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By Nick Taborek and Brendan McGarry
Bloomberg News
WASHINGTON — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. in July bought a company that makes drones used for military target practice. Then the contractor put further acquisitions on hold.
With Washington's budget impasse threatening $500 billion in automatic defense cuts over a decade, Kratos's chief executive officer said the firm didn't know where to place its bets. In the past year, the maker of security and surveillance systems has also halted equipment upgrades and trimmed research spending.
"Guys like us are going to hold a good portion of their cards until there's some budget clarity," Eric DeMarco, the company's CEO, said in a telephone interview.
Military suppliers already have been preparing for a leaner decade by stockpiling cash, cutting jobs and slowing spending.
The automatic cuts would come on top of $487 billion in defense reductions planned over 10 years. The latest round is scheduled to begin next week if Congress and the White House don't reach an alternate agreement to shrink the nation's deficit or delay the whole process of automatic cuts and tax increases known as the fiscal cliff.
"The fiscal cliff in my mind has already been here," said Robert Burton, a partner at the law firm Venable LLP in Washington. "It arrived some time ago."
Companies in recent months have seen federal contracts canceled, delayed and scaled back because of agencies' uncertainty about future budget levels, Burton, who represents federal contractors, said in a phone interview.
In response to the risk of tax increases and budget cuts, satellite equipment maker Comtech Telecommunications Corp. this month lowered its profit forecast for fiscal 2013.
"We believe that the U.S. government's failure to resolve the 'fiscal cliff' has resulted in increased uncertainty throughout our customer base," Fred Kornberg, chief executive officer of the Melville, New York-based company, said in a Dec. 6 statement.
Small contractors such as Nash Locke, with less than $1 million in annual revenue, are also making preparations.
Two months ago, Jeanne Peck, president of the McLean, Va.-based technology firm, stopped hiring consultants to help find and evaluate contract opportunities and started doing the work herself, she said.
Peck is saving money in case the automatic cuts take effect and hurt her business, which relies on contracts from the Defense and Education departments, she said.
"I end up being exhausted," Peck said in a phone interview. "I end up working more and other people who would otherwise do that work for me do suffer a bit."
The $1 trillion in automatic cuts, known as sequestration, would be split between domestic and national security programs. Obama and congressional leaders planned to meet at the White House Friday to discuss how to avoid those reductions and expiring tax increases that together would total more than $600 billion in 2013.
Some of the biggest defense contractors are cutting jobs and preparing for lower sales.
SAIC Inc., a McLean, Va.-based technology and services vendor, is eliminating 700 positions in order to "emerge as a powerful competitor on the other side of this downturn," John Jumper, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, said during a Dec. 5 conference call with analysts.
Revenue at Lockheed Martin Corp., the world's largest defense contractor, is projected to fall 2.1 percent to $45.2 billion in fiscal 2013 from this year. Analysts predict Northrop Grumman Corp.'s revenue will decline 2.7 percent to $24.4 billion during the same period, and Raytheon Co.'s sales will fall 1.4 percent to $24.1 billion, according to the average estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
The possibility of sequestration hasn't deterred investors in defense stocks. Shares of the Pentagon's top 10 contractors have gained 1.9 percent since the Nov. 6 presidential election through yesterday, compared with a 0.7 percent drop in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
Shares of Kratos have fallen 11 percent during the same period even as analysts have predicted the company's sales will increase. The contractor's revenue is projected to rise 5 percent to $1.02 billion in fiscal 2013 from $971 million this year, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
While Kratos is still investing in areas such as drones and cybersecurity, it has reduced research and development by about 25 percent, DeMarco said.
The company has delayed buying new plant equipment, including robots that stitch circuits onto computer chips. After completing its July acquisition of Composite Engineering Inc., the target-drone maker based in Sacramento, Calif., Kratos plans to stop buying other defense companies until the second half of 2013, DeMarco said.
Kratos in fiscal 2011 derived 74 percent of its revenue from U.S. government contracts, down from 86 percent in 2009. The company is hedging against the downturn in defense spending by increasing sales of security systems for civilian use, DeMarco said.
While DeMarco said he's optimistic about the firm's future, he says companies face heightened competition over a smaller pool of federal contract revenue.
"When the pie is shrinking, the only way companies can grow is by stealing others' work," he said.


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KO | kayo
Meaning: a knockout, especially in boxing (n.) | to knock someone out, usually with a punch (v.)
For example:
- Three of the boxers won their fights with a kayo, and the rest won on points.
- The fight was stopped after Tony KOed his opponent in the fourth round.
Quick Quiz:
If someone wins a boxing match by a KO, they win by


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The upper elementary years present challenges for kids on the social ladder as they grow and change. Be ready to help your child navigate these choppy waters!
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The upper elementary years present challenges for kids on the social ladder as they grow and change. Be ready to help your child navigate these choppy waters!
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"A labyrinth of disconnected and poorly conceived reforms" is how Williamson County School Superintendent Mike Looney describes the current situation being played out in education right now in Tennessee.
The more involved YOU are in your child's education, the more involved he might be.
Following three years of implementation, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will take full effect in Tennessee next year when new PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) Assessments for math and English are given to students in grades 3 – 11, replacing the TCAP tests in those subjects. Many parents still… Read more »
The arts unlock a world of creativity for your child. Help your kids tap into their imaginations at home and around town.
Whether it's visual art, music, dance or drama, the arts do much to nurture creativity and imagination in children. The following local institutions offer arts education for kids: Belmont Academy 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville 460-6346 • belmontacademy.net Operated under the Belmont University College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Academy offers private instruction for all… Read more »
Back to school isn't just for kids. Your involvement is vital for your child's academic success.
Set your own schedules, control the subject matter, and have the influence on your children that you want them to have — all while watching your kids grow up in front of your eyes.
As the school year approaches, moms and dads try to take care of every little thing in preparation for the first day of school (supplies, outfits, lunch ideas) but one thing is often overlooked: Your child's solid relationship to his teacher. Creating a good relationship with a teacher goes way back to the idea of… Read more »
One teacher encourages parents to engage their kids in bigger life lessons than academics over the summer.
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Leave it to the Norwegians to reinvigorate the "giant creature" sub-genre in a way that both reinvents and pays homage to the classics that came before. (I know virtually nothing about the Norwegians, but if they're willing to bankroll and produce flicks like this one, then consider me an official member of Team Norway.) Perhaps best described as "what Ray Harryhausen might do with the 'found footage' horror technique," the certifiably, adorably weird Troll Hunter details what happens when a group of documentary filmmakers team up to expose an infamous bearskin poacher ... who actually turns out to be Norway's only living "troll hunter." And these trolls are huge. Some of 'em are Godzilla-sized!
If that description makes The Troll Hunter sound like A) a silly, raucous affair, or B) a stern-faced "serious" monster epic, you can rest assured that the flick is actually a slyly compelling, dryly humorous, and (best of all) quietly fascinating little experiment. If we're asked to spend just a little extra time setting up the documentarians and their subject, the oddly soft-spoken "Trolljegerne" (an excellent Otto Jespersen), that's cool because their interplay (specifically the filmmakers' collective skepticism) actually helps to "sell" the crazy concept once the massive beasts show up. With twenty minutes of character work and plot development, The Troll Hunter is a bona-fide feature film. Without the quieter moments, it'd be a diverting little short with some surprisingly nifty special effects.
Writer / director Andre Ovredal tries a novel approach with his monster story: all the characters are actively fascinated by the beasts. Scared and confused, to be sure, but also truly interested in discovering a creature long since dismissed as legend. That's not to say that The Troll Hunter doesn't work as a matinee-style monster-fest, but more that it's a flick about why we're fascinated by giant creatures -- and not so much in what happens when they pick us up to eat us. Jespersen brings a fantastic duality to his role: he's a no-nonsense pest exterminator on one hand, but on the other he seems to admire the giant trolls for their own natural place in the world.
Almost certainly destined to be remade by Hollywood, The Troll Hunter is a enjoyably odd cross-breed of horror, adventure, and mockumentary, and it forges ahead with a confidence that can only be found by enthusiastic filmmakers who are creating something they wanted to see as a kid. Ovredal strikes a great balance between silly, scary, and sincere, and it's that cool sense of schizophrenia that makes The Troll Hunter the coolest monster movie import since The Host.


