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Journalism and writing careers advice and tips
This part of my site houses articles and resources aimed at journalists and editors.
In compiling it, I've drawn upon my own experience writing for business, technology and consumer magazines, both in-house and freelance. I've also written books (both nonfiction and fiction), edited publications and taken photographs for publication.
I hope that these articles will be useful to other writers, whether they're just starting out in their career as a journalist, or whether they're looking to experiment with new types of writing or approaches to book promotion.
This section is growing continuously. To keep up to date, please follow me on Twitter or join my newsletter list (see column on the right).
Writing Wisdom
Find out more about my writing quotes widget.
Writing for different genres
- How to write comedy for TV, radio or stage - Top tips on comedy writing from the London Comedy Writers Festival 2011. Get advice from Dan Mazer (co-writer of Sascha Baron Cohen), Griff Rhys Jones, and Robert Popper. Also includes tips on writing scripts actors want to perform and writing for radio.
- Writing for computer games - Find out what I learned at Gamecamp, which took place in London in May 2011 and brought together game creators and players to discuss the latest ideas in gaming.
Promoting yourself as an author
- 7 Top tips for self publishing your autobiography - Lots of people want to share their life story, so read my 7 top tips for making a success of it.
- How to make ebook apps for the Apple iPad and iPhone - Find out how authors are getting their content onto the most popular portable reading devices.
- How to get your audio books into iTunes and Amazon MP3 - I wrote this article for musicians promoting their music, but the concepts apply equally to authors with audio books.
- Promoting yourself as an author online - In this article, originally published in The Author magazine (Autumn 2006), Sean McManus provides a beginners' guide to setting up and operating an author website.
Book writing
- Writing a For Dummies guide - Go beyond the scenes and learn about the process of writing Raspberry Pi For Dummies.
- Top 7 Essential Tools for Writers - Learn about the tools that make writers more productive and effective.
- How to write a novel - Advice on the logistics of novel writing, and the three ugly truths you must accept if you are to complete your book.
- How to self publish your book with Lulu.com - Tips based on my experience publishing my novel through Lulu's print on demand service.
- The Power of Less for writers - Leo Babauta is the author of 'The Power of Less', a book that aims to help everyone cut through the noise and clutter so they can focus on what really matters. In this exclusive interview, Babauta reveals how the principles of his book apply to writers.
Journalism: writing and editing exercises
- Proofreading exercise - As a subeditor, you're responsible for correcting mistakes in articles and enforcing consistency. Here's an article to try your hand on. It's a real article that has been deliberately broken, so it's a bit over the top. But you'll still need to pay attention to catch everything.
- Broken sentences - In this subediting exercise, you're given 30 deliberately broken sentences. The aim is to edit these sentences, picking up on bad spellings, punctuation and incorrect or confusing word use.
- Finding the angle - Each publication puts its readers' interests first in reporting what's happened, and that means that what's essential to one magazine might not even get a mention in another. Here's an exercise to practise finding the angles in a story.
Articles about journalism
- Training journalists to work in war zones and other hostile environments - A report from a training day at Blackdown UK, where I took part in an ambush exercise and had a chance to ask an elite team of ex-army professionals what makes a good war reporter.
- How to train as a journalist - Answers to readers' questions about what school subjects to pick, whether you need a journalism degree to break into journalism, and how you can spot a good training course.
- Being a journalist - I get a lot of enquiries from journalism students and other freelancers. Check this page for some hints and tips on getting into journalism.
- Eleven top tips for successful freelancing - eleven steps to more ideas and more business for freelance writers.
- Don't believe the hype - PR people are paid to fight for space in the magazine and desperate to get good coverage. I wouldn't say they'd actually lie to you. But the truth is pretty stretchy stuff.
- Writing for the web - You've invested days in learning to design your site and create the graphics, but how much time have you spent improving the text? Sean McManus offers some writing advice from the experts.
- Don't imitate. Innovate - Circular emails are being broadcast and reproduced verbatim without attempting to discover or credit the original author. This article argues that journalists must ensure they add value to their reporting about the internet.
- Writing with style - an interview with the editor of The Guardian's style guide, explaining its purpose and how it is used.
Lunchbreak games
- Play Hangman - warm up your brain with the classic word game
- More games - including Wallbuster, Chatback, Misfit and Pairs

subset: commoncrawl


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Buy the best for the chef in your life by ordering a high quality cutlery set from KaTom Restaurant Supply! You'll find only the best knife sets that cut quickly and easily. KaTom sells cutlery sets with or without knife blocks in several knife varieties. Need an onion knife cutlery set? KaTom carries those as well! Make the chef in your life remember your gift for a life time by ordering the best in knife sets with KaTom.


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Ticket to Kona: First-Timers Reflect
Last year's Kona Lottery and Legacy athletes share memories and advice for first-timers.
Entries for this year's Kona Lottery and Legacy programs are pouring in. As the close draws near (February 28th), we asked our 2013 participants to share the moments that have stuck with them, four months after racing in the IRONMAN World Championship.
Register for the 2014 Lottery or Legacy program.
From running in your underpants to running into pros at Lava Java, a first-timer's experience can never be replicated. Below, a few of our lottery and legacy competitors offer their thoughts on Kona, the good, the bad, and the … challenges.
Newbie advice
"Before heading to Kona, I recommend watching previous IRONMAN World Championship races to give you an understanding of the heat, wind and terrain. If you can visualize it, then it will feel somewhat familiar when you get there." - Katherine Calder-Becker, Legacy athlete. (Read our profile of Katherine Calder-Becker.)
"The experience is more valuable than your finishing time. Don't take yourself so seriously that you come away from such an unique and amazing experience with any thing less than gratitude and joy." - Lance Carter, Lottery athlete (Read our profile of Lance Carter.)
"The same that was given to me: "Don't wish the race away." It's a strange thing. You can't wait to get the swim over and get on the bike, then while on the bike you tell yourself the run is coming up, let's get off this bike, only to get into the run and start looking at your watch dreaming of the finish. The race seemed so long and hard yet when it was over it seems like just the blink of an eye." - Mark Conklin, Lottery athlete
"Stop and smell the roses, watch the sunset, enjoy the dark in the energy lab, cheer for others, stop to pet dogs, high-five children and have the best time of your life. Find your own way to make national news like I did by wearing my wedding veil!" - Nicole Swift, Lottery athlete. (Read our profile of Nicole Swift)
Unforgettable moment
"The start, treading water. I just kept thinking 'I made it here. I am here.'"- Lynn Karner, Legacy athlete (Read our profile of Lynn Karner.)
"The moment I will never forget is running into Chef Gordon Ramsey on the run course and walking with him until we ran across the finish line together. That one landed a picture of us in Triathlete magazine and on the NBC broadcast. I will never forget it." - Corey McKenna, Lottery athlete
"The start line was a dream come true and had to fight hard to keep the emotions at bay and focus on the race. Crossing the finish line with my husband, John Wragg, who purchased and won the last Ebay slot was the highlight of my life and my 50 IRONMAN races. Words can't describe the joy, satisfaction and fulfillment. I felt I had finally accomplished what I had set out to do so many years ago." - Elizabeth Model, Legacy athlete (Read our profile of Elizabeth Model.)
"I know its cliché but I will never forget crossing that finish line. It felt more amazing than my three other IRONMAN races put together. The sounds, the cheering crowd and the lights coupled with the realization I actually completed IRONMAN Hawaii was truly amazing. It is truly magical—the Disneyland of IRONMAN!" - Shannon Ouellette, Lottery athlete (Read our profile of Shannon Ouellette.)
"High-fiving my brother who I hadn't seen for seven years who had flown in from the UK just to see me race." - Mick Bray, Lottery athlete.
Biggest challenges
"The course is, obviously, difficult, but not getting overwhelmed or getting psyched out by all the hard bodies. We Lottery and Legacy athletes, like most other human beings, are a breed apart from those who qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship. We're in a different race, but we're all in it together." - Rich Donnelly, Legacy athlete. (Read our profile of Rich Donnelly.)
"My biggest challenge was battling killer headwinds for the last 30 miles of the bike. It was so demoralizing. It's also quite tough to stay mentally positive as it gets dark and you have so far to go." - John Frasca, Lottery athlete (Read our profile of John Frasca.)
Get in on the Lottery and Legacy action by visiting the IRONMAN World Championship website.


