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|5 Ways to Use Facebook for Branding
|Thursday, 10 May 2012 08:15
Just when you thought you'd mastered your Facebook marketing strategy, Facebook rolls out one of its biggest changes to date. Now that brands are switching over to Facebook's new Timelines layout, marketers are scrambling to learn how to leverage Facebook's newest face.
1. Apps for Timeline Now apps are helping businesses become more visible to the community. When Facebook users add an app, it will appear at the top of their page. All interactions with that app are published to their Timeline. Businesses can create their own apps for their brands to leverage this opportunity for customer interaction and increased visibility.
2. Facebook Actions Businesses will be happy to see that Facebook is giving users more options for how they interact with brands. Now your Facebook community can go beyond the Like by expressing that they "love," "want," or "own" a product. This feature will also help you identify current customers vs. potential ones, based on the expression.
3. The Cover Photo One of the most noticeable changes in Facebook's new appearance is the prominent cover photo across the top of pages and profiles. This 840 x 310 pixel, banner-like photo amounts to a lot of free advertising space to promote new products, promotions, events, and anything else creative marketers can think of.
4. More Prominent Posted Photos Besides the cover photo, photos in general are gaining prominence on Timeline. The new layout allows photos to take up more space than they did on walls, which makes them stand out more on your page. You can take advantage of this feature by sharing photos with your posts to attract more attention to them and to make them more engaging for users.
5. Storytelling Perhaps the best new feature of Timeline is that it's set up to tell a story. Since effective communicators tell stories about their brands, products and businesses, this feature fits perfectly into a marketing strategy. Think about your company's story, and how each of your posts fits into that larger story.
As with any changes in the marketing landscape, those businesses that adapt quickly and learn new ways of leveraging changes into opportunities will come out ahead. Start adapting your Facebook marketing strategy to the new Timeline layout, and let us know about any other ideas you've found for using Timeline to its fullest potential.


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Giving back isn't just something we do – it's part of who we are! Check out what we're up to in the community:
Traveling Tutus – Let your costumes dance again! Boca Dance Studio's student ambassadors head up costume collection and donations, and our studio is a proud Business Partner. Since 2008, Traveling Tutus has sent dance attire to thousands of children in 17 different countries. Learn how YOU can help here: www.travelingtutus.org
Leave A Legacy Foundation – helping the helpers and encouraging the next generation of philanthropists. We partner with a local organization each season to raise awareness and funds for their cause. LAL's partner for the 2018 season is Sweet Dream Makers – a very special organization making a difference in the lives of families every day. Learn more about Leave A Legacy here: https://www.facebook.com/leavealegacyfoundationofsouthflorida/
I just wanted to tell you what an amazing show you produced. I've never seen a recital so well done and professional. From tech week to performance day everything was flawless! My daughter was so happy and proud! – Rebecca, parent
Thank you for a job well done, I am very grateful for your participation and look forward to working with you all again. You guys all ROCKED! – Pablo Malco, Developing Dreams Foundation
It's ALL been a wonderful experience .. definitely more than just dancing!! Such an honor to be part of BDS! – Korey, parent
Melanie, I just wanted to thank you and your very talented group of dancers for performing at our event at the Delray Beach Marriott. We so appreciate all you do for us. Thank you again for you time and talent! – Liz Weiss, Development Manager, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank you and your dancers for being a part of our Body, Mind & Sole benefit for the Renfrew Center – I hope you will join us next year! – Penni Greenly, Director Southern Dance Theater
My daughters, ages 6 and 8, LOVE BDS! And everybody knows that when the kids are happy, then mama is happy! I love that my children are getting exercise, spending time with new friends, learning about the performing arts, and having fun! – Tracey, parent
Being a dancer at BDS helped me throughout college by teaching me how to balance academics with social and extracurricular activities. It taught me how to prioritize and get work accomplished! – Cortney, Duke University student
Melanie, BDS will most definitely be invited back not just because of your win, but also because you and your dancers were a pleasure to work with. Congrats again– but as you say it's more about the community than the stakes! – Brian Mangines, producer, Live at the Wick
Thank you for what your studio is doing to instill in young dancers the importance of giving back! – Jenna Johnston, founder, Traveling Tutus
Can't wait to get Back to Dance!
Fall classes for ages 3 and up, beginner to advanced – visit our Now Enrolling page for info!

subset: commoncrawl


text: Forty stories of Christian saints from the first millennium are illustrated with appropriately gorgeous, pencil-and-oils-on-paper art. Sanderson's (Cinderella, 2002, etc.) writing style, usually graceful, suffers a bit from the format—each saint gets one page, with illustration, so sometimes the biographies, meant to be brief, seem oddly truncated. There are no sources given, either, so the lives of these splendid and colorful characters read almost like folktales. Each image is set in a frame (the frames repeat) that sometimes evokes stained glass, or manuscript illumination, or sculpture. The saints are usually in repose, full- or half-figure, often pictured with their attributes. The twin saints, Benedict and Scholastica; the mother-and-son dyads of Augustine and Monica, Constantine and Helen; and the married saints Maud and Theodora balance the many virgin/martyrs like Catherine, Stephen, Barbara, and Dorothy. Sanderson doesn't always say how the martyrs died (a point young people are always interested in) but she usually notes what each is patron saint of. She includes both Eastern Orthodox and Western Roman Catholic saints in her litany. Young people might be particularly drawn to Catherine, pictured with both a book and a sword, and portrayed almost as a princess on the striking cover. (index) (Collective biography. 9-12)


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A permanent levy that would have brought in $32.7 million annually for the Columbus Zoo failed Tuesday, with about 70 percent of Franklin County voters against it.
The levy would have paid for a new satellite zoo downtown, as well as other things including new and renovated exhibits, a zoo hospital update, new security and a new amphitheater.
That's a lot of money to expect from taxpayers for so little in return. Let's be serious, what was the zoo expecting, an overwhelming victory?
The current levy brings in $18.9 million annually, or $21 each year for every $100,000 of property value. The updated levy would have cost more than twice that: $44 annually for every $100,000 of property value. That kind of sudden increase could be rough on voters.
School levies in Ohio passed with 69 percent of votes cast Tuesday overall, but I don't think a school levy would have passed if the school district wanted twice as much money for a school that was already doing fairly well. Voters would have simply said, "No, you're doing fine, and we don't need to pay you twice as much for something we don't know will be any better than what we have now."
Remember, too, that the zoo isn't actually necessary for Columbus. It's very nice, it helps tourism, it's fun to take your kids to, and it provides jobs, but it's not schools, nor is it municipal buildings, nor is it garbage collection. It's not essential for Columbus to survive.
However, those who proposed the levy had a point: it is important for the zoo to have a steady source of income to make sure it can actually sustain itself in the long run. I think fear of sudden cuts to income was part of the reason the zoo tried to ask for this much money for a long period of time. After all, there is no guarantee voters would continuously approve the levies.
The zoo is essential to the animals that live there. Some of the animals at the zoo are found in few places in the United States. For example, only a few zoos in the country display koalas, and the Columbus Zoo is one of them. If the zoo suddenly cut its koala program because it couldn't afford to take care of them anymore, the koalas might not have anywhere to go. The zoo needs money to sustain the programs it already has, and that is OK to ask for money to do.
But there is no reason the zoo needs to be so ridiculously huge. The next levy the zoo proposes should be smaller, more reasonable and not include plans for new "satellite campuses." Because face it: the zoo is big. It's lovely to visit, especially with little kids, but it doesn't need to have so much, nor does it need a bunch more plans to expand. It's OK to be a little bit bigger – a levy bringing in $21 million total annually for the next 10 years would seem sane compared to the current one – but $32.7 million is not an amount the zoo can reasonably expect from taxpayers.
The zoo should remember what it's really there for: to teach kids about animals around the world. It isn't as crucial that the zoo expand out of its borders as it is that it provides education, understanding and information to kids about the world around them. Asking for twice as much money indefinitely is not a part of that mission.


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Blogs are a very popular ways of promoting your product or service. They are easy to install, easy to administer and easy to update. And search engines love them too. But what is a blog without … [Read more...]
Always collect an email address
The power of collecting an email address is amazing. As I mentioned in a prior article, you can expect between 1 and 10 percent of visitors to make a purchase on their initial visit to your website … [Read more...]
How to Make a Living Online – and How Not To!
"I make a living online!" That's a statement right? Right! But is it a statement of fact? Who knows? Well, I do because I know it's true, but how do you know I'm telling the truth? You … [Read more...]


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TAFE and university qualifications
Course Information
Information about courses and qualifications offered through universities, registered training organisations and agricultural colleges.
Career development, skills and qualifications
Visit career development, skills and qualifications for information on:
- changing careers
- skills and qualifications
- recognition of prior learning.
Further education
Further education can help improve your knowledge and skills and is a great way to advance your career.
Find out about university courses, short courses, and courses offered through registered training organisations.
You can also read about costs and financial help.


