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I set everything up like the online manual says, disconnected everything, removed the radiator and steering housing, removed 2 caps screws and 4 bolt/nuts, but the engiine won't budge. I tried a few whacks with a copper mallet and got the left hand side to open a little, squirted WD40 in the crack. then wedged in a putty knife on the right hand side, got WD40 in there too, but it won't move. I tried putting lift pressure on the engine and then relaxing it, wiggling the engine side to side, more whacks with the mallet, still no movement. Have I missed anything, or does it sound like something's fused in there, maybe I have more than a stuck engine, or the engine not stuck at all? Oh ya, the transmission will shift, I removed the bellhousing panel behind the oil pan, the tractor was sitting outside a long time with the little round clutch cover on the bellhousing missing.
Thanks, Glenn


text: Tonight on The Verve Show, an entertainment alternative,the wizards gather to discuss one of the most controversial topics out there, healthcare. Tonight the wizards are: Phil Johnson, Eloisa Bravo, and L.A. comedian gone rouge (he said he won't use make-up till after the op) Jason Thomas.And, of course, we have our resident psychologist Brian King with "On The Couch with Dr. Brian". Tune in tonight 8-10pm or download later.

subset: commoncrawl


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By BRAD KELLAR
Herald-Banner Staff
Proposed changes to City of Greenville personnel policy, designed to help prevent child sexual abuse, sparked a spirited debate before the city council last week.
"At the end of the day, the goal of this policy is to protect children from sexual abuse," said Hunt County Court at Law No. 1 Judge Andrew Bench, who helped draft the new policy.
But some city employees said the proposed changes would at best be difficult to implement and at worst could endanger successful programs.
Mayor Steve Reid asked that the issue be tabled to see if a compromise can be worked out.
"I think it is crucial that we find some kind of happy medium" Reid said.
The council was recognized September 10 for the City of Greenville's participation in the "Darkness to Light" program.
Bench made the presentation, recognizing the city achieving a "Partner in Prevention" designation, for training more than 90 percent of city employees under the Darkness to Light program, which seeks to protect children from sexual abuse by encouraging awareness and providing training; and by urging adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly.
During the same meeting, the council was scheduled to formally adopt a new Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy, calling for the adoption of revisions to the city's personnel manual. The new rules would apply to city employees as well as volunteers involved with City of Greenville programs or activities where the city has primary responsibility for the supervision and care of minor children.
Bench told the council that the regulations would not apply for events such as the upcoming Halloween On The Square, but would cover city employees who have direct contact with minors. He noted the proposed policy was the ninth draft which had he had pared down from the original seven pages to three. Even so, he understood some city employees were concerned about the measure.
"I think that some easy changes would eliminate those issues," Bench said. "I think if we are going to be passionate about something, this is what we need to be passionate about."
One of the more controversial regulations would mandate that a city employee or volunteer escort any child under 17 years of age who needs to go the restroom, wait outside the facility, then accompany the child back.
"You can't let kids go to the bathroom on their own," Bench said. "This is a danger that we know. This is a danger that we are aware of."
Some of the arguments against the rule dealt with a lack of available personnel at the library to make sure a child arrives and departs a bathroom safely, or questions over whether youth athletic practices would need to be interrupted.
Library Director Paul Phelan also asked about the proposal to prevent any personal contact via electronic media between city employees and minors. Phelan said the policy as written would prevent him from "liking" the Facebook page of a teenage library patron. Phelan said he also uses phone calls and e-mail to send warnings of overdue books, notices that a requested book had arrived at the library or to provide homework assistance, and was worried he would be in violation of the policy if he continued the practice.
Bench explained almost all of his concerns could be handled by making sure the communications are only handled through a city account and that at least one other city employee is notified each time a contact is made.
Acting Parks and Recreation Director Kimber Patterson said her staff is stretched as it is.
"Right now we are working under a policy of doing more with less," Patterson said, adding her office usually oversees several programs at once. "I try to have at least one staff member at all activities."
If there were no other option, Patterson said the proposed policy would require lifeguards at Ja-Lu Pool to escort children to the bathroom.
Police Chief Daniel J. Busken said his department offers a wide variety of youth programs throughout the year, through the Summer of Safety to the Police Explorers Post, opportunities which would not be possible without the support of a large group of volunteers.
"Even with those volunteers, escorting teenagers to the bathroom is going to be a problem for us," Busken said.
Sgt. C. J. Crawford has been the Explorer's adviser for 17 years and objected to regulations under the policy which would prevent her from having direct physical contact with a minor.
Crawford explained the Explorers are teens who have expressed a desire to pursue a career in law enforcement and part of the program involves teaching how to apply handcuffs and take down a suspect.
"That requires hands on training," Crawford said. "It's very hard to train from a distance."
Bench said he understood Crawford's concerns.
"I personally don't think the hands on training is a good idea," Bench said.
Other concerns raised by the employees dealt with a rule which would prevent any city employee from being in a place with a minor to where they could not be seen or interrupted by someone else, which Crawford argued could eliminate the police department's ride-along program.
Bench said that issue could be addressed by having another officer or minor in the Explorer Post or Teen Police Academy go along.
"Having a policy where an adult can be alone with a child for a certain amount of time is a bad policy," Bench said.
Council member Renee Francey also suggested Bench and the employees come to some sort of compromise.
"Nobody's on the same page and I'm more worried about that than I am about not having a policy," Francey said.
Bench said he had been working on the policy for months, to where it included only those regulations which were absolutely necessary.
"I don't think waiting until a child has been molested and then presenting the case for prosecution is the answer," Bench said. "If you have a policy that allows them to have their hands on a minor in any way, that is a mistake."


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Blue Raiders struggle in 10-4 loss against rival Hilltoppers
Three players record hits for extra basesMarch 19, 2011 · MT Athletic Communications
Junior Justin Guidry had a two-RBI double against rival Western Kentucky Saturday afternoon. (Bradley Lambert)
· Box Score
The Hilltoppers (12-6, 2-0) recorded 11 hits, including eight for extra bases, off four Middle Tennessee (5-12, 0-2) pitchers. Sophomore Hunter Adkins took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits in 3.2 innings of work.
"Early in the game we hit the ball hard and right at people. Western Kentucky did the same thing. Then in the third inning we wilted, they got the solo home run and then we just fell apart. They got the big inning and it really wasn't the same after that. They pretty much had their way with whatever they wanted to do," head coach Steve Peterson said. "It's a very difficult loss but we're not competing in every phase of the game very well at all, especially on the pitchers' mound."
The Blue Raiders were scoreless until the seventh when they scored all four of their runs. Sophomore Ryan Ford led the team at the plate going 2 for 3 with an RBI and scored a run. Senior Will Skinner, junior Justin Guidry and freshman Trent Miller each recorded a double in the game and Guidry drove in two Blue Raider runs with his extra base hit.
Western Kentucky had three players with three hits each and Jared Andreoli led the way going 3 for 5 with two home runs, three RBI and scored two runs.
Hilltopper pitcher, Justin Hageman, took the win on the mound as he worked 6.2 innings allowing four runs on six hits and four strikeouts. He stifled the Middle Tennessee hitters' allowing just two hits until the seventh when the Blue Raiders got three straight after opening the inning with a fly out.
Western Kentucky put a run on the board first after Andreoli hit a solo home run to right field to open the bottom of the third. After Adkins loaded the bases after issuing a walk to Carter, Robbins hit a bases clearing double to the left field corner giving the Hilltoppers a 4-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers added another run in the fourth when Rice hit a two-out double to the left field corner scoring Hartle from first, 5-0. Then in the fifth, Western Kentucky extended its lead to six on a sacrifice fly.
Rice hit a two-run shot to right field in the sixth adding two more runs for the Hilltoppers, 8-0.
Middle Tennessee got on the board in the seventh when a single to short right field by Ford scored Morris from third, 8-1. Then Guidry double to deep right center to bring in Miller from third and Ford from first, 8-3. Guidry scored on a single to centerfield by Thomas making it a four-run game. The Blue Raiders ended the inning scoring four runs on five hits to cut the Western Kentucky lead, 8-4.
Western Kentucky responded quickly to the Blue Raiders' big inning as Andreoli hit a two-out home run to right centerfield taking the lead back out to six, 10-4.
The Blue Raiders will wrap-up the three-game series with Western Kentucky on Sunday, March 20 at 1 p.m.
Friend of the Blue Raiders? Like us on Facebook and become part of the True Blue army today.
More Baseball NewsJul 23, 2014: Raiders in the Pros: Curtis a Northwest League All-Star
Jul 10, 2014: MT Baseball adds two junior college standouts
Jul 7, 2014: Four Blue Raiders to play in summer league All-Star games
Jun 23, 2014: Raiders in the Pros: Blackham inks pro contract
Jun 16, 2014: Blue Raider duo earn ABCA All-Region honors
Jun 7, 2014: Pair of Raiders selected on final day of MLB Draft


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The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is reporting the state's first West Nile virus death of 2014. The death occurred in Caddo Parish. This week, DHH is confirming six new cases of West Nile virus, including the one death, bringing this year's total number of cases to nine. This week's new infections include four cases of neuroinvasive disease, with two cases in Caddo Parish, one case in East Baton Rouge Parish and one case in St. Tammany Parish. The state has one new case of West Nile fever in Caddo and one new asymptomatic case in Livingston Parish. In addition to these new cases, a previously reported asymptomatic case in Livingston Parish has been upgraded to West Nile fever.
This summer, the Department of Health and Hospitals' Office of Public Health awarded $405,000 to Weston Water System, Inc. through the State's Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program (DWRLF). The loan will provide assistance to the system to install a new drinking water well.
The new school year is approaching, is your child ready? Preparation isn't limited to getting uniforms and school supplies. Every child should be protected before heading to the classroom and that means being certain they are up-to-date on their childhood vaccinations. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals reminds parents that ensuring children have received their necessary vaccinations is not only important, it's the law.
The proposed rule codifies the product registration fee schedule within section 105 of Part VI of Title 51 of the Louisiana Administrative Code raises the per-product fee from $20 to $27, as provided for by Act 125 of the 1st Extraordinary Session of the 2000 Louisiana Legislature.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has reported the state's first human cases of West Nile virus of 2014. The three cases were recently confirmed in Livingston Parish and were all asymptomatic, meaning these individuals did not know they were infected, and only found out while donating blood or having blood work.
The goal of the surveillance for West Nile Infections in Humans is to describe the disease burden of the West Nile infection on the human population.
The Louisiana Tobacco Control Program (LTCP) is a state program within the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Office of Public Health's (OPH) Health Promotion Team.