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Wabash Junior to Sing Anthem for Fever• May 11, 2005 Share:
Wabash College junior Kyle Coffey will be performing the National Anthem at the Indiana Fever's June 10 game at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Coffey, a Center Grove High School graduate from Greenwood, is a member of the Little Giant basketball team and a Glee Club member.
Coffey sang the National Anthem prior to the 2004 Monon Bell game.
The WNBA's Fever will be playing the New York Liberty in the June 10 match up. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Tickets are available beginning at $8 for club level seats. Tickets can be purchased through the Fever website or Ticketmaster. A direct link to avoid Ticketmaster charges is provided below. The required password for the direct link is: Kyle.
Anyone seeking more information may contact Amanda Coffey, Kyle's sister, who works for the Fever at: email@example.com
In photo:
Coffey sings the National Anthem prior to this year's Monon Bell Classic.


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Description and Brand Names of Avita – Tretinoin (Topical Route)
US Brand Name
- Atralin
- Avita
- Refissa
- Renova
- Retin-A
- Retin-A Micro
- Tretin-X
Canadian Brand Name
- Rejuva-A
- Stieva-A Cream
- Stieva-A Cream Forte
- Stieva-A Gel
- Stieva-A Solution
- Vitamin A Acid
Tretinoin is used to treat acne. It works partly by keeping skin pores clear.
One of the tretinoin creams is used to treat fine wrinkles, dark spots, or rough skin on the face caused by damaging rays of the sun. It works by lightening the skin, replacing older skin with newer skin, and by slowing down the way the body removes skin cells that may have been harmed by the sun. Tretinoin works best when used within a skin care program that includes protecting the treated skin from the sun. However, it does not completely or permanently erase these skin problems or greatly improve more obvious changes in the skin, such as deep wrinkles caused by sun or the natural aging process.
Tretinoin may also be used to treat other skin diseases as determined by your doctor.
Tretinoin is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, tretinoin is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
- Keratosis follicularis (skin disorder of small, red bumps)
- Verruca plana (flat warts)
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Gel/Jelly
- Solution
- Liquid
- Cream
Before Using Avita – Tretinoin (Topical Route)
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups. Children are unlikely to have skin problems due to the sun. In older children treated for acne, tretinoin is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in other age groups.
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of tretinoin in patients 50 years of age and older with use in other age groups.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aminocaproic Acid
- Aprotinin
- Tetracycline
- Tranexamic Acid
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Fluconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Voriconazole
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Dermatitis, seborrheic or
- Eczema or
- Sunburn – Use of this medicine may cause or increase the irritation associated with these problems
Proper Use of Avita – Tretinoin (Topical Route)
It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause irritation of the skin.
Do not apply this medicine to windburned or sunburned skin or on open wounds.
Do not use this medicine in or around the eyes or lips, or inside of the nose. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If the medicine accidentally gets on these areas, wash with water at once.
This medicine usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefully before using the medicine.
Before applying tretinoin, wash the skin with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water by using the tips of your fingers. Then gently pat dry. Do not scrub your face with a sponge or washcloth. Wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying this medicine to make sure the skin is completely dry. Applying tretinoin to wet skin can irritate the skin.
To use the cream or gel form of this medicine:
- Apply just enough medicine to very lightly cover the affected areas, and rub in gently but well. A pea-sized amount is enough to cover the whole face.
To use the solution form of this medicine:
- Using your fingertips, a gauze pad, or a cotton swab, apply enough tretinoin solution to cover the affected areas. If you use a gauze pad or a cotton swab for applying the medicine, avoid getting it too wet. This will help prevent the medicine from running into areas not intended for treatment.
After applying the medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that might remain on them.
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For topical dosage forms (cream, gel, or solution):
For acne:
- Adults and teenagers – Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin once a day, at bedtime.
- For acne:
For cream dosage form (brand name Renova only):
For fine wrinkles, dark spots, or rough skin caused by the sun:
- Adults up to 50 years of age – Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin once a day, at bedtime.
- Adults 50 years of age and older – Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For fine wrinkles, dark spots, or rough skin caused by the sun:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
The gel product is flammable and should be kept away from fire or excessive heat.
During the first 3 weeks you are using tretinoin, your skin may become irritated. Also, your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better. It may take longer than 12 weeks before you notice full improvement of your acne, even if you use the medicine every day. Check with your health care professional at any time skin irritation becomes severe or if your acne does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks.
You should avoid washing the skin treated with tretinoin for at least 1 hour after applying it.
Avoid using any topical medicine on the same area within 1 hour before or after using tretinoin. Otherwise, tretinoin may not work properly or skin irritation might occur.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products on the same area as tretinoin:
- Any other topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (such as benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur)
- Hair products that are irritating, such as permanents or hair removal products
- Skin products that cause sensitivity to the sun, such as those containing spices or limes
- Skin products containing a large amount of alcohol, such as astringents, shaving creams, or after-shave lotions
- Skin products that are too drying or abrasive, such as some cosmetics, soaps, or skin cleansers
Using these products along with tretinoin may cause mild to severe irritation of the skin. Although skin irritation can occur, some doctors sometimes allow benzoyl peroxide to be used with tretinoin to treat acne. Usually tretinoin is applied at night so that it does not cause a problem with any other topical products that you might use during the day. Check with your doctor before using topical medicines with tretinoin.
During the first 6 months of use, avoid overexposing the treated areas to sunlight, wind, or cold weather. The skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation, especially during the first 2 or 3 weeks. However, you should not stop using this medicine unless the skin irritation becomes too severe. Do not use a sunlamp .
To help tretinoin work properly, regularly use sunscreen or sunblocking lotions with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Also, wear protective clothing and hats, and apply creams, lotions, or moisturizers often.
Check with your doctor at any time your skin becomes too dry and irritated. Your health care professional can help you choose the right skin products for you to reduce skin dryness and irritation and may include the following:
For patients using tretinoin for the treatment of acne:
- Regular use of water-based creams or lotions helps to reduce skin irritation or dryness that may be caused by the use of tretinoin.
For patients using tretinoin for the treatment of fine wrinkling, dark spots, and rough skin caused by the sun:
- This medicine should be used as part of an ongoing program to avoid further damage to your skin from the sun. This program includes staying out of the sun when possible or wearing proper clothing or hats to protect your skin from sunlight.
- Regular use of oil-based creams or lotions helps to reduce skin irritation or dryness caused by the use of tretinoin.
Side Effects of Avita – Tretinoin (Topical Route)
In some animal studies, tretinoin has been shown to cause skin tumors to develop faster when the treated area is exposed to ultraviolet light (sunlight or artificial sunlight from a sunlamp). Other studies have not shown the same result and more studies need to be done. It is not known if tretinoin causes skin tumors to develop faster in humans.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
The side effects will go away after you stop using tretinoin. On the rare chance that your skin color changes, this effect may last for several months before your skin color returns to normal.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


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My Recent Searches
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14.3.3 eta Protein
- Overview
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To view specimen requirements and codes please select your laboratory:
Not sure which laboratory serves your office? Call us 1-866-MYQUEST (1-866-697-8378)
* The tests listed by specialist are a select group of tests offered. For a complete list of Quest Diagnostics tests, please refer to our Directory of Services.


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Bug to close the taskbar
already participated in tournaments and have also purchased two videos, however I believe that
by a bug on the site, the bar does not disappear. Show here that completes tasks correctly and
it remains locked.
Image 1
In the first image I won a game rated, the bet was 20 cubits and the options "Rated Game" and
"Cubit Game" again are not enabled. This is the first bug, look at this.
Image 2
Now you can see I'm in a tournament, but the job fails again, another bug happens
Image 3
And finally the Videos tab, and like the other, it also fails. See, I'm watching video rthe "General Guide To The Opening - Vol 1"


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For most of us, if we had to take a close friend to the hospital for treatment with a stab wound, we'd want to do anything we could to help the authorities help bring the person who stabbed him to justice. Apparently Titans receiver Kenny Britt is not like most of us.
A New Jersey police spokesman told the Tennessean on Friday that police still think Britt can provide them with information about the stabbing that took place last month, and Britt is still declining to do so.
"Mr. Britt has ignored our request for a meeting to discuss additional questions the JCPD has pertaining to the investigation,'' Police Captain Edgar Martinez said.
According to Britt's attorney, Britt is not a suspect in either the stabbing or a shooting that took place in the same area later on the same night. But after police arrested a man for the stabbing of Britt's friend 10 days ago, they said they believed Britt could help with the ongoing investigation. That is apparently help Britt is unwilling to provide.


