text:
If everything goes as planned, this week will be the busiest for initial public offerings since 2000.
- Moody's: RadioShack is running out of cash
The retailer may not have a financial cushion to fund its turnaround plan.
- Faber predicts 20% to 30% drop in stocks
'We're not exactly in a uniformly strong market,' says the pessimistic analyst.
Traders playing the short side must be sure to avoid some common pitfalls. See what they are and discover several heavily shorted stocks that seem poised to move higher.
With low multiples and good products, the stock is compelling.
By Cindy Johnson, The Motley Fool
Dell (DELL) lost its No. 1 place in PC market share to Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)in 2006 and has been unsuccessfully struggling to regain its former glory ever since. Now, after years of looking like a turnaround that wouldn't ever turn, the company's recent earnings report suggests that Dell could be in the early stages of a turnaround. The company's new XPS 15z notebook, announced on May 24, provides more evidence that Dell's stock could be poised to take off.
The XPS 15z is Dell's answer to Apple's (AAPL) ultra-cool MacBook Air. Its predecessor, the Dell Adamo, was a series of mistakes that was put out of its misery in February.
This time it looks as though Dell got it right. CNET describes the XPS 15z as "much more in line with what people have come to expect from Dell nowadays: some thoughtful style, decent quality, but still very accessible to mainstream consumers."
Will funds in defensive sectors continue to perform well?
By Don Dion, TheStreet
Here are five ETFs to watch this week.
1. iShares MSCI EMU Index Fund (EZU)
Europe took center stage last week as investors were once again reminded of the debt crises facing vulnerable euro members. During this week, it will be interesting to see if these issues remain on the forefront of investors' minds.
I continue to urge investors to avoid products with heavy exposure to nations like Spain, Italy, Greece and Ireland. Rather, risk-tolerant investors seeking exposure to this corner of the developed world may find nations outside of the euro bloc attractive. Over the most recent 30-day period, funds like the iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund (EWD) and iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund (EWL) have managed to outpace EZU.
Netflix and Dean Foods are among the US benchmark's top gainers this year.
By Jake Lynch, TheStreet
The S&P 500 Index ($INX) has fallen 3.1% from its 52-week high, recorded a month ago, as investors moved out of riskier assets, including commodities.
That leaves the benchmark with a 2011 gain of 5.5%, which is on pace to trail the performance of the previous two calendar years.
Amid the correction, leadership has shifted to defensive sectors like health care, consumer staples and utility stocks, which were previously bull-market laggards. In the past four weeks, S&P telecommunications stocks have delivered a median return of 6.4% and health-care shares gained 4.2%.
The list of concerns facing investors is piling up. Europe's debt woes, driven by Greece, threaten to stall economic growth in a region that's as large as the U.S. Japan just sank into a recession because of an environmental catastrophe, and China, the engine of global growth, is slowing amid higher interest rates.
Medical marijuana is already massively profitable for a handful of states, so it's no surprise pharmaceutical giants want in on the action.
Though it may not be politically correct to talk about the benefits of legalizing marijuana, the bottom line is that many folks are believers in the power of pot as a medication. And those believers include Big Pharma executives looking to boost their bottom lines.
Consider that medical marijuana sales in the U.S. already will reach $1.7 billion this year, with nearly $250 million coming from Colorado, according to a report released in March. Further, the report predicts that medical marijuana sales will reach $8.9 billion if 20 more states allow its sale for medical use.
If the U.S. government ever legalizes marijuana, sales would probably make the $11 billion Pfizer (PFE) raked in on Lipitor worldwide last year look like chump change.
It's time for investors to transition their portfolios for the proverbial summer rally.
With May selling behind us it is time to drift over to the long side of the market. Selling in May and going away played out well for those short the market or with portfolios properly hedged.
Now that summer is coming, investors can position for the proverbial summer rally. The economy may be showing signs of weakness, but corporate earnings are still strong. It is those profits or the promise thereof that will lift stocks.
June is somewhat of a quiet month as the second quarter winds down. I expect investors to nibble at stocks here in anticipation of good profit numbers to be released in July. I would buy the rumor.
The ETF to buy this week is the iShares S&P North America Technology and Multimedia Fund (IGN).
The nation will get the money it needs only if it cedes control of its finances to the fund. That should help the euro rally and lead to a pretty good day for stocks.
It's taken long enough, but the IMF has finally gotten in gear to say "enough is enough."
For the last year, Greece has strung out everyone on austerity measures that were supposed to make a difference but haven't. Now, at last, it looks like the IMF has a free hand. That means, basically, that if you want the big IMF money you have to turn over your finances to the IMF, just as the IMF has done whenever it truly takes hold and has to part with big money because the IMF doesn't lose money and it always gets its man.
The euro can rally on that for a while because what it says is the rest of Europe is not going to protect Greece and it is not kicking the issue down the road gently but forcefully which could mean, for some, the end of the "break the euro" faction for the foreseeable future.
|Jim CramerTheStreetcom
Despite bearish headlines, the markets were surprisingly strong...but what does that mean heading into June?
It is important to understand that even a much-followed stock like Cisco will suffer from inefficiency.
To function in everyday life, our brains are used to simplifying complex problems, through pattern recognition. We become accustomed to drawing straight lines when we see two points, and if we get a third or fourth point that fits the line, our confidence about the longevity (continuity) of the line increases exponentially. We become excited, even certain, about prospects of the company we've invested in when its stock has gone up for a long period of time, while we often dismiss stocks that have declined or flat-lined, especially if that happened for a considerable period of time.
The bank pared holdings of more than half of its touted stocks, filings show.
By Jake Lynch, TheStreet
A so-called Chinese Wall is supposed to exist between investment banks' research and asset-management divisions, but recent calls, especially coming from subprime-securities proponent Goldman Sachs (GS), warrant further scrutiny.
Goldman helped to catalyze the recent commodity sell-off as its researchers expected little upside when the economy hit a soft patch. Crude oil tumbled beneath $100 on that report. Then, three days ago, with few fundamental changes in the demand outlook, Goldman reversed its stance, advising clients to buy.
This flip-flopping from Wall Street's most closely followed researcher is being perceived by some as client-fleecing since the bank is able to trade in proprietary accounts before it releases research and the markets react, as they often do to Goldman's calls.
The BlackBerry maker faces a class-action lawsuit and shrinking market share as analysts cut their price targets on the stock.
This wasn't supposed to happen. RIM just launched the PlayBook tablet, its answer to the Apple (AAPL) iPad. And U.S. businesses are recovering and spending more, which should have been just the thing the BlackBerry maker needed.
Check out this analyst discussion about the stock, which one calls "a disaster." Post continues after video:
After weeks of downward progress for stocks and other assets, renewed weakness in the greenback has resurrected bullish spirits.
To summarize the correction in risk assets over the past month, you could boil it down to a stronger dollar. It all started with the assassination of Osama Bin Laden on the night of May 1. Suddenly America seemed stronger and more secure, sending the greenback higher.
And as a result, hedge fund types who had borrowed dollars to bet on silver, crude oil and stocks scrambled to close their trades. The results were the mini-crashes in silver and crude, significant drops in foreign stocks and a slow bleed lower for U.S. equities. Adding to the pressure has been a steady march of poor economic data.
But things are changing now as the dollar wilts again, setting the stage for a multiweek rally before the reality of slowing economic fundamentals and the end of the Fed's $600 billion QE2 stimulus sets in. Here's why, along with a few recommendations to play the rebound.
|Anthony Mirhaydari
AIG's IPO is 'an utter debacle,' Sony hackers go on a global rampage and Arianna Huffington oversells AOL in this week's round-up of business buffoonery.
Here is this week's roundup of the dumbest actions on Wall Street.
5. AIG: The anti-LinkedIn IPO
Apparently, the words AIG and IPO don't get investors beating down the doors to get a piece of the action. Gee whiz, I wonder why?
This week's secondary offering of American International Group (AIG) shares was anything but a success for the U.S. Treasury and those unfortunate enough to have bought in.
While closely monitoring market action for clues about what lies ahead, more aggressive traders can look to profit from ETFs tracking the tech sector and gold.
Not if you mix shareholder returns into the equation.
By Tim Beyers
CEO compensation is a hot topic, especially now that the Dodd-Frank Act requires say-on-pay votes. With CEO pay and performance seemingly disconnected at the following company, the Fool invites you to judge for yourself whether this business's boss actually deserves such a hefty paycheck.
Few things are worse for investors than owning a piece of an "oh yeah" tech company. These are the Rodney Dangerfields of their industries. They've been around forever. They've even done impressive work in years past. But lately, whenever their names come up in conversation, it's almost always with the caveat, "oh yeah, I forgot about them." Adobe (ADBE) has become that kind of company, but you wouldn't know it from CEO Shantanu Narayen's pay package.
Copyright © 2014 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Morningstar Inc. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Morningstar Inc. Quotes delayed by up to 15 minutes, except where indicated otherwise. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by Morningstar Inc.
3 stocks will be in the spotlight Thursday as investors try to make sense of the numbers from the sector.
Top Stocks provides analysis about the most noteworthy stocks in the market each day, combining some of the best content from around the MSN Money site and the rest of the Web.
Contributors include professional investors and journalists affiliated with MSN Money.
Follow us on Twitter @topstocksmsn.
|There's a problem getting this information right now. Please try again later.
|There's a problem getting this information right now. Please try again later.
[BRIEFING.COM] Equity indices remain pinned to their lows with the Russell 2000 (-1.1%) showing the largest loss that has placed the small-cap index back below its 200-day moving average (1144). The Russell 2000 has been battling with that key level during the past two weeks and is now on course to finish the month below its 200-day moving average.
For its part, the S&P 500 (-0.8%) has dipped to its 50-day moving average (1953), which represents the first test of that level since ... More
More Market News
|There's a problem getting this information right now. Please try again later.