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"Aqua skin Qing Jun 120 grains is a nutritional supplement for vitamin B1, vitamin B6, biotin. Using the low molecule hyaluronic acid. To 4 grains (1200 mg) are g blending 12.24 mg, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, 3.90 mg, biotin, 254.4 μm
-Using hyaluronic acid and absorbed into the body, as in low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (low-molecular-weight industry) coupled with protein absorption food ECM-E
-ECM E is from the cockscomb chickens were proven safe through safety testing and toxicity test of extraction and processing.
Patented in 9 countries around the world
-Hyaluronic acid formulations mucho polysaccharide complex of 420 mg ( 1, 4 grain ) intake
|Content amount
120 Grain
|Raw materials
Crista Galli of ECM E, fish collagen dextrin oligosaccharides, powdered cellulose, sucrose esters of fatty acids, silicon dioxide, vitamin B6, biotin, shellac
|Nutritional information
Energy 4.69 kcal
|Suggested usage
-1 Day 4 grain to served. Drink with water or lukewarm water without chewing.
|Original release
Miyarisan pharmaceuticals
|Ads responsibility
Tagajo pharmacy co., Ltd.
Made in Japan and nutritional functional foods
|JP Post EMS
|Your order will be shipped to you via Japan Post EMS. Japan Post is a speedy delivery service that delivers to more than 120 countries. With an effective tracking system and insurance program, EMS is able to offer a secure delivery worldwide. You can track your package with the tracking code provided and it will be delivered within a week. See estimated shipping fee
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Found March 05, 2013 on Fox Sports Midwest:
PLAYERS: Jeff Carter, Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Bernier, Jonathan Quick, Patrik Berglund, Jaroslav Halak, Brian Elliott
TEAMS: Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues
TEAMS: Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues
(AP) -- The last time the Los Angeles Kings hosted the St. Louis Blues, they completed a sweep of their playoff series on their way to winning their first Stanley Cup title. The Kings' recent surge started with a victory at St. Louis. Jeff Carter and Los Angeles look to continue their outstanding stretch by beating the Blues for the seventh consecutive meeting Tuesday night at Staples Center. The Kings (11-7-2) outscored the Blues 15-6 while sweeping them out of the second round of last season's playoffs, clinching the series with a 3-1 home victory. They beat St. Louis again Feb. 11, when Carter scored twice en route to a 4-1 road win for their eighth victory in nine meetings and sixth in a row including the postseason. Los Angeles has parlayed the most recent victory over the Blues (11-8-2) into an 8-2-0 spurt after sputtering to a 3-5-2 start. Carter has been a force with 10 goals in these 10 games, giving him 14 on the season to tie Pittsburgh's James Neal for second in the league, three back of Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos. Carter has also found the net six times over the past four home games, while the Kings have won five in a row there. He netted a hat trick Monday, spurring a 5-1 romp over Nashville to open this five-game homestand. "He's been unbelievable for us and he's scoring some big goals," goaltender Jonathan Bernier said. "We need a guy like that who takes over, and he's doing that right now." It's unclear if Bernier or Jonathan Quick will be in net Tuesday. Bernier made 18 saves against the Predators to win a fifth straight start, allowing one goal in each. He had 21 saves at St. Louis last month to start that streak. "Every time (coach Darryl) Sutter puts me in, I've got to do my job," Bernier said. "I'm lucky that the guys have been playing very well in front of me, and that makes my job a lot easier." Quick allowed four goals in a 5-2 loss at Vancouver on Saturday, but has a 0.99 goals-against average and two shutouts while winning six of his last seven starts against the Blues. He's 3-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA in his last four home starts this season. St. Louis is 6-3-1 on the road, but opened this five-game trek with a 4-1 defeat at Dallas on Sunday, falling for the fourth time in six games overall. "We had too many average performances. What can you say?" coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Too many average performances doesn't get it done on the road." Production from Patrik Berglund would be a welcome change. The center leads the team with nine goals, but he has gone five straight games without a point after finding the net once in each of the previous four. Berglund doesn't have a point in the last 10 overall meetings with Los Angeles. Alex Steen scored St. Louis' only goal against the Kings last month, and he's managed four in the past six regular-season meetings. The center failed to beat Quick on 13 shots during the playoffs. The Blues may return to Jaroslav Halak after resting him in favor of Brian Elliott, who had 23 stops Sunday in his first start since making 19 saves against L.A. He's 0-4-1 with a 4.83 GAA over his last five starts, while Halak is 5-1-1 with a 1.90 GAA and two shutouts this season. Elliott has a 3.12 GAA while losing all nine of his starts versus the Kings, and he was in net during the postseason. Halak, meanwhile, is 4-2-0 with a 1.60 GAA and two shutouts in six meetings since arriving in St. Louis.
Original Story: http://www.foxsportsmidwest.com/03/05...
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Investigators have reasonable cause to believe Wednesday's structure fire at 235 Canal St. was not an accident, the Shelton Herald reports.
Police Lt. Robert Kozlowsky said an electrical problem couldn't have started the blaze because there is no power in the abandoned building.
"We have two detectives who are certified in arson investigation and they are working hand-in-hand with the fire marshal's office," Kozlowsky told the Herald. "We're at the stage where we're trying to determine it was an accident or arson."
The fire did spread to and damage neighboring business Better Packages, Inc. Aside fro a firefighter's sprained ankle, no one was injured.