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Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Pickup gear: Plyometric jumpsoles
By Basketbawful at 8:09 AM
12 comments
What it is:
Plastic platforms that attach to the front of your shoes, forcing you to walk in a painful, duck-like manner, similar to the kind of torture that the Nazis inflicted on their cyborg gorilla shock troopers (see illustration).
What it's supposed to do:
Increase your vertical leap by 5 to 10 inches, take two-tenths of a second off your 40-yard dash time, and increase anaerobic power by 500 percent.
What it actually does:
(You mean, assuming they don't get tossed in the closet and forgotten after two or three uses, like 99 percent of the jumpsoles that have been sold?) Creates huge, throbbing calf muscles -- think
Popeye's forearms
, only on your legs -- and inspires delusions of leaping grandeur that will never, ever, under any circumstances, come true.
Who it's for:
Basketball players who can't jump over a nickle or outrun their aging grandmother (who, for the record, has had both hips and one knee replaced), but nonetheless dream of streaking downcourt like a bolt from the blue and soaring through the air for a monster jam over the awestruck pickup leaguers. This is, of course, a colorful euphemism for "white guys."
What it says about you:
You can't accept the cold and pitiless truth: That you will never dunk, except maybe on those 8-foot plastic rims they have over at the local elementary school.
Fact versus fiction:
You've heard the stories before: "Just before his 6th birthday, little Timmy was doing awesome tomahawk crams, two-handed dunks, reverse james, windmill slams, you name it -- and he's only two feet tall!!" These are the kinds of amazing claims you'll read anywhere and everywhere jumpsoles are sold. One of the testimonials, and my personal favorite I might add, was titled "wooo look at the white boy fly," and it was the touching saga of how a brave Caucasian youth turned the tables on fate to become a bounding wonder with the help of his trusty jumpsoles.
While these stories are compelling, jumpsoles "increase" your vertical leap in the same way that Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs are a "part" of your balanced breakfast. Expanding the distance between the court and your giant, clunking feet requires a well-rounded program of strength training, core work, and plyometric excercises, not to mention a natural genetic predisposition toward jumping.
Can the jumpsoles and all those other things help you jump a couple extra inches? Maybe. Just don't expect to add an extra foot to your vertical. If that was actually possible, don't you think that every NBA player would be jumping like Mike?
Cost and availability:
$69.95 (plus S&H) at
. If you're ready to drop an extra $20, you can also get the
Proprioceptor System
, which is a little ball you screw on to the bottom of your jumpsoles. This adds a higher degree of difficulty and instability to your embarrassing duck walk, but it's supposed to improve balance, reduce the risk of ankle and knee injuries, and make you look like a bigger idiot. But isn't the chance to become a jumping god worth the risk of a little humiliation?
pickup basketball
12 Comments:
...I take that back. I think I'd pick the Jason Kidd basketball over those things.
But josh...playing the Nintendo World Championships won't do a thing to increase your vert. You need to shoe up, my friend, if you ever want to soar on the wings of your hoop dreams.
Playing the Nintendo World Championships won't get anyone laid, either...That's why I'm not in it. ;)
I mean shit, I DO need these. I want to dunk and have freaky random people say "wooo look at the white boy fly,". Emphasis on the "woo" portion, too. Just make sure Ric Flair isn't doing it. That'd be kind of creepy...
Is that old gasbag retired, YET?!
No! Dude is still wrestling, although I have no idea how. His body looks like a sack of old leather with a bunch of crumpled up tin foil jammed into it. For some perspective: Flair was born the same year as Larry Bird.
The fuck? The batteries still aren't dead on that guy? Here's a hint Flair: RETIRE ALREADY. It's already been proven that you're made of rubber: http://www.kehoe73.freeserve.co.uk/rubberric22602.jpg
I can't be bothered by wrestling anymore, I haven't watched it in like four years. After 19 years of being a fan, I just had to stop. It was getting sad. And I ordered King of the Ring '95 on Pay Per View. MABEL won the damn thing.
i remember this item being featured in the now-defunct kicksology.net. Too bad Professor K. closed shop, because I never really saw the review for it.
Or maybe it never really did materialized because the product was a joke?
Prof K explained later that he "overtrained and injured" himself, so he never completed the program. I have a pair of strength shoes (a similar product) I got on ebay in 2000. Wore them a few times. After the first wearing my calves were burning for 3 or 4 days. I literally couldnt use them while walking. After a couple more workouts, I didn't use them for a while for some unrelated reason. I wanted to start again but the thought of not using my calves and the memory of the pain has kept them in my closet.
I think Basketbawful should give them a shot if he wants to offer more valuable criticism. He can borrow my strenght shoes if he likes. they are a size 11 or 12.
chris -- I wear size 12 shoes. If they're my size, and you'd be willing to let me borrow them, I'll accept that challenge. I'll even pay for postage and packaging. I'll post regular updates and credit you in the posts.
I sent an email to the yahoo basketbawful address. the shoes are yours to borrow. I'm almost positive they will fit as they were big on me and I wear an 11.5.
A few fun facts from my "
" entry:
99/100 guys will try to prove that he can jump and touch something given the challenge. You could tell a 94 year old blind man in a wheel chair that he can't grab the rim, and he'd go for it without reservation.
99/100 men, after not jumping as high as they thought they could, will tell you that they
in fact dunk on a 10 foot rim at some point in their life.
97/100 men are in fact, liars.
So maybe I should try these shoes...
i've used these and although no one is gasping and "wooing" after i play ball... they did improve my vertical and my quickness, i have no doubt about it.
and yes, your legs get sore as hell. but quitters never win and winners never quit
hahahahahhahha i jump 30 feet with jumpsoles
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Library Services
The staff of the Sandusky District Library believes that service is the most important quality of a successful library. Our job is to serve you, the public, and make learning a lifelong experience. That is why we offer our skilled guidance in the use of the library's many resources along with a friendly smile.


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Welcome To Hond-R, The UK's Most Respected Honda Performance Parts, Accessories and Engine Swap Specialists
Hond-R is a growing and successful limited company specialising in the performance market specifically for Honda Cars. We supply and fit all aspects of the performance markets products such as wheels, suspension, exterior styling, carbon fibre and are specialists in engine conversions and even undertake one off conversions. We supply the Honda motor enthusiast with performance and stock replacement parts combined with a service that is second to none. Due to our success and reputation over the past decade, we are now proud to be dealers and distribute parts from manufacturers such as: Apexi, Buddy Club, Energy, Competiton-Clutch, Innovative Mounts, Hybrid Racing, NRG, SEIBON, AEM, DC Sports, JDM Honda, Greddy, Mugen, Skunk2, Progress, K-Sport, Tein, Bride, BC Racing, Wilwood, Takata, Driveshaftshop, Spoon Sports, Stoptech just to name a few.


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Benefits & Features
The SKINS Technical Running Visor is designed to keep the sun off your face and the wind in your hair during summer endurance sessions. And with reflective logos front and back, we've got you covered even after the sun goes down.Benefits Include
- Lightweight for running comfort
- Reflective logos on the front and back for low-light visibility
- Adjustable Velcro strap for the perfect fit
- Microfibre fabric wicks moisture
With an adjustable Velcro strap, our ultra-light Technical Running Visor can be customised for the right fit.
Fibre Content
100% Polyester excluding trims