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Looking for a lifestyle that would allow her children to wear flip flops instead of snow boots, Dee Gomber moved to the Venice area in 1972. Early days were spent enjoying the area beaches and participating in the various arts, eventually opening her own studio. Coincidentally, it was located next to a real estate office and in 1975 a new career blossomed. In no time, Dee became top real estate sales professional in the Sarasota County market, ultimately becoming the Broker and leading sales associate for Calusa Lakes, one of the premier gated golf communities in Sarasota County.
Dee has been an avid world traveler, immersing herself in the cultures, while also enjoying all that our own Sarasota County offers. Watercolor painting and her garden of orchids allow her to enjoy the "down time" in her busy real estate career.
As part of the Premier Sothebys team, Dee Gomber provides in-depth knowledge of South Sarasota County real estate while providing the service and distinction that accompanies the Sothebys name.


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Old, retired with lots of time on my hands and a Nikon. Lucky for me, there is a park just north of town that provides me with migrating birds and sunsets. Since joining this site, I have a new appreciation for this scenic world we live in. I especially love the comments from so many great people on here.
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David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled "Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot," set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
Feherty's latest project, besides working as an on course announcer for PGA Tournaments, is his own television show which my be viewed weekly on the Golf Channel.
Self-deprecation is part and parcel of Feherty's comedy routines. He presents himself as a player who helped Britain lose the Ryder Cup to the U.S. in 1960.
The truth is Feherty defeated Payne Stewart in that competition and also helped himself and Sam Torrence, his partner, to a split in doubles competition. Some may remember that Bernard Langer missed a three-foot putt on his last hole to allow the U.S. to win the cup, otherwise the Ryder Cup would have ended in a tie and Britain would have retained possession of the coveted cup.
Feherty also tells it "the way it is" when he confesses his battles with alcohol and prescription drugs. He claims there was once a time when an entire bottle of whiskey was not nearly enough for him each day.
He credits his young daughter with being the catalyst for him en route to cleaning up, getting off and staying away from "the bottle."
Among the guests he has welcomed on his program are: Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Greg Norman.
Feherty has the uncanny ability to milk the humor from most any situation, and he does it in a manner that is unique to his own particular, peculiar style.
He has an appeal that would make you think he would be perfectly happy playing in a choose-up hunt at Rea Park or Hulman Links. I believe most would enjoy his book and watching his TV program.
• • •
Tiger Woods is much like a leopard, he doesn't change his spots. In an Associated Press story published about a month ago, it detailed an interview in which he took 23 questions and then walked off without looking right or left and was then overheard muttering under his breath, "That's why you guys listen, and I play."
Tiger arrived on the sports scene more privileged than any other athlete, but his relationship with golf writers has not always been smooth. Now, after his widely publicized sex scandal, it will be interesting to see if he can come back and find that magic he displayed on golf courses everywhere or has that Tiger disappeared for good?
It would be difficult to bet against him, but realistically Eldrick is not getting any younger and it is getting more difficult to overhaul the new crop of young players who are ready and willing to win tournaments.
• Fair Joe Bukovac's Labor Day Shoot Out at The Landing produced some close results.
With play based on a better ball, alternate shot basis, three tandems were deadlocked at the halfway mark. They were Mike Wagle and Lee Shipley, Dave "Al" Alumbaugh and Billy "Bum" Alumbaugh as well as Denny Overberg and Kenny Bosc.
At the end it was Overberg and Bosc in first place with the Alumbaugh brothers in the runner-up spot.
• The old saying, "The woods are full of long hitters" is not always true.
My scouts tell me that Mike "Goat Boy" Lacy can hit the golf ball "a ton." That brought up the name of former Indiana State University basketball player, Elliott Booe. It was reported that he "flew" the ninth green at The Country Club of Terre Haute.
It's easy to see that a driving contest is definitely needed.
• Don Tyler made his first eagle on No. 14, the 525-yard par 5 at The Landing recently. Although Don has made eagles before, this one was special; he only had to hole a seven inch putt to secure his three. Tyler works diligently to improve his game.
• Tip of the week — Long putters are "in" these days whether they are "belly putters" or the longer variety. Adam Scott has been making a case for his flat stick.
Regardless of whether you clamp the grip end of the putter against your chest or hold it against your belly, the results will let you know which method suits you best.
n Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We'll be back.
Rub of the Green
RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty's humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled "Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot," set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
- Rub of the Green
RUB OF THE GREEN: Ryder Cub drama a great part of American sports scene
The recent Ryder Cup matches are over, but not done with! At the time the final match had concluded the "talking heads" had already gone to work assessing blame to those who didn't live up to their preconceived expectations.
Snedeker the big winner after FedEx Championship
The season-long FedEx Championship has finally come to an end and Brandt Snedeker may need a Brinks truck to haul his winnings to the bank.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Memories of Crooked Stick
The BMW tournament that concluded Sept. 9 at Crooked Stick in Carmel brought back a flood of memories.
RUB OF THE GREEN: "Fair Joe" known expects rules to be followed in local hunts
Fair Joe is the name and golf is the game when referring to Joe Bukovack, who has sponsored hunts in Terre Haute as well as throughout Indiana during the past 25 years.
The "Fair" in Joe's title refers to the fact that players who wish to participate in Bukovack's competition must be willing to follow the rules of golf to the letter, otherwise they will not be invited to participate.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Enjoying the game after all these years
When golf is referred to as "The Game for a Lifetime," you've got to believe that description is definitely on target. For example, there is the Danny Williams hunt that converges on the first tee at The Landing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Many players are in their 70s and retired dentist, Bill Aikin, has seen 92 birthdays.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Hunts still popular on golf course
There is something about golf that lends itself to some friendly competition and in times gone by, the competitions were called "choose-ups." Somewhere along the line, choose-ups became "hunts." Regardless of what you call them, they remain a most popular mode of play for Terre Haute divot-diggers on courses throughout the Wabash Valley.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Heat doesn't deter Terre Haute golfers
"When you're hot, you're hot, and when you're not, you're not." Those are the words of country singer Jerry Reed and they apply to golfers as well.
Rub of the Green: Father's golf imprint still evident today
I was lucky and I knew it. My father, Robert Erwin Arnett, was one of the best dads any youngster could hope for.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Hogan, small of stature, left big footprints
With the Crowne Plaza Invitational being played at Colonial Country Club today, it conjures up images of the man himself, Bantam Ben Hogan, who won so often at Colonial it became known as "Hogan's Alley."
Rub of the Green: Bowling or golf? Both provide plenty of challenge
The question has been raised in the past, is it bowling or golf that is the more difficult endeavor?
RUB OF THE GREEN: Sometimes this can be a confounding game
To be sure, the great Sam Snead certainly knew what he was talking about when he delivered his favorite axiom, "The sun don't shine on the same dog every day."
RUB OF THE GREEN: Grayless takes over as golf professional at Hulman Links
Ed Grayless has assumed the "head man's" position at the Links after Ryan Klopfenstein resigned as Hulman Links golf professional in order to pursue other interests.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Young players should match course to skills
One of the biggest mistakes a beginning golfer can make is to keep playing a golf course that is far too difficult for the ability demonstrated by that player.
RUB OF THE GREEN: On the lanes or links, Davis is competitive
Darrell Davis carries a 240 bowling average which obviously puts him in some strong company on the alleys, but he feels that golf is a much more difficult sport than keggling.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Loquacious golfers can provide priceless quotes
Golfers always seem to have a great deal to say, but determining who said what and who said it first can be a problem.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, "Memories."
RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty's humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled "Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot," set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
RUB OF THE GREEN: It's all in your head
A pair of divot diggers had been discussing their favorite sport when one could be heard saying, "You know, I think this game is 90 percent mental." After a short pause his friend replied, "Well, I think you're about 10 percent short in your estimation."
Golf: 'The Game You Love to Hate'
Golf has been called "The Game You Love to Hate." In addition, love-hate relationships have been around since the beginning of time.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf is only sport that offers both hilarity, pathos
It's been stated more than once that "golf is a microcosm for life itself."
This writer would heartily agree. No sport or game can offer combinations of happiness and sadness, hilarity and pathos as evidenced by an activity called "cow pasture pool" by some of its practitioners.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
Are professional golfers using performance-enhancing drugs? This writer wouldn't have the foggiest, but if you asked Gary Player, one of the game's greatest, the answer would be a resounding, "Yes."
RUB OF THE GREEN: Not all golfers display their trophies
Back in the "old days," let's say the 1940s, most of the time when you won something in a golf tournament your prize came in the form of a trophy. That was it, just a dust catcher. Later, merchandise prizes were added.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf full of colorful characters
Every sport has its own cast of characters and golf is definitely no exception. Whether it is diving head first into a greenside bunker or tying an unreliable putter to a car's bumper and dragging it down the road, golfers can do some strange things.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Winter made golf impossible this year
Old Man Winter along with Mother Nature must have something against area golfers. They have joined forces to sabotage a sport called winter golf, an activity many Wabash Valley players have enjoyed in years gone by.
RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
Few who have ever tried their hands at playing the game of golf would describe the sport as "easy". In fact, just the opposite would be the case.
BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can't break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
RUB OF THE GREEN: PGA playoff system still needs work
Is anyone fed up with the convoluted Fed Ex playoffs? The PGA has been tweaking its so-called Fed Ex playoff system for years, and they never seem to get it right.
Rub of the Green: Golf can be roller coaster for young pros
Dustin Johnson may be best remembered for his appearances in the major tournaments in 2010, but not because he won. He didn't win. But he came awfully close.
Rub of the Green: One size does NOT fit all when it comes to golfing ability
Literally hundreds of books have been written on the subject of golf instruction, and we can be certain they all agree on one fundamental, always keep your head stationary throughout the swing.
Right? Nope, wrong as it could be! How's that, you say? As examples both David Duval and Annika Sorenstam at one time were rated the world's No. 1 professional golfers, respectively, and both swiveled their heads well before their clubheads reached the impact zone. In fact, Duval is one of a select few who has a 59 to his credit on the PGA Tour.
- More Rub of the Green Headlines
- RUB OF THE GREEN: Ryder Cub drama a great part of American sports scene