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The Keys to Good Personal Branding
Consultant Dorie Clark explains why having a personal brand is so important.
Dorie Clark is a former presidential campaign spokeswoman and a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Recognized as a "branding expert" by the Associated Press, she is the author of "Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future" and a marketing strategy consultant and speaker for clients including Google, Fidelity, Microsoft, Yale University, Morgan Stanley and the World Bank.
Clark is an Adjunct Professor of Business Administration at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and has taught executive education at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler School of Business as well as HEC-Paris. She has guest lectured at Harvard Business School, the Harvard Kennedy School, Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and more. Her work has been published in the Harvard Business Review Guide to Getting the Right Job and the Harvard Business Review Guide to Networking, and she frequently appears in worldwide media including NPR, the BBC and MSNBC. (Learn more at dorieclark.com and follow her on Twitter @dorieclark.)
I had the opportunity to interview Clark.
Please tell us about being shortlisted for Thinkers50, the premier global ranking of management thinkers.
I'm honored to be shortlisted for Thinkers50. It's an amazing group of people and especially meaningful for me because my background is so nontraditional compared to most business thinkers or strategists. My master's degree is in theology, not business, and I was a journalist, a presidential campaign spokesperson, a nonprofit executive director and a documentary filmmaker before entering the business world. In many ways, being shortlisted is a validation of the themes I discuss in my book, "Reinventing You," we can all reinvent ourselves and our careers if we work hard and are strategic about the process.
[See a collection of political cartoons on the economy.]
Should personal branding be taught in schools? When and how?
It would be fantastic if every student learned about personal branding (or leadership, or other real world business skills) in school. But they're competing for classroom time with math, reading, science and other foundational skills, so it's probably a hard sell. However, I think personal branding is a perfect topic for guest lectures in schools (in fact, I recently gave a talk to the Stanford Online High School), and students are incredibly responsive – after all, teenagers are probably more cognizant of their brands and how they're perceived by others than any adult. I also think the cream often rises to the top, and with the amazing resources available for free online, motivated students – or executives – can now give themselves a great education in personal branding or almost any other topic by watching videos, reading blogs and accessing the cornucopia of free information that exists.
Please tell us about the work you are currently doing with Harvard students.
I often guest lecture at Harvard, as I'm based in Boston and am an alumna of Harvard Divinity School. (I recently did a sold out talk for the Harvard Alumni Association, and I was thrilled that a webinar I did earlier this month for the Harvard Business School Alumni Association attracted nearly 300 participants.) But my primary teaching affiliation is with Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. I recently taught a class there on Marketing Strategy, focused on how marketing is changing and adapting in a social world. I also teach executive communication, media interview skills, personal branding and social media to students in the Global Executive MBA program.
How does one avoid over-promotion of oneself? Where does that line exist?
One of the reasons many people shy away from personal branding is that they fear any efforts in that direction will be perceived as bragging, and will end up turning people off. One of the strategies I discuss in my book, "Reinventing You," comes from a great academic, Professor Robert Cialdini, an emeritus professor at Arizona State University. He discovered that – as we know – people who talk about how great they are do alienate people. But there's an important exception to that rule: we can get away with writing things that we can't get away with saying. Thus, if we're meeting someone for the first time, Cialdini suggests sending an introductory email in advance that mentions our background and experience "as a way of making the meeting more productive." That way, the person hears about how great we are – but we don't have to say a word once we enter the room. The information is received very differently if it's written, and people are far more likely to recognize your authority on a subject.
[Read the U.S. News Debate: Are College Rankings a Good Thing?]
What are some of the mistakes people commit in reinventing themselves?
The biggest mistake people make when reinventing themselves is not creating a narrative. Often, people will assume others understand why they're making a transition, or they think others will immediately grasp how their skills are transferable. Often, that's not the case: they simply aren't paying that close attention to us. It's our responsibility to create a clear, coherent narrative that explains why we're moving from Point A to Point B, and how our past experience adds value to the new venture. Without that, other people will come up with their own explanations, and they may be random, inaccurate or unflattering.
Are there differences, and should there be, between the way millennials v. baby boomers brand themselves?
I actually think baby boomers should work harder on social media than millennials. If you're 50+, you're likely to face bias in the workplace – an assumption that you're less familiar with social media and today's technology. To combat those notions, you need to work even more diligently familiarizing yourself with the tools, and establishing a presence for yourself on key social networks. If you have a Klout score that's higher than the person evaluating you, it'll shut them up fast.
How can people overcome mistakes immortalized on the internet?
The only sure way to overcome negative information about you online is to drown it out. That's why it's so important for every professional to create content: you want to "own your SEO results." In other words, when someone searches for your name, the ideal situation is that all the top entries that come up should be content that you've created. So create a LinkedIn profile (the bare minimum for every professional), and if you're motivated, a Twitter account, a blog, or a podcast interview series – these days, the tools are free and easy to use without any technical knowledge. It's simply a matter of commitment and a willingness to put in the time.
[See a collection of political cartoons on the budget and deficit.]
Thoughts on the Kardashian brand?
The Kardashians have succeeded in becoming widely known, and they're well compensated as a result of that celebrity. The challenge in personal branding is to understand what your ultimate goal is and to act accordingly. You can gain fame through courting controversy or sharing very personal information, and it might get you short-term money or exposure. But if you'd like a brand that pays dividends in the long-term and earns the respect of your peers, you may choose to behave differently.
Does meritocracy exist in corporate America?
The quality of your work certainly matters – but it is not, and never has been, enough to guarantee you a good career and professional advancement. After all, would you want to work for someone who is "good at his job" but is so negative and bitter, no one can stand to be around him? Your personal brand – in other words, your reputation – has always been extremely important. You need to understand how you're perceived by others, and if that doesn't line up with how you'd like to be seen, you have to work assiduously to close the gap.
How much do top tier educations and experience at established companies count on a resume?
We face an onslaught of so many branding messages; people are always looking for shortcuts. ("If you went to Harvard, you must be smart.") Indeed, they're often helpful; Harvard graduates aren't always brilliant, but they've at least been pre-screened. If you do have "blue chip" affiliations – whether it's the college you went to, the firm you worked for, the gallery you show at or the like – it's a smart move to leverage them and make sure they're prominently mentioned in your bio. But even if you don't have those assets, there are many options these days for building your personal brand. Having a highly trafficked, highly respected blog in your field is actually far more meaningful than where you went to school.
[Read the U.S. News Debate: Is a College Degree Still Worth It?]
Please describe some of the stumbles you encountered in your career.
Persistence is key – for any of us. It took me most of my 20s to find my professional footing. I knew I was interested in business, and writing, and politics, and culture, but after a year as a newspaper reporter, I got laid off; I worked on two very prominent gubernatorial and presidential races, and we lost both of those. I had to keep iterating until I eventually started my own consulting business, which has allowed me to write, and speak and teach, in addition to my client work. For most of us these days, our career path is not going to be linear: the world is changing too fast for that. Instead, we need to be flexible and adapt until we find the place (or places) where we can make a lasting contribution.
Who are three of the most innovative personal brands today?
Three of my favorites are Tim Ferriss, Gary Vaynerchuk and Rachel Maddow.
Tim Ferriss gets my nod because he's completely unafraid to jump traditional barriers and take his brand with him: he started out with a bestselling business book (The 4 Hour Workweek) and then moved into fitness and cooking (with his sequels, The 4 Hour Body and The 4 Hour Chef). He's managed those transitions quite seamlessly.
[See a collection of political cartoons on sequestration and the fiscal cliff.]
I admire Gary Vaynerchuk because he so perfectly embodies the "inbound marketing" ethos that many of us talk about these days. That guy works it, and he became an extremely famous social media consultant and business personality by creating massive amounts of online content and doing it with flair and authenticity.
Finally, Rachel Maddow gets a special shout-out because she's a talented out butch lesbian on television – something I never imagined I'd see. The path to the future is about breaking down artificial barriers and the way things have always been done; it surely wasn't easy convincing network execs that she could carry a show as a smart woman who didn't confirm to gender norms, but she's broken down the doors with grace.
Lisa Chau is a private consultant focused on social media and cross–platform marketing. Previously, she spent five years working for her alma mater Dartmouth College, as assistant director of alumni affairs and assistant director of PR for the Tuck School of Business. She has also taught at MIT, and guest lectured MBA and undergraduate courses in e-business Strategy at Baruch College and The New School.


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December 21, 2012: The fabled Feathered Serpent begins his relentless ascent out of the bowels of the earth, escaping thousands of years of torturous confinement. Controversial astrobiologist and archaeologist Caden Montez—who believes Teotihuacan is the best site on earth to find alien life forms, such as the Serpent—is on his trail. While exploring this so-called "City of the Gods"—a place so eerie it terrified even the most ferocious Aztecs—she discovers that the Serpent has broken free.Ancient Mayan priests prophesied that when the God-King returned, he would open the gates to the End Time. Together with an ancient 1000-year-old Mayan warrior—who has crossed the Gulf of Time to save humanity from extinction—the outrageous and beautiful Caden must stop him. Scientists, political leaders, and journalists who have long ridiculed Caden's theories have no one else to turn to. The Mayans' Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse is on the move, and humanity's survival hangs in the balance.
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Read the full excerpt
"Podrug's novels tend to lean heavily on outlandish premises tinged with mysticism, whether they involve searching for lost Tibetan treasure (Frost of Heaven, 2000) or time-traveling back to New Testament Galilee (Dark Passage, 2004). His latest follows suit, revolving as it does around the notion of Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl awakening in 2012 from a long slumber in an apocalyptically bad mood. When archaeologist Caden Montez visits the Mesoamerican ruins of Teotihuacán, the supposed Mayan doomsday of December 21, 2012, has passed uneventfully, except for an inexplicable fish die-off in the Gulf. Then, in rapid succession, Caden is kidnapped by Mexicans wishing to sacrifice her, drugged by government agents, and rescued by a cult of alien abductees. Her biggest surprise, however, comes when her path intersects that of an ancient Mexican Indian ballplayer, mysteriously transported to the modern day. Podrug's new yarn may get lost in the glut of 2012-themed novels and movies now flooding the marketplace, but it's a worthy addition to the subgenre, if only for its fascinating peek at ancient Mesoamerican culture." --Booklist
"A riveting, beautifully researched story about the mysteries of 2012, and the eerie journey mankind is taking through space and time. There are nine levels of hell...or are there more? Read Feathered Serpent 2012 and find out. But watch your back."--Whitley Strieber, New York Times bestselling author of 2012"Fascinating, hypnotic, frightening...this swift-reading novel displays more imagination and vivid imagery than a studio full of special-effects experts. High performance, high standards, and a high old time for the fans of Junius Podrug."--Ralph Peters, New York Times bestselling author of Looking For Trouble
JUNIUS PODRUG is an accomplished writer of both fiction and nonfiction. He lives on Cape Cod.
Junius Podrug