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Hydroxyurea Studies
- Poster Session 12371: Suppression of HIV replication and cell proliferation leads to minimal levels of proviral DNA and to immune recovery
- Poster Session 42262: Enhanced activation of nucleoside analogues in the presence of hydroxyurea in vitro
Hydroxyurea continues to fascinate, tease and titillate the HIV research world. It is relatively inexpensive, and is not an antiviral in its own right. It clearly enhances the activity of ddI and of ddI/d4T, at the cost of some anemia and decreased white blood cell count. However, does it have some unique properties due to enhancing activity of other nucleosides? Does it have unique effects on HIV disease because it decreases activation of CD4 cells? Clear answers are not in. There was neither enough data to deflate the hype, nor to answer the above questions. Two of the most interesting abstracts are below.
Poster Session 12371: Suppression of HIV replication and cell proliferation leads to minimal levels of proviral DNA and to immune recovery
This is a fascinating study by Franco Lori's group in Pavia, Italy (one of the major hydroxyurea proponents), in collaboration with some prominent groups elsewhere, notably Bruce Walker's lab at Harvard, and Bob Siliciano's lab at Hopkins. They treated 24 patients with a combination of HU, ddI and protease inhibitors for an average of 11.3 months. These patients were started on therapy soon after infection -- 10 treated before, 6 within 1 year and 8 after 1 year of seroconversion. Average baseline values were: plasma viremia 455,700 copies/ml, CD4 499/ml. Plasma RNA became undetectable in all patients within 16 weeks and remained undetectable for up to 21 months. HIV RNA became undetectable in the semen of 6/6 patients. In the lymph nodes, HIV RNA was undetectable in 6/7 patients (<1 cell/4.4 ? 107), as was HIV DNA in 2/6 patients (<1 cell/3 ? 105). Using the Siliciano assays for hidden reservoir virus, replication competent HIV was recovered with an unusually low frequency (<1 cell/1 ? 107) in 3/3 patients. Most interestingly, the patients had very strong T helper responses to HIV antigens. Bruce Walker has hypothesized that the specific T helper response is key in controlling viremia in long term non progressors. In one patient, despite very low levels of latent provirus that could be recovered from resting lymphocytes, HIV did not rebound 1 year after interrupting the treatment. It is not clear whether the preserved T helper responses were simply due to starting early after seroconversion, or whether hydroxyurea had a unique effect in this setting.
Poster Session 42262: Enhanced activation of nucleoside analogues in the presence of hydroxyurea in vitro
In light of the continued interest in hydroxyurea and the accumulation of evidence on its effectiveness, the question is often asked if hydroxyurea enhances the activity of any drug besides ddI. The proposed mechanism by which hydroxyurea (HYDREA) enhances the activity of ddI is by decreasing the amount of intracellular dATP (the natural nucleoside) and increasing the ratio of ddATP to dATP, making it more likely the reverse transcriptase will use a ddATP (the active form of ddI), which stops the growing RNA chain. This effect should not enhance the activity of thymidine analogues (d4T, AZT) or cytosine analogues (3TC). There has been some evidence that hydroxyurea may lead to increased phosphorylation of d4T, which would increase the activity of d4T. This has not been confirmed. This study looked at intracellular levels of AZT and 3TC triphosphate with and without hydroxyurea. The investigators found that HU increased the levels of intracellular AZT and 3TC triphosphate by more than 100 percent. This suggests than hydroxyurea may enhance the activity of AZT, 3TC, and probably d4T. This would probably be most important in the setting of salvage therapy where low level resistance might be overcome by higher levels of the active drug.


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Welcome to Paligremnos Beach Studios at Plakias Crete.
The "Paligremnos" family business started out in 1978 with their taverna.
It is situated at the far end of Plakias, next to the beach road. The accommodation was added to the taverna in 1980, and just a short walk away from the town centre, can be found in the quiet part of Plakias.
Surrounded by trees, flowers and mountains, the "Paligremnos" offers a cool respite from the heat of the summer months.
Over the years, their excellent service has attracted thousands of visitors, and today, the "Paligrimnos" with its refurbished accommodation is an ideal choice for young and old alike.
Where to Stay?
Where to Eat?
|We have accommodation for two, three or four persons with one or two rooms. All have air-condition, fully fitted kitchenette and bathroom en suite as well as a balcony with sea view.
Read More about our Beach Studios >
|Next to the house there's a playground for kids.
For a good start into the day various breakfast is served at our taverna next to the garden. In the evening a selection of tasty home-cooked ...
Read More about Our Tavern >


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NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale lightweight crew team has elected Matthew O'Donoghue as its captain for the 2013-2014 season. O'Donoghue, who sat in seven seat of the varsity eight that finished second at Eastern Sprints and stroked the varsity eight that also finished second at the IRA National Championship, succeeds William Ferraro as the captain of the Y150. O'Donoghue said he is "honored to be elected."
"I am grateful to join a long legacy of lightweight captains," said O'Donoghue. "During my time on the Y150, I've had three awesome captains in Andrew Hakanson, David Walker and Will Ferraro, who have really led by example. They have also demonstrated the importance of the ability to communicate between the coach and the team."
"I'm looking forward to another campaign in which we attempt to find as much boat speed as possible," continued O'Donoghue. "We are fortunate to have a great coaching staff here at Yale to guide us along the way. In 2013, we won a second consecutive Jope Cup for overall team dominance at the Eastern Sprints, which speaks to the depth and efforts of the whole team. But now it's the 2014 season, and that's all that matters."
After a successful rowing career at St. Joseph's Prep where he won the Lightweight Eight at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in 2010 and was a two-time silver medalist at SRAA Nationals in the Lightweight Eight, O'Donoghue stroked the Yale freshman eight to an undefeated season, winning gold at Eastern Sprints. As a sophomore, the Haddonfield, N.J., native started the season in the JV before moving up to the varsity, eventually stroking the boat to a fourth-place finish at Sprints and a third-place finish at IRA's. This past season, O'Donoghue used a strong offseason to secure a place in the varsity, sitting in seven seat for most of the season. The boat finished in second place at Sprints. After this race, he was moved to stroke, where he stroked the boat to another second-place finish at IRA's. This summer, O'Donoghue will be competing for a spot to represent the USA in the lightweight 4- at the U-23 World Championships.
Report filed by Yale Sports Publicity


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The mission of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Export Enforcement is to protect U.S. national security, homeland security, foreign policy, and economic interests through a law enforcement program focused on: sensitive exports to hostile entities or those that engage in onward proliferation; prohibited foreign boycotts; and related public safety laws. BIS's Export Enforcement (EE) is an elite law enforcement organization recognized for its expertise, professionalism, integrity, and accomplishments. EE accomplishes its mission through preventative and investigative enforcement activities and then, pursuing appropriate criminal and administrative sanctions against export violators.
In the post-9/11 world, the export control challenge is to enable legitimate global trade in U.S. goods and technology, while keeping these items out of the hands of weapons proliferators and terrorists. BIS addresses this challenge through assisting legitimate export traders to comply with export control and antiboycott requirements, preventing violations before they occur, and bringing willful export control violators to justice.
EE works with the Department of Justice to impose criminal sanctions for violations, including incarceration and fines, and with the Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security to impose civil fines and denials of export privileges. EE also works closely with other Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, when conducting investigations or preventative actions.
EE consists of the Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), the Office of Enforcement Analysis (OEA), and the Office of Antiboycott Compliance (OAC). Together with BIS's licensing officers and policy staff, EE personnel apply their law enforcement and export control expertise to prevent and deter exports of the most sensitive items to illicit end users and end uses, to embargoed destinations, and to ensure that parties involved in U.S. commercial transactions do not engage in prohibited boycott activities.


