agencies and senior services, among others.
The first day's educational sessions started with an opening keynote on the state of the PERS industry, presented by Affiliated VP Daniel Oppenheim.
"You are living in the golden age of PERS right now, the opportunity is right now," Oppenheim said. He stated that he wanted to give attendees three main things to consider and take away from the opening address.
Firstly, he pointed out several products in the industry and their impact. While the majority of units are still in the home, Oppenheim said he's seen fast growth in mPERS over the last two years.
The second item Oppenheim discussed is that dealers should learn more about their customers. Affiliated looked at figures from its interactions with PERS in 2016. PERS is about peace of mind, he said, pointing to the statistic that action was needed in response to a PERS button press 10 percent of the time during 2016.
Additionally, the company found out that of mobile PERS button presses, 53 percent of those users were at home. Similar to the previous years, the average age of a PERS user is 81 and the average age of an mPERS user is 78.
Lastly, Oppenheim discussed "the sale after the sale," and that a good customer is not only one who has it delivered but one that uses it. He shared a figure: if a PERS user tests their system within the first 30 days of getting it, they were five times more likely to still be a subscriber a year later, as compared to those that didn't test the unit within that time.
Oppenheim also noted that this year marks Affiliated Monitoring's 40th anniversary.
Following the opening keynote, Matt Solomon presented "Agile Management in Action." He described agile management as a methodology, or way of thinking about a business, in order to improve business efficiency.
Solomon discussed key aspects of the agile management philosophy, such as placing value in people and interactions instead of processes, delivering on the premise, working with customers and responding to change.
Agile management is a way of empowering employees to make decisions, he said. The methodology is also focused on shorter-term time frames, such as two weeks, as opposed to nine or 12 months. Agile is also about delivering value, he said.
Solomon gave attendees the chance to collaborate in a group activity, which was centered around working together, making decisions about prioritization, and ultimately seeing how the amount of work required for a task adds to the value of a business.
Prioritize, collaborate and get stuff done were three main points Solomon underlined.
"Executive Spotlight: DRTV and the Senior Market," was the next session. Here, Daniel Oppenheim sat across from Peter Koeppel, founder and president of Koeppel Direct, a direct response media firm. In this session, Koeppel and Oppenheim had a conversation about direct response television advertising, or DRTV, and how it might fit into the PERS industry.
To start, Koeppel defined DRTV as a TV ad designed to get a consumer's immediate response. Examples of DRTV would include commercials that instruct viewers to dial a number or visit a website to order a product or receive more information.
Koeppel said that seniors in particular are watching more TV, and they watch during the daytime, which is generally a less expensive spot for advertising. Longer time spots can work better with the senior market, he noted, allowing the number to remain on screen longer and slower talking in the commercial.
Koeppel showed two commercials as examples of DRTV and case studies for how they work—both chosen because they were designed for the senior market, much like PERS. Afterward he gave examples of how responses changed based on changes in the advertising, such as a better response to a rebate as opposed to other incentives, and more responses with a "repeater number" such as 555-1212.
In "Thought Leader Discussion: The Future of PERS," Mike Zydor moderated a discussion with four executives from the industry: Ryan Bangerter, VP of business development for Mytrex; Yaniv Amir, president of Essence USA; Scott McGeHee, VP of sales and marketing for Climax; and John Carpenter, VP of channel engagement for Nortek.
Zydor opened the session with a specific question for each speaker. Noting that Mytrex has a focus on in-home units, he first asked Bangerter about what led Mytrex to stay focused on this area of the industry. "The biggest thing is looking at demand," Bangerter said, adding that there is a demand for in-home products.
After mentioning that Essence focuses on monitoring aspects of daily living, Zydor asked Amir where he sees the market going. One of the things Amir pointed out is that monitoring daily living habits through Essence's system doesn't necessarily require a pendant, which can help. "A pendant is perceived [as] losing their independence," Amir said.
Zydor asked McGehee about Mytrex's work with both mobile and in-home PERS. McGeHee said that dealers look for an easy to use, simplified offering, which fits a senior who is not comfortable with an abundance of technology.
Next, Carpenter was asked for what he sees as key features of interest in the market, particularly considering that Nortek is involved with telehealth. Carpenter said that he sees being able to add more features and functionality as a benefit amidst other offerings that look to compete on price.
The second day of Catalyst 2017 started with "Keynote Conversation with Ken Gross- Executive Spotlight: Unrivaled Success in the PERS Industry," featuring a conversation between Daniel Oppenheim and Ken Gross, founder and chairman of Connect America. The two discussed Gross' approaches and successes in the industry.
Oppenheim opened with a question about Gross' history and how he came to the PERS industry. Gross answered that he first started an alarm business in 1977, sold it in 1989 and subsequently entered a 10-year non-compete. He returned to the industry in 1999 with a new business that he sold five years later in 2004. At that time he was investing in domain names, one of which was medicalalarm.com, which led him to enter the PERS business in 2004.
When Oppenheim asked about the key turning points in Gross' business, Gross pointed to two events, one which led to the other. The first event was a positive review in Good Housekeeping, which Gross said helped the company in forming a partnership with CVS. Through this partnership, Gross' business put a display in 6,000 CVS stores.
Oppenheim also brought the conversation to a topic from the previous day's conversation on DRTV. Gross said that he has used specific numbers, such as 800 numbers—as opposed to 877 or 833—and repeating numbers.
Gross underlined one piece of advice at a couple of occasions: picking the right partners, including the right vendor and the right central stations for the business. "Pick the right partners and stick with it," he said.
Dr. Robert Rohm, corporate trainer and author, gave the final presentation of the day, covering personality types and the best ways to interact with different types of personalities.
Personalities are oriented in a couple of different ways, according to Rohm. People are either more task oriented or more people oriented; they are also either more outgoing or reserved.
Outgoing and task oriented tends to make for a dominant personality, he said. This group of people is filled with natural born leaders and likes seeing results. This group can also be defiant.
Outgoing and people oriented means a person is very fun-loving, looks to be liked, though can be illogical at times. Incorporating fun into a sales call with an outgoing and people oriented person will help, he said.
If a person has both reserved and people oriented traits, they will be supportive and generally like teamwork and appreciation. This group of people values peace and harmony, Rohm said. This group can be a "sucker," he said.
The last group Rohm addressed is those that are task oriented and reserved. This group looks for value and quality answers and likes to be right. These traits mean a person likes patterns and to know what is expected of them. People who are task oriented and reserved can come off as cold, Rohm noted.