text:
BENZONIA — Juanita Lillie Cady, 84, of Benzonia, passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, with family by her side while staying at the Homesteader Assisted Living Facility in Benzonia.
Juanita was born Sept. 10, 1928 to George and Ruth Hanmer of Flint. Juanita graduated from Benzonia High School in 1946 and married Veryl Cady on Sept. 20, 1946. They enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage before he passed away in June 1996. Juanita and Veryl owned and operated Cady IGA Store and Laundromat, (Benzonia Wesco) for many years. After selling the store Juanita worked at the Benzie Central High School cafeteria where she retired after years of service. For the nearly 40 years of their marriage they raised their family in Benzonia before moving to Florida. After the passing of Veryl, Juanita decided to move back to Benzonia to be closer to her children.
Juanita is survived by her four children, Charlene Hulsey of Grand Rapids, Cynthia (Roger) Chorley of Beulah, Carol (Daniel) Moore of Honor and Edward Cady of San Antonio, Texas; 13 grandchildren, Tara Hulsey, Tom Hulsey, Travis Husley, Bryan ( Megan) Chorley, Amanda (Jeremy) Burrows, Brent (April) Moore, Samantha (Alan) Newstead, Ronnie Cady and Nathan Cady; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Willard (Marilyn) Hanmer of Ocala, Fla., brother-in-law, Ralph Rowe of Nunica, sister-in-law, Pearl Kuenzer of Bear Lake, and numerous nephews and nieces.
In addition to her husband, Juanita was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Carolyn; her sister, Winona Rowe; and her parents, George and Ruth Hanmer.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home, in Beulah, with Pastor Matthew Mabey officiating. Interment will be in Benzonia Township Cemetery in the spring. Visitation will held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Homesteader Assisted Living Facility in Benzonia.
The Bennett-Barz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.bennett-barzfuneralhome.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Foundation Programs
The P.L.A.Y.S. Program
Mission: The Chicago Fire Foundation P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program is committed to enhancing the academic performance and development of key social and emotional (SEL) skills of elementary school students through a sports based curriculum
The P.L.A.Y.S. Program created in partnership with World Sport Chicago, will not only teach soccer skills, but also explicitly teach SEL traits and values such as emotional control, goal setting and attainment, cooperation and respect and communication and teamwork. These SEL traits are tied to academic success and will be used with sport training to improve the physical well-being and academic capabilities of the students. It is our belief that by teaching these values within the structure of an athletic activity, that students will learn and adopt these values, transfer them from the athletic field to the classroom and thereby improve their academic outcomes
In 2013, the pilot program launched in 8 Academy for Urban School Leadership schools:
- Bradwell School of Excellence
- Casals School of Excellence
- Chalmens School of Excellence
- Deneen School of Excellence
- Herzl School of Excellence
- Piccolo School of Excellence
- Sherman School of Excellence
- Curtis School of Excellence
Click Here to view the P.L.A.Y.S. Press Release
Click Here to watch the P.L.A.Y.S. Video
Click Here to view photos from the P.L.A.Y.S. program
Kicks For Kids
Since 2006, with the generous support of our "Kick For Kids" donors, nearly 50,000 children have benefited from this program and been able to see the Chicago Fire in action. View the "Kicks for Kids" beneficiaries from seasons past.
All "Kicks for Kids" beneficiaries are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations providing a direct service to economically or otherwise challenged youth in the Chicagoland area. If your organization is interested in becoming a "Kicks for Kids" beneficiary, please complete our online application.
The Chicago Fire and the Chicago Fire Foundation would like to thank all the companies and individuals who have participated in the "Kicks For Kids" Program. Your support helps create lasting memories for our community's youth. View our "Kicks for Kids" sponsors.
For more information or to become a Kicks For Kids sponsor:
Chicago Fire Sales Department
Passback Game
Click Here for more information or to get involved with the Passback Program
Hero of the Match
At each Chicago Fire home match, the club honors a Hero of the Match for their courage and sacrifice. Local heroes include fire personnel, police officers, active military members, veterans, those battling cancer and more!
Click here to meet our 2014 heroes
Click Here to nominate a hero.
2014 MLS Community MVP
Major League Soccer is looking for individuals who promote goodwill, demonstrate leadership qualities and help to improve lives within their community. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations!


text:
Find a South Shore, Massachusetts campground or rv park for your wilderness retreat and weekend getaway. Enjoy the outdoors and pitch a tent at one of our campsites, or park your motorhome at one of our South Shore, Massachusetts RV parks in key>. Camping is great for family vacations, traveling on a budget, and getting back in touch with nature. Browse our campgrounds and plan your South Shore, Massachusetts camping trip today!
|Page:1 of 1
|Sort By:
Foxboro, Massachusetts Campgrounds & RV Parks - Nestled deep in the woods between Boston & Cape Cod, Normandy Farms is a luxury camping destination that has been a family tradition since 1971 and widely recognized as one of the premier resorts in the world.
East Falmouth, Massachusetts Campgrounds & RV Parks - High end campresort with 200 large campsites most with water/sewer/electric service. Over 55 acres, private pond and beach area and boat rentals. Clubhouse, gameroom,four pools, Jacuzzi and store. 35 Rental Cabins & Cottages for non-campers.
Sturbridge, Massachusetts Campgrounds & RV Parks - Massachusetts Accommodation: Campgrounds & RV Parks
Nantucket, Massachusetts Vacation Rentals - Northern Exposure was built in 1994 and is a very bright and well furnished "New England Upside-Down House" (with living areas upstairs, and bedrooms downstairs) just 0.9 mile from the Main Street. Na...
Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts Hotels & Resorts - Year-round,green cert full service country inn,restaurant&lounge, centrally located,with baths,free WIFI,TV's,phones, A/C,canopy beds,antiques,heated indoor pool&Jacuzzi, sun deck,gardens,Computer Rm. Rates $90-$160 incl room,bkfst & Din for 2 people
Plymouth, Massachusetts Bed & Breakfasts - Guests call The Beach House "A dream of a place... a little bit of paradise." Others claim it, we're Plymouth's only B&B at the ocean's edge. Casual elegance, an unforgettable view...sunrises, sailboats, seals and sand. You really can see forever!
Charlemont, Massachusetts Rafting Trips - White Water Rafting, Zip Line Canopy Tours, Kayaking Clinics, Canoeing Instruction and Rock Climbing adventures at New England's Outdoor Adventure Resort. On site camping and lodging for a full service adventure getaway.
Harwich Port, Massachusetts Fishing Trips - Captain Len Greiner and Captain Jason Pillsbury have been running Cape Cod fishing charters for 20+ years. Their knowledge, experience and sense of humor will insure you to have a safe, productive and enjoyable trip.
Haverhill, Massachusetts Fishing Trips - Massachusetts Sports: Fishing Trips
West Harwich, Massachusetts Hotels & Resorts - Our charming 16 room inn is a 10 min. walk from a warm-water ocean beach on Nantucket Sound! Our rooms overlook our sparkling outdoor pool and are non-smoking. We have a daily continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Check our reviews on Tripadvisor.


text:
The Ducks have agreed to terms with center Antoine Laganiere on a two-year entry-level contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
A 6-5, 214-pound center, Laganiere recently completed his collegiate career with Yale University (ECAC), which won the NCAA Division 1 Championship this past Saturday (Apr. 13) at the Frozen Four Tournament in Pittsburgh, PA. Laganiere, 22 (7/5/1990), collected 15-14=29 points in 37 games this season with the Bulldogs. He ranked third on the club in scoring, second in power play goals (6) and tied for second in game-winning goals (3). Laganiere scored Yales second goal in a 3-2 overtime thriller over University of Massachusetts-Lowell in the Semifinal on Apr. 11.
More right here


text: Hi all. I am dropping off my cr2040 tomorrow. I need to have lights repaired. As it is there i want it overhauled completely. All the things that would be needed as this is a 30 Y/O+ receiver..the questions i have are''what should be done to it. I would like a list that may make it helpful to me & should i feel like a retard if i ask them to check/adjust/replace these items..i would like to get this unit up to specs 100%..any thoughts as to how much about this would cost me ? A round about figure on price ? Unit is operating fine. Ive been using it with a TT & tape player & tuner..i did do a slight cleaning..it does seem it had been opened & lights repaired at one time because wire to tuner light has been spliced & it looks to have been done poorly. I want all new ones installed. Attachment 86603Thanks in advance. Any feedback would be helpful & appreciated alot....thanks. Randy