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The Wellman Club
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Partners in Advocacy
We believe in supporting our advocate friends who have their own amazing projects. Below you'll find information about some great people, dogs and organizations that have worked with us to dispel myths regarding pit bull type dogs. You'll find some great materials and some really cool stuff. We'll be adding more to this list, so please check back often!
Dogs are individuals and should be treated as such, regardless of what they happen to look like. ~ Andrew Yori
Hector & Wallace – both featured in Beyond the Myth
Hector was one of 47 Pit Bulls rescued from Michael Vick's dog fighting operation. He has scars and physical signs all over his body from his previous life. Fortunately all of the scars are external, and Hector's personality allowed him to stay true to himself. Once he was rescued and given a chance at a better life he began to shine. He has since passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test multiple times. He passed the ATTS Temperament Test, and can visit hospitals, nursing homes, and libraries as a Certified Therapy Dog. Hector has also done a lot of work in elementary schools teaching children compassion toward animals and how to safely act around dogs. Hector's work earned him a humane education award presented through Brooklyn Law School. His story has been highlighted in both local and national media outlets, including but not limited to, CBS Early Show, Good Day NY, People Magazine, E! Entertainment News, Entertainment Weekly and NPR's Fresh Air. ~ From Andrew and Clara Yori.
Wallace is a rescued American Pit Bull Terrier. He was found as a stray and turned into the Humane Society. Wallace is one of the highest drive dogs I have ever come across, so it was no surprise that he did not do well in the kennel environment. Unfortunately, the "low kill" shelter that is set up to help him, started targeting him for euthanasia because he was a "liability". He wasn't an angel by any means, but what do you expect from an off-the-chart working dog that was bored out of his mind.
With the help of some others, my wife and I were able to pull him out before he was put down. We put our money where our mouth is, so to speak, and since being rescued Wallace has surpassed any expectations we could have imagined and has now made so many achievements, including winning the 2007 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Freestyle Flying Disc National Championship. ~ From Andrew and Clara Yori.
DOG (Dedicated, Organized, Gentle) Training
Drayton Michaels, CTC – featured in Beyond the Myth
Dedicated Organized Gentle is a foundational guide to helping dog owners train and communicate with their pets without stress. By focusing on a common sense approaches D.O.G. shows how to improve the quality of life between human and dog in clear and understandable terms and exercises.
We believe that if both dog and owner are having fun in the process, it results in a stronger bond and more fundamental learning. We bypass the master and servant dynamic and teach how to build a better relationship through trust, kindness and consistency.
Having fun is easy when you are Dedicated Organized and Gentle. This will help you create bonds and not binds with your dog. ~ From Drayton Michaels
Ruby's Tale
Meet Ruby. Found like unwanted trash in an empty house, Ruby went on to achieve the impossible. Ride along with her on the stunning, wild and wonderful odyssey that has been her life. A real doggie epic!
Ruby is both a certified therapy dog (TDI) and a certified service dog. Trained and tested to meet ADI standards, Ruby was inducted into the Minnesota Veterinarian Medical Association Animal Hall of Fame, is the veteran of stage plays including "Cheaper By The Dozen," appeared in newspapers around the world, and worked at a radio station as a co-host- her occasional snoring bemusing guests and listeners alike.
Buy the book and learn more about Ruby's current adventures.
Stubby Dog Project
StubbyDog is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) transmedia organization that's focused on changing public perceptions of pit bulls and dismantling the associated stereotypical thinking. We develop and disseminate emotionally resonant and entertaining content, showing pit bulls as the loyal and loving dogs they are. At StubbyDog you'll find great stories on pit bull type dogs and their caretakers, weekly blogs, newsletters and great products. Our Vision is a world where every pit bull enjoys the right to a good life. Our Mission is to help people rediscover pit bulls as lifelong friends.
The Photo Book Projects – Melissa McDaniel
Founder and photographer Melissa McDaniel has traveled the U.S. for the last three years to produce the photo book projects, a series of photo books, note cards, fine art prints, calendars and more, all raising awareness about issues affecting animals in the U.S. today, especially those animals who are mistreated or misunderstood. A percentage of the proceeds is donated to animal rescue & advocacy groups.
The first three photo books in the series, Rescued in America, Deaf Dogs, and Pit Bulls & Pit Bull Type Dogs, are out now. The Puppy Mill Dogs book will be released in 2012.