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You suck at cooking. You fuck up rice. You think Cayenne is that fat bitch from around the way and Old Bay is the piece of shit that keeps calling the cops on you and your boys. Stop being such a fucking loser and grow a brain. Cooking is easy as shit. Learn it.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Red Diamond Winery - 2004 Shiraz
15 comments:
- RBG said...
You have no idea how lucky you are. The first time I was in a gas station in the US and saw beer for sale, I almost fucking wept. And $13.99 for a 24 pack of Miller High Life, no less. Just the fact you can even buy any type of booze in a gas station should rate 2 out of 5 stars. Mind you, shit is shit I guess.
- May 19, 2009 at 8:53 PM
- ALN said...
The first time I visited New Mexico I was flabbergasted you could purchase hard liquor in gas stations. Now that is hardcore!
- May 19, 2009 at 9:04 PM
- mikeyjqs8888 said...
...now there's a word you don't hear every day. It's like I never hear Cherice mention it.
- May 19, 2009 at 10:01 PM
- ALN said...
- May 19, 2009 at 11:31 PM
- trainwreckchronicles said...
Dude, Oregon is like the only state in the freaking Union where you can't buy hard alcohol anywhere! I almost orgasmed (ok I did) when I went to the SuperTarget in Denver and one minute, there's shampoo and conditioner...the next...there's Grey Goose. It's Heaven.
- May 20, 2009 at 1:24 AM
- Miss Suzie said...
Wine from a gas station? Just the mere thought makes me want to puke...but then again, wine in general usually has the same effect.
- May 20, 2009 at 8:08 AM
- ALN said...
I actually hear that Kirland brand and Trader Joe's brand hard liquor is pretty darn good. While I would never purchase it for personal consumption I would like the option to buy it for other people.
- May 20, 2009 at 10:08 AM
- Doll said...
You can buy hard liquor in CVS in New Orleans.
- May 20, 2009 at 7:32 PM
- ALN said...
What about NYC?
- May 20, 2009 at 9:06 PM
- Libby said...
I just laughed so hard reading this post that approximately $2.13 worth of gas station beer flew out of my nose. I'm broke til payday and this really fucks up my BPD (buzz per dollar) ratio, otherwise I'd be thanking you.
- July 19, 2009 at 11:47 AM
- Cooking Asshole said...
I could have guessed that you were poor.
- July 19, 2009 at 6:17 PM
- Libby said...
Ouch! And what sucks even more is that I can't buy booze with food stamps. Thanks for rubbing salt in the wound.
- July 20, 2009 at 8:08 PM
- Cooking Asshole said...
You can trade food stamps for booze.
- July 20, 2009 at 8:10 PM
- Libby said...
Thanks for the advice. I bet you have experience with this.
- July 23, 2009 at 3:36 PM
- Cooking Asshole said...
It is a tough world out there.
- July 23, 2009 at 5:01 PM