text:
The San Antonio Choral Society's 49th performing season starts October 15, so Music Director Jennifer Seighman dropped by the studio with a preview.
"We will have four major concerts," she said. "The first one is 'The Hills Are Alive: Music of Bavaria and Austria' and this is in anticipation of our choir tour to Bavaria and Austria, and also to help us get started celebrating Octoberfest this month."
Seighman said the "Hills Are Alive" performance will contain selections from "The Sound of Music."
Even before state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, has announced her intentions for the 2014, she has taken a few jabs from Attorney General Greg Abbott's supporters and some directly connected to his campaign. One of those online criticisms labeled Davis a "Retard Barbie."
University of Texas at Austin Professor James Henson runs the Texas Politics Project and said this type of gender politics is a theme voters will see throughout 2014.
An exhibit with an unusual origin opens at the downtown Central Library next week. The exhibit's curator, Allison Hays Lane, explains.
"We have over 40 wonderful, original World War I posters and prints that were found in the basement of the Hertzberg Museum," Lane said.
Lane was asked how that surprise find must have made those finding it feel.
"Almost like King Tut's Tomb. I mean it was just wonderful!" she said.
Lane speaks in excited and reverential terms about the artists whose works comprise the "Winds and Words of War" collection.
Technical difficulties with the Affordable Care Act's federal marketplace delayed some Texan's pursuit of signing up for health insurance.
As expect by even the federal officials, the system did freeze from time to time some people were kicked off the network.
Stephanie Goodman with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services said they are concerned how these glitches affect their work load.
In the first segment:
This afternoon state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is speculated to announce her run for governor of Texas. Yesterday, Texas Lyceum, a state nonprofit and nonpartisan leadership organization, released a poll that among other things showed only an 8 point difference between Davis and GOP frontrunner and Attorney General, Greg Abbott.
Half of the respondents were still undecided, so what can we take from the poll?
San Antonio City Attorney Michael Bernard has been tapped to join the Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, an international legal team that has an office in San Antonio.
Bernard has served as the city's chief legal advisor since 2005 and before that he was first assistant district attorney for Bexar County. The move signals a shift back into the private sector for Bernard after having served in a public capacity for many years.
Tullos Wells, a senior partner at the law firm, said he was the perfect fit for the position.
Bexar County is working on an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation that would improve the overall network of roads and highways in the county.
The county is negotiating for a workable tradeoff after the state asked local governments to take over maintenance of the roads, many of which have surpassed their original purpose of connecting Texas communities and are now considered urban thoroughfares.
The Witte Museum's new exhibition is a whodunit adventure. The new exhibit is called "CSI, the Experience" and like the TV program, murder is at its core.
The Witte's Shannon Standley walked us through the three grisly settings where fictional victims had met their demise.
The Talk About It! campaign continues its no-kill conversation tonight at the Pearl Stable, where one of the nation's top no-kill experts will speak and answer questions.
The San Antonio Area Foundation's campaign to make San Antonio a no-kill city has become an integral part of the community's overall effort to increase the number of pet adoptions and reduce the stray population.
Talk About It! spokesman Gavin Nichols said the numbers prove the efforts are working:
The Center for Reproductive Rights has confirmed the group's first day in federal court will be Oct. 21.
The center is one of three groups who, along with several abortion clinics in the state, filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop two components of the Texas abortion law: One, a requirement that all doctors performing abortion have admitting rights at a hospital no more than 30 miles away, and two, that doctors provide patients with FDA guidelines when prescribing the drug RU-486.