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« October 2012 |
| December 2012 »
BIG RED HITS 200,000 Page Views on November 29, 2012 at 10:45 am CST. Yay! Yay! Double Yay!
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 29 2012.
Posted at 12:31 PM in Random Fun Stuff | Permalink
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Hey, I've got something for you Stat Junkies who like to review performance stats from various goverment agenices -- a new report from the Patents Doc Blog -- that outlines the 2012 US PTO performance in processing patent applications. Wow! Are you excited or what?
In a nutshell, the US PTO processed more patent applications in shorter times than their goals for 2012 called for and they improved across the board in all categories (see link above). Some highlights include:
For the next few years though, the sledding gets much tougher with respect to first action and total pendency. For first action pendency, the annual performance target drops from 22.6 months for FY 2012 to 18.0 months for FY 2013 and 15.8 months for FY 2014, and for total pendency, the annual performance target drops from 34.7 months in FY 2012 to 30.1 months in FY 2013 and 26.1 months in FY 2014.
Mush PTO. Mush.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 29th 2012.
Posted at 11:56 AM in Market Data & Facts & Research, Patents & Legal | Permalink
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Lilly CEO John Lechleiter, who is also the head of PhRMA this year, told China regulators that they need to speed up their review of drugs in the clinical pipeline if they want to be competitive with the rest of the world. He characterized current China review practices as "being 8 years behind the pace of major regulatory groups" (some might snarkily say the same about Lilly's pipeline).
The Chinese government is known to have a hankering for Western cash so it is likely they will take heed of this advice and look for ways to improve -- as it is in their best interest to speed new drug introductions and commerce in China. And -- oh by the way -- it could also raise health care level of care in China too. See Fierce Biotech.
Posted at 09:48 AM in China news, Regulatory Affairs & Policy | Permalink
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Roche and Broad Institute are the latest groups to partner on "re-purposing" drugs. That is to say, Roche will give Broad insititute 300 or so drug candidates that have failed in clinical studies with their original "purpose". Presumably, these drugs have been found to effect a specific target and have shown safety in humans before -- so the hope is that if you can find a disease where these show a therapeutic effect then you are a lag up in getting the drug more quickly to market (with appropriate clinical trials, etc).
Some may view this as throwing stuff against the wall and seeing what sticks -- others think it is a rationale shortcut to try that has small relative cost and perhaps a big upside if you can find a good target. This is becoming a more popular approach to try with libraries of compounds sitting around in various companies, and apparently has academic centers like Stanford, Broad, or NIH who are willing to screen. Given that's the case, then we shoudl have data sooner rather than later as to whether this is really worth the effort or not........See In the Pipeline and Fierce Biotech.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 29th 2012
Posted at 09:31 AM in Drug Development, R&D Changes & Trends | Permalink
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In case you think Big Pharma is completely powerless against the patent cliff and the forces of generics, we have ths new study from Express Scripps with some counter data. It seems generics have made a whopping impact on drug prices in 2012 -- as prices for these drugs dropped by an amazing 21.9% since last September. Markedly different from the meager 2.9% decrease seen for the same drugs in 2011.
Brand-Name Drug Prices Rose How High? Look Up… // Pharmalot.
On the other hand, a "market basket" of widely used brand name drugs was able to command a 13.3% increase in price during that same time period -- in a time when inflation was only 2%. Clearly, with loss of revenue facing them from drugs that have gone "over the cliff", Big Pharma has been able to counter by some degree with substantial price increases on brand name drugs. Biologics in fact were able to up their prices by 22.6%. Still these types of branded "specialty meds" represent only about 21% of the total market with generics making up the rest. So Big Pharma has to work hard to squeeze profits out of the existing pie.
Generics are making their impact clearly. Anyone doubt that pay for delay may actually prevent this from being worse (from Big Pharma point of view)? And Express Scripts uses the generic price drop coupled with the big biologics increase to lobby for more emphasis on getting a biosimilar pathway in place so it can start profiting from big drops in the biologicals arena too when the first biosimilar drugs are approved. Not such a rosy profit picture for Big Pharma unless they have the ability to get new brand products on the market and extend the indications for the existing brand drugs -- before either generics or biosimilars start eating their lunch.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 28th 2012.
Posted at 04:55 PM in Generics & Biosimilars, Healthcare Reform, Market Data & Facts & Research | Permalink
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St. Louis life science company Sigma-Aldrich announced today that it is restructuring into three market-focused business units: Applied Markets, Research Markets and SAFC Commercial Markets.
Sigma-Aldrich is re-aligning its business segments and SAFC will be reamed the SAFC Commercial Markets Business Unit.
Gilles Cottier will continue to lead the SAFC business. This business will be renamed the SAFC Commercial Markets Business Unit and will continue to serve customers in the life science and electronic markets.
Company officials intend to provide more information about the structure, sales and growth prospects of each of the three business units early in 2013, according to a statement.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 20th 2012.
Posted at 03:47 PM in Business Model, Current Events | Permalink
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Fierce Biotech this morning reports on the top 10 Big Pharma companies investing in China. Clearly, these companies are jockeying for position to be able to exploit commercial opportunities in the BIG Chinese market. In many cases, these is seen as essential to future company growth and survival given some of the issues with patent cliffs, and stagnant growth in many of the traditional Western markets.
Pharma investments are aimed at gaining market access and in particular gaining face time with health budget decision makers. Investment in China is certainly seen by the government to be a "good thing" and goes a long way toward establishing credibility. Hooking up with local drug companies and developers is a good way to enter the market. Alliances with local players may ultimately be a necessity for the Western companies to crack this market -- and many have established early relationships accordingly.
This is interesting to me in that many of these same companies right now are trying to eliminate China-produced raw materials from their supply chains. Yet, if their goal is to crack the Chinese market and to partner with local developers and manufacturers to do so, then how can they eliminate Chinese suppliers in the long-term? They can't. You will want to source locally for manufacturing support -- maybe not some specialty items but bulk of raws will likely come from local sources. The economic drivers and incentives are just too great in my view -- and local goverment will expect it.
So time is now to start qualifying the best local suppliers, and to educate and incentivize them to continually improve their quality systems in anticipation of them being integral to a long-term supply chain. It only makes sense.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 19th 2012
Posted at 09:46 AM in China news, Development Funding & Investment, Market Data & Facts & Research, Raw Material Testing, Risk Mitigation | Permalink
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Thirty-one State AG's have filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court in favor of ending pay-for-delay deals between pharma innovators and generic producers. The AG's are backing the US Federal Trade Commission position that says these deals cost States and consumers dearly in increased healthcare costs. The FTC estimates the increased cost at approximately $3.5 B per year. The AMA has also come around to support the FTC position.
31 States Urge Supremes To End Pay-To-Delay // Pharmalot.
Drug manufacturers say the deals are legal and that they actually get generic drugs to market faster than might be possible otherwise. In fact the GMA (generics trade group), says the deals have never stopped a drug getting to market beyond a product's patent expiration date -- and in many cases months or years sooner.
Opponents counter that the deals prevent patent challenges and thereby weaken the patent system by allowing marginal patents to stand. This in turn allows holders of those patents to maintain a monopoly position witha drug longer than they might otherwise -- and this is anticompetitive.
So far, lower courts have sided both ways. The 3rd, 6th and DC Circuits have generally ruled to make pay-for-delay harder, and the 2nd, 11th and Federal Circuits have made rulings more likely to allow pay-for-delay. Normally, the US prefers to have law that is a bit more consistent across the land, so the Supreme court is being asked to review the issue. But will they hear the case and break the ties? Hard to say.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 15th 2012.
Posted at 10:22 AM in Generics & Biosimilars, Healthcare Reform, Patents & Legal | Permalink
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The Cell Culture Dish reprinted data from Nature Biotechnology that lists the top 10 selling biological drugs in 2011. It also indicates that 7 of the top 10 drugs are produced in CHO cells, 2 in E. coli, and 1 in mouse myeloma. So despite reports that more clinical development progams may be working with systems other than CHO -- particularly a resurgence in prokaryotic systems -- the dominant sellers are still in CHO and will remain so in the foreseeable future.
The TOP 10 follows:
That's all folks!
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 14th 2012.
Posted at 03:37 PM in Market Data & Facts & Research | Permalink
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Margaret Hamburg in testimony before Congress tells them that there should be two classes of compounders. The first is traditional compounding for individual patients on an as needed basis. Non-traditional compounding, the kind practiced by NECC and others, poses a higher risk according to Hamburg and should require federal (i.e. FDA) oversight.
FDA Wants Two Classes Of Compounding // Pharmalot.
Hamburg suggests non-traditional compounders would be distinguished by characteristics or activities like -- sterile compounding, the amount of product made, production prior to prescriptions received for a patient, shipping drugs interstate, shipping drugs to sellers or distributors other than the patient (or their physician). etc.
Hamburg says these compounders should have to adhere to GMPs and be under more oversight. Addtionally, compounders should not make copies of drugs approved by FDA (i.e. Makena) except under extremem shortage situations, should not make complex dosage forms -- extended release, transdermal patches, liposomal products, etc -- or make biologics.
Why? I say if compounders want to act like small drug manufacturers they shouldn't be called compounders and should be required to adhere to the existing drug manufacturing regulations and be overseen as such. Then the FDA would have clear oversight without any more legislative needs for "clarity".
Why make it so complicated?
Posted at 12:04 PM in Regulatory Affairs & Policy | Permalink
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Alnylam, on the eve of trial with Tekmira in an appropriation of trade secrets suit, agreed to pay the latter $65 M now and up to $10 M next year to settle. That's a lot better than the $1 B that Tekmira was pursuing in its suit.
Alnylam paid $30 M to terminate a contract manufacturing agreement with Tekmira, and the additional $35 M to terminate previous license agreements to use Tekmira's lipid nanoparticle drug delivery technology. The additional $10M could come from milestones payments related to 3 Alnylam drugs in the clinic. Tekmira would get the money in 2013 and forgo potentially higher milestone and royalty payments in the future.
Alnylam will still have a license to use the Tekmira technology in conjunction with its own delivery systems to deliver RNAi drugs to the inside of cells. But, Alnylam will have to do its own manufacturing or find someone else who will. It won't be Tekmira or Alnylam's erstwhile partner Alcana Technologies. The latter is also being removed from the palying field in a settlement with Tekmira that will preclude Alcana from playing in RNAi for 5 years. Tekmira has alleged that Alcana was an "instrument of Alnylam."
Now Tekmira can pursue its clinical program with the extra $65 M. And Alnylam can pursue its three clinical candidates. And each can try to establish the real utlity of an RNAi drug in the clinic which heretofore has not happened. See Fierce Biotech and Xconomy.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 13th 2012.
Posted at 02:25 PM in RNAi therapeutics | Permalink
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It's a Bug. It's a Bird. It's a Mouse. No, not bug nor bird nor even mouse, it's just compounder Ameridose.
Bugs, Birds & Ignored Complaints At A Compounder // Pharmalot.
Just when you thought the compounding scandal at the New England Compounding Center (NECC) couldn't get any worse, it does. It seems that another compounder sharing the NECC owner's also has been cited by the FDA with serious breeches in its quality systems.
Among other things found in its sterile processing and packaging areas -- besides the expected drugs -- were bugs, birds, rodents, mold, bacteria, and cracked and corroded walls. How did they miss bat wings and eye of newt?
Based on the meningitis outbreak caused by NECC preparations shipped to 24 States, Congress is now holding 2 sets of hearings to investigate why FDA does not have more oversight in this area -- or is not exercising more enformcement power that it may already have. I don't expect this issue to go away.
Unless of course, we find that it is a GMP bird trained to catch mice and bugs.
Posted at 01:38 PM in Current Events, Regulatory Affairs & Policy | Permalink
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Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 9th 2012
Posted at 11:22 AM in Random Fun Stuff | Permalink
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Takeda has decided to become a global player in vaccines challenging some of the biggest names out there like Sanofi, Merck, GSK, Pfizer and Novartis. They've hired Tadataka Yamada, GSK's former R&D chairman to spearhead the effort. He previously also worked at the Bill Gates' foundation and gained a global view of the vaccine world in that position.
The strategy at Takeda's new unit is to advance vaccines that combat bugs for which there are no vaccines. Last month they bought LigoCyte ($60 M) and its lead vaccine aimed at treating norovirus gastroenteritis. Approximately 21 million Americans are afflicted by this disease annually and there is currently no vaccine. Takeda notes that vaccines take a long time to develop compared to many pharmaceuticals but have a higher rate of success than pharma products at each clinical stage. See Fierce Biotech.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation made another equity investment ($13 M) in a startup biotech company, Visterra, aiming at a universal preventive as well as therapeutic approach to influenza. Much of that money is being earmarked to take the preclinical program for VIS410--a broad-spectrum antibody -- into the clinic in 2014. VIS410 has the potential to work against any strain of seasonal or pandemic influenza.
Visterra is taking a unique antibody approach to flu. Its scientists identified a networked cluster of amino acids on the hemagluttinin protein, which the flu virus uses to enter cells and infect the host. That target gives them a potential key to treating or preventing all flu strains, coming up with a drug that the virus won't be able to mutate away from--a key problem with today's vaccines. And Visterra emphasized that this antibody approach is not a vaccine. This is the type of novel appproach that the Gate's Foundation likes to fund. See Fierce Biotech.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 9th 2012.
Posted at 11:19 AM in Random Fun Stuff, Vaccines & Virus | Permalink
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The Indian Government seems to be going overboard in its efforts to control drug prices. They are apparently not content with only compulsory licenses, patent rejections, biosimilars incentives, anti-gouging measures, abolishing brand names and even arm-twisting by their Supreme Court -- now they want to have inspectors visit manufacturing plant to assess production costs.
NPPA to inspect Indian drug plants as part of pricing role.
Drug marketers must be pulling out their hair there. Marketing 101 says you should price your product or service based on its value to the market -- not on production costs. Egads!
Instead, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will visit manufacturing facilities to look at things like yields, capacity utilization, maintenance of plant and machinery, cost of raw materials, R&D expenses, plant expansion and machinery replacement. The NPAA will up its oversight from 74 bulk pharmaceuticals to 348 bulk drugs.
The underlying motivation seems to be an "effort to get drugmakers to justify the prices they charge for products based on production costs." Double Egads! Wonder what drug company investors and shareholders think of that?
Anyone still think India is really lucrative new drug market for the MNCs to enter? Volume basis maybe, but what about margins?
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 8th 2012
Posted at 03:12 PM in Government Policy, Healthcare Reform, India News | Permalink
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MA state health officials fired Jim Coffey, state pharmacy board chairman, and suspended board attorney Susan Manning in the wake of the New England Compounding Center scandal. Not only have more than 400 people been sickened with over 30 deaths, but apparently these too ignored a complaint in July from the State of Colorado over NECC activities.
Pharmacy Board Chair Fired Over Compounding Flub // Pharmalot.
Not only didn't the Pharmacy Board fail to investigate but they failed to pass on existence of the complaint to their bosses at the Department of Health. OOPS! It's one thing to kill people -- it's even worse when you make your bosses look bad and catch them off guard. Predictably under those circumstance, heads will roll.
The NECC was clearly acting as a small drug company and it deserves all the negative attention it is getting. Equally clear, if the Pharmacy Board didn't do its job in regulating/investigating their activites, then the firings and suspensions are merited and well earned.
As seen in the previous post, it is time to make sure we all know who is regulating this type of activity and make sure that it is crystal clear who has enforcement power and the responsibility to use it. It now appears that it will explicitly end up with the FDA.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 8th 2012.
Posted at 10:58 AM in Government Policy, Regulatory Affairs & Policy | Permalink
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The New England Compounding Center mess has certainly made it tough for compounders to continue to fly under the radar, especially when they are effectively acting a small pharma companies as the widespread meningitis outbreak attests.
A Bill Gives FDA More Power Over Compounders // Pharmalot.
Massachuesetts Congressman Ed Markey has introduced the Verifying Authority and Legality in Drug (VALID) Compounding Act which would clearly give FDA powers to oversee compounders activities and remove any doubt/gray area.
"Compounding pharmacies have been governed by fragmented regulations for too long, leading to the worst public health disaster in recent memory. The VALID Compounding Act ends this regulatory black hole by giving the FDA new, clear authority to protect patients and oversee these companies," said Markey.
The FDA and MA authorities have been heavily criticized for their inaction in this case -- given NECC was clearly acting like a small pharma compnay selling interstate meds to many States. However, Markey did recognize the FDA since 2001 had issued warning letters to dozens of pharmacies seen to be operating outside the law -- apparently to no effect. If VALID passes, maybe FDA will have a bigger hammer.
Posted at 10:46 AM in Government Policy, Regulatory Affairs & Policy | Permalink
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Should we blame all the higher costs of clinical trials on the regulatory bodies, like FDA? No, suggests a new study from Tuft's Center for the Study of Drug Discovery. The study claims that one 1 in 5 procedures performed in late stage drug development is done to pursue "supplementary secondary, tertiary, and exploratory endpoints." This adds on average $1.1 M per trial. Across the industry that accounts for $4B to $6B per year for non-core endpoints -- enough to fund 2 x 2 Presidential campaigns!
Tuft's says that biopharm and pharm companies should take heed of this study result and can act on it to reduce development costs. Maybe that would save a few jobs in this industry. It certainly would likely make shareholders happier. See Fierce Biotech.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 7th 2012.
Posted at 03:12 PM in Development Funding & Investment, Drug Development, Economics, Market Data & Facts & Research | Permalink
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Roche reported today that the FDA has granted it (and partner ImmunoGen) a priority review for its breast cancer drug T-DM1. The decision is due by Feb 26th. When approved, T-DM1 will be the second approved ADC on the market. The EMA also accepted Roche's marketing application for the key European market. Phase III results for T-DM1 have been strong and the drug is considered to be a potential blockbuster by many analysts. Peak sales volumes of $5B or greater have been projected upon its approval. See Fierce Biotech.
We only have 4 months (maximum) to wait.
Posted at 02:53 PM in Antibody Drug Conjugates, FDA & EU Approvals, Oncology | Permalink
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India continues it adminsitrative attack on drug makers' IP. The Intellectual Property Appellate Board revoked the patent on Roche's Pegasys hepatitis C treatment. Maybe they don't like flying horses? In fact, they didn't like Roche's patent extension from pegylating the drug and said it didn't enhance efficacy compared to existing treatments. This will open the door to cheaper generic alternatives in India.
India Revokes Patent On Roche Hepatitis C Drug // Pharmalot.
This is India's second override of a big pharma company's patent. Earlier this year, Bayer was forced to grant a compulsory license to Natco for Bayer's Nexavar cancer med. In both cases, one of the main issues seems to be the perceived high price of the innovator medicine compared to what generics competitors would offer in the market. This is a big deal to movers and shakers responsible for India's healthcare policy.
"This victory will facilitate early entry of generics which is likely to lower prices. If this happens, millions suffering from hepatitis C, both in India and globally will benefit," said Anand Grover, senior counsel and director of Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit (a patient advocacy group).
Not only are we targeting lower prices in India but apparently for the World too! A Roche spokesman retorted that the company remained "concerned that a policy of neglect for patent rules would inhibit research into future treatments." No Drugs for You, India.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 6th 2012 - Get the Vote Out
Posted at 06:04 PM in India News, Patents & Legal | Permalink
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How many Christmas Gifts could you buy with $10,000? How much golf could you play on a FREE membership? How good of a putter are you?
On December 1st, 8th, 12th and 14th from 12-2pm Hamilton Mill Golf Club will be holding a putting qualifer for Canongate's Ultimate Golfers Experience to be held on Saturday, December 15th at Bentwater Golf Club. Both Members and Non-Members are able to enter! For all the details call or text Stacey at Hamilton Mill at 678.794.0763!!