Attendees seemed really pleased with the event and the educational sessions, with quite a few returning from last year. Attendees were also positive on the networking opportunities and this year's location.
WESTMINSTER, Colo.—PSA TEC, PSA Security Network's annual conference in support of its integrators, vendors and members—including ProAV professionals following PSA Security Network's recent acquisition of USAV and CI Edge—provided some valuable education and networking, including some important takeaways for attendees.
In addition to training and certification opportunities from manufacturers as well as from SIA, ASIS and CompTIA, this year's educational program touched on many of the top trends in the industry today, from the cloud, biometrics and IoT to robots, drones and data analytics.
One of the big themes for the show this year was cybersecurity, which the PSA Security Network has "taken a leading position on," according to president and CEO Bill Bozeman, who pointed out that PSA has put a lot of time, effort and money into providing resources, education and support for members on this increasingly important topic. Bozeman noted that PSA Security Network's cybersecurity committee has made "great strides in just this past year."
This year's keynote, Matthew Rosenquist, cybersecurity strategist for Intel Corporation, in his presentation "Cybersecurity Risks and Recommendations—Where Your Focus Needs to Be," provided a nice launching point for many of the day's cybersecurity sessions and discussions.
Rosenquist pointed out, "Ten years ago we weren't having this discussion," noting that today it is absolutely imperative that the security industry has these cyber discussions, as "physical security and cyber have converged."
He told integrators in the audience that as much as there are risks as well as challenges in preventing and combatting cyber threats, there are also "opportunities here" to provide services to protect both physical security and cybersecurity. IT professionals, including CIOs and CTOs, he noted, now have great influence over security matters and decisions and have much more in terms of budget and funding, so getting IT at the table with security folks is key.
In the "State of the Industry" session, Bozeman told integrators, "We need to figure out how to sell cyber," pointing out the goal is to provide—similar to what is available on the physical security side—"a set of services for cyber that integrators can sell."
The State of the Industry session was moderated by Bozeman with a panel that included keynote speaker Rosenquist as well as Gunvir Baveja, CEO, eVigilant Security, David Sylvester, founder and president, 3SE, and Chuck Wilson, executive director, NSCA.
In addition to cybersecurity, the group looked at the impact of third party managed services businesses on the industry.
"This is a new problem for us," Wilson said, adding that these companies often come in after the project is done to offer managed services. He noted it is important "to grab that service contract early on" in the project.
Baveja said that his company offers the first year free to ensure that they get the service contract, noting that he has found that by using that approach "95- to 98 percent will sign a monthly maintenance contract."
"As the integrator on the project, you already have your foot in the door," added Sylvester, providing integrators with an advantage over third party companies in regard to offering a service contract. "Even cyber, too," he said.
Getting back to cybersecurity, and ways in which integrators can sell these services, Baveja, whose company has a division devoted to cybersecurity, confirmed what Rosenquist said during his keynote—that more and more security procurement decisions are being made by IT professionals, the CIOs, for example. "It is important to get the CSO and the CIO at the same table during a project," he said.
This topic of "selling cyber" also came up during the session, "Providing Cyber Ready Solutions and Services for Successful Lifecycle Project Implementation," which was presented by a PSA Security Network cross-committee panel that included PSA cybersecurity committee chair Andrew Lanning, co-founder, Integrated Security Technologies; PSA project management chair Robert Flynn, senior VP, operations, Aronson Security Group; PSA sales and marketing committee chair Sharon Shaw, client development manager, Tech Systems, Inc.; and PSA technical committee member Chris Peckham, SVP, CTO and special projects, Kratos Public Safety & Security Solutions, Inc.
Lanning pointed out that the committee has "come a long way in the past year" creating resources, improving processes, but he asked, "Where is the ROI? How can we monetize the value we can bring?"
He said that the "cross-pollination between committees" is helping to identify the value that integrators can bring to the cyber discussion, including providing guidance and services.
"Where do you want to play?" Lanning asked the packed room. "With the government and military, they require it [cybersecurity]," he noted, pointing out that in many cases, depending on what vertical a company works in, there are compliance standards that are regulated. "The demand is there and many clients are unknowledgeable but open to discuss," he said, noting that he "bundles cyber with our other services."
Peckham added, "Offer good, better, best; the value proposition is there—we just need to sell it."
Peckham pointed out that an often-overlooked aspect in the cyber discussion is employee education and training, which can include mandatory online training courses, in-house discussions and memos, even signs around the office. "Preventive measures are key in the workplace," he said.
Shaw added that she finds that people often need something they can relate to before it really sinks in. "Storytelling—giving examples and sharing occurrences—is very effective," she said. "Educate clients on their risks, including offering penetration testing."
The panel also agreed that the onus is partially on the manufacturers, which "aren't hardening products the way they should," said Flynn. He noted that many within the industry have their "head in the sand" on cybersecurity, which "needs to be addressed from sales to service."
During the State of the Industry, the panel got into the need for insurance on the cybersecurity side of things. Many on the panel agreed that coverage varies greatly from company to company, with Baveja pointing out, "Insurance companies are just trying to figure things out right now."
Rosenquist noted, "The insurance companies don't have it figured out because actuary data is not available. There is no predictability as attacks change constantly." He also said that coverage costs—as well as what is covered for the same project/job—can vary dramatically. "Even the application process varies wildly," he said, from a one-page application to one that can be upwards of 100 pages.
Bottom line: Expect your customers to ask for it.
The State of the Industry panel also agreed that this is a good time to be in the industry, which will continue to see a 6- to 8 percent annual growth rate moving forward, aided greatly by a booming construction market that includes increased technology infrastructure building and growth in the U.S.
To ensure that integrators continue to stay profitable, PSA Security Network provided an informative panel presentation called "PSA Financial and Operational Metrics." Nadim Sawaya, principal, EPC, has worked closely with PSA to help provide useful metrics that integrators can take home and start using right away. He went through some of the highlights and important aspects of a 70-page document that the PSA Security Network created as a resource for integrators.
All and all, PSA TEC was a great event, from the educational sessions, training and networking to the vendor awards, sponsor hospitality suites and trade show portion on Wednesday that featured more than 100 exhibitors in an intimate setting.
For those looking to next year, PSA TEC is changing its location and dates. PSA TEC 2018 will be at the Downtown Denver Sheraton from March 11-15.
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On the Editor's DeskPaul Ragusa
News and notes
Monitoring MattersGinger Schlueter
Guest Blog
© 2019 United Publications Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