text:
These Are The First Lenses You Should Buy For a Sony NEX
If you're someone who just bought a Sony NEX camera (the NEX-F3 is a great beginner's option), you're probably on the market to pick up a couple of lenses to go with it.
Straight off the bat, I'd recommend grabbing the $450 35 mm f/1.8 as a main prime lens (or, for $200, the slower Sigma 30 mm f/2.8 as an affordable and optically excellent replacement, or, on the other end, a 32 mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss for $900 if you can afford it); the Sony 55-210 f/4.5-6.3 for just $350 for when you need something zoomy; and the Sigma 19 mm f/2.8 for $200 if you need a prime that is a little bit wider.
After that, you'll potentially want the $275 50 mm f/1.8 for portrait work and maybe the $350 pancake 20 mm f/2.8 for a small and light option that can take fisheye and wider-angle screw-on adapters.
How we chose (and a quick word about focal lengths)
We've primarily focused on the more affordable options here, as this list is aimed at someone just starting out into interchangeable lens cameras. Our picks are all good glass, but there are some higher-quality options that cost an arm and a leg. These are mostly Carl Zeiss lenses, which will set you back around $1,000.
For someone who's new to interchangeable lens cameras, the limited selection of NEX lenses is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you don't have to page through dozens of often very similar options to figure out which ones are good. On the other, if you don't like the lenses available, you're out of luck until Sony & friends produce more. Some of these lenses are actually pretty mediocre, too. Luckily, there are enough around that are good that you shouldn't have too much trouble getting something that takes great photos.
People shooting Micro Four Thirds cameras have it much better when it comes to lenses, there's no denying. There's a much wider array of lenses available, the prices tend to be better and there's a more substantial secondhand market.
Why are we so focused on primes? With your NEX camera, you doubtless got a kit zoom lens that could cover most of your wide to mid range until you got faster glass. The kit was probably an 18-55 mm, but if you grabbed the NEX-6 you would have received the rather nifty 16-50 mm power zoom lens. The 18-55 mm lens is about average in quality for a kit lens, and the 16-50 is about the same. It's been accused of being soft and distorted, though some users think it's very sharp. ePhotoZine liked it, but they like most things so take their recommendations with a grain of salt. PhotoZone was extremely unimpressed with the distortion in the lens, but thought the sharpness was decent, saying "The resolution improves the more you zoom out and the lens is actually pretty good in the medium to upper range". Regardless, it does a very good job of providing a kit lens in a tiny, tiny size. It's a power zoom, which means that it goes wider and more close up with an electronic toggle, making it decent for video where you have to zoom in swiftly without disturbing your camera's stability.
Oh, also: Lens focal lengths are often referred to with two different numbers: its actual focal length and the 35 mm equivalent focal length (which is 1.5x greater in the case of a NEX camera). This is because depending on the size of the camera's sensor, a 50 mm lens will provide a different field of view on a full-frame/35 mm sensor, APS-C or Micro Four Thirds camera. Since the NEX cameras all have APS-C sensors, that's a 1.5x crop factor. So that 30 mm f/2.8 we mention is the 35 mm equivalent of a 45 mm lens. It's just a universal way of comparing lens fields of view.
Of the Sony E-Mount lenses that are available right now, this is the handful that we'd recommend.
The first, fast prime:
With a $450 street price, the 35 mm f/1.8 lens from Sony is a bit on the pricey side, which is a shame because it sits at one of the most desirable focal lengths. The 35 mm focal length (equivalent to just more than 50 mm) is one of the standard focal lengths for prime lenses. It's near the natural magnification of the human eye, so images you capture will be a lot like what you see in your head. And since it has such a nice wide maximum aperture of f/1.8, it'll let in a huge amount of light and will allow you to shoot in much darker conditions than you'll have previously been used to. And, if you're not in total darkness and you can set the aperture a bit lower, below f/2.8 ideally, you'll get even better looking images.
The 35 mm f/1.8 is generally speaking very good—people seem to really like this piece of glass. ePhotoZine (who admittedly have a history of loving just about everything) gave it 4.5/5, saying that it's worth the price and "[s]harpness is very good from maximum aperture, and can even be considered as outstanding as the lens is stopped down."
DxOMark's hyper-specific review praised it as one of the best lenses on any mirrorless camera, saying on sharpness it sits first equal with the Olympus 75 mm f/1.8. Chris Gampat of the Phoblographer wasn't quite as blown away by the sharpness, but praised the stabilization and contrast that images taken with it exhibit.
Photographer Matthew Durr wrote an excellent review of the lens, and while he identifies some issues with it. Notably he pointed out significant chromatic aberration (color fringing around the edges of objects) when at maximum aperture, as well as some heavy vignetting (dark edges of the frame). However, overall he called it fantastic, dubbing it "the prime lens that a large majority of NEX photographers have been waiting for." There's a good followup discussion on DPReview picking apart the review. A user review on SLRGear even thinks it's better than a Leica prime.
Unfortunately, the downside of this lens is the price—at $450, it's a stiff ask.
Alternate primes (budget and step up):
There's a funny thing about this Sigma lens (and the 17 mm one we talk about later); there are actually two versions of it. There's one with a smooth barrel and one with a ridged plastic one. The ridged plastic version is a bit older, a bit cheaper if you can get it, and optically identical. There's been some suggestion that the newer ones are a bit easier to manually focus, or have better quality control, but I haven't seen any firm evidence of that. If you can track down an older one and save yourself some cash, it's probably worth it.
The Sigma is arguably optically better than most of what Sony's making, despite costing a fraction of the price. Thanks to the crop factor of the NEX cameras, that puts you at the equivalent of 45 mm focal length, which is really flexible. Steve Huff (in his usual breathless style) called the 30 mm "bang for the buck of the year". SLRGear tested it and said "the Sigma 30mm ƒ/2.8 EX DN provides an excellent alternative for not a lot of money: optically, it's very good, at least as good as the alternatives in its price range." CSC Rumors called the lens "the best available lens for the Sony Alpha NEX 7 E-Mount system."
Roger Cicala of LensRentals tested a bunch of prime lenses for the NEX system and found the 30 mm could keep up with some much more expensive lenses. He said "it gives world-class resolution." It's a great and affordable lens, but if you're ever faced with dim light and poor conditions, the extra aperture of the Sony 35 mm f/1.8 will definitely come in handy, which is why it is our main pick for a prime.
Of course, you could spend more.
We think the Sony is the best balanced prime, but if you are having trouble deciding, this link compares all three of the recommended fast primes (the ones from Sony, Sigma and Zeiss) and notes the relative strengths and weaknesses for each at their price.
The zoom:
For when you want to cast your glance at something a bit further away, we recommend the Sony 55-210 f/4.5-6.3 for just $350. While it's not the most optically impressive zoom around, what it is is affordable, small and surprisingly decent for such a cheap piece of glass. If you're just coming into the world of swappable lenses, then you're probably used to having a point-and-shoot camera with a decently long zoom. Heck, you may even have a superzoom that can give you something like a 30x zoom factor. That doesn't happen so much with interchangeable lens cameras, but the zoom of the 55-210 mm is nothing to scoff at.
In situations where you need to get close to the action—without necessarily being close to the action—you'll want a nice, long zoom in your arsenal. There are times when you want your images to be close, even when you can't be: trying to photograph wildlife in the distance, or maybe trying to snap your kid at a sports game. And that's when you strap a nice long lens to the front of your camera. The 55-210 mm also includes an optical stabilization system, which really helps when you're zoomed in and don't have access to a tripod.
The 55-210 mm is nice because it picks up exactly where a basic kit lens ends. If your kit goes 18-55 mm, when you want a bit more length, the 55-210 mm is an easy switch to make. Kurt Munger reviewed the lens and said "Considering the price point of this lens, the optical performance is generally strong throughout the focal range, especially at the long end, which is probably where most people will be using it if they have the standard kit zoom available too." Sony Alpha Labs put it through its paces, and ended up giving it 4.5/5, praising it for its sharpness, stabilization and affordability. Even the extremely exacting folks at PhotoZone approve of it, calling it "a relatively decent, attractively priced option."
The step-up zoom:
If you have a little bit more in your budget, we recommend the 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3, which will set you back around $850—more than most of the other lenses on this list combined. However, there's a reason for the rather stiff pricetag: this could replace both your kit and zoom lenses. The 18-200 is optically on par with the 55-210 mm, but wide enough that you don't need to swap it out for the kit lens. While it is a bit of a comically big lens, it does provide a ton of flexibility if you don't want to worry about switching lenses in the heat of the moment.
Since the NEX cameras are so tiny, the rather enormous 18-200 does look a bit comical strapped to the front of the camera. However, it's an incredibly functional all-purpose lens. Although it might make your NEX much bulkier than normal, it means that you can use it in just about any situation. As Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscape put it, "the 18-200mm stabilized zoom is very good. Not great, but quite good, especially considering its size, weight and cost. This is the lens that goes on the camera 80% of the time in bright daylight, and unless I need a fast aperture lens it stays on the camera all day, mainly because of its versatility. I tend to use it in Aperture Priority mode, set at f/8 or f/11. A wider aperture than that and it gets too soft, and when smaller than that diffraction becomes at issue."
SLRGear complimented the lens for performing better than most superzooms, which is not bad, considering that most superzoom lenses aren't known for their optical quality, and Sony Alpha Lab called it "a pretty solid all around lens".
It's worth pointing out that there are actually two versions of this lens on the market. We've been talking about the SEL18200LE, but Sony also has the slightly older SEL18200. The latter is a bit more expensive at $900, and is optically slightly better, but it is substantially larger and heavier. It's up to you if the extra size and price are worth it for the image quality and Sony Alpha Lab does a pretty good job of comparing the two. Generally speaking, I'd say get the smaller one, as the quality difference isn't mind-blowing, and your wrist will thank you after a long day.
In August of 2013, Sony announced a couple of new zoom lenses, which are a touch more expensive, but might appeal to some shooters. The Carl Zeiss T* 16-70mm F4 zoom (24-105mm equivalent) will set you back some $1000, and the Zeiss label means it'll probably be a higher-end offering. Both it, and the also new 18-105mm F4 G power zoom both manage to keep an aperture of f/4 for the entire zoom range, which isn't great on the wide, but decent when all zoomed in. The 18-105mm will probably appeal more to most users, with its $600 pricetag landing in December. It's 27-157.5mm equivalent, and works with Sony's power zoom system, and its wide range of focal lengths could make it a good travel lens, able to deal with multiple situations well.
The wide lens for tighter (and wider) spaces:
The 19 mm version hasn't received quite as much love as the 35 mm, but still is an excellent and affordable lens if you want to get something that's a little wider. Cicala called it "clearly far better than Sony's 16mm pancake." SLRGear was impressed by its sharpness, saying "It holds its own in our tests, providing a sharp image even wide open at ƒ/2.8, with only slightly notable chromatic aberration in the corners." And while it might not be the best lens ever at that focal length, it overperforms for its price.
The portrait lens:
When Kurt Munger reviewed the lens, he called it "a welcome addition to the NEX family", praising it for "producing sharp images with good contrast at nearly all apertures, very smooth bokeh, and almost no distortion." Likewise, Andrew Alexander of SLRGear called it "capable" and was taken by its sharpness at smaller aperture.
However, both reviewers agree that when the aperture is cranked open all the way, you're going to get some pretty funny looking colors right around the edges of the frame. This is called "chromatic aberration", and you'll see weird color fringes if you start nosing around the corners of your photos. Fortunately, dial things back to f/5.6 or so and that'll disappear.
Given its eminently reasonable price and nice wide aperture, it's a great alternative for people who want more low-light primes, or who want to dip their toes into portrait photography.
There's actually a Sigma alternative that's a bit closer to a traditional portrait length, the $240 Sigma 60 mm f/2.8. It's still too new for many reviews, but unfortunately it lacks lacks optical image stabilization, it lets in a lot less light and it's barely cheaper than the Sony option. So while those extra 10 mm might make a slightly more flattering shot, the 50 mm is a bit more handy to have around.
The pancake:
Previously, we recommended the $250 16 mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens for this same category, but while both lenses don't have great quality, the newer 20 mm f/2.8 is said to be better optically. Kurt Munger's review of the 20 mm version points out that not only is the 20 mm version a fraction smaller than the 16 mm, but "Sony corrected some of the flaws that were inherent in the 16mm, (soft sides) so in my opinion, the 20mm is what the 16mm should have been in the first place." He still criticizes it for soft and dull corners, but the center is meant to be very sharp, especially at f/4. ePhotoZine likewise wasn't blown away by the performance, but thought it was pretty good when stopped down, and applauded its close focusing range. They also said "This lens provides reasonably good performance, but that certainly isn't its main selling point. As it is currently the most compact lens for Sony NEX system cameras, it is perfect for those who want to keep the system as pocket friendly as possible."
Unfortunately, we couldn't find any examples of images taken with the 20 mm f/2.8 that we could embed, but you can see some samples on Flickr.
Let's go retro:
One of the charms about the Sony NEX cameras is that they're uniquely suited to adapting old, manual-focus lenses. Part of this is the same advantage that's with any mirrorless system—the ability to easily throw on an adapter, and choose from hundreds of old pieces of glass that will work on your camera. However, the Sony NEXs have another trick up their sleeve—a technique called "focus peaking". This feature allows the camera to show a bright color burst on the area of the image that's in focus, letting you perfectly manually focus on whatever you want, which is great if you find cheap old lenses from before the days of autofocus. There are plentiful discussions online about which lenses are decent choices.
This handy ability to take on other types of lenses, and manually focus them easily, has also lead to a boom in third-party manual focus lenses. There are companies like Rokinon, who specializes in wide-angle and fast prime lenses that may not be optically great but are affordable. I'm not personally a huge fan of their lenses, but the Phoblographer has put together a pretty good rundown of the lot.
What's missing?
The big hole in the NEX line-up is the lack of a good macro lens. Sure, there's the 30 mm f/3.5 macro, but 30 mm is a really short focal length for macro; you'll have to get uncomfortably close to your subjects in order to get them at a decent size. A 50 mm or 100 mm macro would definitely go a long way.
There's also a shortage of portrait lenses. The 50mm prime manages to get pretty close, but it's not quite the focal length that people traditionally look for when shooting portraits.
Wrapping it Up:
First and foremost, I'd recommend grabbing the $450 35 mm f/1.8 as a main prime lens (or, for $200, the slower Sigma 30 mm f/2.8 as an affordable and optically excellent replacement, or, on the other end, a 32 mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss for $900 if you can afford it); the Sony 55-210 f/4.5-6.3 for just $350 for when you need something zoomy; and the Sigma 19 mm f/2.8 for $200 if you need a prime that is a little bit wider.
After that, you'll potentially want the $275 50 mm f/1.8 for portrait work since it will compress a subject's features, making them look more attractive; and maybe the pancake $350 20 mm f/2.8 for a small and light option.
That's a handful of lenses that'll suit most situations—and anything that they won't cover, you can probably find an old manual focus lens on the cheap that will.
Sony E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (Sony NEX) - Review , Photozone,"The Sony E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is a decent "kit" zoom lens but it is, of course, not flawless. The image center is very sharp whereas the border/corner region is softer although still acceptable. A weakness is the high amount of lateral CAs at 18mm and 35mm which decreases the subjective quality perception quite a bit if you don't care about it during post-processing. The distortion characteristic is about average for a lens in this class - heavy barrel distortion at 18mm and slight to moderate pincushion distortion towards the long end of the range. The vignetting is well-controlled although we suspect some sort of auto-compensation by the camera here."
Sony 16-50mm Retractable Zoom Lens, PC Mag, 2012-12-05,3.5/5, "Good". "The Sony 16-50mm Retractable Zoom Lens is the smallest zoom that you can get for your NEX camera, but it's far from the best."
Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS SELP1650, Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS SELP1650"Gatorowl", SLRGear user review, Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS SELP1650, December 01, 2012. "Sharpness and contrast are on par with the best lens I have used through 30mm (e.g., I have used Nikon 14-24mm Sigma 17-50mm, and Canon 10-22mm). However, at 50mm, look elsewhere for critical shots. Sharpness and contrast drop off considerably, and the difference from primes at the FL is substantial. However, it is still serviceable. For most shooting at normal (non-pixel peeping) sizes, differences are acceptable."
Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Review, Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Review,Gary Wolstenholme, ePhotoZone, Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Review, 4/5, "Recommended", November 14, 2012. "Although the optical performance of this lens isn't going to set the world on fire, for a reasonably priced kit lens, sharpness, control of CAs and distortion are adequate. The compact size alone may make this lens a compelling choice for NEX camera owners, but may also be a curse for some due to the delay the collapsible lens system causes when the camera is switched on."
Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS Lens Review, ePhotoZine, 2012-11-13,4.5/5, "Highly Recommended", "Although it seems this lens carries a bit of a premium price, the performance it delivers probably makes it worth it, for those who require it. Sharpness is very good from maximum aperture, and can even be considered as outstanding as the lens is stopped down.Other optical anomalies, such as CAs, falloff and distortion are also kept well in check, plus the light weight and compact dimensions of the lens should make this an ideal addition to any serious NEX camera owners kit bag. The addition of optical stabilisation can only enhance the appeal of this lens."
Lens Review–Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS, Matthew Durr Photography, 2013-01-12,"The 35mm f/1.8 is a fantastic lens, despite its focusing limitations dependent on CDAF. The only "real" knacks against it—heavy vignetting and noticeable fringing wide-open—can easily be worked around depending on the situation, what settings you shoot at, and how much post-processing you are used to doing. This lens truly is an all-purpose E-mount lens for excellent video and low-light photographs with shallow depth of field. Though other cheaper options exist in the general focal range for the system (the tack-sharp Sigma 30mm f/2.8 for E-mount) or other camera manufacturers (Samsung NX 30mm f/2), there's no denying that the 35mm f/1.8 is the prime lens that a large majority of NEX photographers have been waiting for."
Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS SEL35F18, SLR Gear, 2012-12-20"db73961", SLRGear user review, Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS SEL35F18, December 20, 2012. "Compared it to Leica prime. Will sell the leica ASAP. This is sharp, excellent contrast, rich color, may be too rich for Leica fans."
The $199 Sigma 30 f/2.8 Real World Lens Review on the Sony NEX-7! Bang for the Buck of the year!, Steve Huff Photo, 2012-09-26,"Even though there are better lenses to get for NEX and one in particular coming down the pike SOON (the new Sony 35 1.8) this lens is cheap at $199 but has the image quality of a $350 – $400 lens. As you can see in the title of this review I am calling it the "Bang for the buck of the year"! It may not be for everyone but if you are tight on funds and want a new lens that will beat your kit lens then this little guy will only bring smiles to your face. I can not image anyone being disappointed with this lens at this price."
Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN (Tested), SLR Gear, 2012-03-26,"You have to hand it to Sigma, they recognize the opportunity in creating lenses for multiple brands, and have found yet another niche to supply lens alternatives in the micro four-thirds and NEX camps. The Sigma 30mm ƒ/2.8 EX DN provides an excellent alternative for not a lot of money: optically, it's very good, at least as good as the alternatives in its price range."
The Best E-Mount Lens for the Sony Alpha NEX-7 Compact System Camera is Probably the Sigma 30mm f2.8 Lens, CSC Rumors, 2012-5-11"According to other reviews made previously regarding Sony Alpha NEX-7′s compatibility and performance with the Sigma 30mm f2.8, it is the best available lens for the compact system mirrorless camera considering the resolution. If anyone is in the mainstream macro photography, then the Sony 30mm f3.5 is a wise choice. For all the other cases, the Sigma lens have been rated the best till date for the Sony Alpha NEX-7 compact system camera."
NEX-7 Lens Imatest Results, Lens Rentals, 2012-4-29,"Imatest is measuring the resolution of the lens-camera combination (as opposed to an optical bench, which measures the lens' maximum using collimated laser or LED lighting). We chose the Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux because we've tested it on a lot of other camera systems and know the lens is as good as it gets from a resolution standpoint. That the Sigma 30mm, a $200 lens, is keeping pace with it is really amazing. Obviously it's not really a wide aperture prime, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, but it gives world-class resolution."
Sony NEX-7 Six Months On, Luminous Landscape, 2012-4,Michael Reichmann, Luminous Landscape, Sony NEX-7 Six Months On, April 2012. "But the 18-200mm stabilized zoom is very good. Not great, but quite good, especially considering its size, weight and cost. This is the lens that goes on the camera 80% of the time in bright daylight, and unless I need a fast aperture lens it stays on the camera all day, mainly because of its versatility. I tend to use it in Aperture Priority mode, set at f/8 or f/11. A wider aperture than that and it gets too soft, and when smaller than that diffraction becomes at issue. There is some noticable chromatic abberation and distortion, but Lightroom 4's correction and profile deal with it quite well."
Sony E 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS LE SEL18200LE (Tested), SLR Gear, 2012-7-16,"The Sony E 18-200mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 EL performs as well as you would expect for a super-zoom lens, perhaps a bit better, but the big advantage with this lens is its comparatively small size when you consider the huge girth of its predecessor. Optically it's about the same, perhaps a slight bit worse in some respects, but Sony is not discontinuing the original 18-200mm. If you wanted a super-zoom lens and thought the original 18-200mm was too big for your NEX camera, this is the lens for you."
Sony 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens Review, Sony Alpha Lab, 2012-9-1,4/5 "The New Sony 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens is a pretty solid all around lens in my opinion. It's slightly sharper than the Tamron 18-200mm in the center, and the fringing is also better controlled. Being an all around lens it will have some weaknesses as it's a lot to ask for in one package. Compromises need to be made in order to get so much out of a lens for a reasonable price. Prime lenses for example will be sharper than zoom lenses for the most part. That being said, Sony did a really good job here!"
Sigma 19mm f/2.8 EX DN (Tested),, SLR Gear, 2012-7-31,"There are a surprising number of alternatives in this category - wide primes for mirrorless cameras - so Sigma's offering comes at an interesting time. It holds its own in our tests, providing a sharp image even wide open at ƒ/2.8, with only slightly notable chromatic aberration in the corners. It's not a case of Sigma finding a niche other manufacturers haven't exploited, however, Sigma does undercut all the current manufacturers with a lower price point. If you haven't got a wide angle prime for your micro four-thirds mirrorless camera, or your Sony NEX camera, then you may want to consider the Sigma 19mm ƒ/2.8 DN."
"The Sony NEX 50mm F/1.8 OSS lens is a welcome addition to the NEX family, producing sharp images with good contrast at nearly all apertures, very smooth bokeh, and almost no distortion. While there isn't really much to dislike about the lens, there are a few qualities I'd like to see improved. One, the reproduction ratio is a little low, so you can't focus very close. The other thing I noticed right off is; I see a somewhat high amount of axial color fringing, (occurring all over), but that kind goes away as you stop down, and isn't so noticeable in low light. I'd consider the color fringing issue to be minor to moderate depending on how picky you are. Landscape shooters using smaller apertures (F/5.6-8) should not be bothered by this, or people shooting in low-light with limited DOF."
Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS SEL50F18 (Tested, Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS SEL50F18 (Tested,Andrew Alexander, SLRGear, Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS SEL50F18 (Tested), June 22, 2012. "The Sony E 50mm ƒ/1.8 OSS is a capable lens, marred only by some poor CA performance when used wide open; even then, depending on the subject matter, it may not be particularly noticeable."
Sony E 16mm f/2.8 SEL16F28 (Tested), Sony E 16mm f/2.8 SEL16F28 (Tested),Andrew Alexander, SLRGear, Sony E 16mm f/2.8 SEL16F28 (Tested), December 6, 2010. "The size of the lens make a NEX camera system almost pocketable. If you like the idea of a wide prime for your NEX camera, right now there's simply nothing else available. It's an interesting little lens, but its price point and its performance are perhaps limiting it to strictly consumer application."
Sony E 16mm f/2.8 (Sony NEX) - Review, Photozone, 2012-08,"The Sony E 16mm f/2.8 is a controversial lens. Upon first contact you're probably positively surprised - it's stylish, dwarfish, very well built and the AF performance is also pretty good. It doesn't even cost a fortune. Unfortunately that's where most of the glory ends. The lens delivers very sharp images in the inner image field but the corner performance is rather poor especially at f/2.8 and f/4. The fairly heavy amount of lateral CAs isn't helpful here either."
Review: Sony 24mm f1.8 (Sony NEX E Mount), The Photoblographer, 2012-6-1,"Here is a fair disclaimer: I'm purchasing this lens with the NEX 7. I've fallen in love with the 35mm field of view a while back and this lens renders that view perfectly. It is an absolutely amazing lens with fast focusing capabilities, an all metal build quality, excellent sharpness, terrific color rendition, and the list can go on and on. Pack all of that into a super small and portable package and you've got a winner."
Sony E 24mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* ZA SEL24F18Z (Tested), Sony E 24mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* ZA SEL24F18Z (Tested),Andrew Alexander, SLRGear, Sony E 24mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* ZA SEL24F18Z (Tested), November 10, 2011. "Considering the price, you would hope that the Sony 24mm ƒ/1.8 Sonnar T* ZA didn't disappoint - and happily, it doesn't. Sharpness is excellent even wide open, and other factors such as chromatic aberration, distortion and corner shading are well-controlled. The 24mm ƒ/1.8 proves to be an able companion to the NEX camera."
"The Sony CZ NEX 24mm F/1.8 lens produces outstanding results throughout the entire frame, which is not typical for a wide angle lens; in fact, it shows the best results of any wide angle lens I've tested yet, and that includes full frame lenses like the CZ 24/2 and 35/1.4 G! Most wide angle lenses are mushy in the corners unless stopped down hard, but the NEX CZ 24/1.8 is actually quite sharp at F/1.8 in the corners! This lens is optically at its best between F/2.8-4, stopping down additionally is not necessary for sharper shots. A tid-bit that will make some people mad: I'm glad I don't have the Sony 35/1.4 G lens anymore, if I would've compared the Sony 35mm F/1.4 G using the A900, and the NEX CZ 24mm F/1.8 using the NEX-7 at apertures of F/1.8-4, the 35mm F/1.4 G would literally look like it was focused improperly, there would be that much difference at those apertures! Both cover the same area and have the same megapixels, so it's a fair comparison."
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 ZA Review, Photography Blog,5/5, "Essential", May 1, 2012. "The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 ZA is a must-have lens for every E-Mount owner, unless you simply can't stomach the admittedly high price-tag. It delivers stellar results almost throughout its extensive aperture range, and the 36mm focal length proves to be very versatile, possibly making this the only lens that you'll ever need for your NEX system. With great build quality, fast auto-focusing and incredible image quality, this is one lens that we're very sad to send back to Sony."
Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS PZ (SEL-1650) - Review / Test Report, PhotoZone, July 2013,The Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS broke a couple of records but unfortunately not in the positive sense. Its uncorrected distortion and vignetting figures are nothing short of insane. So Sony obviously doesn't want the lens to be used without enabled aberration compensation. This eases the pain in some respects. However, even so it doesn't make it a great lens. The inclusion of a 16mm looks highly attractive on paper but the truth is that the quality is insufficient here - at least on Sony's 24 megapixel sensor. The resolution improves the more you zoom out and the lens is actually pretty good in the medium to upper range. Thus we feel that Sony was somewhat too aggressive here. It would have made more sense to stick to a manageable range of -say- 20-50mm - just like Samsung did it with its really desirable pancake zoom lens. If you limit the Sony lens to this range it is actually pretty decent - apart from some higher than average CAs maybe.
Sony E 35mm f1.8 and Sony E 10-18mm f4: A Very Good Standard and a Wide Zoom, ePhotoZone, April 18, 2013,The E 35 f1.8 is a prime standard lens, so you would expect a decent score and it certainly delivers: The DxOMark overall score of 21 makes it equal second best lens on a hybrid camera. Looking at sharpness alone it is equal in first place alongside the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f1.8.
Review: Sony 35mm f1.8 OSS (Sony NEX E Mount), The Phoblographer, March 10, 2013,If you're considering purchasing this lens then you'll need to consider the tradeoff–it isn't as sharp as the 24mm f1.8 or 50mm f1.8 OSS but it is sharper than the 30mm f3.5 (all of which we have reviewed on this site). However, it features optical image stabilization and micro contrast, which is a nice tradeoff if you're cool with that. Technically, this lens is almost perfect if only Sony managed to make it sharper and make the exterior a bit more textured.
Review: Carl Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 (Sony), The Phoblographer, May 31, 2013,Overall, the Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 was a great lens to work with. Since the selections of high quality autofocus lenses are a bit limited on the NEX line, I would highly suggest the Touit line to anyone looking to get incredible image quality out of their camera. The legendary Sony Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 finally has some stiff competition. In the $1,000 price range, I couldn't see purchasing it over one of the new Zeiss lenses. Especially since they'll actually be in stock! If I were shooting Fuji, the decision, I believe, would be a little more difficult as the Fuji lens lineup is already quite stellar. The build quality is excellent and is more than worthy of being considered pro. Image quality is exceptional and the price is just right for a lens of this quality. If you're looking to up your game, then look no further.
Finally Got Around Touit, Lens Rentals, May 31, 2013,This is a great example, I think, of why test numbers are just one thing to consider in choosing a lens. According to the test results, if you want the best bargain and shoot at f/2.8 or smaller, the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 for $200 is just about impossible to beat. The Sony 35mm OSS gives you slightly better performance optically, a wider aperture, and image stabilization for $449. At f/1.8 it's pretty equal to the Touit in resolution and has less distortion. Stopped down just a bit, to f/2.2, though, the Touit gives much better optical performance than any of the other lenses – numerically and by the eye test. Worth $900? To some people certainly. To others, not at all. For me, taking actual pictures with it confirmed what the numbers suggested. The center resolution is probably the best I've seen from any lens on an NEX camera. That's enough to make it a future purchase for me.
Sony NEX 55-210mm F/4.5-6.3 OSS review, Kurt Munger Photography,The Sony NEX 55-210mm F/4.5-6.3 OSS lens is relatively inexpensive, and provides image stabilization, super quiet focusing, and a useful zoom range. Considering the price point of this lens, the optical performance is generally strong throughout the focal range, especially at the long end, which is probably where most people will be using it if they have the standard kit zoom available too. Pluses for the Sony NEX 55-210mm F/4.5-6.3; low distortion, optical SteadyShot works well, fairly quick and accurate focusing, very low color fringing, and sharpness is optimized at F/5.6-8, so you don't need to stop down hard to get sharp results. Also, as mentioned above, optical performance is very good over the entire frame at longer focal lengths, that's somewhat unusual in a less-expensive kit-type lens.
Sony 55-210mm E-Mount f/4.5-6.3 OSS Lens - SEL55210 - Hands on Review, Sony Alpha Lab, February 24, 2012,Moving on to Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 lens specifically, it's very good all around, and it's an incredible value for the dollar at Only $350 US!! The extra large focal range also extends your photography opportunities and allows for significantly creativity by manipulating depth of field, separating subjects from the backgrounds, and being able to shoot the same seen at a huge variety of focal lengths. Again, for the money it's one of if not the best bang for the buck E-Mount lens available!! Assuming you by a Nex body with the 18-55mm kit lens though, otherwise that lens would be the best bang for the buck.
Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL-55210) - Review / Lens Test, PhotoZone, March 2012,We already feared to publish poor results but the Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS performed better than expected on the NEX 7 with its difficult 24 megapixel sensor. The lens is surely not remotely capable of exploiting the potential of this sensor but the results are generally decent - at least from a real world perspective. In the low to mid range the lens is very sharp in the image center and pretty good at the borders when stopping down a tiny bit. The center is generally a bit softer albeit still very usable at 210mm. The outer image regions are fairly weak at f/6.3 but decent at f/8. This is probably Okay given the typical applications at this setting where the center is usually the priority spot. The lateral CA are a bit higher than average so it's certainly advisable to activate the CA auto-correction in the camera. Same goes for vignetting which is also visible at max. aperture. The distortion characteristic is fine for a zoom lens. The produced bokeh (out-of-focus rendition) is a bit on the rough side which probably originates in the extensive use of aspherical elements in the lens' design.
Sony NEX 20mm F/2.8 review, Kurt Munger Photography,The Sony NEX 20mm F/2.8 lens has some nice qualities; it's very small and lightweight, less so than the 16mm pancake, and performs reasonable well for this type of lens. Sony corrected some of the flaws that were inherent in the 16mm, (soft sides) so in my opinion, the 20mm is what the 16mm should have been in the first place. With that said, there is some competition for the 20mm pancake, like the Sigma 19mm, and Sony 16-50mm powerzoom, both reviewed here. Optically, the 20mm is pretty good for a pancake type lens. The distortion patten is fairly simple to fix for people using RAW converters like ACR, and will be corrected automatically in-camera on newer NEX cameras. Light fall-off is not something to worry about, even when mounting a filter on the front of the lens hood! I know that sounds crazy, but the hood is threaded for this reason. Sharpness is good in the centers at F/2.8, and gets very good at F/4. The mid-sections look good at F/5.6, but don't quite have the crispness of the centers. The extreme sides and corners are dull at most apertures, much like the Sigma 19mm, so oh well, you can't get perfection at this price point.
Sony NEX E 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens Review, ePhotoZine, April 19, 2013,This lens provides reasonably good performance, but that certainly isn't its main selling point. As it is currently the most compact lens for Sony NEX system cameras, it is perfect for those who want to keep the system as pocket friendly as possible. Some may feel the price is a little on the high side for the added convenience though.


