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News Archive: November 2002
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Mbanna Kantako
11/30/02 - Evil Empire to Roll Out ISP?; Stock Market Sponsors Rumsfeld Show [link to this story]
We've been keeping tabs on a little-publicized project that Clear Channel has been testing in Cincinnati: offering internet access via digital television. The project, first dubbed the "Delta V Internet Accelerator," offered 256kbps download speeds to residential subscribers in the Cincinnati area by sending data to subscribers' computers via a sideband on WKRC's new DTV signal.
Clear Channel owns or controls nearly 40 television stations around the country, and it appears that the company is preparing to launch its ISP service nationwide. Delta V has been re-branded as WebHopper, its website has been redesigned, and a "Business"-level 768kbps service class has been added.
Residential service costs $40 per month, which covers access for one computer (each additional one is $10 extra); business access is $80/month (with the $10/additional computer fee).
If Clear Channel can get a few thousand subscribers in each market to pay monthly for internet access via DTV signal, the company will enter an entirely new arena of telecommunications, competing with the likes of phone companies instead of other media outlets. It's not exactly working to provide "better television," but it's one hell of a lot of money to be made off the public airwaves.
The digital radio standard now rolling out nationwide is well-suited to provide such an ISP service; it'll be interesting to see how long it takes Clear Channel to port WebHopper technology to work on its 1,200+ radio stations.
Witness the dawn of a new era in telecommunications - what that buzzword "convergence" really means.
In completely unrelated (but similarly ironic) news, U.S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appeared on a special broadcast earlier this month simulcast on 25 commercial stations nationwide, where he took calls from a well-screened public.
The kicker: the show was exclusively sponsored by the New York Stock Exchange. If anybody happened to tape it, I'd love a copy.
11/25/02 - Big-Ups to FCC Goons [link to this story]
It's about time the folks at gatekeeper.fcc.gov showed up for a look-see; they took in 14 pages late last week.
There's plenty of unresolved numerical IPs that hit this site, and many government agencies contract out their telecommunications services (like internet access), especially at field offices. But it sure is nice to finally get hits from the HQ, so to speak.
With that in mind, I'd like to say to our FCC reader(s): I understand you have a job to do. So do we. Your bosses have compromised themselves and the mission of your agency in exchange for subservience to interests that are opposite in nature to either you (as an individual) or us.
Drop the military-esque "enforcer" shit and rid yourselves of thugs like Lloyd Perry and the Dynamic Duo up in the Twin Cities, and maybe we can all start talking instead of playing hide-and-seek.
Otherwise, you're going to end up losing the war for the airwaves. Just wanted you to know that up front. Now back to your regularly-scheduled programming.
11/24/02 - FCC Gives Entercom "Bonus" AM Station in Kansas City: A Sign of Things to Come? [link to this story]
In a little-publicized ruling on November 20, The FCC gave Entercom a special waiver involving its expanded AM band radio station in Kansas City. The waiver is disturbing on several levels. But first, some history:
The AM broadcast band used to span from 540 to 1600 kHz. In 1997, the FCC adopted a rulemaking expanding the upper end of the AM band to 1705 kHz. Over the years leading up to this, the FCC had gradually relaxed interference and channel spacing rules for AM stations, leading to lots of interference, especially at night, when some AM stations must reduce power levels or sign off completely.
Expanding the AM band was supposed to help alleviate this problem by allowing more than 80 stations who find themselves hemmed in by more powerful neighbors move to a clearer frequency.
Following the announcement of the expanded band , several AM stations applied for and received approval to move their signals onto one of the new frequencies. According to FCC rules, these stations had five years to make the switch from their old frequency to their new one; after the five-year window was up the station would then either give up its old frequency or abandon the move.
Which brings us back to the case of Entercom and two of its AM stations in Kansas City, Kansas: KKHK operates on the frequency of 1250 kHz with 25,000 watts of power during the day and 3,700 watts at night and is prone to interference problems from other stations. Entercom received approval to move KKHK to the expanded band in 1998 and established station KXTR on 1660 kHz, running 10,000 watts during the day and 1,000 watts at night.