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Joann Muller, Forbes Staff
I write about industrial innovation and the global auto industry
Consumer Reports is out with a new report that says the most-loved car in America is the Chevrolet Volt. It's the second year in a row that the Volt, with its extended-range electric powertrain, scored highest in its annual owner-satisfaction survey.
The magazine asked subscribers if they would buy their same vehicle again, considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.). Owners of 350,000 vehicles (more than 240 models in all) responded. In the case of Volt, 92 percent of owners said "definitely yes."
Is anyone really surprised with the outcome? (Well, maybe sports car fans who drive the Chevy Corvette or the Porsche 911, both of which were edged out by the Volt by one point.)
People who drive Volts are passionate about their choice of vehicle, and very vocal, too. So they take every opportunity they can to crow about how long it's been since they've pumped gas, or how many miles they got from their last charge.
They know the Volt Haters are out there – critics who believe that the Volt was dictated by the Obama Administration (it wasn't) or that General Motors is losing $49,000 on every Volt (it's not) or that sales have been a disaster (slower than planned, but not a disaster). So they feel compelled to jump to their car's defense anytime it is attacked.
To GM's credit, the Volt is indeed an engineering marvel. Though often called a plug-in hybrid, it's more accurately labeled an electric vehicle with extended range. All of the power that goes to the wheels comes from its electric motor. The 1.4-liter gasoline engine under the hood acts as a generator after the 16.5 kWh battery is depleted and feeds electricity back to the motor. Regenerative braking also recovers some energy to recharge the battery.
You can drive the Volt gas-free for about 35 miles, which is how loyalists with short commutes can boast that they've forgotten how to pump gas. The big advantage is that when you do need to drive farther, you've got a backup system that extends the car's range to 350 miles without recharging or buying gas. The switch from EV mode to gas-assisted is virtually impossible to detect, unless you're staring at the display on the high-tech touchscreen instead of watching the road.
That's not to say the Volt is perfect.
There are a few drawbacks — the back seats are cramped, for instance, because of the huge T-shaped battery down the car's spine. And visibility's not great. Plus, despite the futuristic design of the center stack, the controls are not laid out very well. Forbes contributor Jason Fogelson recently reviewed the 2013 Volt and concluded it's not quite electrifying.
More important, though, it takes up to 16 hours to fully charge the Volt's lithium-ion battery on normal household current, which is simply too long. And people with older homes with outdated wiring have reported overloading their electrical circuits when trying to operate household appliances while the car was plugged in.
One solution, of course, is upgrading to a 240-volt power system, which would cut charging time to about four hours. But it would also cost up to $2,000 to install one in your garage. You'll have to factor that into your cost of ownership.
Which brings us to the real knock on the Volt: cost. At just under $40,000, it's a pricey compact car, even with all its advanced-tech features. The federal tax credit can reduce the price by up to $7,500, and various state and local tax incentives can further reduce it. But it will still take years to break even on the investment.
The best way to go, of course, is to lease a Volt, as my friends did recently. They got a steal on a loaded $44,000 Volt: $159 a month for 24 months, with no cash down (they used $3,000 in rewards from their GM credit card for a down payment). GM has been heavily subsidizing Volt lease deals lately — $269 a month is the latest I saw –which it can afford because the Volt's expected residual value remains high.
No wonder Volt owners are satisfied.
I'm surprised at the comment about home power systems. When I built my house in the 1990s, 240 volt was code.
I don't know how many old houses are out there, but anyone with a modern house should have no problem with charging.
As to the comment about the Volt being powered by coal: Coal is rapidly fading as the fuel of choice for electrical generation. It is below 40% of the total now, and much of new capacity is wind power. But even burning coal, the Volt is responsible for much less emissions than a comparable ICE car.
Why don't I own one? The price, pure and simple.
I think it is the Charging System and hook up you are paying for and that you can plug it in on 120 anywhere
You are incorrect on the "new capacity" being Wind Power… as it account for less than 4% of all power generated in the US and less than 3% for the whole world… The Wind Power Industry is not viable on it's own and could not exist without Government cash….Two good articles on it on Wikipedia.
I drive a Volt.
The car promises a lot and it is very different than the average car. There a lot of things that could go wrong with the car that could diminish the 92% "buy again" rating. The fact that is so high is remarkable in a way that an expensive sports car is not.
Comparing it to a sports car is flawed, because sports cars are not typically driven every day.
Here is why I am part of the 92% that would get another Volt:
1. I love driving the car. Instant torque and no engine noise make conventional cars seem "yestertech". A good analog would be comparing an LED TV to a Tube TV.
2. My lease is $170/month more than a comparable car (my last car was a Chevy Impala). I have a 55 mile roundtrip commute. I use gas every day… it is just that I save 80% of the gas I used to use.
3. I save $215/month in gasoline. I pay $43/month more in fuel. My breakeven is ZERO years, ZERO months.
4. The car has a learning curve. It take a good 10+ hours to get use to all of the controls and analytics displays. However, once I did, I loved getting the feedback on my performance. Almost like playing a video game. Those that love complex video games will tell you that the learning curve is worth it to get a richer experience.
Chevy Volt drivers have done the 5 minutes of "cost of ownership math". When I explain this math to others, it clicks… it is not a $40K car… it is a new technology that literally is breakeven today.
When figuring in my monthly energy cost saving of about $100/month, my Volt's net cost over 8 years will be about $25,000 and I'll have the satisfaction of using about 2,400 gallons less gasoline than my Ford Escape Hybrid and about 4800 gallons less than my previous Acura MDX
Ms. Muller, quick note. The Volt's power does come from the electric motor, but only in certain conditions. The car is programmed to fire up the combustion engine once the batter charge level reaches 15%. This is done to protect the life of the battery pack. There is a CVT transmission installed which allows the combustion engine to power the wheels. This same process also happens when the volt hits around 65mph, and also when going uphill. The Volt is in fact a plugin hybrid. Do some actual research before you try to refute a statement.
I drive a Volt. The gasoline engine does NOT come on when the car reaches 65MPH (which I reach almost every day). I can say that definitively.
The drive experience is exactly the same (other than the engine noise) in my Volt when the gas engine does turn on. It is a generator for the electric motor… therefore the term "extended range electric vehicle" is 100% accurate.
My display shows me when my Volt's engine turnes on. I can also feel it and hear it. It never turns on at 70mpg if the outside temp is over 25 degrees. Below 25 degrees it comes on briefly, for maybe 1/2-1 mile, to provide heat for the passengers and battery.
You might want to note the electric vehicle tax credit change for next year. It will be a max of $10,000 per vehicle. But the way the tax credit works, the Volt will not be eligible for all $10,000. The program works with a base credit of $2,500 + $417 for every kWh. So in the Volt's case, it works out to $2,500 + $417 X 16.5 kWh (2013 model) = $9,380.5.