text:
Available Options & Extensions
By Eric Pincus
August is typically a vacation month for the NBA. Most free agent decisions have already been made (although a number are still available) and the trade market has all but ground to a halt. Teams will fill in the gaps throughout what's left of the offseason but looking ahead, another key date looms . . . Halloween.
Opening night for the 2012/13 NBA Season falls on October 30 but it's the following day that is the crucial time for players hoping to get their rookie contracts extended. Teams have until October 31 to issue extensions, and/or pick up the third or fourth-year options, to players picked in the first round who are still on their rookie contracts. Veterans can get extended any time up to the end of June but the deadline looms for players near the end of their initial deal.
Extension Eligible
The following players have been in the league for three seasons and are eligible for extensions. So far two from the class have already locked in deals – Blake Griffin (L.A. Clippers) and Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder):
Atlanta Hawks – Jeff Teague
Charlotte Bobcats – Byron Mullens, Gerald Henderson
Chicago Bulls – Taj Gibson
Cleveland Cavaliers – Omri Casspi
Dallas Mavericks – Darren Collison, Rodrigue Beaubois
Denver Nuggets – Ty Lawson
Detroit Pistons – Austin Daye
Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry
Houston Rockets – Toney Douglas
Indiana Pacers – Tyler Hansbrough
Memphis Grizzlies – Wayne Ellington
Milwaukee Bucks – Brandon Jennings
Oklahoma City Thunder – James Harden, Eric Maynor
Philadelphia 76ers – Jrue Holiday
Sacramento Kings – Tyreke Evans, James Johnson
San Antonio Spurs – Tiago Splitter
Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan
The big name to watch is James Harden. The Thunder appear committed to keeping the core that advance to the NBA Finals together but will they let the market dictate the price next summer or lock in a deal before November that means luxury taxes for years to come?
Subjectively, players who should get extensions include Gibson, Lawson, Curry, Jennings, Holiday and Harden. With future cap room a consideration, the Hawks and Mavericks are better suited to wait on Teague and Collison.
Fourth-Year Options
The next group of players has two years' experience. They're not eligible yet for long-term extensions, so it becomes a question of continuing investment:
Boston Celtics – Avery Bradley
Dallas Mavericks – Dominique Jones
Detroit Pistons – Greg Monroe
Houston Rockets – Patrick Patterson
Indiana Pacers – Paul George
L.A. Clippers – Eric Bledsoe
Memphis Grizzlies – Quincy Pondexter
Milwaukee Bucks – Ekpe Udoh, Larry Sanders
New Orleans Hornets – Al-Farouq Aminu, Xavier Henry, Greivis Vasquez
Oklahoma City Thunder – Cole Aldrich, Lazar Hayward
Orlando Magic – Christian Eyenga
Philadelphia 76ers – Evan Turner
Phoenix Suns – Wesley Johnson
Portland Trail Blazers – Luke Babbitt, Elliot Williams
Sacramento Kings – DeMarcus Cousins
Toronto Raptors – Ed Davis
Utah Jazz – Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward
Washington Wizards – John Wall, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker, Jordan Crawford
Many are mere formalities. Expect Wall, Monroe, Cousins, Favors, Bradley, Patterson, George, Bledsoe, Turner, and G. Hayward without a thought.
Other's like Pondexter, Vasquez, Seraphin, Booker and Crawford are probable. Given the Mavericks' aim to maximize cap room, Jones may not make the cut. Have players like Aldrich, L. Hayward, Aminu, etc. shown enough to get another year? Is Davis worth paying $3.2 million to the Raptors? Does Eyenga's potential justify another $2.1 million on the Magic's dime?
Johnson is a tricky case for the Suns, given his option is for $5.4 million. He may flourish in Phoenix but he if he does, he'd be significantly limiting the team's spending power under the cap next summer.
Third-Year Options
After two seasons with a player, teams may have a better feel for how well he's progressing. For third-year options, quick decisions need to be made on players who are just off of their rookie season.
Brooklyn Nets – MarShon Brooks
Charlotte Bobcats – Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo
Chicago Bulls – Jimmy Butler
Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson
Denver Nuggets – Kenneth Faried, Jordan Hamilton
Detroit Pistons – Brandon Knight
Golden State Warriors – Klay Thompson
Houston Rockets – Marcus Morris, JuJuan Johnson
Miami HEAT – Norris Cole
Milwaukee Bucks – Tobias Harris
Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams, Ricky Rubio
New York Knicks – Iman Shumpert
Oklahoma City Thunder – Reggie Jackson
Orlando Magic – Nikola Vucevic
Phoenix Suns – Markieff Morris
Portland Trail Blazers – Nolan Smith
Sacramento Kings – Jimmer Fredette
San Antonio Spurs – Kawhi Leonard, Cory Joseph
Utah Jazz – Enes Kanter, Alec Burks
Washington Wizards – Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton
It would probably take a compelling reason to give up on a prospect so quickly, be it external (cap room) or internal (work ethic, personality).
Once again, it's an easy decision for players like Irving, Rubio, Faried, Knight, Brooks, Walker, Biyombo, K. & T. Thompson, Cole, Harris, Williams, Shumpert, Markieff Morris, Leonard, Kanter, Butler and Burks.
The Magic just traded for Vucevic and will likely take his option. Fredette hasn't lived up to the hype yet in Sacramento, but even if they look to trade him, he's more valuable with the option taken than without. Do the Rockets invest another year in Johnson, given the existing roster glut?
Even the remaining names are more likely than not to get another year, even if they haven't show much in games just yet (Hamilton, Jackson, Smith, etc.).
Full 2013 NBA Class of Free Agents
For the entire list of potential free agents next summer, check out the HOOPSWORLD breakdown. The list is comprehensive, including the option players who will likely never hit the market, unrestricted free agents, and players with non/partially-guaranteed salary.
The top of the class includes unrestricted free agents Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Andrew Bynum, Josh Smith, Al Jefferson, Manu Ginobili, Kevin Martin, Stephen Jackson, David West, Paul Millsap, Lamar Odom and Chris Kaman.