text: Camry Highlights Exterior Design XSE and SE models push the limits of Camry's evocative new look with unique catamaran-inspired accents and a black sport mesh grille. Sporty Styling Camry's available leather-trimmed 8-way power-adjustable driver's and front passenger seats create an intimate, tactile connection with the road. Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P) Peace of mind comes standard with an active safety package that includes Pre-Collision System 18 with Pedestrian Detection 17 (PCS w/PD), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) 19 and more to help you drive with confidence. Performance Indulge your sporty side with Camry's breathtaking performance. The light, strong body enhances both handling and ride quality. Exterior Design Make a lasting impression New exterior design Camry XSE's powerful shape and captivating style will announce your arrival—with authority. The muscular shape is defined by a pleasing mix of sweeping curves and chiseled surfaces. Sport side rocker panels and the integrated rear spoiler emphasize the coiled stance and redirect airflow to enhance efficiency and performance. It's an irresistible symphony of flowing lines and sharp, unconstrained edges that always makes an impact. Aggressive front grille with sport mesh insert Let the aggressive lines of the available gloss-black grille draw you in. The available sport mesh insert projects a finely machined appearance. It's just one of many exquisite details found on Camry. Dual exhaust with quad chrome tips The available dual exhaust with quad chrome tips dishes out a powerful look, matched only by the sporty sound. It's sure to leave a lasting impression. 19-in. black machined-finish alloy wheels Add to the allure with the lustrous black hue found on Camry's available 19-in. alloy wheels. The deep color dramatically contrasts the exquisite machined finish of the V-shaped spokes. Low-profile 40-series tires complete the distinctive look while providing a precise, confidence-inspiring drive. LED headlights with LED DRL More efficient and powerful standard Bi-LED combination headlights add a stylish touch, stretching outwardly from the thin upper grille. The XSE's LED headlights with smoke tint and fully integrated LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) add an illuminating touch to this expressive look with an inspired symmetrical design. LED taillights Camry's available LED taillights feature an eye-catching organic shape. It's a powerful look that flows seamlessly into the rear bumper. Stylish lights like these are the perfect way to brighten any drive. Sporty Styling Indulgence awaits inside Panoramic roof with front power tilt/slide moonroof and Cockpit Red leather-trimmed seats Camry's interior fits your needs and feeds your desires with pleasing finishes and textures. It meticulously blends colors and materials, such as the vibrant look and feel of the available Cockpit Red leather-trimmed interior. Brighten each day with Camry XSE's available panoramic glass roof with front power tilt/slide moonroof, which invites in more than twice the light of a traditional moonroof. A power-retractable sunshade helps you stay in control if things start to heat up. It's a practical and stylish cabin with an unrivaled attention to detail. Paddle shifters When the drive takes a spirited turn, Camry's available steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters give you the power to shift gears manually for a more controlled experience. It makes extremely fast shifts possible with a precise, responsive feel. Seat details Camry's redesigned seats are distinctively shaped with available leather trim and contrast stitching. Such finely crafted details ensure your style never takes a back seat. Midnight Black Metallic roof and rear spoiler Take Camry's sporty look to the next level with XSE's available color-contrasting black roof, side mirrors and rear spoiler. The distinctive two-tone Midnight Black Metallic roof1 highlights the stylish rear roof pillars and adds to the presence of the lower, wider stance. 1 Extra-cost color. Performance A joyride for your senses All-new 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and improved V6 engine Camry offers a choice of gasoline engines, the all-new 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder and a new 3.5-liter V6, each delivering a sophisticated blend of performance and efficiency. Both engines utilize the D-4S direct-injection system, which selects the optimal injection method based on driving conditions to pack a powerful punch with enhanced fuel efficiency to boot. It proves the rational choice can also be an exciting one. Suspension Enjoy the perfect harmony of a drive that's both relaxed and confident, thanks to Camry's MacPherson strut front suspension and new double-wishbone rear suspension. They deliver a smooth ride and sharp handling so you can take on any trip from crosstown to cross-country. New Direct Shift 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Camry's newly developed Direct Shift 8-Speed Automatic Transmission improves acceleration from a stop, provides a smooth ride at highway speeds and enhances fuel efficiency. More control makes for a more thrilling drive. 3-mode drive switch (ECO, Normal, Sport) Three distinct available drive modes give you even more control. Sport Mode indulges your spirited side with a sharper acceleration feel, while ECO Mode adjusts throttle input to maximize your efficiency. Normal Mode blends fuel economy with performance. Thanks to this choice of drive modes, a perfectly tailored drive arrives with the push of a button. MPG Camry reaches new levels of performance and efficiency. With up to an EPA-estimated 41 highway mpg,1 it's the best of both worlds. 1 2018 EPA-estimated mileage. Actual mileage will vary. Driver's Interior Take a commanding view Driver-focused design It's a space that's all about you, with an inviting, wide-open sensation. Get behind the wheel and the driver-centric position envelops you with an intuitive feeling. Thanks to the perfectly placed steering wheel controls, everything you need is right at your fingertips. 8-in. multimedia touch-screen Camry offers an available 8-in. multimedia touch-screen with intuitive pinch-and-zoom navigation controls for a familiar experience. The new Entune™ 3.01 system speaks to your style with a customizable home screen and standard Entune™ 3.0 App Suite2 with available Toyota Connected Services. You'll even welcome the longest trips thanks to the Scout® GPS Link App3 with moving maps and available 9-speaker, 800-watt Entune™ 3.0 Premium Audio with JBL® w/Clari-Fi. 10-in. color Head-Up Display The available 10-in. color Head-Up Display (HUD) projects important info, such as your speed, turn-by-turn directions, and more, right onto the lower portion of the windshield. It helps you stay focused on the road ahead. 7-in. color Multi-Information Display The available 7-in. color Multi-Information Display (MID) presents turn-by-turn directions, safety info and alerts right where you need them. 1 Apps/services vary by phone/carrier; functionality depends on many factors. Select apps use large amounts of data; you are responsible for charges. Apps and services subject to change. See toyota.com/entune for details. 2 Be sure to obey traffic regulations and maintain awareness of road and traffic conditions at all times. Apps/services vary by phone/carrier; functionality depends on many factors. Select apps use large amounts of data; you are responsible for charges. Apps and services subject to change. See toyota.com/entune for details. 3 e sure to obey traffic regulations and maintain awareness of road and traffic conditions at all times. Apps/services vary by phone/carrier; functionality depends on many factors. Select apps use large amounts of data; you are responsible for charges. Apps and services subject to change. Availability and accuracy of the information provided by Scout® GPS Link is dependent upon many factors. Use common sense when relying on information provided. Services and programming subject to change. Services not available in every city or roadway. See toyota.com/entune for details. Scout® is a registered trademark of Telenav, Inc. Innovative Technology Enjoy a more connected drive Bird's Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan Camry's available Bird's Eye View Camera1 with Perimeter Scan uses front-, side- and rear-mounted cameras to display a panoramic overhead view. It helps you get in and out of the tightest spots with confidence. Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking See more of what matters, thanks to Camry's available Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS)2 with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (RCTB).3 This warns you when it detects nearby obstacles and, if necessary, under certain conditions will reduce engine power and apply the brakes. Wi-Fi Connect Powered by Verizon Never miss a connection with Camry's available Wi-Fi Connect Powered by Verizon.4 The Toyota-first system supports up to five devices, making Camry the hottest spot on the road. Add available Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging5 and leave your wires and worries behind. Remote Connect Even if your Camry is out of sight, you can stay connected with available Remote Connect.6 It helps you remotely monitor guest drivers, control interior temps and locate your Camry in a crowded lot. 1 The Bird's-Eye-View Camera does not provide a comprehensive view of the area surrounding the vehicle. You should also look around outside your vehicle and use your mirrors to confirm surrounding clearance. Environmental conditions may limit effectiveness and view may become obscured. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details. 2 Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) is designed to assist drivers in avoiding potential collisions at speeds of 9 mph or less. Certain vehicle and environmental factors, including an object's shape and composition, may affect the ability of the ICS to detect it. Always look around outside the vehicle and use mirrors to confirm clearance. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details. 3 Do not rely exclusively on the Rear Cross-Traffic Braking system. Always look over your shoulder and use your mirrors to confirm rear clearance. There are limitations to the function, detection, range and braking performance of the system. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details. 4 Wi-Fi Connect is available on select 2018 and newer Toyota vehicles. Visit toyota.com for vehicle availability. Verizon Wireless is the network provider for Wi-Fi Connect, which uses Verizon's 4G LTE network to transmit data. Data usage applies. Coverage not available everywhere; see vzw.com. See verizonwireless.com/bestnetwork for details. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Other terms apply. Up to 5 devices can be supported using in-vehicle connectivity. Verizon Wireless data subscription required upon end of 6-month trial period or use of 2 GB data (whichever comes first). Use of Wi-Fi Connect subject to Verizon Wireless' Customer Agreement (verizonwireless.com/legal/notices/customer-agreement/), Privacy Policy (verizon.com/about/privacy/privacy-policy-summary), and data use policies (verizonwireless.com/support/vz-email-legal/). 5 Qi wireless charging may not be compatible with all mobile phones, MP3/WMA players and like models. When using the wireless charging system, avoid placing metal objects between the wireless charger and the mobile device when charging is active. Doing so may cause metal objects to become hot and could cause burns. 6 Use only if aware of circumstances surrounding vehicle and it is legal and safe to do so (e.g., car uncovered in open area, no people or pets in or nearby). If vehicle has not been driven for a week, services will not be available until next time vehicle is started. Functionality depends on many factors, such as vehicle and smartphone connectivity. Registration and app download are required. Must have an active Service Connect subscription. Subscription purchase required after 6-month trial. See usage precautions, service limitations and Owner's Manual for details.