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Lafayette 148 New York's collections are designed for the sophisticated, modern woman and her multi-faceted lifestyle. Using the world's most luxurious European fabrics and detailed craftsmanship, we produce enduring designs renowned for the highest quality and exceptional fit.
At the heart of Lafayette 148 New York is a global team with a wide range of expertise and strong entrepreneurial spirit. From day one, our namesake Manhattan street address has been home to our company headquarters where our design studio, showroom, marketing, merchandising, and sales departments operate under one roof. Through the years, we have gained not only a loyal clientele, but also widespread notoriety as a coveted fashion brand and production powerhouse.
Our strength as a company truly begins with our vertical structure. By owning every element of our business, we are able to maintain an extraordinary level of quality control. At our state-of-the-art production headquarters in our founder's hometown of Shantou, China, international industry experts guide operations and train our team in innovative techniques. Our expansive 11-story headquarters was built to function seamlessly around our unique workflow - from design to shipment of the final product. Each season, our designs come to life through detailed craftsmanship using luxurious designer fabrics. Our integrated, streamlined approach gives us flexibility and a production turnaround time unparalleled in the industry, as well as the exceptional ability to focus on each detail of our designs to best honor the creative visions of our designer.
The Lafayette 148 New York collection can be found at over 400 stores throughout North America including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Holt Renfrew. We also service our clients with a direct-to-consumer business through lafayette148ny.com and a direct mail catalog. We opened our first intercontinental boutique in Shanghai and a second in Beijing with plans for additional locations in China's most fashionable cities.


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Cumberland Times-News
There have been 27 black bears killed on Maryland roads this year, according to an unofficial count maintained by the Cumberland Times-News.
On Sept. 8, a 47-pound male bear was struck and killed on North Hill Road near Kitzmiller in Garrett County.
The Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service received a complaint from the Myersville area of Frederick County that a bear had gotten into a chicken coop and 16 chickens were dead or missing. A bear trap has been set.
To report bear incidents in Allegany County, call the Maryland Wildlife Service at 301-777-2136. In Garrett County, call 301-334-4255. Outdoor Editor Mike Sawyers may be contacted at 301-784-2523.


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An executive with a nationwide fast food chain has gone on record as doubting whether the benefits of moving to EMV cards from magnetic stripe cards will be worth the expense.Read more
EMV cards carry security and other validating data on computer chips embedded in the cards while magnetic stripe cards carry this data on a strip of magnetic tape on the backs of the cards.
EMV cards are widely considered more effective against fraud – and have been widely adopted outside the U.S. – but are more expensive to issue and require point-of-sale terminals capable of reading the cards.
... "Evidence from overseas suggests any prolonged accommodation of older-card technology during a transition to computer-chip cards can allow fraudsters to exploit weak links in card security," Sullivan wrote in the published paper. "Reliance on low-cost authentication methods also invites growth in fraud."
Sullivan also noted that as EMV cards decrease the incidence of counterfeit card fraud, the prevalence of card stolen or lost fraud is liable to increase.


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Township police are investigating several thefts, including a home invasion burglary, that occurred over the weekend, according to Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.
In the Pelican Island section of town, a suspect broke into a home and stole a 40-inch flat screen television, Mastronardy said.
And in separate incidents across town, two suspects reportedly stole sets of car keys from the front desks of different health clubs. Items were taken from cars, and one suspect stole, but later abandoned, a 2008 Ford Fusion, Mastronardy said.
Police also report that suspects continue to attempt stealing items from unlocked cars across town, and urge residents to remember to lock their cars overnight, Mastronardy said.
An unknown suspect on Friday forced open the front door of a residence on Sunset Drive and stole a Samsung 40-inch LCD television, Mastronardy said. Officer Greg Errion is investigating the burglary, which took place between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mastronardy said.
Police are also looking for a white male, approximately 20 years old, who apparently removed car keys from the reception desk area of the Retro Fitness on Route 37, then stole items from two cars in the parking lot before taking the Ford Fusion, Mastronardy said.
Hours later, police found the vehicle abandoned on Burermann Avenue in the Gilford Park section of town after neighbors reported a suspicious car, Mastronardy said.
The suspect was last seen on Saturday afternoon wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, light color shirt and blue pants and sneakers, Mastronardy said.
Officer Terry Warren is investigating the incident, Mastronardy said.
Later that Saturday, a white male in his 30s with a thin build is believed to have stolen keys from the front desk area of Planet Fitness on Fischer Boulevard, Mastronardy said.
Police investigated the scene and determined the suspect did not attempt to enter any vehicles or steal any items, Mastronardy said.
The suspect was last seen Saturday at 6 p.m. riding a bike in the parking lot wearing a white t-shirt and beige shorts.
On Sunday morning, a GPS navigation device was taken from an unlocked car on Shore Boulevard, Mastronardy said.
That afternoon, a resident from Fairway Drive reported observing suspects in dark clothing running from her driveway at 4:30 a.m. after her security lights activated, Mastronardy said.
Mastronardy said police are urging residents to call when they observe suspicious activity such as security lights activating or dogs barking during the early morning hours.


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Astoria is one of the best neighborhoods in Queens. The last few years lots of young professional and hipsters have discovered the neighborhoods, but unlike parts of Brooklyn, they're not really gentrifying the neighborhood, just raising the demand for housing. Astoria has long been a favorite neighborhood with many families living there for generations. Here are a few of the many reasons to consider living in Astoria.
1. Close and Quick to Manhattan
Astoria is 15 minutes or less from Midtown Manhattan. The N and W subways lines run through the heart of the neighborhood, above 31st Street. It's also a hop, skip, and short drive over the Triborough Bridge to Harlem and to the Bronx. Why waste your non-work hours in a commute?
2. Real Estate Prices Much Less Than $1 Million for Average One-Bedroom Apartment
Sure, real estate in Astoria has boomed, but it's nothing like Manhattan. You can get a studio for $1000 or a one-bedroom for $1200. Of course, the more desirable locations in Astoria command higher rents: a one-bedroom for $1600 is not unheard of. But it's likely to be in a small building on a quiet street, down the block from a great Greek cafe.
3. Astoria Park and Manhattan Views
What a great place for a park! Astoria Park is smack on the East River with gorgeous views of Upper Manhattan and the Queensboro and Hellgate Bridges. Weeknights come home to your apartment and walk on down to the riverside for an evening stroll (though always be careful at night alone). And Robert Moses' Astoria Pool is the king of all outdoor city pools.
4. Restaurants
Judith Klein of Foodista
Astoria has always been known for Greek food (it is the Greek capital of NYC), and lately it has gained a reputation for fine dining and innovative cooking. Manhattan transplants have opened up new stars like 718.
5. Bohemian Beer Hall and Garden
The only old-school, big beer garden left in New York City, Bohemian Hall is wonderful. Turn off crazy urban 31st Street--the subway overhead--and escape into this huge beer garden with its shady trees, picnic tables, pitchers of icy beer, and platters of hearty Czech food and barbecue. It's a must on summer weekends with stein-thumping live folk music on many afternoons. Bohemia Beer Garden is a true urban oasis for families, visitors, and a cast of neighborhood regulars.
6. Museum of the Moving Image
The arts are picking up steam in Astoria. Local culture is led by the innovative American Museum of the Moving Image. It is one of the finest museums in New York City for kids, for adults, and definitely for movie aficionados.


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SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up: March 26, 2012
It's time to get heavy when it comes to wrapping up - Monday morning Wrap-Up posts are always like this, ladies and gentlemen, where there's a bit more wrapping than a wrapper normally deals with, a whole weekend to devour! We'll start out clean with Philip Berne and his Cheating at Foursquare. This of course can lead you directly into talk by Don Reisinger asking: Are We Going Too Far With Our Tech Obsession? Then you'll hear how the CEO of GameStop doesn't want the Xbox 720 to block pre-owned games - surprise! There's a whole new Canon out there and we've got a pre-review round-up as well as a Hands-on and sample collection of our own! Don't forget last week's Weekly Wrap-Up before you dive head-first into this weeks goods!


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- Northern New York Newspapers
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HOUMIEL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD - The Wayne Houmiel NAC Division I Team Sportsmanship Award was presented to Canton Central for the 2012-13 season.
Pictured from left to right receiving the honor from Section 10 referee Jim Howard (far right) are Jay Proulx, Cody Moore, Jake Watson and E.J. Curtis. (St. Pierre Photo)
Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.
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Ecuadorian Tourist Board Unveils New Advert (VIDEO)
Posted: Updated:Print Article
Fancy a holiday in Ecuador? It's never been a better time - or place. Click play above to enjoy the brand new advert from the Ecuadorian Tourist Board.
(Video for The Huffington Post UK by David Schneider and Handface.)
More TOPICALOLs:
- The Funniest Prince Harry Vegas Tweets
- George Galloway Vs Todd Akin: It's ON!
- Who Else Is Holed Up At The Ecuadorean Embassy?
- New iPhone 5 Advert Unveiled
- Twitter Jokes Of The Week
- FirstGroup To Take Over Running Of Richard Branson


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Hello folks,
I'm setting speakers in my condo and I'd like some advice regarding back speakers.
I have 3 pairs of Polk RC85i and I am (will be using) them all of the channels.
What would you suggest me to put the back speakers? Check attached photo of the room. It appears I have 3 options:
RED - Side walls (very small on the right side, though)
GREEN - High by the vaulted ceiling
YELLOW - Right by the person's ears
In addition, since RC85i's are only sold in pairs, I have an extra one (came with the center speakers). Should I just plugged it as a surround back speaker? The 6th channel? Or that's not worth it?
Full Album: http://imgur.com/a/lVGjK#2
Thank you so much!!!