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Port Orange police "fired and killed" a fleeing suspect Wednesday morning on Interstate 95, said Gerald Monahan, Port Orange director of public safety.
PORT ORANGE — Police shot and killed a 22-year-old robbery suspect Wednesday on Interstate 95 when he "displayed" a gun after crashing a stolen van as he was chased by Port Orange officers, officials said.
The confrontation which left Luke Castello of South Daytona dead on the shoulder of northbound I-95 just north of Dunlawton Avenue happened near motorists who had slowed for the parked police cars.
Gerald Monahan, Port Orange director of public safety, didn't elaborate on how the gun was "displayed" or what type it was, and he said he didn't know if Castello fired a shot.
"Our officers approached the vehicle, a gun was displayed by the suspect. Our officers fired and killed the suspect," Monahan said.
Six Port Orange police officers were at the scene, but Monahan said he could not say how many fired their weapons or how many shots were fired.
Also near the scene was Ruth Oneufer, a Daytona Beach News-Journal page designer who had just gotten onto I-95 at Dunlawton. Oneufer and a handful of other drivers slowed down as they neared the line of police cars parked along the right side of the interstate.
"I thought it was just a wreck, so I wasn't too worried until I heard the shots," Oneufer said.
She took cover, scrunching down. But she could not see who or what police were firing at, she said.
"It was just a brief explosion of gunfire, just a bunch of shots that were real close together," she said.
She worried about her two dogs in the back of her car.
"I was afraid they were up too high and they were going to get hit," she said.
She said she heard about 15 gunshots. After the shooting stopped, Oneufer said she saw police officers putting on traffic vests.
"When I saw them get out and start putting on the yellow traffic vests and not wearing the Kevlar, I thought we were safe," said Oneufer, who was questioned by a Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent.
As she was waved on by police, she saw a vehicle in a ditch and emergency crews with a stretcher nearby but did not see a body.
The names of the officers — some who performed CPR on Castello beside the stolen van — have not been released and the FDLE is investigating, as is routine. All the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, also routine in officer-involved shootings.
Daytona Beach police had been looking for Castello since they were called about 9:13 a.m. Wednesday to a report of an armed robbery and attempted kidnapping at the Heritage Inn, a motel known for crime problems on South Ridgewood Avenue. Castello had checked into room 15 with two others, Dennis Johnson and Brittany Brooks. But afterward, Castello drew a gun on Johnson and Brooks and handed them flex ties to bind themselves, a police report states.
Castello then took $1,000 from Johnson and snatched Brooks' pink purse containing $100. He found the spare key to Brooks' van and ordered that they put shirts over their flex cuffs as they walked to the van or he would shoot them, the report shows. Castello said he was going to take them to some woods and dump the van elsewhere.
But Johnson ran to the front desk for help. Castello got nervous and went back into his room. That's when Brooks got out of the van and ran away. Castello got in the van and drove away, pointing a gun at Johnson who had run out to see if Brooks was in the van, the report states. Castello had a gun but also took two firearms from Johnson, according to the police report. Johnson said he didn't know what kind of guns they were because he bought them on the street, the report states.
Daytona Beach police issued a be-on-the-lookout bulletin for Castello and the stolen van.
Port Orange police spotted the van about 10:45 a.m. near Spruce Creek and Taylor roads. Officers followed it until it appeared Castello was going to stop in the Port Orange Walmart parking lot. But when police activated their emergency lights, Castello fled.
He headed north on Clyde Morris, west on Dunlawton and north on I-95. Castello hit speeds of more than 80 mph as he headed north on the interstate. He then lost control and crashed on the east shoulder.
Six Port Orange police officers confronted him and opened fire after Monahan said Castello displayed a weapon. The shooting closed northbound 95 for about two hours, snarling traffic.
Castello had prior arrests. In May 2013, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor sale/possession of a firearm w/serial number altered/removed.
In July 2013, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor criminal mischief greater than $200 but less than $1,000.
Castello's family members did not want to talk much when they walked out of a house with a manicured lawn in the Bryan Cave Estates in South Daytona.
Mindy Castello, 17, said her brother got involved in drugs.
"He was awesome but he liked drugs too much," Mindy Castello said. "So you should just stay away from drugs."