subset: commoncrawl


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The slight decrease in U.S. fresh vegetable consumption seen in 2005 should right itself this year, led by increases in lettuce, bell peppers and snap beans.
The latest vegetables and melons outlook from the USDA's Economic Research Service reports that per capita use or consumption of all fresh-market vegetables and melons totaled 174 pounds, down less than 1 percent from 2005. Disappearance of all vegetables and melons totaled 131 billion pounds in 2005, compared with 120 billion pounds a decade earlier.
Including asparagus and onions but excluding melons, selected fresh-market vegetable area for harvest was forecast to decline by 3 percent to 290,300 acres this spring season which runs largely from April through June. Much of the expected decline is due to asparagus and head lettuce.
California, which accounts for more than half of spring vegetable area, expects to harvest 3 percent fewer acres while Florida, which accounts for one-fourth of spring acreage, expects to harvest 1 percent fewer fresh vegetable acres.
Despite a reduced area, spring-season f.o.b. shipping-point prices for commercial fresh-market vegetables are expected to average about one tenth below the highs of a year earlier as shipments rise in the coming months.
This spring, area for harvest for the top three melon crops is forecast to increase 6 percent to 78,200 acres. The bulk of the increase is due to a 10-percent gain in cantaloupe area, with watermelon acreage also projected to rise, by about 4 percent. Prices for watermelon have been above year-earlier levels, while cantaloupe prices were near those of a year ago.
As has been the pattern over the last few years, cool, wet winter weather delayed planting and other field activity and slowed growth of some spring crops in California. Area for spring harvest of head lettuce, most of which comes from California, is expected to be down 8 percent, largely as a result of persistently low prices over the past year.
Florida, where crop growth was slowed by earlier cold weather, is expected to harvest about one-fourth of all spring vegetable area. Florida's area is expected to drop 1 percent from a year ago due to lower area for snap beans (down 4 percent) and bell peppers (down 3 percent).
Area for tomatoes, which accounts annually for about one-third of Florida's $1.5 billion in vegetable cash receipts, remained steady at 17,500 acres despite strong prices last spring. However, spring tomato yields may be affected by earlier whitefly damage. Florida's spring sweet corn crop, much of which had to be replanted following the destructive Valentine's Day freeze, also was unchanged from a year earlier at 21,000 acres.
Because the freeze effectively reduced the market window by a month for most of the Florida crop, growers were not able to fully respond to last year's favorable sweet corn prices.
Assuming normal weather, spring-season f.o.b. shipping-point prices for commercial fresh vegetables are expected to average about one tenth below the highs of a year earlier and just above the average of the previous five years. Although shipping-point prices this spring are expected to average below those of a year earlier for most fresh-market vegetables (including tomatoes and onions), higher prices are possible for asparagus and celery.
Winter weather began and ended with cool, wet spells in the West and cold weather in Florida, including a hard freeze in central Florida in February. As a result, fresh-vegetable (excluding melons) shipment volume was down 2 percent during the winter quarter that runs from January through March.
Coupled with a relatively mild winter in most major population centers, prices were under upward pressure for the first two months of the winter. As a result, winter quarter shipping-point prices for fresh-market vegetables averaged about 5 percent above those of a year earlier.
During the first two months of 2006, the volume of fresh vegetable (excluding potatoes and melons) imports increased 11 percent from a year earlier. While import volume for crops such as tomatoes (up 38 percent), bell peppers (26 percent), and snap beans (28 percent) were higher due largely to weather-reduced output from Florida, the import volume of such products as cucumbers (down 7 percent), onions (down 10 percent) and asparagus (down 9 percent) declined. Import volume increased across the board for most fresh-market tomatoes, including greenhouse tomatoes (up 39 percent), roma tomatoes (39 percent), other round tomatoes (36 percent), and grape and cherry tomatoes (each up 40 percent).
Because of the lingering effects of hurricanes and cold weather on early 2006 U.S. production, the January-February export volume of fresh-market vegetables (excluding potatoes and melons) declined 7 percent compared with the first two months of 2005. The quantity of fresh vegetables shipped to Canada (down 5 percent) and Japan (down 25 percent) decreased, while volume shipped to Mexico was down 1 percent. Combined, these three nations accounted for 94 percent of U.S. export volume.