text:
After graduation she plans to go to Chicago to do glass blowing work, and enjoy a little time off, before pursuing graduate studies.
Jessica Curless has created a unique dress for the show, a dress that lives up to the "Exposure" theme. It's a dress covered with a collage of pictures.
"It's dealing with things from my past, and from high school," said Curless, a photography major. "I'm letting people into my world."
Curless plans to further her photography studies by going to Columbia University.
Tai Mullen has an oil painting in the show, featuring one of her favorite subjects – plants.
"It's what I most generally do, paintings of plants," she said. "I like the intimate spaces that they enclose and the patterns that they make three dimensionally…I'm trying to capture the stillness of the plants at the time that I see them, as well as the way that they are able to grow in that space. It is a body of work that I have been developing for about 1 ½ years."
Sarah Smith created ceramic pieces and went a step further by documenting through photographs where they were placed and what happened to them afterward.
"Its kind of like a study on relationship between people, objects and places," she said.
Smith placed the ceramics in 20 different sites.
"I used them to map out my daily routine; I've placed them indifferent places where I go every day," said Smith. "Over a 28-day period, I went back and photographed them to document what happened to them."
One photo showed a ceramic piece placed in a tree. When she went back, it was gone.
"This one was in the library (at AU), and it got moved," she said showing a photograph. "I think it was in somebody's way. It was moved to another spot for a while, and then it was gone."
One ceramic piece was placed in a restroom at Decker Hall. It stayed there for an hour before it was removed.
"I got a call from a lady who said she had taken it and put it in her office," said Smith, who learned the woman liked it a lot. "It was funny because she tracked me down to find out who I was."
Smith admires the artworks of her peers in "Exposure."
"I think the work is really strong this year. We have a lot of diversity, a lot of different kinds of works to see," she said. "I think it will be a really react show for the public to see."
Amanda Legge, a graphic design major, agreed.
Legge also found it enjoyable to work with the other seniors in the show.
It's a collaborative piece," she said of the exhibition. "It's neat to have the different majors come back together to collaborate and put this show on together."
Also showcasing works in "Exposure" are seniors Kyle Jennings, Dustin Daugherty, Heidi Leitzke, Ann Rust, Shannon Zajicek, Jena Swenson, Katie Kaelber and Rose Delph.