text:
Robert Blecker
Department of Economics
Additional Positions at AUAffiliated Faculty, AU School of International Service
Co-Chair, AU Middle States Accreditation Self-Study Steering Committee
- Professor Blecker's research interests include international trade, open economy macroeconomics, the value of the dollar and the US trade deficit, economic integration in North America, the Mexican economy, the limits to export-led growth strategies in developing countries, and U.S. trade policy. His teaching fields include international economics, macroeconomics, history of economic thought, and political economy.
DegreesPhD and MA, Economics, Minor in Political Science, Stanford University
Graduate Studies in Economics, Centro de Estudios Economicos y Demograficos, El Colegio de Mexico
AB, Economics, Yale University
Languages Spoken:English, Spanish
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- CAS - Economics
- Kreeger - 107
- Spring 2014 Mon., Thurs. 3-5 pm
To request an interview for a
news story, call AU Communications
at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.
- AU Department of Econcomics
Partnerships & Affiliations
Research Associate
Political Economy Research Institute
Research Associate
Spring 2014
- ECON-370 International Economics
- Description
- ECON-371 International Economics: Trade
- Description
Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities
Work In Progress
- Structural Change, the Real Exchange Rate, and the Balance of Payments in Mexico, 1960-2012. Co-authored with Carlos A. Ibarra. Revised, January 2014.
- Economic Stagnation in the United States: Underlying Causes and Global Consequences. Keynote speech, 10th Economic Forum, Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 2013. Draft of November 14, 2013, for inclusion in a conference volume to be published by the FGV.
Honors, Awards, and Fellowships
- American University, University Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching in a Full-time Appointment, 2005.
Selected Publications
Journal Articles
- "Trade Liberalization and the Balance of Payments Constraint with Intermediate Imports: The Case of Mexico Revisited," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, vol. 25, no. 1 (June 2013), pp. 33-47.
- "Stolper-Samuelson Revisited: Trade and Distribution with Oligopolistic Profits," Metroeconomica, vol. 63, no. 3 (July 2012), pp. 569-598.
- "NAFTA, Trade and Development," (co-authored with Gerardo Esquivel), CESifo Forum (2010/4), pp. 17-30.
- "Davidson on Keynes: The Open Economy Dimension," Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, vol. 32, no. 1 (Fall 2009), pp. 19-41.
- "External Shocks, Structural Change, and Economic Growth in Mexico, 1979-2007," World Development, vol. 37, no. 7 (July 2009), pp. 1274–1284.
- "Developing Country Exports of Manufactures: Moving Up the Ladder to Escape the Fallacy of Composition" (co-authored with Arslan Razmi), Journal of Development Studies, vol. 44, no. 1 (January 2008), pp. 21-48.
- "The Fallacy of Composition and Contractionary Devaluations: Output Effects of Real Exchange Rate Shocks in Semi-Industrialised Countries" (co-authored with Arslan Razmi), Cambridge Journal of Economics, vol. 32, no. 1 (January 2008), pp. 83-109.
- "The Economic Consequences of Dollar Appreciation for U.S. Manufacturing Profits and Investment: A Time-Series Analysis," International Review of Applied Economics, vol.21, no. 4 (September 2007), pp. 491-517. Unpublished Statistical Appendix
Book Chapters
- "Long-Run Growth in Open Economies: Export-Led Cumulative Causation or a Balance-of-Payments Constraint?" in Handbook of Post Keynesian Economics, Vol. I, edited by Geoffrey Harcourt and Peter Kriesler. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013 (forthcoming).
- "Global Imbalances and the U.S. Trade Deficit," in After the Great Recession: The Struggle for Economic Recovery and Growth, edited by Barry Z. Cynamon, Steven M. Fazzari, and Mark Setterfield. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013.
- "Trade and the Development Gap" (co-authored with Gerardo Esquivel), in Mexico and the United States: The Politics of Partnership, edited by Peter H. Smith and Andrew Selee. Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 2013.
- "Open Economy Models of Growth and Distribution," in A Modern Guide to Keynesian Macroeconomics and Economic Policies, edited by Eckhard Hein and Engelbert Stockhammer. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2011. Mathematical Appendix
- "Comercio, Empleo y Distribución: Efectos de la Integración Regional y Global," in Los Grandes Problemas de México, vol. IX, Crecimiento Económico y Equidad, edited by Nora Lustig. Mexico City: El Colegio de México, 2010, pp. 175-214. (in Spanish)
- "Export-Led Growth, Real Exchange Rates, and the Fallacy of Composition" (co-authored with Arslan Razmi), in The Handbook of Alternative Theories of Economic Growth, edited by Mark Setterfield. Cheltenham,UK: Edward Elgar, 2010, pp. 379-96.
- "Steel," in The Princeton Encyclopedia of the World Economy, edited by Kenneth A. Reinert and Ramkishen S. Rajan, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2009.
- "U.S. Steel Import Tariffs: The Politics of Global Markets," in Contemporary Cases in U.S. Foreign Policy: From Terrorism to Trade, 3rd edition, edited by Ralph G. Carter, Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2008, pp. 249-80.
- "International Economics after Robinson," in Joan Robinson's Economics: A Centennial Celebration, edited by Bill Gibson. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2005, pp. 309-349.
- "Financial Globalization, Exchange Rates, and International Trade," in Financialization and the World Economy, edited by Gerald Epstein. Cheltenham, UK, and Northampton,MA: Edward Elgar, 2005, pp. 183-209.
Policy Papers
- "The trade deficit trap: How it got so big, why it persists, and what to do about it," Working Paper No. 284, Economic Policy Institute, July 2009.
AU Expert
Area of Expertise: U.S. economy including the budget debate; international trade and finance; exchange rates, the U.S. trade deficit, global trade imbalances.
Additional Information: Robert A. Blecker researches international trade, open economy macroeconomics, the value of the dollar and the U.S. trade deficit, economic integration in North America, the Mexican economy, the limits to export-led growth strategies in developing countries, and trade policy in the U.S. steel industry. His teaching areas include international economics, macroeconomics, history of economic thought, and political economy.
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May 22, 2013 —
The editor:
Just paid my phone bill.
It started at $184.92. Quickly to that amount another 12 suckers were attached to the bill totaling $64.25 in extra charges.
Hold your laughter until the end.
The add-on charges include $2.99 for receiving a paper bill. Duh. I have received a phone bill for almost 50 years by way of a paper bill without a charge.
There is something called a TRS/TAP ser charge of only $.16, being the smallest add on, but of course with thousands of customers it totals a pretty good sum. I am sure not one person in a thousand could guess what a TRS/TAP even is.
I get to pay Kentucky gross receipts surcharge of $2.63 though for the life of me I cannot understand whose gross receipts are being charged. Mine? The phone company's?
A universal service fee is $7.75 and access charge per FCC order is $36.80.
The last one I will mention, though there are more, is an access recovery charge MLC of $4. May I suggest that MLC stands for Momma Likes Cash.
How many access charges do you believe there should be to have only one access to service? Three access charges seems about two too many.
Do you, like me, remember the time when the phone bill contained only a phone bill? I suggest that the TRA/TAP $.16 must be the little piggy who got almost home and went wee wee wee all the way to the bank.
I leave one suggestion with readers: please get out your Webster's dictionary and look up the word niggling and the word chiseling.
Robert L. Caummisar


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Scientists from Hong Kong University have unveiled the most accurate facial recognition software in the world. The algorithm, which scored a near perfect 99.15 per cent accuracy rating in tests, could prove to be a game-changer in automated crowd security.
Who says fish can't ?
Dutch designers have built a prototype 'car' for fish. Equipped with a webcam, micro-computer and motorised wheels, the mobile fish tank utilises computer vision technology to track its fish driver's movements to get around. Jim Drury has more.


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COLUMBIA, SC — They may not have been watching the skies for snow 148 years ago as they were in West Columbia Saturday. But it was a cold and blustery February day just the same when artillery shells began to rain over Columbia.
On Feb. 16, 1865, the war that had been raging for four years arrived at Columbias doorstep.
The cannon fire came from across the Congaree River, as Union troops led by Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman began blasting the Capital City at dawn.
Often called Columbias Longest Days, Shermans march on Columbia would start, much as it did Saturday, with ear-splitting, teeth-rattling cannon fire. It would end with most of what is now Columbias downtown area, including the old State House, burned to the ground.
It scared the populace to death here, said Mike Keller, who had driven from Greenville to take part in Saturdays re-enactment.
Keller was one of about 25 men and boys who carried out the Cannonade of Columbia in temperatures just under 40 degrees.
Set up in a vacant parking lot in West Columbia, across from the Gervais Street bridge, participants wore Civil War garb and manned three 6- and 10-pound cannons, named for the size shell they used. Across the river, Confederate sharpshooters, or snipers, returned fire just as they had in 1865. (Back then, the bridge had already been burned by Confederate soldiers in an attempt to slow Union forces.)
Of course, there were many more artillery weapons used that day than Saturdays cannons Ordnance-rifle and Parrott-rifle cannons, to be exact.
And the cannons Saturday fired only blanks.
But the loading of the rounds with long ramming staffs and the cooling of the barrels with water was done in much the same way as it would have been done in the late 1800s, said Keller.
Part of Culpeppers Battery, named for the Confederate unit from South Carolina, Keller has participated in the firing on Columbia for nearly 20 years. As a member of the Military History Club of the Carolinas, he also participates in re-enactments from other wars in American history.
We do (from) the French and Indian war, on up, he said.
The 61-year-old said it was important to mark such events and had brought his 10-year-old grandson, Easton Keller, to participate.
Hes really gotten into social studies and is just now learning about what was going on then, he said. He is living something that actually happened 148 years ago.
Reach Lucas at (803) 771-8657.