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School Closing
It is the policy of the School Department to close or delay the opening of school in cases of extreme weather or travel conditions. The Superintendent of Schools will make the decision about school closing or delayed opening (standard two-hour delay) after consultation with the Maynard Police Department, the bus company, and the Highway Department. Every effort will be made to make the decision by 5:00 AM. School closing will be announced in the following ways:
In the event that school is canceled or delayed due to inclement weather, the Maynard Public Schools will provide notice for parents via the following:
There are two (2) sources of information regarding school delays/closures:
WBZ TV – Channel 4;
Radio 1030AM (WBZ)
Web: http://wbztv.com/schoolclosings
Please do not call the Fire or Police Department for School Information.
Delayed Opening
Occasionally a delayed opening will be later revised to a no school announcement if conditions worsen. Please stay tuned to the TV or radio for a possible cancellation notice after a delayed opening announcement.
Early Emergency Dismissal
For Family >


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Monday, 19 November 2012 05:26 PM
The price of oil closed at its highest point in nearly a month Monday on rising concerns about the Middle East and less worry about the U.S. "fiscal cliff."
President Barack Obama and leaders of the House and Senate appeared to have constructive discussions Friday to avoid a series of automatic tax increases and spending cuts scheduled to kick in on Jan. 1 in the absence of government action. Economists have been warning of dire consequences if no action is taken, including the possibility of another recession.
Overseas the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas raised concerns about Middle East crude supplies. Analysts say supplies could be disrupted if the conflict engulfs countries elsewhere in the Middle East, a region that produces more than one-third of the world's oil.
Benchmark crude rose $2.36, or 2.3 percent, to finish at $89.28 in New York. That's the highest since Oct. 22.
Brent crude, which is used to price international varieties of oil, rose $2.75, or 2.5 percent, to end at $111.70 per barrel in London.
U.S. stocks rose as well. The Dow Jones industrial average was on track for its biggest one-day gain since Sept. 13.
Meanwhile drivers are seeing sliding pump prices ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Gasoline fell by more than a penny over the weekend to an average of about $3.42 a gallon nationwide. A month ago, it was $3.69.
Other energy futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange:
— Wholesale gasoline rose 4 cents to finish at $2.75 a gallon.
— Heating oil gained 9 cents, or 3 percent, to end at $3.08 a gallon.
— Natural gas fell 7 cents to finish at $3.72 per 1,000 cubic feet.
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text:
PR2 Beta Sites: Spotlight on Stanford
STAIR on PR2
The PR2's arrival at Stanford University is a homecoming of sorts. The PR (Personal Robot) project emerged from Ken Salisbury's lab at Stanford in the form of PR1. Moreover, what was once the STAIR lab's Switchyard system has morphed into today's ROS. We're excited to see ROS and the PR2 at Stanford, ready for more tinkering and growth.
The STAIR (STanford AI Robot) project seeks to develop the software needed to put a general-purpose robot in every home. The team is making the PR2 the next robotic platform for STAIR, and will develop open-source software towards this goal. The lab will transition the STAIR perception, grasping, and manipulation software to enable the PR2 to carry out three applications: fetching items, inventory taking, and clearing a dining room table.
The first component that the group plans to transition to the PR2 is their software for robotic perception, much of which is already released as open-source, but not yet adapted for the PR2. They have developed algorithms for embodied perception, which take advantage of the physical presence of the robot to recognize objects more accurately. The team has also developed algorithms that choose where to foveate (i.e., point a robot head or camera) to efficiently find/recognize objects, and use multiple views of an object to facilitate better recognition. The STAIR lab proposes to integrate these perception tools with the PR2, and thereby develop an object detector with an unprecedented level of performance.
The second component to be transitioned will enable the PR2 to grasp novel objects. The group's grasping algorithm explicitly reasons about the placement of multiple fingers on an object, and they will transition this algorithm to the PR2, modifying it to work with the robot's grippers and sensors. Additionally, the STAIR team will address the problem of smoothly placing objects on a surface. Finally, the group will use their algorithms to address the problem of grasping novel objects from previously known object classes. Specifically, they will develop class-specific algorithms for grasping tableware and cutlery.
The third component that the group will transition to the PR2 is the ability to use novel doors and elevators. The STAIR lab will integrate their door opening methods on the PR2, allowing for generalizability to a broader range of doors and door handles than has been possible with their prior hardware platforms. They've already made quick progress on this. Within twelve hours of setting up their PR2, the group ported their existing door-opening code. This is impressively fast given how different the STAIR 1 Robot is from the PR2.
The Team
The project is led by Prof. Andrew Ng and will include contributions from Prof. Ken Salisbury and Prof. Oussama Khatib.
The team is also comprised of a group of graduate students, including:
Below is a video of Morgan Quigley and Adam Leeper presenting Stanford's proposal to the rest of the PR2 Beta Program participants. You can download the slides as PDF.
Article written with assistance from Morgan Quigley.
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6:00 pm
Music City Roots: Live from the Loveless Cafe The nationally respected and dynamic music scene of East Nashville is in the spotlight, with songwriters Jon Byrd, Jacob Jones, Kevin Gordon and Elizabeth Cook. Plus sibling roots pop duo Dugas. D
7:00 pm
Austin City Limits "Gary Clark Jr./Alabama Shakes" Modern blues and soul are featured in the two performances. Clark showcases his major label debut, while Alabama Shakes spotlight their critically acclaimed Boys & Girls.G
8:00 pm
Broadway Or Bust "Boot Camp" The young performers launch headlong into rehearsals, coaching and coaxing sessions with one week to prepare for auditions and the awards ceremony. They fight fatigue and get an eye-opening look at what life is like on Broadway, experiencing both progress and setbacks. The episode closes as they dig into last-minute preparations for their auditions. Part 2 of 3G
9:00 pm
Great Performances "The Hollow Crown: Richard II" King Richard (Ben Whishaw) is called upon to settle a dispute between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke (Rory Kinnear) and Thomas Mowbray (James Purefoy). Richard calls for a duel but then halts it just before swords clash. Both men are banished from the realm.G