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By Grant Stevens - Sports Editor
Aug. 1, 2012 —
Last Tuesday morning officially kicked off the annual KCU Lady Knights basketball camp.
Ran by Head Coach Ron Arnett, along with several current KCU players, campers gained invaluable experience from a group of experienced winners.
The four-time NCCAA Division II defending national champions split the camp into two sections, with boys and girls ages 4-9 meeting from 9 a.m. to noon, and ages 10-16 taking the court from 1 to 4 p.m.
Instruction ranging from basic fundamentals to advanced dribbling and shooting drills were implemented, allowing participants of all skill levels to better themselves.
A solid turnout of around 45 kids for both the morning and afternoon sessions made for a success, something even the camp staff took notice of.
KCU center and camp instructor Monica Stevens said it was a good feeling to be able to give some advice to young hoops hopefuls.
"It's great to see these young kids come out here and enjoy the game of basketball," Stevens said. "I've played this sport pretty much all my life and there is nothing more fulfilling than being able to share some of the knowledge I have gained over the years."
Arnett agreed with his player, noting the significance of interest by local youth.
"In the morning session, the younger kids had a blast, and I am so proud of my girls for the help they gave during the camp," Arnett said. "The campers seemed to really grasp the concepts we were trying to teach."
Arnett continued, as he described his program's recent strive to nab local talent.
"Here at KCU, we have been striving to pick up the best players from our local high schools, and I think we've really made great strides in that regard," Arnett said. "In the older group, I was very impressed with the skill level that some of these kids displayed. We had participants from Carter, Elliott, Greenup and other local counties. Basketball appears to be doing quite well in regards to our local communities."
With the high amount of interest displayed by the turnout of the KCU camp, the community's acknowledgement of Knights' sports appears to be growing.
Arnett said this is vital to the growth and success of the university's sports programs.
"Sports has become a vital part in delivering the message of our Christian university," Arnett said. "When people take recognition of our program's accomplishments and seek to be apart of it, that is an essential key to nurturing the growth of KCU sports. Our kids work very hard to be successful and represent our school with pride, and I am glad to see them recognized for doing so."
In closing, the KCU coach took a moment to thank all those who helped make the camp a success.
"I want to say thank you to everyone involved in delivering another great camp," Arnett said. "My players who gave their time in helping, the campers and everyone else who gave a hand. I can't thank you enough."
Grant Stevens can be reached at gstevensjournal-times.com or by telephone at 1-800-247-6142.


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Chad Knezel, a 44-year-old CPA, reached out to me for advice on kick wax, as he prepared to ski his first American Birkebeiner (54-kilometer classic). Knezel describes himself as active in basketball, jogging, tennis, golf and cross-country skiing; and competitive in none. Most of his training has been on waxless skis, and on golf courses.
I have finished nine Birkies on classic skis, won an age group prize, and am always willing to share what I've learned. Our initial gripping exchange led to this question and answer: my advice for a Birkebeiner rookie.
Rookie: Should I carry water/Gatorade with me or will the supplies at the food stations be adequate?
The Active Pursuit: The supplies at the aid stations (eight of them) should be all you need, but I take a bottle with me just in case I get bogged down and dehydrated. In previous races, I've finished without touching that bottle, but the security blanket is comforting.
Rookie: Should I carry food (energy bars, fruit) with me or will the supplies at the food stations be adequate?
The Active Pursuit: Similar to the above. I like to have energy gels and a bar with me. You may reach a point where you just run out of gas and being able to refuel on the spot could be the key to making it to Hayward. No reason to feel naked out there.
Rookie: How early before my start time should I arrive at Telemark (so I am not sprinting to the start gate but also not standing in the cold for hours)?
The Active Pursuit: My wife mocks my early-to-the-start-line compulsion. I like at least an hour, and 90 minutes is even better. No matter how much time I have, I find ways to fill it – loading my drop bag, adding a layer of wax, one more trip to the portable. Going about things in a calm, un-rushed fashion helps tamp down the pre-race jitters. Plus, the Telemark Lodge and the warming tent are great places to feel the Birkie vibe.
Rookie: Prior to the race, should kick wax be applied based solely on the current air and snow temperatures, even if the forecast calls for a transition in temperatures early in the race?
The Active Pursuit: I generally have my skis waxed for the race ahead of time, then tweak the kick wax at the start. If you anticipate a change in temperatures, layer the wax for the colder start over wax for warmer temps later in the race, or alternate the warmer and colder waxes. I find corking in kick wax is another way to relieve stress.
Rookie: What wax supplies should I carry with me (how many different wax tubes, cork, other)?
The Active Pursuit: I carry a cork, small scraper and three or four kick waxes – one on either side of the wax-of-the-day, and one super soft wax, at the top end of the temperature range, in case nothing else seems to stick. The aide stations will have wax and usually somebody nearby to get you through a kick-wax disaster.
Rookie: When nature calls, how does the trail handle 13,000 skiers? Are there facilities at every rest station? Only some?
The Active Pursuit: You're in nature, put it to use, with as much discretion as possible. But yes, there are portables at the rest stations, for matters that require a seat and paperwork. Bring your own reading materials.
Rookie: Is there a bottle neck at the bottom of every downhill due to the large number of skiers? In other words, does every downhill require a full out snowplow?
The Active Pursuit: Not in my experience. With the separate classic track through Highway OO, you should be able to ride the rails on some whoop-inducing downhills. Let 'em run.
Rookie: How many lanes of classic trail are there in the first half of the course (prior to joining with the skate skiers)? How many lanes in the second half?
The Active Pursuit: There are nine sets of classic tracks from the start through 600 meters. The number decreases through the first few kilometers, down to three to OO, and two from there to the finish. They are all on one side of the course. Try to get a feel early on when to cut a corner across the skate lane. You can save some distance, but the extra effort may not pay off. Be patient early. People will jostle for those tracks, unnecessarily burning up energy they will wish they had going across Lake Hayward.
Rookie: What is your advice for newbies in terms of layering, over dressing, under dressing for; hands, feet, head, torso, crotch?
The Active Pursuit: Let's start with the most important, a wind brief as an under layer. From there it really becomes a matter of personal preference. My typical Birkie outfit has been two light, wicking jerseys and a vest to keep my core warm and block the wind; thin tights under a pair of XC ski pants. I've come to really like those light-weight neck gators, or a balaclava with my hat, if the temps are in the teens. One pair of ski socks should be fine. I also like to wear a thin glove-liner under my ski gloves. Clearly, I'm all about layers. Nothing bulky. Bottom line: Pick clothes that you've been comfortable wearing in the past for running in winter or ski training, and don't worry about being cold at the start. You'll be toasty once you start climbing the hills.
Rookie: What is the most common thing newbies forget to bring on race day?
The Active Pursuit: Patience. It's an old adage but a good one: "You can't win your race in the first kilometer, but you can lose it." From the start, be watchful and relaxed and mind your poles. Don't worry about giving up places to the hard chargers. Find your rhythm, and look for space and clean lines. Anticipate that people will fall or do crazy things around you; so keep an eye out for your escape routes. Once things settle down, breath deep and soak in the spectacle. It is remarkable, breathtaking. Take a drink and/or food at every aide station and slow down or stop to do it. It's amazing what 15 to 30 seconds of regrouping will do for you physically and mentally. When things go bad, focus on the amazing adventure you're sharing and how you'll tell the story.


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DETROIT (AP) -- Federal safety regulators are investigating complaints that Jeep Patriot SUV engines can stall without warning at highway speeds.The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affects about 112,000 Patriots from the 2011 and 2012 model years.The U.S. safety agency says it received a dozen complaints about stalling. There was one crash and two people were hurt.Ten of the incidents occurred while the Jeeps were going 65 miles per hour or faster. In eight cases the Patriots could not be restarted. The safety agency says the trend appears to be growing with all but three of the complaints coming in the past six months.Investigators will determine whether the problem is bad enough to order a recall.A spokesman for Jeep brand owner Chrysler says the company is looking into the matter.
WJBK-TV | Fox 2 16550 West Nine Mile Rd.Southfield, MI 48075Main Station: (248) 557-2000Newsroom: (248) 552-5103


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Two-cars collided early afternoon at the intersection of E. Middlefield and N. Whisman Roads, and left a teen girl pretty shaken up.
The accident, which occurred around 1:15 p.m., caused the navy blue Volvo--driven by the teen--to hit a traffic light pole. The other vehicle, a Subaru also navy blue, sustained significant front damage. Engine oil from the Subaru leaked onto the pavement over the broken glass, which the and Public Works later to cleaned up.
According to Patch's initial observation and from police and fire scanner, neither the female and male drivers didn't initially complain of injuries; however as time progress an ambulance and fire rescue were called to the scene. Still, neither party left in the ambulance.
Immediately after the accident, passerby Craig Nicholai stepped into to assist the drivers out of the vehicles. He then began to direct traffic as advance of the 's arrival.
"It's the eagle scout in him," said a friend.
The accident scene was mostly cleared by 2:15 p.m.
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