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Seems the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can't get their focus straight. Who are the terrorists to them? Would you believe travel bloggers?
Both the DHS and TSA have chosen the low road and have gone after travel journalists Christopher Elliott and Steven Frischling. Elliott a highly-regarded columnist for msnbc.com, National Geographic Traveler, and nationally syndicated "Travel Troubleshooter" column was subpoenaed yesterday by the TSA for publishing the official security directive in response to the attempted Christmas Day bombing. Frischling a self-employed photographer who writes the Flying With Fish and KLM blogs was also subpoenaed for publishing the same document and had his computer confiscated.
According to a report on Tnooz, both journalists face fines and a year in jail if they don't comply with the subpoena by Thursday, December 31. This is truly a case of the elephants stepping on the ants.
Elliott.org:Full text of my subpoena from the Department of Homeland Security
Flying with Fish: The Fallout From SD-1544-09-06 : The Feds At My Door
Elliott.org: Full text of SD 1544-09-06 authorizing pat-downs, physical inspections
Flying with Fish: TSA Security Directive SD-1544-09-06 : The Fallout From NW253
(Photo:brotherxii/Flickr Creative Commons)
Back in September when I sailed on the Silver Spirit during her construction phase and sea trials I sensed that the ship was going to be spectacular when finished. I was not mistaken. Over the past two days I've reacquainted myself with the finished Spirit and I thought it might be fun to have a photo essay of before and after photos. Take a look for yourself.
One thing was very apparent tonight on Silver Spirit – this is not your father's old cruise line. Silversea's production of "Aquarius" (a hippie 60's musical/dance production) was once an unthinkable entertainment option. No more. The line has clearly upped the entertainment ante (and budget) to reflect what today's Silversea passenger desires – a more youthful approach.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the music, dancers, and set décor – similar to the shows on the big mainstream cruise lines. And, gentlemen bring your pacemakers – the ladies of the show are the most gorgeous entertainers I've seen at sea. Hot girls and all the show had the audience clapping and dancing in the end. There are four production shows onboard and if tonight's show is any indication of the rest they will be well-received.
Also, not to be missed is the Stars lounge entertainment where jazz singer Alfredo wowed the crowd with her exquisite voice and fun entertainment style. For this writer — it was a "like-wow-man" night – and a very pleasant and welcomed surprise.
Silversea Cruises president Amerigo Perasso hinted that Silver Spirit may get a sister ship in the future. During a press conference with journalists onboard the newly launched Spirit, Perasso said the company will decide in the coming months on what to do next.
"Looking ahead we are considering more growth either organic or in another form. We are very confident going forward," he said. When elaborating on the organic comment Perasso noted the line does have an option with the shipyard to build another vessel.
Stay tuned for more live blogs from Silver Spirit.
Silversea Cruises president Amerigo Perasso says the line is having its best year ever. "Despite the difficult world economy in 2008 and the first half of 2009 we are showing record bookings," said Perasso. He noted the boom started back in June – since then the line has been substantially exceeding its targets. "Seventy percent of our revenue plan for 2010 is on the books." Perasso says much of the success is because the line has continued to invest in the product and the personnel onboard.
Perasso made the comments during a press conference onboard the line's new vessel Silver Spirit currently docked in Monaco. Silver Spirit brings the Silversea fleet to a total of six vessels. The 540-passenger 36,009-ton vessel offers 270 suites (95 percent have balconies), six restaurants, the brand's largest spa at 8,500 square feet, and expanded deck space — some of it covered, with the flexibility for dining and entertainment, are among Spirit's design advances.
Silversea is hosting press and travel agents on a preview cruise from Monaco to Barcelona. On the 23rd Spirit will embark on its inaugural cruise, from Barcelona to Lisbon. The official christening of the vessel will be on January 21, 2010 in Fort Lauderdale.
Stay tuned for more blogs from the Silver Spirit.
Cruise lines are scrambling to find new ways to top each other in the innovation stakes. Bigger ships and never-before-seen features are the shape of things to come on the high seas in 2010.
Ship class of 2010
Fifteen new ships will be ready for their close-ups next year, with one being the second largest cruise ship ever launched. Here's a summary for the Class of 2010, in order of the month they debut.
January– Costa Cruises 92,700-ton Costa Deliziosa will carry 2,828 guests and will homeport in Dubai for the winter with sailings around the Middle East. The ship will transition back Europe in May to cruise the Baltics during the summer and the Mediterranean for the rest of the year.
February – AIDA Cruises, Germany's largest cruise line, (owned by Carnival Corporation) will launch its seventh ship in 2010, the 68,500-ton, 2,050-passenger AIDAblu. The vessel is the sister ship to AIDAdiva, AIDAbella and AIDAluna and will cruise European waters year round.
March – The MSC Magnifica will be MSC Cruises' 11th ship. The 93,330-ton ship will carry 2,518 passengers. The ship will feature its MSC Yacht Club, exclusively for suite guests. The ship will be based in Venice where it will sail year-round seven-night cruises.
March – Avalon Waterways is the fastest growing river boat cruise line in the world. The company will launch two new vessels this year bringing the fleet size to 10 riverboats. Carrying just 138 passengers Avalon Felicity will ply the waters of the Rhine until the winter season.
April –The Celebrity Eclipse will be Celebrity Cruises' third ship in the Solstice-class. For summer 2010, Eclipse will cruise from Southampton, England – the first time a Celebrity ship will based in that port. The ship will be 122,000-tons and carry 2,850 passengers. In November the ship will transition to the Caribbean.
P&O Cruises' 116,000-ton Azura will carry 3,100 passengers. The ship will sail alternating 7- and 14-day European itineraries from Southampton, England.
May – Compagnie du Ponant Yacht Cruises will launch its first new vessel in a decade, the 264-passenger Le Boréal. The luxury French line's new vessel will sail various European itineraries year round.
California-based AMAWATERWAYS is an upscale European river cruise company that was launched in 2002. The company will launch the MS Amabella bringing its fleet to 11 boats. The Amabella is sister ship of the MS Amacello and carries just 148 passengers. Itineraries for the new vessel have not been disclosed.
June – The Seabourn Sojourn is the second of three new ships for the Yachts of Seabourn. The ultra-luxury 32,000-ton Seabourn Sojourn will accommodate 450 lucky guests. The yacht's itineraries will begin with sailings around Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Caribbean before it embarks on its 111-day world cruise from Los Angeles.
The most anticipated ship launch of 2010 is Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) Norwegian Epic. It will be NCL's largest and most innovative ship to date, featuring an Aqua Park, an ice bar, wavy staterooms, and the largest private villa complex at sea. The 153,000-ton ship will carry 4,200 guests and sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
July – Holland America Line's 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam is the second of the line's "Signature Class" vessels. The ship, which will carry 2,104 passengers, will sail 12-day sailings around the Mediterranean. In mid-October, Nieuw Amsterdam will head to Fort Lauderdale for the winter season sailing seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailings.
August – Avalon Waterways will launch Felicity's sister ship Avalon Luminary in May. Like Felicity, Avalon Luminary will carry just 138 passengers; however, it will cruise year-round on the Rhine River.
October – Cunard Line launches the new 90,400-ton, 2,092-passenger Queen Elizabeth, sister ship to Queen Victoria. The ship will sail round-trip from Southampton on various Mediterranean itineraries. In January, the ship will begin its 103-day world cruise.
November – When Sea Cloud Cruises launches the Sea Cloud Hussar it will be the largest three-mast passenger ship ever built. The 69 exterior cabins offer space for 136 passengers, who are looked after by a crew of 90. The ship will sail routes in the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. And, like its sister ships it will be sailed in the traditional way – by hand.
December – Allure of the Seas is the sister ship to the Oasis of the Seas, and thus is the second of two of the world biggest ships. At 222,000-tons it will carry 5,400 guests (6,300 max) and 1,650 crew members. Like Oasis, Allure will offer distinct neighborhoods, unique interior staterooms, and a zip-line. Allure will sail year-round from Fort Lauderdale offering 7-day alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Booze cruises
German cruise line AIDA Cruises' new AIDAblu will have a microbrewery – a first for the cruise industry. The microbrewery, staffed by renowned brewers from Bavaria, will serve the beer it brews for free, while also offering specialty beers for a fee.
Inspired by the original ice bars and ice hotels in Scandinavia and one of only 14 ice bars in the world, Ice Bar on Norwegian Epic will be the ultimate chill. This frozen chamber of iced vodka is set in changing hues of blue, green and purple LED lighting that simulates the Northern Lights and creates a distinctive arctic atmosphere. The centerpiece is a giant ice cube that glows and changes colors to the beat of the music. The venue will accommodate 25 guests who will be given fur coats, gloves and hats to keep them warm, since the room's temperature will not rise above 17 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dinner in a circus
Norwegian Epic will offer the only "big top" at sea in an intimate 265-seat theater-in-the-round. Dubbed "Cirque Dreams and Dinner", this one of a kind interactive theatrical dining experience will be performed in the air, while juggling dinner courses, with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. During the two-hour show, guests will marvel in amazement and become part of a celebration of spectacle and fantasy. The entire experience will be unlike anything else at sea.
Stylish staterooms
Norwegian Epic incorporates several new types of accommodations – the curved New Wave staterooms; the largest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship; a new category of inside staterooms for the value-conscious traveler – The Studios and Living Room; and spa and family-friendly accommodations.
More kids invade Europe
Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and thousands of American kids are headed back to Europe. In April, the Disney Magic will return to Europe, where it first sailed in 2007, only this time with a few new itineraries. The Magic will offer its first-ever 10,11, and-12-day cruises to Scandinavia, Germany and Russia, in addition to a lineup of Mediterranean itineraries that include calls at three new ports. And in each port Disney will add its magic touch to enhance the family touring experience.
Less Alaska
Alaska's 2007 imposition of a head tax on cruise passengers has caused a tsunami of cruise ship defections from the state's waters. Carnival, Princess, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have reduced capacity in Alaska significantly for 2010 and more are scheduled to leave in 2011.
Rick Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs, for Holland America says the change reflects the rising demand for Europe itineraries. "Our guests are finding a cruise to be the best value for their money in Europe, and interest in Mediterranean and Northern European itineraries continues to grow," he said. With fewer ships sailing Alaska's waters cruise fares are bound to go up, which means less bargains for cruise travelers.
Given the bounty of new ships, changing destinations, and wacky amenities, 2010 is shaping up to be a very interesting year for cruise travel.