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Technology advancements and pressure to outperform competitors have forced CSPs to reconsider the fundamentals of their entire business approach.
Stakeholders want higher returns, regulators want more stringent standards and customers want more added value services. To respond to the industry's new challenges and reap its opportunities, operators must profoundly change their IT strategy. With disruption driving more and more operators to see their future as Integrated Digital Service Providers (IDSPs), the question is how to govern the transition.
Accenture Consulting applies a holistic approach that brings together, Agile, Waterfall, DevOps and next generation delivery methodologies and tools. We help our clients achieve multispeed IT that enables them to keep pace with industry evolution.
Until a few years ago, Communications Service Providers adopted the Waterfall methodology as their standard approach to projects. In a more static environment, it was the secure way to go. In today's faster-paced and digitally driven ecosystem, the Agile methodology has emerged as a necessary alternative: it affords operators greater flexibility to rapidly respond to evolving customer demands, it enables nimbler realignment to new regulatory rules and helps keep a lid on costs. Nowadays, choosing between Agile, Waterfall, Iterfall and Test & Learn is becoming less of a choice.
Smart operators are seeing that they need a blend of all of them. But how can the new and the traditional methodologies be combined without causing more headaches than they are worth? At Accenture Consulting, we have drawn on our global experience, industry competences and unique skill sets to build a compelling solution that seamlessly balances the strengths of all methodologies.
Accenture Consulting selectively combines the best practices within the Waterfall, Agile, DevOps and Try&Learn by optimizing the balance between them. Accenture's approach suggests the best methodology according to the specific domain: as it is not just Agile everywhere but Agile for the system of engagements, Try&Learn for the system of insight, scale Agile and still Waterfall for the system of records. Our solution:
Calibrates the pace for different types of clients, systems and organizational cultures.
Carves out the best in each of all the applied methodologies, but leaves out the pain points.
Contains principles and guidelines which can be combined as needed, case by case.
Multi Speed Methodology is a potent enabler. It combines next generation and traditional methodologies to help CSPs meet evolving customer needs and help management smooth the transition for their people. Accenture's Multi Speed Methodology combines best practices from different methodologies and enables the cultural shift to capitalize outcomes and
Improve Quality
Accelerate Time to Market
Reduce Risk
Project Control
Accenture's experience and expertise in project management can leverage the transition to help position your business for greater success. Read more to discover what we can do for you.


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NORTH BRUNSWICK — The Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Middlesex County Division of Highways, Apple Orchard Lane, North Brunswick. The hours are 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Household hazardous wastes that are improperly disposed of are identified as a danger to children and animals, a potential cause of ground water and other environmental pollution and a potential threat to garbage collection crews.
Acceptable materials which County residents can bring to the event for disposal include but are not limited to: pesticides/herbicides, flammable liquids, solvents, pool chemicals, used motor oil, oil filters, paints, batteries, anti-freeze, propane tanks, fluorescent light bulbs including compact fluorescent bulbs (no broken bulbs) and asbestos. Residents wishing to bring asbestos must pre-register by calling the Division, and can only bring up to a maximum of 500 pounds.
Materials that residents must not bring and will not be accepted at the drop-off day are alkaline batteries, tires, electronics, explosives and munitions, infectious/medical waste, household medications, appliances/furniture, unknown materials and empty containers. Residents with tires and electronics can contact the Division for information regarding separate tire and electronics recycling programs.
The Drop-off Day is sponsored by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The event is open to residents of Middlesex County only and is free of charge. Items should be brought in clearly marked containers.
For further information, residents may contact the Division of Solid Waste Management by calling 1-732-745-4170, by e-mailing email@example.com or by visiting the following web site: http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/planningboard/solidwaste.asp
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Barcelona: Tito Vilanova left the intensive care unit of the Vall d`Hebron hospital in Barcelona on Friday morning.
The 44-year-old underwent surgery on Thursday after he suffered a relapse of the tumour in his mouth which he suffered for a large part of the 2011-12 campaign.
The operation went according to plan, and Vilanova has now been moved to a regular unit for the next three to four days.
The Spaniard will start with chemotherapy and radiation treatment that is scheduled to last around six weeks in the upcoming days.
Jordi Roura will take Vilanova`s place on the Barcelona bench for their last Liga match of 2012 away against Valladolid at the weekend, and will remain in charge until the his boss has recovered fully.
Vilanova took over from Pep Guardiola ahead of the 2012-13 campaign and guided them to their best ever start in La Liga, dropping only two points from their opening 16 games.