text:
A Well Thought Out Analysis Of Dylan McIlrath
Day 1 of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft came and went. Jewels From The Crown was there to witness it first hand.
With the 22th pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Montreal Canadiens select Jarred Tinordi
Shut the door, there's a draft!
From Chris Botta's Islanders Point Blank: Looking to get someone on the record (as to what ultimately differentiates these prospects), I checked in with Central Scouting director E. J. McGuire. The CSS ranked Gormley sixth among North American skaters - forward Brett Connolly third, Gudbranson fourth and Fowler fifth.
Previewing the 2010 NHL Draft: Brandon Gormley. A look at prospect Brandon Gormley.
2010 represents the Tampa Bay Lightning's 19th NHL entry draft.... They have only selected a wing 4 times with their first selection... And the results ain't pretty.
A listing of draft prospect profiles from around SB Nation
The NHL held their draft lottery, and TSN looked at the consensus top 10 picks.
Tampa Bay's Mellon Arena Finale... And invoking the movie Necessary Roughness to reflect the situation for the Bolts at current.
We'll email you a reset link.
If you signed up using a 3rd party account like Facebook or Twitter, please login with it instead.
You must be a member of Jewels From The Crown to participate.
We have our own Community Guidelines at Jewels From The Crown. You should read them.
You must be a member of Jewels From The Crown to participate.
We have our own Community Guidelines at Jewels From The Crown. You should read them.
Choose an available username to complete sign up.
In order to provide our users with a better overall experience, we ask for more information from Facebook when using it to login so that we can learn more about our audience and provide you with the best possible experience. We do not store specific user data and the sharing of it is not required to login with Facebook.


text:
Wilson TDS Traditional Leather Official FootballItem Number: 4004707
Price: $69.99
Free Shipping on Select Football Equipment! (See Promotion Details)
Product Information
Customer Reviews
Built with traditional features, the Wilson ® TDS Traditional Leather Football provides superior and consistent game performance. This NFHS-approved football offers Wilson's® exclusive WE leather cover, Grip Stripes , and ACL laces for maximum gripping. A 3-ply bladder provides better air retention and moisture control, while the multi-layered lining helps with better shape and durability.
- Official size football
- 899 WE Leather construction offers better durability and feel
- Deeper pebble and firmer texture provides maximum grip
- Grip Stripes and ACL™ laces provide improved grip over traditional painted stripes
- 3-ply bladder provides better air retention and moisture control
- Multi-layered lining helps with better shape and durability
- NFHS® approved; High School Pattern
- Model: F1205R
- Wilson
- Official (Size 9): Approved for High School, Collegiate and Pro Level
- Youth (Size 8): For ages 12 - 14
- Junior (Size 7): For ages 10 - 12
- Pee Wee (Size 6): For ages 9 and younger
- Check with your local league or organization before purchasing
Country Of Origin: China
Customer Reviews
Rated 3.8 out of 5�by 18 reviewers.
Rated 1 out of 5�by Zach Very hard ball This ball was very hard... when kicking compared to another ball, it hurt to kick the ball. For the money, I thought the leather would be softer & provide better performance. March 4, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5�by Dmcb Football It was purcased as a Christmas gift. Our grandson loves it. December 31, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5�by KJH TDS Leather Football This is the best high school football on the market. Great feel and durability. October 23, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5�by Coach Footballs are great! Thank you for supporting SYA Football! The HS Balls were needed for our 155 LB Team! You guys support SYA Sports! September 17, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5�by rob67 great football until it pops!! My kid is a kicker and we have purchased the TDS and the (NFL- Duke). Both are great leather footballs, but we have had to return them for exchanges 3 times now. It seems as though the internal ballders keep popping. Amazing to me as much as these footballs cost. April 30, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5�by Matt the kicker I would buy this product again Our 15 year is a kicker and we can't seem to have too many footballs. May 21, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5�by football maniac Great Football! Just wish it wouldn't turn your hands red. May 7, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5�by Coach C GREAT BALL Great Football. Same size as our Jr.High & High School use. Hard to Grip at first but quickly the grip got better with use. April 30, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5�by Gunslinger Good ball once broke in Football used for QB training April 30, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5�by Kody "Smoke"Cunningham Great Ball I have been a QB for 6 years and move up in ball size as need it. This is my 1 Year with this size and i love it , Good Grip and holds air well. As close to game ball as you will get. Use it everyday! December 11, 2011