text: Corporate Partners 1199C Aetna Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Allied Universal American Heritage Federal Credit Union American Paradigm Schools AmeriHealth Caritas Aqua America, Inc. Beneficial Bank Benesyst Brown's Super Stores Canon The Carney Group CHOP CIGNA City of Philadelphia Comcast Community College of Philadelphia Congreso Corizon Health Corporate Call Center Delaware County Community College Easterseals ECFMG EdAssist GCC IBT District Council 9 Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Harrah's Chester Health Partners Plans hibu Independence Blue Cross IREM JEVS Magee Rehab Merakey MHM Penn Medicine PGW Philadelphia Education Fund Philadelphia Housing Authority Philadelphia Works PHMC PPA Quest Diagnostics Santander School District of Philadelphia SEPTA St. Christopher's Hospital for Children St. Mary Medical Center Subaru of America, Inc. UnitedHealth Group UPS Wawa Year Up USPS TD Bank Employer Relations Academic Partners Year Up Alternative Credit Providers Lumerit Partnership Study.com and Peirce College Looking for More Peirce Information? Request Information PPA Philadelphia Parking Authority Corporate Partnership Peirce College and the PPA Are Corporate PartnersThinking about returning to college as a working adult learner? If so, you need a different kind of school than you would have at 18. You need a school that understands your unique needs and how to meet them. What you need, is Peirce College, Philadelphia's school for working adult learners since 1865.When you come to Peirce, you won't have to worry about your busy schedule getting in the way of your courses. With accelerated, flexible courses available online or on campus, you can start classes when it's convenient for you and take them wherever you are. What's more, you can even switch between online and on-campus learning any week that you need to. And no matter where and how you choose to take your classes, you'll be learning market-relevant lessons and skills that will help you advance your career. Plus, Peirce's supportive faculty and staff will help you make it to graduation and through to finding a job.Corporate Partnership Tuition DiscountBut what about the cost of higher education? Well, if you're a PPA employee, then going back to school at Peirce is more affordable than you might think. Thanks to our corporate partnership with the PPA, its employees and their spouses and dependents can take advantage of a tuition discount at Peirce College.To receive your Peirce College corporate discount, simply complete a Peirce College application and select your employer when asked how you heard about Peirce. A Peirce admissions representative will then be in touch to guide you through the next steps. To see a full list of benefits Peirce offers through our corporate partnership with PPA, click here. About the PPAThe Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) provides Philadelphia residents, visitors and businesses with parking management services. The PPA regulates city street parking and provides parking facilities throughout Philadelphia. Contact an Admissions Rep Request More Information


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Pure Color Love is Estee Lauder's latest lipstick launch and it is amazing! They must be the most playful lipsticks ever made and Estee Lauder definitely had a lot of fun creating them. They, also, have possibly the best promotion ever! They dare you to "mix, remix" the shades and "create your look". The Pure Color Love lipsticks have a unique, never-before-seen bullet, super glam packaging and they are loaded with super lip-loving ingredients. They come in crèmes, chromes, mattes, shimmers and more, and have "a deliciously balmy texture". As Estee Lauder states on their website "mattes are bold, vibrant, rich, long-lasting and feel weightless. Keep that "just applied look" for hours".
As part of the promotion, they made a super fun video starring Kendal Jenner and Elle King in her song Wild Love, promoting even more the "love" concept of the range (Pure Color LOVE). In the video, star some of the best shades of the range.
Another fun way they chose to promote their latest lipsticks is them showing you, on their website, how you can do three of the latest lip trends. For each lip trend they suggest three lip combos and so nine different lip looks. Different shades give out a different aesthetic and so the looks and styles change, even though the technique used is the same. Take a look.


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Saturday, December 10, 2016
What is it about Jose Quintana?
Let's run this down and see what we can see. We'll start with the Astros:
Joe Musgrove: After an excellent half-season in the minors that earned him a #32 prospect ranking, Musgrove was called up to Houston for the August 2 game against the Blue Jays - who drafted him in the 1st Round of the 2011 draft - and held them to one hit, striking out eight, in 4.1IP. In his next outing five days later, he held the Ramgers to one run in 7IP. Next up were the Blue Jays, whom he held to 6H/2ER, 7K:1BB. So after three Major-League appearances Musgrove sat at 18.1IP, 12H/3R (2ER), 21K:2BB. Unbelievable, yeah?
Yeah. He gave up eight earned runs in 5.1IP at Baltimore, which ended the "maybe he's the greatest pitcher who ever lived" talk. Musgrove ended the season with a 4.06 ERA/1.21 WHIP. He would strikeout 34 batters in the next 33.2IP, walking 14.
Francis Martes (aka Frankie Tuesday) is the Astros #1 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com. He spent the Arizona Fall League working on his changeup, which should give him an additional weapon in his arsenal. The 21-year old RHP spent 2016 in Corpus. He threw 125.1IP with 131K:47BB, a 3.30 ERA/1.21 WHIP.
Kyle Tucker is the #2 Astros prospect, according to the aforementioned MLBPipeline prospect list. He was the Astros 2nd pick (5th overall, after Alex Bregman) in the 2015 draft. In 101 games at Quad Cities, where he was 2.5 years younger than his competition, Tucker hit .276/.348/.402. When he got promoted to Coors Light (Lancaster), he hit .339/.435/.661 in an admittedly small sample of 16 games. He struck out six times and walked ten times in those games.
How does that compare to the White Sox' Jose Quintana? Quintana will be 28 next month. Musgrove turned 24 last week. In five seasons - the last four of which have been seasons of 32+ starts of 200+ IP - Quintana has a 3.41 ERA/1.24 WHIP. His ERA+ is 118. In 2016 Quintana ranked #10 among qualified starters with a 4.8 fWAR, yet his 3.20 ERA outperformed his 3.56 FIP/4.03 xFIP. That said, he is due just $14.8m in 2017 ($6m) and 2018 ($8.8m) with two team options in 2019 and 2020 worth $10.5m in each season with a $1m buyout in each season. That is $36.8m over the next four seasons - $13.2m less than Josh Reddick over the same amount of time - not a lot of money for a front-line starter.
The 2nd-Most Similar pitcher to Quintana is none other than Dallas Keuchel. 5th is Chris Archer. Will the 28-year old pitcher be worth more than Musgrove and Martes (and outfielder Kyle Tucker)? I don't know. In his five seasons in the Majors, Quintana has been worth a total of 19.7 fWAR - 12th among qualified pitchers in that span - more than Stephen Strasburg, more than Jake Arrieta, more than Yu Darvish, more - of course - than Dallas Keuchel (whose 2012-early 2014 struggles are well-documented.)
So the question is: Do you trade two potentially Really Good Pitchers and one Really Good Outfielder for One Established Really Good Pitcher? Or do you hang on to your assets - your #1 and #2 prospects plus a guy in Musgrove who has some MLB experience and performed pretty well, a couple of rough starts aside? It's not an easy decision.
Given the haul the White Sox have received from the trades of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, there's no reason for them to not make the ask that Gammons leaked. Given their ask, there's no reason for the Astros to make the trade. Given the quality of pitcher Quintana is, they're justified in their ask. Given the promise of the three players in question, the Astros are justified in their refusal. Where the two teams go from here is up in the air. I can see the Astros revisiting this trade proposal in mid-July in regards to the standings and the performances of each player with another 90 games under their belts.
*Apologies to those expecting a clear-cut Yea or Nay.
4 comments:
- Jason Thibodeaux said...
I agree with the Astros on this. You could give up one of Musgrove or Martez but not both. It would leave the pitching depth too thin. I also have high hopes for Tucker and losing him would really hurt.
We do have a great opportunity to win this year but given the cost I would keep looking for now.
- December 10, 2016 at 9:55 PM
What you failed to mention in your excellent piece is that the first two of Musgrove's appearances were in losses, closing a 2-1 loss to Toronto and leaving the Ramgers game tied at 1-1. In 2017 the Astros will no longer have a four-man 'black hole' at the bottom of their line up which should translate to more runs scored ... scoring more runs should mean performances such as Musgrove's initial two outings will no longer be wasted, and the existing staff will no longer be required to perform at a Cy Young award level in order to secure a win. The Astros will have seven major league-capable pitchers on their opening day roster: Keuchel, McCullers, McHugh, Fiers, Morton, Devensky, and Musgrove ... I'm having a lot of trouble understanding why we're looking at top of the line starting pitching instead of finding a solid left-handed reliever.
- December 11, 2016 at 10:47 AM
- Kyle said...
I am fine with the trade not going through, but I was tentatively for it when I first heard of it. The reason being that it's unlikely both Martes and Musgrove with be break out players, and even if just one is, that would be incredible. But, if we're going to trade for a proven ML arm it seemed worth the risk, to me. Essentially, the only downside being if both Musgrove and Martes ended up being amazing pitchers. Again that seemed unlikely. Also, in my mind unlikely was that Quintana would tank in Houston, although it is Houston and those types of things happen here. As for Kyle Tucker, you always hate to lose great talent, but his position isn't nearly as urgent of a need. For a proven stater who could help get us to the playoffs this year, it seemed a hard, but reasonable trade.
- December 11, 2016 at 1:52 PM
People always severely overrate their own prospects. The problem with prospects is most of them don't work out, even the really good ones.
This time last year AJ Reed was Baseball America's #1 1B prospect, #11 overall prospect, and the Astros #1 prospect. Jon Singleton was once Baseball America's #1 1b prospect, #27 overall prospect, and the Astros #1 prospect. Jurickson Profar was once the #1 overall prospect ahead of Correa, Lindor, and Bogaerts. This time last year, most people were still certain that Buxton would be a better MLB player than Correa. Quintana has proven significant major league baseball skills. If we can acquire him for the next four years, we need to bite the bullet and do it.
- December 12, 2016 at 12:08 PM


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Recently we have had two snowstorms which interrupted our schedule. My Christmas vacation was extended 2 days due to a storm, then last week we had another storm with blizzard-like conditions. It is very cold, so the snowfall has stayed on the ground. The cold snap continues for a week or so. I finally figured out how to load my pictures from my iphone to the computer, so I'm able to add them to the post. I intended to write a post the day of the storm, but my lack of technical knowledge set me back.
Ok, so I didn't upload the pictures perfectly, but here are views of our snowed-in home and the shovel and broom we used to remove the snow so we could walk the dog. The third photo is of the snowmen indoors. I've collected snowmen for a while and most of them are gifts. I like displaying snowmen so that the display can stay out for a while instead of taking it down right after the Christmas season. I always try to put up the tree Thanksgiving weekend and take it down during school vacation. Otherwise, it would stay up year round! The paintings above the snowmen are ones I created. I hope to have more time for creativity this year as part of my goals. Unfortunately, I did not take advantage of the time during the snow days to focus on art; I did get housework and correcting done. We may have some more snow headed our way, but only a few inches. Stay warm and cozy! Our family has a busy week ahead as there are finals at school and Jeremy has four basketball games this week.