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Representative Susan Allen, MN House of Representatives
On January 10, 2012, Susan Allen, Minnesota Democrat, became the First Native American Lesbian elected to the MN House of Representatives
Erica Fields, director, actress, playwright
The Naked I: Wide Open produced by20% Theatre Company Twin Cities
Feb 10-18, 2012 at Intermedia Arts
A world premiere play created by 20% Theatre Company Twin Cities,
with the contributions of over 20 local transgender/gender non-conforming artists and allies
Jamie Nabozny & Gretchen Murr, PFLAG board member
"Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All Students" Conference
Sponsored by PFLAG Twin Cities
January 20, 2012, 8:30am-8:00pm, Hamline University, St. Paul
Jamie Nabozny of Minneapolis, won a landmark federal lawsuit against his school administrators for failing to stop harassment. The lawsuit established that "all young people deserve a safe educational experience." Nabozny, a national advocate for school safety, endured years of harassment and beatings throughout Middle School and High School. His story has been told through Bullied a documentary produced by The Southern Poverty Law Center
The Nancy Boys, Dan Kenward, Ron Iverson, & Lawrence Martin
Comedy, Drag TV show. Celebrating 100 Episodes!
Cable Access TV, Web, MTN , SPNN
Privacy Statement
© KFAI, 1808 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454 Tel: 612-341-3144


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Things to Do in Chicago With Kids
Discover a list of fun things to do in Chicago with kids for a weekend vacation. Plus, get more family travel ideas for New York City and San Francisco
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Friday, 2:30 p.m.
Take a free tour of The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Money Museum with a chirpy guide who plays games: "Can you spot the counterfeit?" "Who knows who's on the two-dollar bill? Yep, the two-dollar bill." (Last year produced a bumper crop of counterfeit $2 bills, museum poobahs say.) You'll get your picture taken with it. Your kiddo could even come away with a bag o' money. True, it's shredded—but, hey, she could have thousands! Quite a deal, considering the tour is gratis.
Friday, 5:30 p.m.
If you expect the siren song of the Magnificent Mile or American Girl Place will prove too strong, the downtown Embassy Suites Chicago is where you want to drop your bags. The rooms are extra large (so everyone has elbow room), there's an indoor heated pool, and it's adjacent to a bowling alley and a movie complex. Perk alert: a free cooked-to-order breakfast for all.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
Take the Metra line to Des Plaines. Three blocks from the station is Dad's, a slot-car race-track emporium. The '50s experience is made complete with Dad's soda fountain. And bring your kid's report card: For every A, he gets 15 minutes of free play time.
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Segue from cars to trains at the Choo-Choo diner, on your way back to the Metra stop. An electric train winds around the joint, delivering your humongous Chicago-style hot dogs in baskets. "It's one of my children's all-time favorite places to go," says Jamie Bartosch of Arlington Heights. She recommends the turkey chili
akeg / Flickr (CC Licensed)
Sunday, 10:20 a.m.
It's hard to find a more enchanting place for littles to blow off steam than Oz Park. Dorothy's Playlot is a favorite playground of resident preschoolers. Take a stroll through the roses in the Emerald Garden and you'll be greeted by statues of the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy & Toto.


text: Hi all, I follow this guide: http://www.howtoforge.com/nginx-cat...end-to-apache-for-ispconfig-3-on-debian-lenny All is working perfectly for all customers who own a subdomain like user.my-domain.com but for those owning their own domain name, they are redirected to their-domain.com and www.their-domain.com don't work anymore, not fully, the files like .css and .js aren't found (nginx's logs showing that nginx try to find /var/www/www.domain.com instead of /var/www/domain.com). I think it is because this Nginx directive: Code: #### www. redirect - all domains starting with www will be redirected to http://domain. #### if ($host ~* ^(www\.)(.+)) { set $rawdomain $2; rewrite ^/(.*)$ http://$rawdomain/$1 permanent; } In fact, I don't understand the presence of it... Any idea? Regards,


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U.N. inspectors arrived Sunday in the Syrian capital on a mission to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons, as Syria's government vowed to fully cooperate with them.
Syrian plainclothes security men whisked away the 20-member team, led by Swedish chemical weapons expert Ake Sellstrom, from a crush of waiting reporters and cameramen as they arrived at their five-star hotel in the heart of Damascus.
Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad told the Associated Press before their arrival that Syria will "fully cooperate" with the team.
"I assure you, on behalf of the Syrian Arab Republic, that we will fully cooperate with this team and provide it will all information we have and all facilities to reach a rational conclusion," he said.
"Our basic target is for this team to find facts on ground, especially about what happened in (the Aleppo suburb of) Khan al-Assal, because we, as a government, do not know about any other cases other than the case where chemical weapons were used by terrorists there," he said. Syria's government refers to rebels fighting its rule as terrorists.
The U.N. team's mission will be limited to investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in three areas, in particular the March 19 attack in Khan al-Assal that President Bashar Assad blames on rebels.
The other two sites have been kept secret.
Assad's government and the rebels fighting to topple him each say the other side has used chemical weapons during the 28-month conflict.
Assad had refused to allow a broader U.N. investigation into allegations of chemical use, including charges that have been leveled by the United States, Britain and France.
Mekdad insisted that Syria "will never use chemical weapons against its people."
"We said that these weapons were used in Syria, and Syria was the first to inform the United Nations that armed groups used these weapons in Khan al-Assal," he said. "We had wished that the United Nations had conducted the investigation immediately at the time so the team would not find difficulties gathering evidence."
In June, Washington said that Syria's government used the nerve agent sarin on two occasions in the embattled city of Aleppo in the March 19 attack on Khan al-Assal and in an April 13 attack on the neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsud.
The letter from then-U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice also said unspecified chemicals, possibly including chemical warfare agents, were used May 14 in an attack on the town of Qasr Abu Samrah and in a May 23 attack on the town of Adra.
In March, Britain and France told the U.N. secretary-general they have reliable evidence that the Syrian government used chemical weapons near Aleppo, in Homs and possibly in Damascus.
The British and French ambassadors told Ban Ki-moon in a letter on March 25 that soil samples and interviews with witnesses and opposition figures backed their belief that the government used chemical shells that had caused injuries and deaths, diplomats and officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the letter has not been made public.
On March 23, Britain and France asked the U.N. chief to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in two locations in Khan al-Assal and the village of Ataybah in the vicinity of Damascus, all on March 19, as well as in Homs on Dec. 23.
Associated Press Writer Jamal Halaby in Amman, Jordan, contributed reporting.