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The blog's stats for the last couple of days show that my last post, about the Cannondale Dutchess concept bike for women, has generated a LOT of interest. That certainly doesn't surprise me. Having seen quite a few student designed concept bikes over the years, I can say without hesitation that this is one of my favorites. For that reason, I wanted to find out more about the bike, and the ideas behind it, from it's designer, Wytze van Mansum. I got quite a bit of info from Wytze, so this post will be a bit longer than usual.
Before going into some of the details, I will share his short, official explanation of the design:
"This is the Cannondale Dutchess; the result of the graduation project of Wytze van Mansum at the Delft University of Technology in assignment of high-end bicycle manufacturer Cannondale.
There is a revival of the city bicycle as a mode of transport throughout the USA in congested cities like New York. And Cannondale is eager to serve the high end of this new market.
This elegant commuter is designed with young urban women in mind, who care about their looks, health and the environment, but don't want to be bothered with technical details or bicycle maintenance. To fill this desire of a carefree and stylish ride the design was approached as a fashion item. Although the looks of this bicycle are of a deceiving simplicity, the underlying technical details are far from that.
Dutchess refers to the typical Old Dutch bicycle, the 'Omafiets', but integrates its form elements in an innovative way. The rear fender acts as a structural part of the frame; it holds the carrier with a load of up to 50kg. The eye-catching arch connects the whole bicycle from handlebars to taillight both structurally and visually. At the same time it expresses the sturdiness, comfort and ease of ride of the 'Omafiets'. What she didn't inherit is the weight; loyal to the Cannondale philosophy the weight of the complete bicycle is kept under the 14kg by the integration of parts and functions.
The integrated transmission with the gears in the rear hub means the bicycle can be ridden in formal clothes and at any speed.
The hub brakes are completely integrated and hydraulics makes them self adjusting to compensate brake pad wear. Because the brake lines are fully integrated into the frame the brakes can double act as wheel locks. The lock in the handlebar stem locks up the oil flow and keeps the wheels locked.
The adjustable handlebars allow for different riding positions from upright to extremely sportive and they can be folded together for easy storage. They also can be used to secure the bicycle to a fixed object with the same lock that is used to lock up the wheels
High up and well visible, the bicycle rider sits on a pedestal compared to other road users. While car drivers are tucked away in metal boxes and pedestrians go up in the crowd, the Dutchess' cyclist paddles along gracefully, displaying herself to the world. By this rational a bicycle could well be considered a fashion accessory. And this clean, maintenance free concept bike could even be sold as such."
Pretty interesting…and you can read more about the Dutchess project (as well as see more development images) if you download Wytze's portfolio. Several of his other bike concepts are included in the pdf, so I would definitely recommend checking it out. You probably still have some questions about the Dutchess though, so lets get into some of the features.
The frame shape is quite different, with its flowing lines and lack of seat stays, but it still comes across a clean, updated traditional bike form. That is the core of what initially appealed to me about this design. Wytze explains his idea behind the form;
"It should stand out in the shop, really something special; but when the user is riding it, the attention should be on her, not on the bike. She wants to be seen, not been stared at as if she was riding some sort of circus attraction.
I achieved this by making the form logic; normally a diamond shaped frame is the most logic form, but this is for a sports bicycle. Add the rear fender, the luggage carrier, the chainguard and the step through frame to the equation and you will see that this is a more logical form then the diamond shape. This is the reason why everybody sees it as a regular bike even though it is so different."
The pivoting handlebars in this design allow the rider to tailor her position on the bike. Toward the middle of the pivot, the bars allow for a very upright typical "omafiets" position with good visibility for city riding. When the bars are positioned all the way forward, the riding position is much sportier (see the picture that illustrates these two positions). The system is continuously variable, so the rider can choose any position and lock it down with the handle in the middle. The fact that the handlebars also close and function as a lock is really just a byproduct of the hinged system. Wytze explains:
"There is a central locking point in the stem, it locks the handlebars (as in the video), and it locks off the flow in the hydraulic brake lines, so the wheels can be locked. Brakelines are inside the frame, stem, handlebars. Thieves need to cut into these vital parts to mess with it.
The handlebars lock is not always practical, it was mainly designed to fold together for easy storage. In the concept a cable lock was integrated inside the long arch which could be pulled out, wrapped around a fixed object and inserted in the stem, double acting as a steering tube lock."
The modular wheel idea is another interesting element of the design. According to Wytze:
"The hubs / wheels are identical; it is transformed into the specific front or rear hub by inserting either a dynamo or gear 'module'. This whole thing asks from you to completely forget what you know about dropouts. You have a cheap, empty shell as a hub/wheel. You slide it between the forks, insert the brake modules and the specific modules, tighten them and the wheel is all set. This is as fast as a normal set up, but you can't take out the wheels when the brakes are engaged (hence the brake – wheel lock). Furthermore as a bike mechanic working at my LBS I have to re-lace many wheels because the gear hub wheels can't be bought as stock part because there are so many possible combinations. Here you can order cheaper prefab (prelaced) wheels and slide in the expensive gear modules."
This is a concept bike though, so regarding the wheels, Wytze goes on to say; "This is dreaming: this is a better standard then the current solution, but it will never happen."
Also because it is a concept bike, the drivetrain is not completely explained. Wytze says that "it is maintenance free, it has an efficiency of 96% (compared to 98% chain efficiency). It works." The hole in the bottom bracket is visually striking, but it had another purpose in the design; "it is the legacy of the idea to give the customer the option to fit the bike aftermarket with an electric pedal assist.
Nowadays you either buy an electric bike, or you don't. Transforming one into the other is not simple. But here you can slide an aftermarket motor in the crank, slide the battery pack in the oversized seattube, and you have pedal assist for at least a range of 10 miles (for most commuters far enough) you can slide out the battery pack and fast charge it in half an hour. You can take out the motor and batterypack and have the advantages back of a lightweight bike."
Wytze spent 8 months on the design and 5 months on the build, but due to time constraints, there were still quite a few details that didn't make it into the prototype. I will let him outline some of those details for you:
- the luggage carrier is modular, you can exchange it for a basket, they love having a basket in the rear in Germany ;), or a childs seat (as the rearfender is the frame, it can be legally attached to the fender under european laws)
In the concept there are skirt guards covering a large part of the rear wheel (the arch and fender are the contours) the skirtgaurds contain envelop bags or very flat paniers as you might call them. Up front there is a basket / bag hybrid. Here in the Netherlands at the show that (lack of storage) was what bothered most people about the prototype.
- the saddle was to be a lot nicer then the stock one I used here. (see render on my site)
- there were even airless tires incorporated to really achieve that maintenance free bike I had envisioned.
- kickstand is included in the design, just not in the prototype; it is a double legged, sturdy kickstand that slides from the straight part in the rearfender near the bracket, remember the rearfender is actually a tube so it can contain the kickstand
- (though it isn't shown in the pics) the rear fender is a hollowtube as mentioned before, there is actually a small plastic fender extension that slides out of the back, to make the fender long enough for the really rainy days.
Whew! Long post. For those of you who made it this far, I will say again that I am really impressed with this student project. If you have ever worked on a corporate sponsored project in design school, you know how many hours went into this. It is worth remembering that this design and rideable prototype was the work of one student, with input and guidance from Torgny Fjeldskaar at Cannondale (Update 11/21: Wytze had two other mentors on this project; Annemiek van Boeijen and Bruno Ninaber van Eyben).
I think Wytze did a great job. If you haven't already, check out his website and watch the HD video of his prototype in action.