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Little birds, big birds
Nothing like having your cake and eating it too.
Hunters anxious for the opening of another waterfowl season will be treated to a double header with both the fall teal season and resident goose season opening September 13.
Bluewing and greenwing teal are the first ducks to migrate through Oklahoma each fall and a little scouting can go a long way in improving your hunting success. Teal prefer shallow water and rely on tender vegetation to provide fuel for their long journey. Large migrations can occur through the state as the days grow shorter and northern cool fronts give hunters the first taste of fall. Hunters will have the opportunity to pursue the small birds September 13-28 as they migrate southward on their traditional journey to wintering grounds in Mexico and Central and South America.
As an added bonus, the resident goose season (Sept. 13-22) opens the same day as teal season. Sportsmen in the right place could have the chance at bagging both the largest and smallest waterfowl species in Oklahoma, all in the same day.
Non-migratory Canada geese can be found all across the state and for the past three years sportsmen have had the opportunity to harvest the big birds. Although the birds may be full time residents that does not mean they are not a challenge to hunt. Sportsmen will meet with more success if they spend some time scouting and patterning the birds' movements before the hunt.
To participate in the fall teal or resident goose season, you need a resident or non-resident Oklahoma hunting license, an Oklahoma waterfowl hunting permit, a federal duck stamp and a $3 Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit available from any license dealer. For complete regulations, consult the "2003 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" or log onto www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Teachers and students eligible to win great outdoor prizes
Tucked away in elementary schools and high schools all across Oklahoma are knowledgeable teachers and talented students who are keenly aware of the importance of our state's outdoor heritage.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) and Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International (OSCSCI) are looking to reward the top students and teacher through a youth writing contest and a conservation education leadership scholarship for teachers.
"We have some great teachers and students across the state, and this contest is designed to recognize those who excel," said David Warren, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department. "Oklahoma has a rich hunting heritage and the theme of the contest is Hunting: Sharing the Heritage."
Students aged 11-17 are eligible to enter the competition, added Warren. Two (one boy and one girl) winning essays will be selected in an 11-14-age category, and two (one boy and one girl) winners will also be selected from youth aged 15-17.
Students in the 11-14 age category are competing for an all expense paid trip to the Apprentice Hunter Program at the YO Ranch in Mountain Home Texas. The Safari Club International's Apprentice Hunters' Program is a unique, hands-on experience which covers a wide range of topics including; the history of hunting, the ethical basis of modern sport hunting, wildlife management, field identification, and wild game cooking. There are three sessions, each one-week long, during the summer of 2004. The Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International will provide travel reimbursements to attend the weeklong course.
Winners in the 15-17-age category will receive an all-expense-paid guided antelope hunt in New Mexico. Winners in this category must comply with all requirements of New Mexico game laws for the 2004 hunting season. Funding for the trips is provided by the Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International.
The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to Oklahoma City to attend an awards ceremony in March. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club International. The winning student essays will be published in the OSCSCI newsletter Safari Trails. Publication qualifies the winning entries for the National Youth Writing Contest sponsored by the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Several past winners have come from Oklahoma.
Students aren't the only ones eligible to win. A conservation education scholarship is also available for educators. One teacher will be awarded an all-expenses-paid scholarship for an eight-day conservation education school at Safari Club International's American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) at Granite Ranch near Jackson, Wyoming.
The AWLS program is conducted during the summer and presents an outdoor program for educators, which concentrates on natural resource management. Participants learn about stream ecology, map and compass, language arts and creative writing in an outdoor setting, fly tying, shooting sports, wildlife management, the Yellowstone ecosystem, camping, white-water rafting, educational resources and how to implement outdoor education ideas. Lodging, meals and training materials will be provided by Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will cover transportation to Jackson, Wyoming.
Both the essay contest rules and scholarship applications are available from the Department's Web site www.wildlifedepartment.com. Essays and applications must be postmarked no later than Nov. 14, 2003 or delivered by 5:00 p.m. Nov. 14, 2003 in person to the Department of Wildlife's Jenks Office at 201 Aquarium Drive, in Jenks. Address entries to: Essay Contest, Education Section Supervisor, ODWC Jenks Office, PO Box 1201, Jenks, OK 74037.
Don't wait! Attend a hunter education clinic this weekend
"Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today."
Whoever coined that phrase was pretty smart, and they also must have had a lot of time on their hands. In today's world of busy schedules and packed calendars, it is easy to procrastinate. But signing up for a hunter education class is something you certainly do not want to postpone.
"With the fall hunting seasons just starting to kick in, this is the perfect time of the year to attend a hunter education class. Right now there are a number of courses scheduled all over the state, but don't wait until it is too late to find one near you," said Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "With the first youth antlerless youth deer gun season coming up October 17-19, now is the time to get your young hunter in a class."
Approximately 14,000 hunter education students are certified annually at over three hundred courses statewide. To find out more about the hunter education program or to find a course near you, log on wildlifedepartment.com or call (405) 521-4636.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1972, upon reaching 16 years of age must have completed a certified hunter education course in order to purchase a hunting license. Additionally, any hunters under the age of 16 (below the age required to purchase a hunting license) must complete a hunter education course in order to use a firearm to hunt big game (deer, elk or antelope).
Wildlife Commission approves waterfowl season dates
Populations of most duck and goose species are high, and waterfowl hunters are looking forward to another rewarding season this fall and winter.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved waterfowl hunting regulations for the 2003-2004 season. Duck and goose seasons and bag limits will remain essentially the same as last year with a few notable exceptions. A shortened pintail and canvasback season will take place as part of the established duck seasons. For complete details pick up a copy of the "2003 Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting Guide" available at hunting license vendors around Oct. 1, or log onto www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Also at their September meeting, the Commission accepted a donation of a portable blind tower from the Paralyzed Veterans of America. The innovative blind allows hunters with disabilities to enter the blind from the ground and then raise it up to 20 feet in the air. The solar-powered blind will be used primarily on the Department's non-ambulatory controlled hunts.
The Commission also accepted a donation of $3,000 from the Mid-America Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and a donation of $1,000 from the Oklahoma City Sportsman's Club. Both donations will go toward the purchase of a second portable blind tower.
In other business, the Commission approved increasing the Lake Texoma license fee from $7.75 to $12. The license allows anglers to fish both the Oklahoma and Texas portions of the lake with only one license. Last year approximately 45,000 Lake Texoma licenses were sold. Texas has already approved the fee increase which goes into effect January 1, 2004.
A proposal to sell approximately 100 surplus firearms to dealers who possess Federal Firearms Licenses was approved by the Commission. The firearms were either seized pursuant to wildlife violations and forfeited to the Department, or are old firearms that were donated and previously used for demonstration purposes in hunter education classes. Details about the sale will be announced at a later date.
The Commission approved a proposal by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to auction the 2004 elk auction hunt permit. The RMEF will auction off the permit at their annual convention in February. Funds raised by the auction will go to support the Hunters Against Hunger program. The hunt will take place at the Cookson Hills Wildlife Management Area.
The Commission took action to increase the Wildlife Division's budget by $33,595. The funds, obtained through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be used to continue the Department's Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Monitoring Program. The monitoring program has been in place for five years and last year 1,000 deer and elk were tested for the disease. All results were negative and the disease has not been found in the state's wild deer or elk herds. CWD is a fatal brain disease that affects deer and elk and has been found in Colorado, New Mexico and several other states.
The Commission recognized 140 years of faithful service from six Department employees.
"One of the biggest strengths of the Department is its outstanding employees," said Greg Duffy, director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The following employees were recognized for their service to the Department: Paul Moore, information specialist, for 25 years of service; Rod Smith, southwest region wildlife supervisor, for 25 years of service; Craig Endicott, northeast region wildlife supervisor, for 20 years of service; Jon Cunningham, state game warden stationed in Payne County, for 20 years of service; John Stahl, northwest region fisheries supervisor, for 25 years of service and Bill Wentroth, northwest region fisheries biologist (Ponca City) for 25 years of service.
The commission also recognized personnel from the license section for their outstanding service to Oklahoma sportsmen. During the months of June and July, over 17,000 lifetime hunting and fishing licenses were issued. The following employees were recognized by the Commission: Michelle Imel, license supervisor, Linda Fergason, cashier and license assistants Shana Cagle, Kathy Radford, Leslie Estrada-Shaw, and Kristi Keeling.
The Commission also recognized Melinda Sturgess-Streich, chief of administration for the Department, for her outstanding service over the past several months.
In other business, a revised Wildlife Department employee handbook was approved by the Commission.
The Commission also voted to accept a high bid of $141 an acre from Black Cat Properties for a three-year lease to the mineral rights on approximately 6,800 acres of Department-owned property in Atoka County.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is October 6 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City at 9:00 a.m.
Quail roadside survey shows populations up 21 percent statewide over last year
It is still early, but all indications point to a good season for Oklahoma quail hunters. August roadside surveys conducted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation show a statewide increase of 21 percent over the 2002 survey.
"The surveys don't necessarily predict what quail season is going to be like, but they do give us an idea of how productive the spring breeding season was for quail. The October counts should provide important information about this fall's quail population," said Mike Sams, upland bird biologist for the Department. "Although drought conditions persisted through out much of the early nesting season, June rains appeared to have slowed down any negative effects on reproduction."
The statewide quail index is up 37 percent from the previous 13 year average.
The August surveys showed increases in quail numbers over last year in all regions with the exception of the southeast region. The largest increases were observed in the south-central and southwest regions. Quail sighted in the southwestern, south-central, northwestern and north central regions exceeded the previous 13 year averages. The southeastern and northeastern regional survey numbers remain well below their 13 year averages.
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation biologists have conducted the roadside surveys during both August and October for the past 14 years. The surveys, which consist of 20-mile routes, give biologists an index of quail abundance. Observers count the number of quail seen to provide an index of quail abundance and reproductive success. There are 83 routes with at least one route in every county except for Tulsa and Oklahoma counties.
Running Nov. 8 - Feb.15, quail season is one of the most popular events in the state, drawing hunters from all over the nation to enjoy some of America's finest bird hunting. For more information about quail hunting, log onto www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Wetland status reports available on the Internet
It is that time of year again. Cool winds are beginning to blow and soon they will bring ducks and geese on their migrations south.
Just in time, season dates and wetland status reports are now available on the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Waterfowl hunting regulations for the 2003-2004 season dates and bag limits will remain essentially the same as last year with a few notable exceptions. A shortened pintail and canvasback season will take place as part of the established duck seasons. For complete details pick up a copy of the "2003 Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting Guide" available at hunting license vendors around Oct. 1, or log onto www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Wetland status reports also can be found on the Department's Web site.
"Overall, our wetland development units are in pretty good shape. Conditions can change quickly on these areas, but the reports should give people a good idea of the current status of the wetland," said Alan Stacey, wetland development biologist for the Department. "Hopefully, these reports will be a useful tool as they prepare for the upcoming waterfowl seasons."
Wetland status reports include the size of the area, the percent of the unit that is flooded, as well as forage conditions. Wetland development units are managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and are funded through sales of Oklahoma waterfowl licenses.
In addition, maps of the wetland development units, waterfowl hunting zone maps, waterfowl reports during the season and more are available on the Internet at www.wildlifedepartment.com
Archery season offers ample time to head to the woods
No more excuses about not having enough time to hunt.
Opening day of archery deer season is October 1 and it is followed by over three full months of hunting opportunity.
The season runs from Oct. 1 to Jan. 15, allowing more than 100 days of hunting. The first of Oklahoma's big game seasons, the archery deer season, attracted more than 88,000 Oklahoma hunters last year.
"Archery season is just about here. It looks like the post oak acorn crop is going to be pretty good this year, so that may be a good place to look for early season deer activity," said Mike Shaw, wildlife research supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Shaw added that early reports from spotlight deer surveys are showing a fair number of fawns.
During the 2002 archery deer seasons, Oklahoma bowhunters enjoyed their best season ever, harvesting a record 14,278 deer. The archery harvest contributed 14 percent of the total deer harvest.
Before heading afield, hunters will want to be sure to pick up a copy of the "2003 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" available at all license dealer locations.
Several significant regulation changes will take effect this year. Perhaps of most interest to archery hunters is that archery season will no longer be closed during deer gun seasons. Hunters should pick up a copy of the "Guide" to find out exactly what is needed to hunt with a bow during the 16-day deer gun season. In past years, deer hunters could still use archery equipment during the nine-day deer gun season, however they were required to possess a deer gun permit. This year's change will allow archers to hunt throughout the 16-day deer gun season on their deer archery permit. Numerous hunting season changes have also been made to wildlife management areas across the state.
Hunters can also find updated check station locations, antlerless dates and zones, and a wealth of other information in the "2003 Oklahoma Hunting Guide," or by logging on to the Department's Web page at wildlifedepartment.com.
Department to hold equipment auction
Looking for a deal on some used equipment? If so, you will want to head out to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's public surplus auction. The auction will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, at 9 a.m. at Lake Burtschi near Chickasha.
"There is a wide variety of equipment that will be available for bid," said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We're going to sell everything as is to the highest bidder."
More than 100 items will be available at the event, including two Kaiser Jeeps, three dump trucks, Ford 6600 tractor, six boats and numerous boat motors. For those not looking for large items, there is also plenty to choose from, including cell phones, computer hardware, cameras, office furniture and much more.
For more information about the auction call (405) 521-4600 or for a complete list of auction items, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The sale will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. at the Lake Burtschi Wildlife Department office, located 11 miles west of Chickasha on SH 92. Items may be inspected Oct. 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In case of rain the sale will be held Oct. 5, same time and same place.
Rabbit hunting opener coming soon
With a slight chill in the morning air and trees revealing their first glimpses of autumn glory, now is the perfect time to kick off the fall hunting seasons. Just in time, rabbit season opens Oct. 1 across Oklahoma.
"Rabbit hunting is really a lot of fun, especially if your are chasing them with some good dogs," said Tom Wyatt, avid rabbit hunter and biologist at Hickory Creek and Love Valley Wildlife Management Area for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "It's great exercise and it is hard to beat a hot bowl of rabbit stew."
The cottontail rabbit is supremely adaptable to a wide variety of habitats. Good populations can be found across the state, including many public-hunting areas. One of the best places to look for rabbits is anywhere two types of cover meet such as abandoned homesteads, tangled thickets and fencerows. Rabbits also show a preference to areas not far from a water source whether it is a pond, creek or spring.
"Rabbit hunting is a great activity to include kids in. You don't have to be still and quiet and there is usually a good opportunity to harvest a rabbit," Wyatt said. "It looks like it was a good summer for the rabbits and there should be a good population this fall and winter."
One of the best aspects about rabbit hunting is the availability of hunting locations. Many wildlife management areas scattered around the state offer first-rate rabbit hunting with minimal competition. Additionally, many landowners are willing to give permission to rabbit hunters.
With the season running through March 15, 2004, there is plenty of opportunity to head afield for a few rabbits and don't forget to take a kid along with you when you go.
Pick up a copy of the "2003 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" for complete rabbit hunting regulations.
October 1 - March 15 for all three species * - jackrabbit hunting open only west of I-35.
Cottontail - 10 daily, 20 in possession
Swamp Rabbits - 3 daily, 6 in possession
Jackrabbits - 3 daily, 6 in possession (Except Cimarron, Texas and Beaver counties-10 daily, 20 in possession)
*Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide dates. Consult the "2003 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" for complete rabbit hunting regulations.
Department schedules pre-employment exam
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will hold a standardized pre-employment examination Friday, Sept. 26, at the Tom Steed Development Center Auditorium at Rose State College.
The exam is for individuals seeking employment as fisheries or wildlife biologists, game wardens, hatchery managers, technicians and information and education specialists. It will cover state and federal wildlife laws and regulations, Oklahoma geography, biological and environmental sciences relating to fish, wildlife and environmental education, journalism, photojournalism, technical writing and editing.
Individuals may take the exam once in a 12-month period, and test scores are valid for 12 months from the test date. Applications for employment will be sent to individuals with the top 25 scores. Taking the exam does not guarantee employment, nor does the exam necessarily indicate the Department currently has openings. Interviews will be scheduled only when an opening is available.
The Tom Steed Development Center Auditorium is north of Interstate 40 at the intersection of I-40 and Hudiburg Rd. in Midwest City. The doors will close promptly at 10 a.m. Those arriving after 10 a.m. will not be permitted to take the exam.
For more information about the exam or hiring process, contact the Human Resources office at (405) 521-4640 or check the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Students Fall Break and special youth deer season to coincide
When it comes to kids' schedules, often times there are too many events and too little time. But sometimes things work out just right.
Such is the case with the special youth antlerless deer gun season, which will be held October 17-19. It just so happens that the inaugural season falls on the same weekend as many school districts' Fall Breaks.
The annual Fall Breaks of many public schools across the state, including both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, are scheduled during the third week in October. This provides parents and other hunters the perfect opportunity to share their love of hunting with a child.
Open to kids under 18 years of age, the special youth antlerless deer gun season was created to encourage youth to head afield and to provide additional opportunities to harvest antlerless deer. Participating youth are required to be accompanied by a non-hunting adult partner at least 18 years of age.
For complete season dates and other regulations, pick up a copy of the "2003 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" or log onto wildlifedepartment.com.
Virus confirmed in Wes Watkins Lake bass deaths
Sometimes things aren't quite as bad as they seem. Such is the case with the Largemouth Bass Virus (LMBV). Fisheries biologists were very concerned when the virus was first implicated in bass die-offs in several southeastern states in 1995, but since then more has been learned about the disease.
Bass populations have proven resilient. To date, there is no evidence that LMBV has caused a long term, major impact on any fishery. In Oklahoma, Lake Tenkiller experienced a bass die off due to LMBV in 2000, but natural spawning and recruitment of young fish continues to build the bass population toward recovery.
"Of course we're concerned when any number of fish show up dead in a lake," said Greg Summers, Oklahoma Fisheries Research Laboratory supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation "But, the fish appear to be developing antibodies (natural resistance) to the virus. Subsequently, there have been no repeat die-offs in any lake in the United States."
Fisheries biologists are currently looking into a new case of LMBV at Wes Watkins Lake in central Oklahoma where reports of dead bass were received by the ODWC. Samples of bass were collected and sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pinetop Fish Health Center in Arizona for analysis. Results verified the virus was present in the samples, making Wes Watkins Lake the first confirmed LMBV fish kill since Lake Tenkiller in 2000. The good news is that there have been no recent reports of dead or dying bass at the lake.
Not all bass that have the virus die from the disease. In fact, most bass that carry LMBV appear completely normal. Where the virus has triggered the fatal disease, dying fish often swim near the surface and have trouble remaining upright. LMBV appears to attack the swim bladder causing bass to lose equilibrium.
"We're learning more and more about LMBV everyday, however there's still many unanswered questions," said Kim Erickson, fisheries chief for the Wildlife Department. "We will continue to keep a close eye on this situation at Wes Watkins Lake and we will investigate any reports of dead or dying fish at any other Oklahoma reservoir."
Erickson added that biologists continue to aggressively monitor the status of LMBV throughout Oklahoma. Wes Watkins Lake will be sampled by electrofishing again next spring to determine the status of the bass population.
LMBV affects only cold-blooded animals. Researchers have found it in other bass and sunfish species like crappie, but most fatalities have occurred in largemouth bass. LMBV is not known to infect warm-blooded animals, including humans. Fish infected with the virus are safe to eat when properly cooked.
New landscaping book offers details on attracting wildlife
Invite wildlife to your property using the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's first full-length guide book, "Landscaping for Wildlife: A Guide to the Southern Great Plains." It's the only landscaping book on the market covering this region, and specific emphasis is given to Oklahoma species.
Compiled for the Wildlife Department by Jeremy Garrett, the book's 224 pages detail how to attract birds and butterflies, deer and turkey, lizards and other wildlife.
"All wildlife species need food, water, cover and space. Fill those needs, and you'll attract them to your land," Garrett said. Garrett feels beginners and experts will like the book's detailed, but easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams. Plants are labeled by both common and scientific name in photos and illustrations. There are plans for selecting wildlife-friendly plants to building structures like ponds and nest boxes.
The book is arranged to allow the reader to target chosen wildlife species. Plant listings identify the wildlife that specific plants and native grasses are likely to invite. Tables provide tips for attracting birds including the time of year the birds are here, their preferred foods and habitat needs.
Jeremy Garrett is president of NaTour Communications, a nature-consulting firm. Earlier in his career he was employed by the Wildlife Department. Book illustrations were drawn by Coral McAllister, biological illustrator for the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma.
Published by University of Oklahoma Press, the book may be purchased at local and university bookstores. The list price is $28.95. But it is also being sold through the Wildlife Department for $20.00 plus $4 shipping and handling.
To obtain a copy from the Wildlife Department, visit the headquarters at 1801 N. Lincoln or send check or money order to: ODWC, Landscaping Book, PO Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.
Financial contributors to the making of "Landscaping for Wildlife" were: American Association of Zoo Keepers - Oklahoma City Chapter, Bat Conservation Society of Oklahoma, Dan and Debbie Towns, Darlene Michael - Landscape Architect, Donald E. Horne, Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Oklahoma Native Plant Society, Payne County Audubon Society, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc., Tulsa Audubon Society, Tulsa Zoo Friends, Inc., and University of Oklahoma Press.
For additional information go on-line to www.wildlifedepartment.com or contact the Wildlife Diversity Program at (405) 521-4616.
Wildlife Commission to consider cooperative agreement at October
Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Weyerhaeuser Company met Friday, Sept. 19, to finalize details about the location and size of a new proposed public use area in southern McCurtain County.
Under a proposal that Weyerhaeuser Company officials will present to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission Oct. 6, an 11,000-acre wildlife management area would be created that would function similarly to the 450,000-acre Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The property is in an area of McCurtain County near Bokhoma.
"Weyerhaeuser has been leasing to private hunting clubs for some time on some of our holdings south of the Three Rivers WMA, but we wanted to provide more public access in southern McCurtain County. A second cooperative agreement with the Wildlife Department was the logical choice," said Jimmy Wade Tucker, Weyerhaeuser Company representative. "We've had a solid working relationship with the Department on Three Rivers WMA for nearly five years and believe this new area would build on that."
The Three Rivers WMA, which is owned by Weyerhaeuser and covers 90 percent of Weyerhaeuser's Oklahoma holdings, is made available for hunting, fishing and other forms of public recreation through a cooperative agreement with the Wildlife Department. Under the agreement, resident sportsman pay $16 annually and can use either Three River's 450,000 acres or some 175,000 acres of timberland in Pushmataha and LeFlore counties, known as Honobia Creek WMA, which is owned by John Hancock.
While the new tract of Weyerhaeuser land in the southern portion of McCurtain County may be called something other than Three Rivers, the same land access permit that sportsmen purchase for Three Rivers and Honobia Creek would also cover the new area. If approved, the agreement would likely go into effect Jan. 1.
"Weyerhaeuser Company initially approached us in March with the idea to make additional acreage open to public use through a cooperative agreement and this proposal is the culmination of those discussions," said Richard Hatcher, assistant director for the Wildlife Department. "More opportunities for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts is a plus, especially considering the recent sale of large tracts at Honobia Creek. This proposal is an encouraging development and I believe it also signifies Weyerhaeuser's commitment to public access to its land and to the outdoor way of life enjoyed by citizens of McCurtain County."
Hatcher added that if a cooperative agreement were reached, the Wildlife Department would use land access permit revenues to increase fish and wildlife habitat management on the property, as it has on both Three Rivers and Honobia Creek.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission will meet Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. at the Wildlife Department's headquarters in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Receives $20,000 Grant From Hunting Heritage Partnership
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has awarded the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation a $20,000 grant from its Hunting Heritage Partnership for funding of a marketing campaign to recruit new and lapsed hunters.
Announcement of the grant award was made at the International Association of State Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual meeting. A total of 18 state agencies received over $500,000 in grant awards from NSSF.
Oklahoma will use the funds to develop a hunter retention and recruitment marketing campaign utilizing direct mail and the state's own databases. The campaign will focus on existing hunters and households with multiple hunters, especially those with children of hunting age. The marketing effort will also identify key messages likely to motivate sportsmen and women to purchase licenses and hunt.
"Hunting has been a favorite pastime in Oklahoma and we're committed to ensuring this tradition continues for generations to come," said Andrea Crews, responsive management specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We're very excited about this unique opportunity to learn more about our customers and expect it will lead to better communication with hunters, and that benefits everyone in the long run."
The Hunting Heritage Partnership was established by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearm industry, to provide much needed direct funding to state wildlife agencies to help them with programs that provide opportunities for, and remove barriers to, hunter participation.
"Officials with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have designed a unique and dynamic recruitment tool and this grant recognizes their successful efforts and helps build on them. This is exactly the kind of creative approach that agencies in other states can look to as a model to help preserve our hunting and conservation traditions," said Doug Painter, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Oklahoma's 774,000 anglers and 261,000 hunters spent $801 million in Oklahoma last year in pursuit of their pastime which supported 18,000 jobs in the state. Efforts to expand hunting, such as a target marketing campaign, help boost the economy in a state where one of every four residents hunt or fish, generating $64 million in state tax revenue.
"When more hunters go afield, everyone benefits. The contributions hunters and anglers make in dedicated, unique taxes paid and the fees collected fund conservation efforts for all Oklahoma residents to enjoy," said Steve Williams, director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Applications from 36 states were submitted to the Hunting Heritage Partnership and over $500,000 in grants were awarded to 18 states for programs focusing on issues from recruitment and retention of hunters to increasing access to hunting lands. The National Shooting Sports Foundation is working with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and members of Congress on behalf of America's 18 million hunters to provide states with additional funding opportunities through the Hunting Heritage Partnership.
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Trappers to hold annual
convention in Okmulgee
The First Annual Trappers and Predator Callers Association will host their 34th annual state convention October 10-11. All members and other individuals interested in trapping are invited to attend the event which will be held at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds in Okmulgee.
"We're looking forward to another great convention. We have several interesting things planned this year," said Bill Jackson, with the First Annual Trappers and Predator Callers Association. "We always have a good time and we hope every one will come and join us. It's always good to see old friends and make new ones too."
Several special guests will be in attendance including Miss Oklahoma, Miss Teen USA and representatives Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
"We have some neat events planned this year like special beginner and advanced fur trapping seminars, live auction and some real nice door prizes to give away," Jackson said.
The Okmulgee County Fairgrounds will open at 1:00 p.m. for convention attendees Friday, October 10. Events will kick off at 10:00 a.m. with a general membership meeting Saturday, October 11.
For more information about the about the convention or about the First Annual Trappers and Predator Callers Association, call Bill Jackson at (918) 336-8154.