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There has been a long-time debate inside of me – whether I should try salad in the morning:
Oh…Vegetables…..though I adore them, can it help me go through the morning without opening fridge ?!?! I remember Aletheia did it before, yet she is a purely vegetarian and she is so slim – she doesn't need that much energy 😛
Carb and cheese used to be my breakfast staple:
I kinda obsessed with the protein and complex carb in the morning. Therefore my breakfast is always made of bread/waffle/muffin + soymilk + cheese or egg. If I am going salad….where do I get the protein and carb?
Ah -huh: b-l-a-c-k-b-e-a-n-s!!!!!!!!! I just boiled some the day before. It is a great source of fiber, protein and carb!!!!!
So, after one night of struggling , I decided to start off the day with a salad:
That made of baby spinach, chopped onion, tomato, and corns
with splash of white balsamic vinegar, dill, lemon and pepper:
Top with Black beans, sided with sliced fuji apples, and pair with French Vanilla tea.
Wooohoooo!!! It's so fresh and crisp, the beautiful colors totally cheered me up for the day! It feels so good to finally make a change to my breakfast staples 😛
It is a pretty simple salad, as my first try for the breakfast 😀 Glad I hold on till 11:54am for lunch – I am sure those black bean works!
emmmm….now I need to think of more morning salad 🙂 any ideas, dear blog friends?


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Big health update for Jeanne Cooper! The 84-year-old Young and the Restless star was recently hospitalized for an unspecified illness, but her son, Corbin Bernsen, says she's improving.
"Just heard HUGE progress with my mom today. Breathing apparatus has been removed so now onto underlying issues," Bernsen, 58, tweeted Tuesday, April 16. "Your prayers are healing!"
The former L.A. Law actor has been tweeting updates to fans on his mother's condition since Friday. CBS Los Angeles reported Saturday that the veteran soap opera actress was in critical condition at a Los Angeles hospital.
"Need some prayers for my mom tonight. Not doing great," Bernsen, who now stars on USA's Psych, wrote April 12. "I don't believe it is the end of her journey, but still a very uphill battle."
Cooper has three children, Corbin, Collin, 55, and Caren, 52, with her late ex-husband Harry Bernsen, Jr. While her family celebrates her health update, Bernsen also offered prayers to Boston following the tragic bombings at the marathon on Monday.
"Prayers to those in Boston," he tweeted. "As my mother progresses today, we take a moment to pray for those who need it immediately." He added, "Boston and the death of an 8-year-old boy not the diversion I was hoping for from my mother's struggle. But all is suddenly in perspective."
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(206) 402.4588
The Chef In The Hat is Thierry Rautureau, the talented force behind Loulay Kitchen & Bar and Luc restaurants, bringing a French twist to the best of Pacific Northwest cuisine.
A glimpse into Chef Thierry's childhood with one of his favorite offerings at Loulay, Chef's Hot Chocolate.
Chefs Thierry and Tom have some fun ording at a downtown Seattle food truck to promote the Downtown Seattle Association's #WhyRushHour campaign.
Chefs Thierry and Tom battle for dominance in the debate about fun things to do in Seattle to promote the Downtown Seattle Association's #WhyRushHour campaign.
Where the Chefs Eat: Thierry Rautureau, Evening - KING-TV Seattle
Chef Thierry Rautureau is a big supporter of Food Lifeline. Listen to what he has to say about ending hunger.
Our Katie O and Thierry Rautureau create the Coley Cocktail using Gin from Heritage Distilling Company!
A behind-the-scenes interview with Chef Thierry Rautureau, The Chef in the Hat, from Loulay Kitchen & Bar. Watch Chef Thierry Rautureau make Pan Seared Polenta with Wild Mushrooms & Gruyere Crisp on Saturday, November 8th at 10:00 am on KCTS9 or livestream at kcts9.org/cooks.
Seattle's "Chef in the Hat" shows off his lastest restaurant.
Pork belly is delicious. Braising pork belly makes it irresistible. In this episode of Foodista's Kitchen Secrets follow The Chef In The Hat, Thierry Rautureau, as he shows you how to braise a delicious pork belly. This is really how you WOW your dinner guests.
What is the perfect topping for grilled fish, or anything that comes of the grill for that matter? A fresh herb mixture! In this episode of Foodista's Kitchen Secrets follow The Chef In The Hat, Thierry Rautureau, as he shows you how to prepare a fresh herb chop.
Kitchen Circus - reality web series Episode 1. Three home cooks make one course for 45 diners. Award winning Chef Thierry Rautureau guides contestants from cooking through service. Will it be Angel, Siiri or Beth who makes the diner's favorite course? Celebrity Guests include: Tom Douglas (Seattle Restaurateur), Steve Scher (NPR Radio Host), Marty Riemer (Radio Host).
Kitchen Circus - reality web series Episode 2. How will Atina, Myrissa and Chris do preparing dinner for 45 judges? Chef Thierry Rautureau along with celebrity guests Rachel Belle (KIRO radio host) and Steve Scher (NPR Radio host) critique the dinner courses.
Kitchen Circus web series - Dinner 3. Will it be Peter, Erina or Christine who fills the last slot in the Kitchen Circus Finale? Chef Thierry Rautureau along with celebrity guests Jason Wilson (Chef/Owner of Crush), Maria Hines (Chef/Owner of Tilth, Golden Beetle and Agrodolce), and Steve Scher (NPR Radio Host) decide who will move on to the Finale.
Kitchen Circus - reality web series Episode 4 - Finale.The diners have chosen, Chef Thierry Rautureau announces the winner of Kitchen Circus. Celebrity Guests include former Rover's sous chef Adam Hoffman (Chef/Owner of Adams NW Bistro & Brewery), Steve Scher (NPR Radio host), and Jamie Peha (food & wine marketing expert).
©2019 The Chef in the Hat


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The new Browning 800 Mag air pistol truly fits the definition of "an air rifle you can hold in one hand." The 800 Mag is a .177 caliber break barrel spring-piston air pistol that generates velocities with standard weight pellets (i.e., not flyweight pellets) that are faster than a Beeman R7 air rifle and faster than 99% of air pistols that I can think of.
The 800 Mag is a large air pistol. It stretches 18 inches from the muzzle to the end of the receiver and weighs 3.9 lbs. The main receiver tube is made of metal. On top of the receiver is an 11mm dovetail for mounting a scope or red dot sight. To the rear of the dovetail is a green fiber optic rear sight that is adjustable for elevation and windage. At the extreme aft end of the receiver is a matte black plastic cap.
Below the receiver tube is matte black plastic assembly that extends the full length of the receiver. This plastic assembly, in turn, mates to the matte black pistol grip through a sliding rail system (we'll get back to this rail system in just a little while). The pistol grip is ambidextrous, has indents for fingers, and incorporates a plastic trigger guard. Inside the trigger guard you'll find a black plastic trigger which is adjustable for first stage travel only and a metal Gamo-style automatic safety (push away from the trigger to fire and pull toward the trigger to safe the action.)
Underneath the 800 Mag, just forward of the trigger guard, is a slot for accommodating the cocking linkage when the barrel is broken for cocking and loading. Forward of that is the barrel and at the end of that, a muzzle weight that incorporates a mount for the red fiber optic front sight. That's all there is to the Browning 800 Mag . . . almost.
To get the 800 Mag ready to shoot you need an additional part – you have to first slide the "cocking assist handle" over the muzzle. The front sight fits in the slot of the cocking assist handle. I estimate the cocking effort for the 800 Mag to be in the low-thirty-pounds range. It is definitely "stout" for an air pistol. The cocking assist handle does two thing for you: (1) it gives you additional leverage for cocking the break barrel action and (2) it lets you avoid stabbing the palm of your hand with the front sight. With the assist handle in place, cocking the 800 Mag is pretty straight forward: pull the muzzle down and toward the pistol grip until it latches. (When you do this, the safety automatically activates.) Insert a .177 pellet into the breech end of the barrel and return the barrel to its original position.
Now, at this point you can remove the cocking assist handle, but you don't have to. Why? Because the cocking assist handle is hollow, and you can shoot right through it. Take aim at your target and squeeze the trigger. The first stage comes out at about 2.5 lbs. The second stage trips at about 5 pounds (the box says 4 lb trigger pull weight but the sample I tested didn't deliver that), and the shot goes down range. There is a distinct "thwack" when the shot goes off, and the shooter feels very little recoil because the receiver can slide on the anti-recoil rail system relative to the pistol grip. I suspect the 800 Mag would be a real handful if it didn't have the anti-recoil system. But it does, so it is surprisingly docile to shoot considering it is a spring-piston air pistol.
It is evident, however, that the Mag 800 transmits a great deal of recoil shock to anything mounted on the upper part of the receiver. During my tests with this pistol, the Mag 800 destroyed an RWS Red Dot sight. After several dozen shots, the brightness control became so loose that it rattled. I had no problems with a Bushnell Trophy red dot, though.
When it comes to accuracy, at 13 yards from a Creedmoor position and using a red dot sight, I put five pellets into a group that measured .57 ctc. I suspect that even better results could be achieved with persistence and practice.
When I chronographed the 800 Mag with CPLs, the very first shot went 730 fps, but subsequent shots settled down to a 658 average with about 30 fps difference between high and low. A couple of minutes later I did a second string, got a high of 651 and a low of 618 (that's 33 fps variance) with an average of 631. I asked Airguns of Arizona to chronograph a sample they had there in the shop, and they got a high of 494, a low of 463, and an average of 477. I have no idea why there is such variance between samples of the same pistol or why I am seeing such variation in velocity in the sample that I was sent. Neither do I know whether these variations will settle down as the 800 Mag gets several hundred pellets put through it.
One blog reader asked for a head-to-head comparison between the 800 Mag and the RWS LP8. I tried shooting the 800 Mag and the RWS LP8 at a tomato can at 13 yards with the same 8.4 grain pellet, and I found the LP8 pistol will penetrate one side of the can, and the 800 Mag will penetrate both sides of the can. The LP8 launches CPL pellets at an average of 558 fps with less than 10 fps variation from low to high.
The Browning 800 Mag generates more power, cocks harder, is about a half pound heavier, and has significantly more variation in velocity than the LP8. The LP8 shoots slower, has a nicer trigger and fit and finish, is more consistent in velocity and costs significantly more. The LP8 is smoother and more sophisticated, but the Browning delivers a heck of a punch for not a lot of money.
Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.
– Jock Elliott