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(CNN) – After five years in captivity, Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl is free.
But some soldiers who served with him say he's a deserter whose "selfish act" ended up costing lives or fellow soldiers, and should be put on trial.
Former Army Sergeant Josh Korder tells CNN he believes Bergdahl was "looking for adventure" when he walked away from his post in Afghanistan in 2009.
"I think he just wanted to go on an adventure without having anybody to answer to, without having anything to worry about," Korder said. "He wanted to go out and see Afghanistan for himself without the army stopping him."
At least six soldiers were reportedly killed searching for him.
"He pretty much walked away voluntarily and in turn the actions that may have killed them," Korder said.
"As soon as we got to Afghanistan and things started to turn a little bit harder for all of us, he immediately started separating himself away from us and everyone else in the platoon and started gravitating more towards the Afghan soldiers," Korder said.
Korder says for Bergdahl to leave was "a very big betrayal."
"He's at best a deserter, and at worst a traitor," Korder said on CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper on Monday.
Bergdahl was released Saturday in exchange for five detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
U.S. officials are working to determine the circumstances of his disappearance.
Copyright 2014 CNN. All rights reserved.


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Athletes MUST present proof of current USA Wrestling Membership Card (actual card or photo copy) at registration AND weigh-ins. If you do not have a copy of your USA Wrestling Membership Card, please contact your State Membership Director prior to the event. It is mandatory that you provide your USA Wrestling Membership Card Number when participating at all USA Wrestling events in order for your results to be correctly linked to your profile for the U.S. Future Olympian Rankings (click HERE for more information) and the Kids National Team website (click HERE for more information). USA Wrestling Athlete Membership Cards can be acquired from the State Chairperson or State Membership Director of the contestant's state of residence or online (click HERE). Secondary sports accident insurance is provided as a benefit of membership.
All coaches that wish to gain access to the competition floor to coach athletes must have a current USA Wrestling Coaches Card. All USA Wrestling Coaches Membership Cards MUST be attained prior to the event, due to mandatory background checking. For a Coaches Membership Card, please click HERE. PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 30 DAYS FOR COMPLETION OF USAW COACHES MEMBERSHIP/BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS.


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Stolmy Pimentel continued his impressive start to the season with seven more scoreless innings as the Altoona Curve shutout the Akron Aeros 2-0 on Monday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Pimentel combined with reliever Jeff Inman on the team's first shutout of the season and lowered his season ERA to 0.30 in the process.
Pimentel (2-0) scattered six hits while walking just one and striking out five over his seven stellar innings of work.
His seven shutout innings extended his scoreless-innings streak to 17 innings, which dates back to the second inning of his third start of the year in Harrisburg on April 18.
His 17 straight scoreless innings is the longest by any Curve pitcher this season, besting his previous streak of 12 1⁄3 innings which ended in the first inning of the start on April 18.
The right-hander has turned in a quality start in four of his five trips to the mound and allowed just one earned run in 30 1⁄3 innings of work.
Andy Vasquez opened the bottom of the first inning with a single to right field that extended his season-long hitting streak to eight games.
Mel Rojas, Jr. reached on an error attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt following Vasquez's at bat.
The error allowed Vasquez to move-up to third base with less than two outs. Matt Curry delivered an infield single to score Vasquez and give the Curve a
1-0 advantage.
Alex Dickerson blasted a home run over the right-field fence in the bottom half of the seventh inning off of Aeros reliever Austin Adams to give the Curve a two-run advantage.
The home run for Dickerson was his second this season (first over the wall) and his first at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Jeff Inman came on to shut the door for the Curve. He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, getting Jesus Aguilar to ground into a 1-2-3 double-play to end the frame.
Inman worked a perfect ninth inning, striking out a pair to earn his second save of the season.
Brett Brach (1-2) took the loss in his first start this season for the Aeros. Brach worked a season-high six innings, allowing two hits and one unearned run while striking out five.
Right-hander David Brombert (0-2, 7.20) will take the mound for the Curve (11-13) in tonight's 6:30 p.m. contest against the Aeros.
The start will be the second of the season for Bromberg, who has made his last three appearances out of the bullpen and last started April 15 vs. Richmond.
He will be opposed by LHP Mike Rayl, who was just assigned to the Aeros Sunday from extended spring training. Rayl was on the disabled list, with a torn fingernail on his pitching hand.


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Winter Holiday and Christmas Events in Phoenix
- Christmas in Phoenix
You might think that with all the sunshine around here, that we don't really get in the holiday spirit. Not true! You could be attending a holiday event nearly every day for six weeks somewhere in the Greater Phoenix area. Use this guide to help you plan your activities during the winter holidays.
5 Holiday Gift Ideas for Phoenix Residents and Visitors
Here are 5 holiday gift ideas for Phoenix residents and visitors who are difficult to buy gifts for. These Arizona gift ideas are great for people who just don't need any more stuff!
Arizona Celebration of Lights
Get details about the Arizona Celebration of Lights, a drive-through holiday light display that takes place each year in Glendale, Arizona. The Arizona Celebration of Lights has holiday lights and animated displays in the Phoenix area.
Arizona Stocking Stuffers For Less Than $10
Here are some ideas for gifts that will cost you less than $10, and I will bet that they will get used. These Arizona stocking stuffers are great for co-workers, neighbors or family members.
Carefree Christmas Festival
Get the details about the Carefree Christmas Festival in Carefree, Arizona.
Carefree Christmas Festival Pictures
See pictures of the Carefree Christmas Festival in Carefree, AZ.
Celebrate the Christmas Holiday Season
You don't have to spend a fortune to get in the holiday spirit in the Phoenix area. There are plenty of free or very reasonably priced activities, events and festivals.
Celebrate the Christmas Holiday Season in Arizona - Part 2
There are plenty of festivals and activities that you can attend during the Christmas holidays in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area that don't cost very much at all, and some Phoenix Christmas festivals and events are even free.
Gift Cards With a Bonus
These restaurants and shops in Greater Phoenix offer gift cards, and during the Christmas season you'll get a free gift card for yourself if you buy one for someone else.
Christmas at the Princess
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in North Scottsdale, Arizona puts on a holiday event for both resort guests and area residents. Get the details about Christmas at the Princess.
Christmas Brunch or Dinner
These restaurants are open on Christmas day serving either Christmas Brunch, Christmas Dinner or both.
Christmas Lights in Phoenix
These Phoenix Christmas holiday light displays can be enjoyed throughout the month of December, and sometimes even into January.
Christmas Tree Lots in Greater Phoenix
Here are some places in the greater Phoenix area where you can buy a pre-cut live Christmas tree. There are Christmas tree lots all over the greater Phoenix area between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
What better way is there to get in the holiday spirit than to don coats and hats and gloves, and walk through the woods in search of that perfect Christmas tree, cut down with your own tools by your own hands?
Find a Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree
If you are looking for a place where you can find a Christmas Angel tree in Phoenix, here's the list. The Salvation Army Christmas Angel program allows people to buy holiday gifts for needy children.
Fountain Hills Holidays
Enjoy the Stroll in the Glow holiday celebration and holiday lights in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Gingerbread Village
Visit the Gingerbread Village at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.
Holiday Concerts and Shows
The holiday events listed include special holiday performances for which advance tickets are required. Whether you are looking for holiday jazz, ballet, traditional holiday plays or unusual Christmas shows, you'll find them all in the Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona area. Holiday entertainment for both adults and children is included here. ...
Golfland Winter Wonderland
During the holidays, take the family out for some miniature gold and enjoy the holiday decorations at Golfland in Mesa.
Holiday Traditions
Arizona residents share their cultural holiday traditions.
How To Dispose of a Christmas Tree
Every city in the Phoenix area handles recycling differently. Here is how you dispose of your Christmas tree inn the various cities of Greater Phoenix, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Peoria and Glendale.
How To Donate a Living Christmas Tree
If you purchased a living Christmas tree, you can donate it after the holiday to be planted in a city park. Here's how you do it.
Las Noches de las Luminarias - Desert Botanical Garden
Enjoy the holidays at the Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ.
Litchfield Park Christmas in the Park
Your guide to the Christmas in the Park holiday celebration in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Includes photos!
Luminaria - Luminarias
A definition and pronuniciation of the word "luminaria." Luminarias are displayed at winter holidays.
Mannheim Steamroller
Read a review of the Mannheim Steamroller concert held in Glendale, Arizona on December 15, 2007. This was the annual Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert in the Phoenix area.
Mesa Arizona Temple Holiday Lights Photos
See photos of the Mesa Arizona Temple Holiday Lights. Each December lights, displays, and concerts attract thousands of visitors from Arizona and beyond.
Outlets at Anthem Tree Lighting Ceremony
Get all the details about the Goodyear Holly Jolly Festival. Goodyear, Arizona is southwest of central Phoenix.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Holiday Travel Tips
When the Phoenix airport gets busy, use these tips to plan parking, transportation and security checkpoints, especially during the holidays.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular With the Rockettes
Read a review of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular With the Rockettes performance in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
Residential Holiday Lights
People want you to see the holiday lights ad decorations at their homes in the Phoenix area. See photos and get addresses of homes that are decorated for the holidays in Phoenix, AZ.
Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights
Get details about the Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights, a drive-through holiday light display that takes place in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights has holiday lights and animated displays in the Phoenix area.
Tempe Holiday Boat Parade
Get the details about the annual Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade. The Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade takes place each year at Tempe Town Lake.
Thanksgiving in Phoenix
This Thanksgiving Guide to the Phoenix area will help you find a place to go out to eat, places that offer Thanksgiving dinners to go, activities for long holiday weekends, and more.
Things To Do on Christmas Day in Phoenix
Here are ten things that you can do on Christmas Day in the Phoenix area.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour
Read a review of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Show. It stops in the Phoenix, Arizona area each year.
Volunteer on Thanksgiving and Christmas
Find out where to volunteer on Thanksgiving and at Christmas in the Phoenix area.
Festival of Trees
Get the details about the Festival of Trees at the Montelucia Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. This is a holiday fundraiser for the Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Wild Winter Nights at Wildlife World Zoo
Get some tips about visiting Wild Winter Nights at the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
Each year the Phoenix Zoo puts up an amazing holiday display of lights. The event is called ZooLights. ZooLights is open in the evenings for about six weeks during the holiday season.