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Diane Tran, a 17-year-old junior at Willis High School in Willis, Texas, is hardly an underachiever, but the unfortunate example being made by the state's truancy violation policies. Tran, whose parents divorced unexpectedly and left town, is supporting two siblings (although reports are that one of them is an older brother at Texas A&M; unclear why he isn't helping support themselves as well?) with two jobs: a full-time and part-time job in addition to school, which constitutes a regular spot on the honor roll as well as multiple AP classes, which means she sometimes misses roll call and is often too exhausted to go to school. She would like to be a doctor someday.
Judge Lanny Moriarty of Justice Of The Peace Court, who assigned the punishment to Tran, said that he warned her last month not to miss any more classes, exhaustion notwithstanding; when she was unable to comply, he arrested her in open court, sentenced her to 24 hours in jail and slapped her with a $100 fine. As Moriarty told the press, "If you let one [truant student] run loose, what are you gonna' do with the rest of 'em? Let them go too? A little stay in the jail for one night is not a death sentence."
Unsurprising, then, that in the face of this lack of empathy, Tran has won over the public with a tearful interview on Houston news station KHOU-11:
Tran has received widespread national support on Facebook and angry letters on behalf of the teenager to the station; she lives with the family of her part-time employers, who are now working on setting up a fund in her name at a local bank, reports KHOU.
'Texas honor student thrown in jail for missing school' [NY Daily News]