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Most people get embarrassed at some point in their life. Maybe it was during your school years, or while out shopping, or in front of a class of students (as the teacher). We have ways to help ourselves through these situations but how do we help our students?
The student that isn't paying attention
Have a way to randomly call on students. They may not like it but more of them will pay attention. You can use a random number generator and assign all students numbers. I didn't do so well with this one, I could never remember which student had which number.
I did best when I did the classic popsicle stick name grab. Well actually, I used the leftover rulers from standardized testing to put their names on. Good use of recycling old items. You can write their names or you can print them out and tape them on. Whichever is better for you.
But, as a rule, always put the name back in. They will get lazy after you call their name if they think they are not being called on again. I had some days where the same student got called on 3-4 times in one class.
The shy or scared student
This student may be difficult to help. You don't want them to be too anxious about answering questions. You can only call on them when you are positive they know the answer the first few times to boost their confidence. Talk them through the answer. It will mean the world to them if they know you are willing to help them through the answer.
The student that thinks they are always wrong
Give them a few easy questions. Boost their confidence. And make sure you tell them it is OK to be wrong. That no one knows everything and everyone is wrong sometimes, including the teacher!
The student that is worried their teacher will get mad if they ask a question or answer incorrectly
I had no idea I was going to run into this type of student when I started teaching. I mean, what teacher gets mad about a question? Or a wrong answer? Not 'What are the instructions?' for the 4th time or 'Do we have to work today?' types of questions. Real questions. 'I don't understand what you just said, can you explain it to me?' or 'How does that happen?', etc.
At the beginning of each year the students are still learning me and my class and tend to be quiet and keep to themselves. I ask questions and get zero responses. No hands up. Nothing. One day I decided to ask. Why isn't anyone trying to answer the questions? I actually got an answer here, interestingly enough. The young man said that if he answers wrong I may get mad and not want him to answer any more. I thought he was joking at first but no, he meant it.
This lead to a discussion about participation. Apparently there are a number of teachers that actually get mad at wrong answers (legitimately wrong, not just silly guesses). Teachers have told them (this happened to many of my students) that they aren't allowed to raise their hand anymore because they can't answer questions correctly. Or they refuse to let them work a problem on the board for the same reason. WHAT?? WHY? Why would any teacher get upset by this.
Something that I started incorporating into my beginning of the year procedures was a mini discussion on how to participate in class. I discussed questions and answers and how important it is to be involved in a class discussion. There is one line I used so much that my students would sometimes say it with me, 'I would rather have all of you answer every question wrong during a class discussion than none of you say anything at all. It means you are engaged and learning.'
If you have any tips and tricks to help a kid participate, please add them to the comments below.


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Hello! Today I'm going to do a quick review of what I did this week. (and sorry for the spotty posting, I've been busy.)
x I did some planning for my next novel, which I'll be writing in this year's NaNoWriMo. I'm so excited!
x I got a lot of books. Grave Mercy, Wonderstruck, a book about Arthurian legends, etc.
x I went swimming and took walks! I actually swam all the way across a lake with my dad. He got to kayak, though.
x I ate lots of sweets, way more than I should have. (Icies, suckers, chocolate, etc.)
x I marathoned 5 episodes of Merlin. Yes, five.
x I started (yesterday) Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box. As of ten minutes ago, I have played six hours of it already.
x I got very little sleep, as usual.
x I bemoaned the fact I couldn't watch Deep Breath.
x Went to a party and got to pet a kitten.
x Didn't really do all that much, I guess!
Well, that's all for today! Farewell.


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SAP Solution Experts to Scania
- Rekryterare
- Scania
- Plats
- Sodertalje
- Annonserat
- den 12 juni 2018
- Stängs
- den 23 juli 2018
- Kategori
- Övriga jobb
- Anställningsform
- Tillsvidare
- Sysselsättning
- Heltid
For Production & Logistics (P&L) this means a lot of changes both in the logistics- and production areas and IT need to meet the challenges we are facing by becoming more agile and adopt to changes in a much more rapid pace.
Within the department Order to Delivery (O2D) IT we are now setting the future IT landscape for logistics, supporting #Logisticsiscore. An important part of the change in the IT landscape will be deliveries based on SAP. As an SAP Solution Expert you are a member of the Scania IT team at Order to Delivery (O2D) IT. If you like challenges, now is the perfect time to join this exciting journey.
We are looking for new members to our team that have an interest to work with Business change development and World-class IT deliver. Do you enjoy yourself in an outward and friendly atmosphere, are prestigious and happy to share your skills? Then this is right challenge for you to submit your application to us.The function
Your main responsibility is to identify how to resolve demands from the business in SAP. You will work within the area of Supply chain networks (inbound logistics) or Extended Warehouse Management. Beyond that you are expected to secure an up-to-date documentation and perform basic configuration & table management. Another important aspect of this job is the participation in testing activities in different environments. Also you will be involved in the projects for further rollout of the SAP system within the Supply Chain Business process.
Your profile
We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague with at least a bachelor degree and a high interest in systems, technology and IT. If you have a broad experience with SAP (preferably within the area of EWM or ECC), your degree is no requirement but project leader experience is required. Experience in logistic processes can be valuable in this position. You are analytical, a quick learner and you like to participate in a team. You can easily connect with other people and you are an expert in understanding a problem and seeing what is needed to solve it. You speak and write fluent in English and Swedish can be an advantage.
For further information
If you find this position interesting and want more information, please contact: Nishteman Ghaderi (Group manager), email@example.com, +46 8 553 825 19.
Please send your application letter and CV in English or Swedish.
Your application includes a CV and cover letter. Please apply through our website HR Inline/Jobbsök at Scania latest 20th of July. Interviews will be scheduled continuously.


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In this fantasy novel, a young dragon fails an important test but secretly tags along on a mission, only to be captured by humans.
In Avonoa, all young dragons undergo testing in the Krusible, where they must remain silent from sunup to sundown, no matter how the adult dragons provoke them. For young Dak, holding his tongue is a particular challenge; most dragons pass by their second attempt, but Dak has just failed for the fourth time. He has one last chance to test again—in 15 moons, while practicing with dragons who enjoy tormenting him. When Dak's friends are sent on an intriguing mission to a dragon community in the desert, Dak decides to follow them secretly and throw in his lot with the new group. The mission comes under violent attack, however, and while Dak is able to rescue one friend, others die and one goes missing. Searching for her, Dak is captured by humans; he then faces the very real test of remaining silent (thus hiding dragon intelligence) while being tortured and potentially killed. Fairies, centaurs, banshees, and a prophecy about the one dragon who can unite dragons and humans all play a part. In her debut novel, Collotzi writes a well-paced but familiar novel, with many predictable fantasy elements: the quasi-medieval setting; the young hero—subject of a prophecy—who must be tested; the heroic journey; supernatural helpers; trials, including rescuing a beautiful young female; and so forth. The beginning section reads like many a YA novel in which upperclassmen bully the younger kids and grown-ups just don't understand. Some lore is offered, most notably the magic (or "majik") Five Swords of Avonoa. More interesting is the dragon's-eye perspective on humanity: Dak "could smell the stink of the fluids draining from human skin; 'sweat,' they called it, or so he'd heard. Humans were filthy." One human, the prince's half sister Anna, has sympathy for dragons; the story seems to call for rapprochement, but that's unresolved, perhaps to leave room for sequels.
Dragon lovers are the best audience for this fantasy novel with well-established themes.


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HYDRAULIC CYLINDERSQuality, Proven Reliability & Maintenance Free Operation Are The Hallmark Of Crane- Bel Cylinders.
Crane-Bel International offers complete engineering back up for application engineering Hydraulic Cylinders are offered with a complete range of fluid power products making Crane-Bel a "Single Source Supplier" for your complete Hydraulic requirements and thereby ensuring a SINGLE SOURCE RESPONSIBILITY.
Crane- Bel has technical know and expertise to manufacture the hydraulic cylinder for a variety of applications even for the extremely critical ones. Each hydraulic cylinder at Crane- Bel is built with the unmatched features to give you job-matched top performance and proven reliability at a price that won't stretch your budgets.
Crane- Bel hydraulic cylinder provides reliability you can count on with the minimum maintenance year after year. Increased productivity and lower operating cost are other benefits of the Crane-Bel hydraulic cylinders which are equipped with the following important components:
Crane-Bel hydraulic cylinder barrels are made from the imported Cold Drown Seamless Steel Pipes for reliable long life performance.
The seals are critical components of the hydraulic cylinders.Crane Bel hydraulic cylinders are provided with Unique "Mecastal" Piston Rings. For the static holding applications, special "Elastor" static pressure energized seals are provided, which offer positive sealing and maintenance free operation.
Piston rods are made of Medium Carbon Steel and are Hard-Chrome Plated and Ground to provide a smooth, hard and scratch resistant surface for long life trouble free operation.
One -piece, wide surface pistons of Crane-Bel hydraulic cylinders are made of special grade fine grained Cont. Cast Iron to withstand the heavy bearing loads, wear and impact during the operation of the cylinders.
These are the components, which are subjected to heavy bearing loads, stresses and impacts during the operation. Hence these are made out of best- suited high strength steel for greater product reliability and to meet requirement of the above properties.