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This year the Academy has nominated ten films in the Best Picture category, and five of them are based on books. Join the age old debate of which is better; the book or the movie? Read and decide for yourself...
Aron Ralston's Between a Rock and a Hard Place was the inspiration for the film 127 Hours. It is his account of the six days he spent trapped in the remote canyon lands of Utah. He is an experienced mountaineer and outdoorsman and took off for this hike alone and without telling anyone where he'd be or when he'd return. Things started out fine, but while climbing down a narrow slot, a rock suddenly came loose, falling and pinning his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall. He didn't have a lot of water or food and wasn't dressed for the cold nights. After pondering possible options of escape or rescue, he wondered, would he simply die of dehydration? So, Aron starts recording videos to his family and friends, saying good bye and hoping that whatever happened to him someone would find the camera and share it with his family. For a non-mountaineer, some of this book is quite technical, but I found it possible to skim over these parts without missing the gist of the experience. The chapters alternate, with him telling about his previous climbs/adventures during even numbered chapters and describing this ordeal in the canyon during odd numbered chapters.
The Social Network, the movie about the founding of Facebook, was based on, Accidental Billionaires. It tells the story of the Facebook phenomenon. Sort of, this is something of a tabloid version of what happened. Ben Mezrich spins a fascinating story of betrayal, huge amounts of cash and two friends who changed the way we connect with each other. The end result was a colossal falling out. Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg were awkward Harvard undergrads that wanted to be cool. Eduardo tried to gain acceptance into one of the school's semi-secret Final Clubs. Mark hacked into Harvard's computers to create a 'hot or not' site exclusive to campus. The prank nearly got him kicked out, but he and Eduardo realized the concept could be something big. Eduardo talked with Mezrich, but Zuckerberg did not; making this a somewhat limited view of the truth. So, while the framework of the history of Facebook may be correct, it's only an outsider's version of it--for something more authoritative, try The Facebook Effect. It explains how Facebook went from a dorm room pastime to having 500 million users. It's become an essential part of social life for many teens and adults worldwide and as it spreads it produces amazing effects. David Kirkpatrick had Facebook's key execs go ahead in researching the company and its impact on our lives. Pointing out successes as well as mistakes, he gives readers the Facebook story that can't be found anywhere else.
True Grit was first published in 1968 and was adapted for a film starring John Wayne in 1969. The Coen brothers, who directed the 2010 movie, have been clear that their film is not a remake of the earlier film, but an even more faithful adaptation of the novel. Written in the first person, the story is told by Mattie as an old woman, looking back 30-40 years on her adventure. When she was 14, a drunken hired hand killed and robbed her rancher father. When her mother sends her into town to collect the body she finds the US Marshal, Rooster Cogburn and convinces him to go with her to avenge her fathers death. A Texas Ranger is also on the trail and they all have different ideas about how justice should be served. Mr. Portis did an incredible job with his characters; the Bible verse spouting Mattie working alongside foul mouthed Cogburn lends a lot of humor. He also took care to use accurate terms from the time period and the region; for example, blue john is used for skim milk and kerosene is referred to as coal oil.
Winter's Bone is about 16 year old Ree Dolly, who is growing up in the poverty stricken Ozarks. When the sheriff shows up and tells her that her father used the family home and land as collateral to get out of jail, and that they'll lose the house if he doesn't show up for court, she sets out to find him. He's disappeared before; skipping out due to charges that he runs a crystal meth lab. Her younger brothers and her mother depend on her and while all she wants to do is join the Army and escape, she knows her first duty is to her family. This is the first Woodrell novel that I've read, but I'm looking forward to reading more. Since they are mostly set in the Ozarks, where he grew up and still resides, he can really give life to his stories. At first I thought the dialect he used would be difficult to read, but after a few pages it just started to flow and the impact of the story would be lessened if he'd done it any other way. He calls his writing, 'country noir' because of the setting and the unsentimental portrayal of crime.
The Kings Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy by Mark Logue is about Britain's Prince Albert, known as Bertie. As the son of King George V, and younger brother of Edward VIII he developed a stammer when he was young, which effectively made him shy about communicating. Sometime after marrying Elizabeth, Duchess of York, Bertie started working with Lionel Logue, an Australian-born speech therapist to improve his speech; they met many times and eventually succeeded in helping the Duke gain more self confidence and speak more clearly. Their success was especially important when King Edward VIII abdicated, leaving the throne to Bertie. Now he was required to make a number of speeches in person and on the radio. While it was still extremely difficult, he was able to speak well enough to satisfy his toughest critics and lead his nation through some of its darkest times of war and economic downtimes. This biography is written by his grandson, Mark Logue and a co-author, Peter Conradi. It is based, in part, on Lionel's diaries and case files and will be of great interest to historians and anyone dealing with speech difficulties.
Submitted by Jacki @ MPL Central


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WILLSBORO — To determine whether farmers can grow salad greens through the winter in Northern New York, the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP)-funded trials at the Cornell University Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro are evaluating winter lettuce production methods.
A team of Cornell University researchers and extension specialists is investigating the use of prototype, low-wattage heating strips to warm the soil to enhance lettuce production during the winter months in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
With consumers willing to pay up to $12 per pound for lettuce-based salad mixes year-round, this research promises a high payoff value if the use of heat proves to be successful and cost-effective under the regional growing constraints.
Heating strips used
Cornell University Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist Judson Reid said the research in Northern New York is the first attempt at developing a system for heating the greens-growing environment inside high tunnels using heating strips primarily designed for in-floor radiant heat.
Amy Ivy, Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulture educator for Clinton and Essex counties, said that while spinach can be grown and harvested year-round in Northern New York with a minimal addition of heat largely in January and early February, lettuce crops are more cold-sensitive.
"Our question is can growers cost-effectively add heat to grow the salad greens year-round without sacrificing profitability," she said. "There is great demand by consumers and by regional restaurants clamoring for local greens."
Cornell University Research Associate Michael Davis explains that on clear, sunny days during the winter, temperatures inside a high tunnel can be 20 to 40 or more degrees warmer than the outside air, and, as a result, lettuce plants can be grown and harvested.
"The key to high-tunnel winter lettuce production is helping the cold-sensitive lettuce plants survive frigid nighttime temperatures," he said.