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By Diane Houghtaling
HOPE FOR THE DAY- What do we do with unanswered prayer? I don't mean the times when we asked God for a nice day and it rained. I mean the big things that can alter our lives – the times when we have prayed and believed and hung on to God's promises, and then it seems like God's forgotten us. Years ago God showed me something that made a big difference in my perspective of why things happen the way they do. He said, "Don't be disappointed if it doesn't happen the way you expected." Many times when we pray, we have our own expectations of how we think God will answer. When it doesn't happen the way we expected, we think God has not answered our prayers, when in reality He answered in the way He knew would be best for us. This leads to a whole range of emotions and much questioning. Disappointment overtakes us, and doubts rush in. We feel hurt and start thinking that maybe God doesn't care. We feel betrayed, especially when we believe we are doing what God wants us to. Then the questions begin. "God, are you listening and do you even hear my prayers? Why didn't you come through for me? Why did you allow this to happen? Don't you care that I'm hurting? Why don't you do something about it?" If disappointment takes root and we give it free reign, it will grow into discouragement, despair and full-blown depression. We will live under a cloud of hopelessness, feeling totally forsaken by God. But it doesn't have to come to this if we remember that God's ways are higher than our ways. (See Isaiah 55:9.) We look at things from our small perspective while He is looking at the big picture. God is not interested in giving us everything we ask for. He doesn't spoil His children. Neither is His goal to make our lives as easy as possible and keep us from all pain and hardship. He knows what experiences we must go through to build character and strengthen our faith. Life is a journey, a process. All the parts that we would skip over may be the most important, because it is through those times that we learn and change and grow. So what do we do with unanswered prayer? We pray again, and ask God to show us His perspective. We need to ask the right questions. "God, what do you want me to learn from this? If you are not answering in the way I want, then what is best for me? Where do we go from here? God always answers our prayers, but many times not in the way we hope or expect. During those times we must not give in to disappointment and discouragement, but seek His perspective on what He desires to do through the circumstances. Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, call us at 845-482-5300.


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We're working hard to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour to make your area a safer place to live and work. You can have your say on how these priorities are set by contacting your neighbourhood policing team and indentifying the issues that matter to you.
Here are the priorities we are currently tackling in your area:
For a full list of priorities, click here
Community meetings are held regularly in your community, giving you an opportunity to speak to your local officers or discuss local policing issues.
None currently scheduled
Phone Number: 0161 856 3521
Email Address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Zeashan Nasim
Welcome to the Manchester East Neighbourhood pages of the website. The East Neighbourhood Team cover the following areas; Newton Heath, Miles Platting, Clayton, Ancoats, Beswick, Openshaw, Gorton North and Gorton South. We have a strong link with the communities in these areas and are reliant upon them to support us by providing information relating to Crime in their areas. We have had many successes as a result of information directly provided by the community and one such exam...click here to read more
Zeeshan Nasim
Michael Duzinkewycz
Daniel Hurst
Peter Hales
Ian Farr
Molly Laycock-Barnett
Richard Monk
Get involved - Special Constables
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Greater Manchester Victims' Services
Manchester Council crime advice
Moston Man charged with murder
A man has been charged with murder and attempted murder following a shooting in Ashton-under-Lyne
Driver who left police officer seriously injured jailed
Kaine O'Connor (26/04/1995) of Fulham Avenue in Manchester was handed four years today (Wednesday 16 January 2019) at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to assaulting a p


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A250 Kings Hall Royal Ulster Society.jpg
A250 Kings Hall Royal Ulster Society. (Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI collection.)
These aerial views of Ireland from the Morgan Collection were taken during the mid-1950's, comprising medium and low altitude black-and-white birds-eye views of places and events, many of which were commissioned by clients. From 1951 to 1958 a different aerial picture was published each Friday in the Irish Independent in a series called, 'Views from the Air'. The photographer was Alexander 'Monkey' Campbell Morgan (1919-1958). Born in London and part of the Royal Artillery Air Corps, on leaving the army he started Aerophotos in Ireland. He was killed when, on business, his plane crashed flying from Shannon.
- Copyright
- Independent Newspapers
- Image Size
- 4961x3508 / 9.9MB
- Keywords
- Contained in galleries
- Ulster Aerial Views


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Alibi Picks
Expo '70 sets the controls for the heart of the sun
Justin Wright, a.k.a. Expo '70, channels the deep-space kosmische kourier aesthetic of early psychedelic improv practitioners Klaus Schulze, Ash Ra Tempel and (perhaps especially) the pre-sequencer Tangerine Dream. His echoing soundscapes embrace the synthetic and the organic, from the otherworldly skirling of analog synths to the earthy rumble of distorted guitars. If you notice vibrations in your diaphragm or a distant hissing in your ears, do not panic, these are merely the first signs of imminent sonic destruction. Albuquerque dronesters Hedia and Luperci start this all-ages show at Winning Coffee Co. (111 Harvard SE); the doors of perception open at 7 p.m.


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Drew Barrymore Cares About Her Cosmetic Brand 'Flower'!
Drew Barrymore keeps it casual while exiting a pilates class on Friday (December 14) in Santa Monica, Calif.
The 37-year-old actress recently chatted with WWD about her upcoming cosmetic line Flower, on sale at Walmart in January.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Drew Barrymore
"I think, if you really care about things, then you just naturally get involved. I don't want to sit there and hope it works out. I want to be in the middle, in the mix, making sure it works out," Drew shared. "It is almost an uncontrollable desire to be one of the people who is creating. Maybe it is just a type of personality. I can't sleep at night. I care."
FYI: Drew is wearing the rag & bone Newbury boot and men's Kampen Crew sweater.
10+ pictures inside of Drew Barrymore stepping out after a pilates session…


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With a little less than three weeks before Opening Day, some issues the Mets opened camp with are starting to take focus. Others remain blurred.
Johan Santana, it seems, is on track. My philosophy on injuries is to assume the worst until the player proves otherwise. After a strong 56-pitch outing in a minor league game yesterday, the reports on Santana and his slider are good.
The fifth starter was another issue, and candidates Freddy Garcia (14.40 ERA this spring) and Livan Hernandez (3.72) will work today against the Braves. Garcia, obviously needs a complete turnaround to stay in contention, but coming off injuries, he's likely to open the season with an extended spring training.
Hernandez has been mostly good, but still hasn't blown Jerry Manuel away as to where the job is his. And, until he does, there will always be those Pedro Martinez whispers that won't go away.