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As we head into the most glorious time for college football, rivalry game weekend, there is an asterisk.
It is a documentary titled "Happy Valley." It is about a place and a school that, once perfectly named, may be less so now.
Penn State University sits in the center of Happy Valley. Its city, State College, population 41,757, has fewer smiley faces these days.
As we head into the biggest salute to the athletic courage shown in college football, there is another asterisk.
It is 35-year-old Matt Sandusky. If the surname doesn't click, we will help.
Matt Sandusky is the youngest son of Jerry Sandusky, the assistant coaching guru of the 46-year Joe...


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St. Matthew's Preschool & Kindergarten has served Snellville, GA, and the surrounding community since 1985. Over the past 33 years we have grown from just a handful of students to more than 80 today. St. Matthew's has grown to meet the needs of the community we serve. We strive to continue our original mission: to provide, a fun, loving, nurturing, and educational environment for preschoolers in our community.
We believe that child development is crucial during the preschool years, from the moment a child enters our one-year-old classroom until he/she graduates from our Kindergarten class. We strive to develop the "whole" child, including language skills, cognitive abilities, social/emotional maturation, fine and gross motor skills, and creativity. At St. Matthew's, children learn through play, arts and crafts, music and movement, circle and story time, and cognitive learning activities. Each class focuses on age-appropriate learning and skills.


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New Report Confirms that Access to Affordable Preventive Health Care Is Crucial for Women & Saves Substantial Public Dollars
For Immediate Release: Oct. 14, 2014
For Every $1 invested in Birth Control, Family Planning, More Than $7 saved
NEW YORK, NY – A new Guttmacher Institute report found that in addition to helping women and couples avoid unintended pregnancy and abortion, public investment in family planning services, like the ones Planned Parenthood health centers provide, also reduce the instances of cervical cancer, HIV, STIs, preterm and low birth-weight births, and infertility for women and their children.
This investment also resulted in saving substantial public dollars. In 2010, the government saved $13.6 billion or $7.09 for every public dollar spent – a figure that continues to increase over time.
"This new report demonstrates just how important access to affordable preventive health care is for women," said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "We have always known that these services were crucial for women but this report starts to show the real health benefits and better outcomes not just for women, but for their children."
In addition to preventing an estimated 2.2 million unintended pregnancies which would have led to 1.1 million unplanned births, the new analysis revealed in this report shows that approximately 288,000 of these births would have been spaced more closely than is recommended and 164,000 would have been preterm or low birth weight.
The new analysis also found that without publicly funded family planning services tens of thousands of STIs would have gone undetected and untreated and some 2.3 million would have forgone or postponed cervical cancer testing in 2010. As a result of Pap and HPV tests and HPV vaccines provided by publicly funded family planning services in 2010 an estimated 3,700 cases of cervical cancer and 2,100 cervical cancer deaths were prevented.
"We're very proud that Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country provide these essential health care services to more than a third of all publicly supported family planning center patients," said Richards. "We know that offering these services is a crucial lifeline for low-income women and their families."
In 2012, Planned Parenthood health centers provided nearly 500,000 Pap tests and advanced testing and treatment for thousands of women with abnormal Pap tests and precancerous conditions. Every year, Planned Parenthood health centers provide nearly 4.5 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and an estimated 515,000 unintended pregnancies are averted by Planned Parenthood contraceptive services each year.
Planned Parenthood believes that everyone deserves access to affordable quality health care, and our doors are open to everyone. To find a Planned Parenthood health center near you, or to find more information about the affordable preventive health care services we offer, visit plannedparenthood.org.
Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Planned Parenthood Federation of America media office: 212-261-4433
October 14, 2014


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- Creative
- Animation
- Film Production
- Fine Art
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Music Production
- Photography
- UI/UX Design
- Writing
** Update - combinations are further down the page.
I'm interested in responding to the overabundance of saccharine-sweet owls everywhere by contrasing them against the dual-meaning of the word grotesque. I don't have a particular form or idea solidified in my mind yet.
I've also created a Pinterest board of these images because I think it is easier to see all of the images at once that way.
** Update: I've grouped some of the photos together as I've been thinking of how some of these ideas might contrast and be combined.
I really like the idea of combining a cicada body and owl features. I'd like to sketch out some owls with cicada wings too.
Both the bison image and the flowers have similar eyes to me. Like the palettes.
In the images below I tried to find images of owls with awkward poses to contrast with elongated ornament.
The owls also make me think of all the birch trees in the woods up here in Alaska. They are everywhere and can seem a bit creepy on dark nights because of their numerous distinct dark eye and mouth shapes on the trunks. One night I wouldn't be surprised to see one of those eyes open up to peer back at me. I think this owl toy needs an accompanying birch tree with numorous eyes and mouths.


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Matt Black is a photographer from California's Central Valley. His work has explored themes of migration, farming, poverty and the environment in his native rural California and in southern Mexico. Recent photo essays have been published inThe New Yorker, Mother Jones, and Vice Magazines.
He was named Time Magazine's Instagram photographer of the year in 2014 and is a contributor to the @everydayusa photographers' collective. He has produced short films and multimedia pieces for msnbc.com, Orion Magazine, and The New Yorker, and has taught photography with the Foundry Photojournalism Workshops and the Los Angeles Center of Photography. Anastasia Photo gallery in New York represents his fine prints. He is a nominee to Magnum Photos.
His work has been profiled by National Geographic, The New York Times, National Public Radio, Time and Slate, and has been honored by the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, the Magnum Foundation Emergency Fund, World Press Photo, the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Pictures of the Year International, the Alexia Foundation, and the Center for Cultural Innovation, among others. He lives in Exeter, a small town in California's Central Valley.
All images © Matt Black


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Quilters Unlimited is a nonprofit organization of quilters, with all chapters and activities in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1972, we have grown to 11 chapters, unified by a central Board of Directors. Membership includes women and men of all ages, traditionalists and contemporary quilters, beginners to renowned experts.
Quilters Unlimited has 11 chapters. Some meet in the daytime and some have evening meetings. Find the one that is right for you.
Dulles Expo Center
Chantilly, VA


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Sometimes, less is more. Sometimes, more is more. Don't forget about addition by subtract. Michael Scott thinks that's impossible, but me, I'm not so sure. In the case of The War on Drugs June 9th show at Stage AE Pittsburgh, all cliches are true.
Going into the show, I had one major concern. I feared that their performance was going to be much like their "Lost in a Dream" album – full of highs and lows.
I loved "Lost in a Dream." Well, actually I liked most of "Lost in a Dream." I was turned on to the band through Slacker Radio when "Slave Ambient" was making the rounds, and I was pleased overall with the tunes and the vibe. The lack of standout tracks for me made the album quickly forgettable.
"Lost in a Dream" was different. I was so into Red Eyes for months when the track was released but heard nothing else from the album until, seemingly simultaneously, I heard Under the Pressure and An Ocean in Between the Waves. Wow and wow. Then Amazon Prime Music released the entire album.
The album is the tale of two sides as five tracks are high energy standouts and five others are painfully low, slow and, at times, tedious to listen too. The concert, sadly, was the same. I was so pumped and hopeful thinking that the critically-adored group would gather the highest of the highs from their 3 LPs and 1 EP to put together a set list that was solid from top to bottom. This would not be the case.
What I, and the rest of the Stage AE crowd, were treated to was a rather bipolar show. The good songs were furiously energetic showcases that induced head bobbing throughout the crowd. Under the Pressure was surely the zenith of the set as the band played for a solid 10-minute jam. The standouts from the album were the standouts during the show. They never felt long or stretched. I wanted more of each. The other songs just missed the same emotionality and energy I look for in a live show. I caught myself looking at my watch wondering when the show would end.
By the encore, I had seen what I wanted to see. I had heard what I wanted to hear. I hoped there would be a novel cover song dug out for the crowd, but alas, more of the same – long, droning tracks with Granduciel's not-so-subtle Dylan-influenced tone and phrasing becoming even more exaggerated. I banked on a song or two before the "Good night Pittsburghs," but five songs later they were still at it.
This leads me back to my original declarations. Sometimes less is more like when you cut the set list short to increase the quality and concentration of the show. Sometimes more is more when you have the crowd in the palm of your hand like during Under the Pressure. You had us on the journey – show us what else you had in store.
Luckily, the strength of the up tempo tracks did enough to compensate for the down tempo stuff.
Consume.Review.Repeat. gives The War on Drugs at Stage AE 5.5 Maggie's Farms out of 10.