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For the second-consecutive election cycle, Republican Warren Kampf topped Democrat Paul Drucker for right to represent the 157th District in Pennsylvania's House of Representatives.
The incumbent declared victory shortly before 11 p.m. Two years after beating Drucker by just under a thousand votes, Kampf ultimately won by 1,002.
At an election night party at Wayne's Landmark Americana, Kampf said his message of fiscal restraint struck a chord with the voters of the 157th.
"Controlling spending in state government and not increasing the burden on the job sector, improving Pennsylvania's competitiveness, making it more job-friendly, was all a large part of our message. Wages aren't going up," Kampf said, in the midst of a Republican celebration that was muted by the news that President Barack Obama had just won reelection to his own second term.
Kampf added that his November 6 success was driven by a simple two-pronged strategy: good governance and passionate campaigning.
"We've worked very hard the last two years as a state representative office. We provided very good constituent services. On top of that, I knocked on something like 9,000 doors, talked to a lot of people, and many of those people liked the fact that I was out in their communities asking them what they thought was important in state government," he added.
"I'm thrilled with the win and I'm looking forward to get back to Harrisburg to do the people's business."
Paul Drucker held an even more subdued election night party at McKenzie Brew House in Berwyn. Tuesday's was an outcome, he admitted, that he didn't see coming.
"We always felt good about it. Always," he sighed.
Drucker added that, after consecutive losses, this would be his last run for the 157th District seat.
"I'm not Richard Nixon," he joked.


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By Tanner Kent
The Free Press
MANKATO — With Eric Harstad now officially named the conductor of the Minnesota Valley Chorale, the performance group will hold its annual spring concerts this weekend.
Harstad, a Hutchinson music teacher and doctoral candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, assumed interim duties last year in the wake of Rod Urtel's retirement into the singing section of the Chorale. He'll kick off his official role Saturday and Sunday when the Minnesota Valley Chorale performs Haydn's Mass in G "Sancti Nicolai" as well as other selections. The Chorale will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra and keyboard.
Harstad, who has agreed to conduct for the next two seasons, described the Haydn selection as tuneful and varied.
"It's the kind of thing people will like the first time they hear it," he said.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. on April 6 at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato; and 3 p.m. on April 7 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. Tickets are available at the door for $15 ($12 for students and seniors).
River Rats Dueling Pianos perform in New Ulm
NEW ULM — The River Rats Dueling Pianos will perform at the New Ulm Event Center at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
The performance is free and open to the public.
The Minneapolis-based River Rats are Jim Steinworth and Cal Spooner, a pair of well-traveled musicians who have built an astonishing repertoire of songs.
Steinworth began playing piano at age 4 and has dueled on piano all over the country since 1990. Spooner, a former frontman for the Whitesidewalls, has played in a variety of rock n' roll show bands.
From the River Rats' website:
"The River Rats literally beat the music out of the grand pianos. Jim and Cal slam the lids, they pound the tops, they even walk on the pianos. ... Everyone has a good time."


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Trek Summer Sale
Visit your local participating Trek retailer and get up to $200 of free accessories with a Trek bike purchase.
Great deals here!
Trek Summer Sale
Visit your local participating Trek retailer and get up to $200 of free accessories with a Trek bike purchase.
Great deals here!
Enjoy the ride! Trek comfort technology is all about making it incredibly easy for you to get on a bike and have fun.
Trek's performance-engineered Alpha Aluminum is shaped and tuned for ultimate steering performance and ride comfort.
Specially designed grips take your hand shape into account for more comfort and greater control.
We route shift and brake cables through the frame to keep things clean and simple. And it looks great, too.
Easy-on, easy-off stepthrough frame is perfect for anybody not interested in slinging a leg over the top tube.
This is our most stable, easiest-handling bike. You won't feel like you're going to tip over, even when you're rolling slow, so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Shock-absorbing fork allows the front wheel to travel up and down over bumps while the handlebars stay steady, for a comfortable, controlled ride.
Allows you to lock out the suspension fork for efficient riding on smooth terrain.
Our WSD Rider Right spring rate is specially tuned to suit women riders for unbeatable control, comfort, and performance.
A great-fitting bike is a joy to ride. The better the fit, the greater your comfort, stability, power, and control. And nothing fits better than Trek WSD, Women's Specific Design.
Pricing is set by Trek retailers and does not include freight, import duties or taxes for retailers outside the US.
Women's Solstice
5mm Cages
Trip 1
You may compare up to three bike models.


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Our position by position look at the Miami Dolphins focuses in on the cornerback position.
The team's most talented unit is evaluated.
This post is part of a series of posts that will break down and evaluate the Miami Dolphins position by position. If you haven't read up on how players are being classified (the number and letter...
Perhaps no unit was more disappointing in 2010 than the Miami Dolphins' interior offensive line. And now heads must roll.
Breaking down Miami's receiving corps.
Part two of our multi-part series looks at the situation in the backfield for the Miami Dolphins.
The first part of a multi-part series examines the Dolphins' quarterback situation, which is bound to change this offseason.
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Students show their "green" moves
Northeastern is taking tag sales to a whole new level. Taking its cue from the heaps of trash typically accumulated—and then hauled away—during spring move-out, the student-run environmental group Husky Energy Action Team (HEAT) kicked off the first Trash2Treasure initiative this year.
Here's how it worked: HEAT volunteers manned more than 20 collection sites around campus during move-out last spring. Reusable items—including paintings, lamps, rugs, and mini-fridges—were collected from students who would have otherwise tossed them and were stored at Northeastern over the summer. Then during Welcome Week in September, the items were sorted and put up for sale in Curry Student Center. Over the course of seven hours, more than 350 students and parents combed the aisles, purchasing items for garage-sale prices.
The result: More than $3,000 was raised, two-thirds of which went to Alternatives for Community and Environment, a Boston-based environmental justice organization working to improve the environment in low-income areas; 150 pounds of nonperishable food was donated to Trinity Church; and 10 bags of clothes went to St. Vincent Church. The other $1,000 will be used to orchestrate Trash2Treasure for next year.
"A garage sale at this level that raised this much money has never happened at Northeastern," said Dan Abrams, who spearheaded the Trash2Treasure effort. "People seemed very excited to help do their part for a good cause.
"We definitely will be recruiting more volunteers, both for preparation before the event and to assist during the actual sale," said Kaitlyn McEnaney, the director of marketing and public relations for HEAT. "We are expecting an even greater turn out next year."


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5-Pc. Shop'n Go Set
Innovative design keeps items organized and in easy reach!
Two shoppers actually hook to the sides of your shopping cart! Insulated shopper comes with a Cool Gem freezer pack to keep cold things cold, while the non-insulated shopper is perfect for dry goods. Plus two market totes for smaller items. The durable polyester construction means you'll never worry about ripped or torn bags again! But why stop at shopping? They're also perfect for books, crafts, picnics & more! Shoppers zip closed and hold up to 40 lbs; market totes hold up to 12 lbs. Hurry!
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- 4 for $73.88 -
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- 6 for $109.82 -
- 7 for $127.79
Customer Reviews
These are excellent, everytime I use mine, people stop me and ask where I got them. Even the cashiers are fascinated with them as it is easy for them to load them in the cart. I have given instructions as to how to get them.
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