text:
Red Lodge
by Kirby Longo - 7th April 2009
Pros: Good mogul runs, Cole Creek is Awesome, good college ticket prices
Cons: One good week before late march, no college season pass deal, angry liftees
Red Lodge is my hometown resort so I may be a little byes but I love it. Cole Creek has awesome terrain and for mogul lovers there is plenty to play on. I g... Full review


text:
By Shirley Ramsey
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — Carving a perfect jack o' lantern remains a mystery.
"What I need is a new design," Marci tells the pumpkin seller. "Don't you sell designs for your pumpkins?"
"I'm sorry," the clerk says. "But carving a pumpkin's easy as eating pumpkin pie."
"Nevermind then," Marci says, embarrassed. After giving it some thought, she uses magic markers to decorate Jack as a clown.
"Beautiful job," the neighbor families praise. Marci wins a prize for her design.
"Go figure," her husband comments. "I'm supposed to be the artist in this family."
In another home, the husband always carves the jack o' lantern. This year, his wife chooses to do it.
"But all the kids like mine," Allen objects.
"They'll like mine, too," Donna claims.
Allen observes as Donna digs out the pumpkin seeds and pulp.
"I never take that long," he comments.
"Don't watch me!" Donna blurts. "See what you made me do? Go to the store for another pumpkin. I just put this one in the ER."
New mother Sandra wants her toddler to see the little neighbor spooks dressed up for Halloween. The doorbell rings. Sandra opens the door for the first ghosts and they scream, "Trick-or-treat!" They're dressed like witches, a devil with a forked tongue, fierce animals and one princess.
While carrying her little daughter on one arm, Sandra manages to hold out a bowl of candy in the other. She speaks excitedly to her toddler: "Just look at the princess and the tiger! I can't wait until you dress up like a princess."
Without warning the toddler starts crying hysterically. She lets out the loudest howl any of them ever heard. Scared, the kids turn and run.
One yells back: "She don't need to dress up. She's scary enough already!"
One father begins with a great idea for his pumpkin. He draws the perfect spider on the side then he carves a spider body. The knife slips and the spider legs became detached. He changes to a toothless Jack.
His kids rush in to check his progress.
"That's nice," his son comments. "But what is it?"
"It's a jack o' lantern. Can't you tell?" the daughter says. "He just forgot his teeth like Grandmother does sometimes."
One of their neighbors makes the perfect jack o' lantern — three weeks early. "Jack" starts to fade two days before the main event. Mom "doctors" the poor thing with primer from their last paint job. Mercifully, Jack hangs around until Halloween.
A neighbor "trick or treating" with her children comments: "I like that scent. What are you using in your pumpkin? Is it potpourri? Pumpkin spice?"
"Oh, that's a brand new scent," the woman says. "It's a mixture of pumpkin and prime. You can't find it just anywhere."
Create a little magic. Halloween isn't just the favorite holiday for many parents and children. It's also the favorite time of year for ghouls, zombies, ghosts from all generations and wannabe werewolves.
Retired journalism professor Shirley Ramsey lives in Norman.
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.


text:
Learning Communities in the Residence Halls
Performing Cultures
Students who have an appreciation for performing arts or are performing artists themselves find a home in the Performing Cultures Learning Community. Whether a student likes the spotlight or thrives behind the scenes, the Performing Cultures Learning Community is the place where residents learn from others on the floor and make connections with student groups on campus.
Through workshops and field trips, students will be actively engaged in and exposed to both the Emerson and Boston arts scene. They will take their newfound skills and knowledge to execute their final capstone performance. Students in this Learning Community work together as a production team in order to produce a completely student-driven show that they create themselves. This exciting opportunity typically provides the Performing Cultures participants with the rare occasion to gain hands-on experience in areas of directing, producing, stage management, house management, company management, box office management, marketing, choreography, music and vocal direction, props, hair and make-up, costumes, set design, sound design, and lighting design.
The Performing Cultures Learning Community is located on the 11th floor of the Piano Row Residence Hall for the 2013-2013 academic year, and will move to its new home on the 7th floor of the Paramount Residence Hall for the 2013-2014 academic year.
How Your Resident Assistant Will Make Life Easier
Making the transition from home life to college life isn't always an easy one. Luckily the Resident Assistants (RAs) make that transition easier. Find out how the RAs help residents 24/7.


text:
We're thrilled to announce the next live D&D game with the crew from Acquisitions, Inc. at this year's PAX Prime in Seattle! While Jerry Holkins, Mike Krahulik, Scott Kurtz will be at the table, that leaves a seat open for a new player….
And so begins the tryouts for a new intern! Applicants lined up outside the Dungeon Room for their chance to join this esteemed organization… but only one made the final cut.
In Part 1, we look back at one of the failed applicants:
Please Note: The live D&D game with Acquisitions, Inc. is currently scheduled to take place at PAX Prime in Seattle, WA on Saturday Aug 31st at 3:30 pm PST. Visit the official site for further information—and check back here for news regarding the Live Game and other D&D events taking place at the convention!


text:
Well, well. What a change a day or two makes. Monday the NWS was calling for 56 degrees on Friday. Tuesday, when I mentioned the possibility of ice on Friday, the NWS was calling for 53 degrees. Today they are calling for 36 and I expect that to be lowered even further.
Here's the scenario. A strong arctic high pressure system that has brought bitterly cold temperatures to the north and northeast, will start to slide eastward today. As it does, the clockwise rotation of the air around this high will cause cold air to ride down the east side of the Appalachian mountains (known as Cold Air Damming or CAD). The very cold dense air can't go west so it's forced south down the east side of the mountains.
As this happens, a clipper type of shortwave (a bundle of energy in the atmosphere) comes riding down from the northwest Thursday night. As it does, a warm moist flow in the mid-levels begins to overrun the cold dense air below. If it's above freezing at the mid levels (which it is forecast to be maybe around 40 degrees or so) the precipitation falls as rain. But as it reaches the very cold arctic air at the surface (20s), the rain begins to freeze.
Depending on how warm that warm-nose of air is and how thick the cold air is, the precipitation will either fall as freezing rain or sleet for us. It won't be cold enough for snow (at least not right now), so sleet and freezing rain will be our main threat. Models are showing a very cold dense CAD developing, with temps dropping into the 20s Thursday night. Cold rain falling into those temps will cool the surfaces rapidly through evaporative cooling and cause the rain to freeze to anything it touches. I believe Friday morning (assuming the models continue on their present course) will be absolutely treacherous over north Georgia.
Here's another issue. The ground over most parts of north Georgia is very saturated right now. At this time of year, evaporation from the soil is slow at best. What that means is if the trees get enough ice on them, they are more likely to fall due to the wet, loose soil.
This could be one of the worse ice storms we've had in many years. I will be making updates here when I have new updates. I am expecting watches and warnings to begin to go up within the next six hours.
Much more to come...
Please remember, whenever you need weather information, please visit us at the new and improved DaculaWeather.com. You can also get the latest weather information by following us on Twitter and Facebook
DaculaWeather.com... Your Window to the Weather


text:
ROCK HILL — Investigators have found both cars involved in a drive-by shooting at a Rock Hill Walmart where a witness who took cover behind his car told police assailants fired at least five shots at each other late Friday, police say.
At about 8:15 p.m., officers received a call from a man, 41, who said he saw a gold Ford Taurus pull close to a cotton candy pink Ford Crown Victoria in the Dave Lyle Walmart parking lot, according to a Rock Hill police report. The passenger in the Taurus got out the car and began shooting at the Crown Vic. The witness told police he heard at least five shots as he ducked behind his car to avoid getting hit by a stray bullet.
Police could not find any shell casings in the area, or either vehicle, the report states. Police learned that the car was last seen getting onto Interstate 77. Officers found a green bandana on the ground and suspect possible gang activity.
By Monday, officers found both the Crown Victoria and the Taurus at different addresses in Rock Hill, said Executive Officer Mark Bollinger. The car owners are not suspected to have been involved in the shooting, but police are trying to determine who was using the cars at the time of the shooting, Bollinger said. Police do not suspect the witness had any involvement.
One of the men involved in the shooting met with police when his grandfather took him to the law center, police reported. The man, 19, told police he and a friend were driving through the Walmart parking lot when they noticed the people in a Crown Victoria began starting at them. They asked the group in the Crown Victoria what they were looking at. Thats when the people inside the Crown Victoria began firing bullets at them, the report states.
The back window of the Taurus was shattered. The passenger got out of the Taurus and returned fire, the report states.
Police pressed the victim for the passengers name, but he would not disclose, claiming that he did not know although he had been hanging around with him all summer, the report states. The victim also said he did not know the mans phone number, nor did he know the identity of a third man sitting in the Taurus back seat.


text:
, meaning "place of clear salt water" in the Lushootseed language, has been home to the Suquamish people since time immemorial. It is the ancient place on Agate Passage, the site of Old-Man-House village. The winter home of Chief Seattle and the heart of the Suquamish People. It is here, past, present and future; that the Suquamish People live on the land of their ancestors and of their great-grandchildren.
A new museum facility, completed in fall 2012, houses the Suquamish Museum and Cultural Center just up the hill from the Old-Man-House village site. Set in a natural landscape of native plants the 9,000 sf space designed by Mithun Architects (Seattle) reflects the traditional Big House architecture of the Coast Salish. The Gold LEED building houses the Suquamish Tribes collections of artifacts, photographs and manuscripts.
Seating areas in the Museum Lobby and outside on the grounds invite visitors to stay awhile and enjoy learning about the Suquamish Tribe.
Visit and Explore Suquamish!
10 am - 5 pm
Adults $5
Seniors 55 and over $3
Children 5 to 17 $3
Families $15
Admission free for
Suquamish Tribal Members
Suquamish Tribe Employees
Museum Friends
Contact Us
6861 NE South Street
PO Box 498
Suquamish, WA 98392
(360) 394-8499