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Dan Berg's Wreck Valley Collection
Shipwreck Salvage LAWS
By Capt. Dan Berg
In recent years archaeologists have fought to restrict divers from
diving on and removing artifacts from shipwrecks. New laws have been
passed to protect historically significant wrecks and I'm sure we
can expect additional legislation. The underwater archaeologist
contends that recreational divers and treasure hunters destroy
shipwrecks and sometimes do not preserve the artifacts they recover.
They want to have control over all wrecks and then limit our access
to them. In fact, I was recently told by the director of a marine
museum in Bermuda that he could not supply me with any historical
information because he did not want recreational divers to dive the
wrecks. My feelings on this subject are very strong, so without
going into detail, I would like to say that many museums have also
left their historically significant artifacts to decay without any
preservation, and many archaeologists are presently working on
shipwreck sites that were originally located by recreational divers
or treasure hunters. I also believe that leaving an artifact on a
wreck does not insure its survival. For example, I have seen objects
which unfortunately I couldn't get close enough to retrieve such as
portholes and china bowls get crushed after a storm or corrosion
collapsed a bulk head. I also feel that treasure hunters and
recreational divers are an invaluable source of information. These
divers are in the water every weekend and know not only the location
and layout of many wrecks but were also responsible for their
identification. Archaeologists do not have the funding or time to
explore all of the shipwrecks sport divers regularly dive on, and I
hope that the two sides can one day work together rather than
against each other. Anyone who recovers an artifact should only do
so if he is willing to preserve that artifact. Divers should also
display their treasures for all to see and enjoy. Displays can be
set up at local museums, libraries, and dive shops.
Before removing artifacts from a wreck, please check the
salvage laws
and antiquity protection laws in your area. Each state may have
different laws pertaining to the recovery of artifacts that fall
into the antiquity classification. Many times a sunken vessel may
not be legally abandoned by the owner. Removing artifacts would be
illegal. Believe me, it is important to be knowledgeable in local
laws before salvaging a shipwreck.
Shipwreck Diving,
by Capt. Dan Berg is a complete how to book about the sport of
wreck diving. This book is packed with information and heavily
illustrated with over 80 sensational color photographs.
Shipwreck Diving ebook
The complete diver's guide to mastering the skills of
shipwreck diving.
Buy Now
only $9.95
6 MB instant download, printable PDF file
Shipwreck Diving is a complete how to ebook about the sport of
wreck diving.
downloadable PDF e-book is packed with information and heavily
illustrated with over 80 sensational color photographs. Daniel
Berg, a noted wreck diver, instructor and author of ten
shipwrecks related books, describes all the basics of wreck
diving. Topics include everything from equipment
modifications, communication, and wreck penetration to
artifact preservation. Dan also tells how to navigate on a
wreck and be able to return to the anchor line after the dive.
Why some divers find more artifacts and explains how to catch
lobsters. Shipwreck Diving also covers such diverse topics as
shipwreck research, photography, spear fishing and how to use
an underwater metal detector. This exciting book tells all the
tricks of the trade that until now have only been learned
through years of experience. Shipwreck divers of all caliber
will find Shipwreck Diving informative, rewarding and
Check out Capt. Dan's
other shipwreck and Diving eBooks
photographs, sketches, images and text
Capt. Dan Berg / Aqua Explorers Inc
Cheshire Dr
Baldwin NY 11510
E-Mail firstname.lastname@example.com
Shipwreck Chart Art
New York/ New Jersey
New England
North Carolina
South Carolina
Florida Keys
Florida East Coast
Florida West Coast
Caribbean Shipwrecks
Cayman Islands
How To Guide to
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Bikini guide
Water Sport Guide
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Several have been added to the sidebar, including, today, Lu-Ann Farrar's Kentucky News Review, and Ask Us.
Dig through all the clip packs at once!
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So in part 1 of this video series I made the chess board, and in part 2 I made the chess pieces, and in this video I'm going to be making a box to hold both the pieces and the board.
I'd mainly use mahogany for the box, this was an offcut from a wardrobe panel that I used to make this mahogany box recently.
I started by ripping it to the height that I wanted the sides of the box to be and then I cleaned up the pieces using my thickness planer.
The mahogany was quite thick, so to get more out of the material I re-sawed it at the bandsaw, and then thickness planed again to remove the bandsaw blade marks and ensure they were all the same thickness.
Then I cut 45 degree mitres at the corners with the pieces sized to fit around the chess board. I used a stop block to get consistent cuts
I marked up for some housing joints which I would cut to accommodate some pieces which would split the box in to sections where all the chess pieces would be stored.
I lowered my tablesaw blade to half the thickness of the mahogany. Then I cut the housing joints wide enough to accomodate the pieces which were around 6mm. My blade kerf is 3mm so I could make the cut in two passes. I used my cross cut sled and a stop block again to ensure my cuts were consistent on each piece.
I cleaned up those cuts with a square file.
And then I could assemble the sides of the box. I used masking tape to hold the pieces at each joint together and also to prevent glue squeezeout on to the wood. I applied wood glue and added some elastic bands to apply pressure to get nice tight joints.
Then I checked the box for size, and the chessboard fitted in nicely with about 1mm of play around the perimeter which I was happy about.
Next I could mark up the length of the partitions and cut them to length at the mitre saw.
There were five partitions to add, one which I wanted to be almost the same height as the sides but about 10mm less that the chessboard would sit on, and four half height ones that would later hold the chess pieces. So I ripped some of the pieces at the tablesaw for the ones that would hold the piecse.
I applied some tape again to keep the glue up clean.
And here I'm ripped the centre partition to 10mm less than the sides. I then glued that in place.
Here I'm cutting some more plywood for the bottom of the box, this is the same plywood that I used in part 1 for the base of the chess board.
I glued that to the bottom of the box. And once it was dry I planed the edges flush with the sides. And the end grain of the ply will later be hidden by some trim pieces.
I did a bit of sanding to the sides of the box with my random orbit sander at 120 grit/
For the half height partitions I could then figure out the spacings to get the pawn chess pieces equally spaced. I'm useless at maths so I rely on a calculator for everything .
I first marked up where the centre of each piece would be, and then centre the pawn by eye to the marks, and marked up the width of the pawn. I'm not going for precise accuracy here, just that the pieces look equally spaced by eye.
I set my tablesaw blade to about 10mm in height and made the cuts to remove material based on the markings I'd made.
Then I could check the fit, and one or two slots needed to be cut a fraction wider.
I cleaned up the slots with my electric file. This is such a useful tool and I use it far more than I ever expected to.
I could then make the cuts to the rest of the partitions and then glue them in place
With the glue dry I could then remove the tape.
Next I set up a stop block on the cross cut sled for cutting some slots in to the back of each chess piece so that the chess pieces would slot neatly in to the box.
I moved the fence by 3mm, and then made another pass to widen the slot.
And then I cleaned up the cuts with a file.
I used the calipers to figure out how high I wanted the sides of the box to be and then set my fence and made the cuts.
I used the hand plane to get the central partition flush with the sides of the box.
And then I used a couple of sacrificial scrap pieces of wood in order to balance the router with a straight bit installed, on top of the box and I used that to cut away the material and lower the height of the partition. I took two passes to get it to the right height.
I could then do a bit of clean up with a chisel and some sand paper.
Next I ripped some more pieces of beech to create a trim for the box. I mitred the trim at the mitresaw and then applied glue and clamped it in place with elastic bands and small F clamps.
I did a bit more clean up with a hand plane and sanding and the mitre joints looked really nice.
And I added another mitred trim at the bottom to hide the plywood endgrain.
I ripped a piece of mahogany at a 45 degree angle on the tablesaw and then cut them to length at the bandsaw.
I pushed the corner supports in place until the hot glue set.
Next I applied some teak oil finish to the box, and in one or two places you can see there was some dried up glue, so I scraped that off with a chisel and applied oil again.
Unfortunately the board didn't sit level on the corner supports at first so I needed to chisel away some material to remove the wobble.
Then I applied oil to the inside of the box.
And finally I made a few finishing touches, I added these adhesive rubber feet to the bottom of the box, I cut some more felt and used epoxy to glue them to the corners of the chess board so that the board won't damage any surfaces, and the felt would also cushion wouldn't scratch or damage any surfaces and also it's a soft layer in between the board and the corner supports of the box.
I also added some of this gold ribbon to either side of the bottom of the chess board, which I attached with a drawing pin after making a small hole with an awl. These would be used to lift the board out of the box.
Then the box got a spray varnish finish to give it some protection.
And finally, I added my branding to the bottom of the box using a rubber stamp and sealed it with some more spray varnish


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The Doms of Her Life, Book 4
Since Macen "Hammer" Hammerman shares the bond he's long craved with Raine Kendall and his best friend, Liam O'Neill, he should be looking forward to a bright future. But a vengeful force from the past returns to cast a long shadow. As Hammer reels from a bombshell that exhumed struggles he'd buried after his late wife's passing, he learns her death may not be ruled a suicide after all.
Worse, a figure from Raine's childhood surfaces, determined to rip her away for good. As the threats against the trio multiply, Hammer must confront his demons while leaning on Liam to keep their new family intact. But with emotions running high and forces mounting against them, can their love survive so they can finally live happily ever after?
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(*Line taken from Laugh-In )
For the chops, I make a gravy from the skillet leavings with butter, hot water and a beef bouillion cube; adding 3 tablespoons of marsala wine while scraping the skillet and cooking down until it thickens a bit. The secret ingredient was coffee! I was too lazy to take the time to boil 1/4 cup of water, so I used fresh, hot black coffee to melt the bouillion and it was fine! I thought I might be able to tell a difference in the sauce, but it was just the same. I guess I saved a bit of energy there (not mine - the electricity! LOL)