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New Orleans Lagniappe
Hotel Le Marais makes it easy to enjoy the best of New Orleans with our New Orleans Lagniappe package that includes:
- Two nights accommodations
- Deluxe continental breakfast daily
- Welcome Beverage at Vive! for two
- Beignets & coffee for two at Café du Monde
- Jazz Brunch at Court of Two Sisters for two
- Admission for two to Mardi Gras World
- One day streetcar Jazzy Pass for two
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Complimentary in-room bottled artesian water & coffee
- Complimentary local calls
- Must book 3 days in advance
Book online or call (800) 935-8740 and mention the New Orleans Lagniappe package to make your reservation today!
Terms & Conditions: Based on availability. Based on double occupancy. No refunds on unused features. Other restrictions may apply. Offer may not be combined with other promotions or specials. Offer not applicable to prior reservations, groups or conventions. Some blackout dates may apply. Offer must be requested at time of booking. 72 hour cancellation policy. Not available over special event and convention dates. Must book three days in advance.


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The Four Chair Challenge continues with Demi Lovato and the girls. They keep playing it up as DRAMATIC! But is it, really? Are the choices that tough? I really don't think so.
Simone Torres: "A Change is Gonna Come." I love Simone's powerful, husky tone. But I question her song choices. First "Mustang Sally." And now this terrible karaoke version of a classic? I think she deserves a chair. And some serious mentoring.
Simone gets a chair. Switch! Bree is out. It was inevitable.
Danielle Geimer: "Georgia On My Mind." Someone needs to help these girls with song choices. It serves her voice adequately but makes her seem so old-fashioned. And there is a lot of shakiness in there. I still like her, though.
Danielle gets a chair. Jamie is out. BOO.
Rylie Brown: "Angels." Yeah no. Just no. Rylie goes home.
Primrose Martin: "Blame it on the Boogie." WHUT. Her dad is in Kool & the Gang. But she isn't singing "Celebration." Or "Joanna." I wish she was. This is terrible. Bad song choice. She's out of breath halfway into the song. Primrose goes home after begging and trying to sing another song and begging some more. Her poor dad looks so embarrassed.
Rion Paige: "I Will Stand by You." Simple and sweet and sincere. Nice song choice, if not particularly adventurous. Rion is lovable, which is just as important as talent on these shows. But she also has a nice country voice.
Rion gets a chair. Ashly goes home. Ugh. Boo. Do not like at all.
Ellona Santiago: "Clarity." I like Ellona. But she's off in this performance. She's not quite on the note throughout the song. And I can feel the fear.
Ellona gets the final chair. That means Jamie goes home. Boo. BOO.
Final four girls: Danielle Geimer, Khaya Cohen, Rion Paige, Ellona Santiago.
Boys and groups next week. And local boy Josh Levi is in the mix.
"The X Factor" airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox.


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