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Jonathan Schipper
Rice Gallery, Houston
6 October - 4 December 2016
6100 Main Street - Houston, Texas 77005
Rice Gallery, Houston
6 October - 4 December 2016
Slow Inevitable Death of American Muscle, 2008
JONATHAN SCHIPPER, known for his time-based, kinetic installations, will create Cubicle, a new installation for Rice Gallery. Schipper's works reveal the flow of time as imperceptible until, as in life, we see the physical evidence of its passing. In his Slow Inevitable Death of American Muscle, 2008, two full-size automobiles crush into one another to simulate the force of a 30 mph head-on collision slowed down to unfold over several days. For Cubicle, Jonathan Schipper will construct an office setting that will undergo subtle, yet inescapable changes over two months. The opening celebration will take place on Thursday, October 6 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, and will feature remarks by Jonathan Schipper at 6:00 pm.
Jonathan Schipper notes the role of physics in his work, saying, "The most static object is still in motion at a molecular level and the world is always changing. Even if the object was this perfect thing that stayed the same, we as a society change how we view it. My installations are about destruction and creation, and they generally have no static point. It is the process of changing them that is the point." Cubicle will be Jonathan Schipper's newest work in his ongoing Slow Room series. For his installation, Slow Room, 2014 in State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Jonathan Schipper drew upon the museum convention of the period room, where from behind a barrier visitors see a staged room offering what seems to be a glimpse into the past. Jonathan Schipper scoured thrift stores and secondhand shops to create a cozy-looking, old-fashioned American living room with striped wallpaper, yellow floral print couch and matching chairs, coffee table, knick-knacks, and even a small piano. Each object was connected to a string threaded through a tiny hole in the room's rear wall. Behind the wall, a mechanical winch Jonathan Schipper had modified pulled everything into the hole. Repeat visitors over the four-month course of the exhibition could track the plodding collapse of the once staid-looking room into a chaotic clump of debris.
Attracted to the creative power of destruction as well as cultural obsolescence, Jonathan Schipper chose a cubicle-filled office space for his Rice Gallery installation as a symbol of a not-too-distant past. What began as a utopian promise of increased workplace comfort and privacy for employees has now fallen out of fashion with the reemergence of the open-plan office. With its utopian veneer stripped away, the basic office cubicle may conjure despair and entrapment. In Cubicle, Jonathan Schipper will take this loaded symbol and subject it to his signature method of ongoing mechanical stress.
Jonathan Schipper was born in Chico, California in 1973. He received a BFA in sculpture from San Francisco Art Institute in 1996, an MFA from Rinehart School of Sculpture at Maryland Institute College of Art in 1998, and was awarded a fellowship from Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Maine in 2001. Jonathan Schipper has exhibited throughout the United States and Europe, including the Swiss Institute, New York, New York; Ballroom Marfa, Marfa, Texas; and Museum Tinguely, Basel, Switzerland. He lives and works in New York and is represented by Pierogi, New York.
6100 Main Street - Houston, Texas 77005


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Contact Us
We are located in the heart of beautiful Bloor West Village conveniently close to Jane Subway Station. Our address is 2372A Bloor Street West Toronto ON M6S 1P5.
TTC: Take the Subway to Jane Station and use the Bloor street exit. Walk 2 blocks East. We are located over Amber restaurant on the North side of Bloor street.
Driving: Take the South Kingsway exit from the Gardiner Expressway. Travel North until Bloor street and then East on Bloor until Willard Avenue. There are Green P parking lots off Willard Ave and off Armadale Ave just north of Bloor.
Questions? Please email us. Or give us a call at (647) 993-1130
For online booking please click.


text:
A properly fitting bike will make you more comfortable, more efficient, and less likely to sustain injury. A bike fitting focuses on proper alignment of five touch points: hands, feet, and seat (and forearms if you're using aero bars). The most important characteristic of your bike is that you love riding it! And the most important thing about loving your bike is how well it suits your riding needs and how comfortably it fits your body.
During a professional fitting we start with an interview to go over your long and short term goals, problems on the bike, and medical/surgical history that may impact your cycling. If you're riding with clipless pedals or need to be fitted for shoes/clipless pedals, the fitting takes 2 hours or more. If you're riding with flat pedals, count on about an hour.
A Pro fit is included when you purchase a bike at Proteus with value of $1500 or more.*
We're happy to schedule a fitting for you even if you didn't buy a bike from Proteus! Pro fit with clipless pedals is $200. A flat pedal fitting is $100.
Contact firstname.lastname@example.com to schedule.
Buying a Bike from Proteus
The most important characteristic of your new bike is that you love riding it! And the most important thing about loving your bike is how well it suits your riding needs and how comfortably it fits your body.
Ideally, we recommend you plan at least 1-2 hours to shop for a bike. First, we'd like to discuss the kind of riding you want to do. You may want a very versatile bike or you may be looking to fill a specific need ("I want to train for a longer charity ride," or "I want to commute from Bethesda to DC").
Then we'll set up several different types of bikes that would fit your needs and let you test them out to your heart's content. We'd prefer that you test bikes with different frame and wheel styles – for example, a steel frame vs. an aluminum frame, or wider tires vs. narrower tires – to feel the differences in ride and handling.
What to Bring
In general, you'll need comfortable clothes and shoes for testing bikes. For most people, you'll want to wear clothes that mimic how you'll be riding, which means comfy clothes and tennis shoes. Of course, if you plan on riding to work in a suit or in a dress and heels, that's fine too – we have bikes for that!
If you have bike shoes and clipless pedals, please bring them! If it's cold, bring your riding gloves and jacket. (Tip: jeans are nice and cozy in a heated car, but they're very cold for testing bikes in winter. Better to wear sweats, a track suit, or bike gear when it's cold or damp.) Everyone is required to wear a helmet for test rides. Though we have loaner helmets, we encourage you to bring your own.
Bike testing and fitting take time, so there is often at least some waiting. We have barstools and a couch area for lounging. When the weather's nice, there are chairs out back on the "patio." When it's cold, you're welcome to relax by the wood stove while we set up bikes for you to test ride.
Questions the Shop Staff Will Ask
What type of riding would you like to do?
Commuting a short distance and quick trips to the store in the city? Commute every day in all weather? Thinking about longer-distance commuting or touring? Do you want to ride off road most of the time? Interested in road racing or "century" (100 mile or kilometer) weekend rides? Are you looking for a particular type of versatility in your bike, such as "fast enough for commuting 20 miles a day, but also capable of handling rough roads or dirt tracks." (Hint, that last requirement will prompt us to show you cyclocross bikes!)
Do you ride a bike now?
A lot of the time riders will be able to best explain what they're looking for in relation to the riding they do now. For example, it's very common for DC commuters who have been riding Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) bikes to want to get a bike of their own. They may want a durable, but not too expensive city bike, such as a Jamis Commuter or Coda, or a Kona Dew.
Other customers will say "I have an old hybrid bike, but it doesn't work very well. I'd like to get a fast bike with better gears so that I can take longer rides on weekends, and maybe train for some long-distance charity rides, but I want it to be comfortable." This might be ideal candidates for a Bianchi lightweight steel road bike, or a Jamis aluminum road bike with carbon seat stays and fork (the aluminum is light, and the carbon helps reduce vibration on long rides).
Do you have any special issues or injuries that would limit your bike selection?
It's really important to let our staff know if you have special issues that could affect what type of bike would be best for you. For example, I spoke with a woman who didn't really know what type of bike she needed for commuting, but she had one very important consideration: She lived in a third floor walk-up apartment, and would have to be able to carry her bike up two flights of stairs. (She didn't have a safe place to lock up on the ground floor.) That's a really important thing! There would be no point looking at heavy mountain bikes in that example. She probably needed a pretty lightweight bike! For her gear, a backpack might be a better choice than a rack for panniers (saddlebags), since bikes with loaded panniers are awkward to carry.
Some riders may be taking up biking because of running or sports injuries. Others are looking to improve their fitness or lose weight. Some new riders may not have much experience and want lots of teaching and coaching as they get started. Many want to save money on commuting costs or may be on a very limited budget. Discussing these sorts of things with us can often help us recommend the best bike for you and help you get started enjoying it!
Testing Bikes
After you've spent a few minutes discussing the riding you'd like to do, we'll show you some bikes that might fit the bill. We don't necessarily start with expensive bikes. In fact, our goal is to get more people riding, so it makes sense, especially with newer riders, to start with the basics.
We'll start with a quick standover test to see if the bike looks like the right size and if the saddle height and your leg extension look reasonable. These eyeball fit inspections are no substitute for getting the bike on the trainer, but they'll suffice for testing. Then we take the bike back to the shop area and set it up. We'll double check the brakes and gears and get it ready for your test ride.
We'll give you a quick briefing on how to use the gears, grab you a helmet, and off you'll go! The neighborhood streets behind the shop are excellent for testing bikes. There are flat sections and hills. If you want to go fast, you can try that on Rhode Island Avenue (bike lane).
Fitting Your Bike
If you decide you want a bike, the next step is to put it on the trainer and ensure it's the right size. Sometime the eyeball fit inspection isn't exactly right. It's not uncommon to have to go up or down a size once we take a more careful look at your pedal stroke and hand and seat position on the trainer.
A bike that's too big can be awkward or uncomfortable to handle. A bike that's too small may not allow enough leg extension, especially for tall riders. Since bike shops tend to stock a lot of medium-sized bikes, it's not uncommon to see smaller riders on bikes that are too big, and taller riders on bikes that are too small.
In some cases, we might not have your perfect size in stock. In that case, we can usually do a fit test on a comparable bike by the same manufacturer or with the same frame geometry. It's always best to get a bike that's the right size, even if it means taking the time to special order.
Every bike gets individually fit to the rider on a trainer, regardless of the price or style. We'll look at your leg position, and the comfort points (your hands and seat). You can swap out saddles based on what fits your bottom best. If you have riding shoes, we'll set up the cleat position for you.
Bicycle Accessories
If you are buying anything that needs to be installed (like rack or fenders), we'll install those for free when we're doing the safety/sales check on your new bike. Important accessories include things like a helmet, saddle or stem bag, tire levers, extra tube, frame pump (for fixing the inevitable flat), lock, and cycling clothing. Commuters often ask for a rack, fenders, and bags (panniers) that fit on the rack. If you're planning to travel with your bike, you may want to consider a rack to carry your bike on your car. For more information, the National Bicycle Dealers Association has a nice article on bicycle accessories.
Warranty Tune-Up
After the sale, every bike gets a complementary warranty tune-up within the first 3 months. This is because it can take a few rides to "break in" the bike. Cables may stretch and need adjustment; brakes need to be double checked. Please let the mechanic know if you have any questions about your bike when you bring it in for warranty tune.
Happy riding!