Here are the important parts to remember: the FCC issued the construction permit for KXTR in 1998, but only got around to granting the license in October, 2001. According to the FCC's rules, the five-year transition window opens when the agency grants the construction permit for the expanded band station. However, in an official letter (ostensibly to an Entercom lawyer), the FCC slipped up and said the five-year clock starts when the FCC issues a station's license.
According to the rules, the five-year window allowing Entercom to operate both KKHK and KXTR runs out next May, which means Entercom would have to give up one of the frequencies. However, the letter implies that the window won't run out until October, 2006. Entercom appealed to the FCC for a waiver from this rule because it wanted clarification about which statement was correct about when the five-year clock began ticking.
It also said that it hadn't had enough time, assuming the original rule's wording was correct, to make sure the expanded band transition was actually in its best interest; therefore, it would not be in the public interest to force it to give up a signal in the Kansas City.
Also of note is the fact that Entercom already owns eight stations in Kansas City, the maximum allowed for that market size.
The FCC apparently agreed, and on Wednesday granted Entercom a waiver from both the expanded AM band transition rules and the radio ownership cap rules (.PDF format). What's most disturbing is that the waiver grants Entercom the authority to operate both stations for as long as it holds the licenses to them.
As the instance of stations failing to have their licenses renewed is fairly remote, the FCC essentially gave Entercom a "bonus" station in Kansas City and also allowed it to bust the ownership limit in the process. This is not what was intended when the initial rulemaking to expand the AM band was being considered.
If everyone else who received expanded band stations gets permission to operate on both their old and new frequencies, those lucky few who qualified for new stations will also keep their old ones - leaving the AM band as cluttered as before the FCC expanded it.
Many other five-year windows will soon begin to close for other broadcasters who've "moved" stations into the expanded AM band; look for similar waivers which will be similarly granted.
11/23/02 - Kentucky Shortwave Militia Pirate Arrested In North Carolina [link to this story]
"Colonel" Steve Anderson, a former member of the Kentucky State Militia kicked out of the group for his operation of a shortwave pirate radio station advocating white supremacy, was arrested yesterday in the mountains of North Carolina. According to the story in the link above, it's implied that Anderson had a license for his radio station but got it revoked by the FCC. This is incorrect. Anderson once held an amateur radio license which was revoked by the FCC, but he never had any permission to operate on the shortwave broadcast bands.
Anderson used to run "Kentucky State Militia Radio (KSMR)" out of his rural home, running 300 watts of power on two shortwave frequencies. His openly racist rhetoric and the fact that he named the station after the state militia alarmed the militia's commanding officers, who kicked him out of the group and publicly disowned him in 2001.
Last October, Anderson was pulled over by a sheriff's deputy for a busted tail light on his pickup truck. He reportedly opened fire on the cop with an automatic weapon, hitting the cruiser more than two dozen times but missing its occupants. After ditching his truck Anderson fled into the hills and all but disappeared. Police found lots of weapons and explosives in the abandoned truck and on Anderson's property in Pulaski County.
The FOX television show America's Most Wanted picked up Anderson's story - and after a second airing of his segment about a month ago, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms received a tip about his location. They caught up with the "Colonel" yesterday and arrested him without incident.
KSMR was unique among radio pirates because it was a clandestine station - defined as existing to broadcast messages of political opposition against a government - located in the United States and directed toward U.S. citizens. Typically, most clandestine stations operate outside the country they target.
The problem was, Anderson used his platform to advocate hatred, in the process tainting the reputation of both pirate broadcasters and the larger militia movement. I think it's safe to say many folks are breathing a sigh of relief now that he's out of circulation.
11/21/02 - Lucky Bastards [link to this story]
I got the following request for ideas from a merry band of microbroadcasters located somewhere in flyover country. They have a problem - one most microradio stations would kill to be saddled with.
This particular station recently moved to a new location in a building on top of which is a three-story steel smokestack (pictured at right, click for a larger photo). The smokestack isn't in use anymore and our friends would love to use it as a mast for their antenna. They have permission from the building owner but nobody can figure out a plausible way to:
1) Get the antenna to the top of the smokestack
2) Secure it in place once up there.
So, if you'll accept the challenge, put on yer brain and ponder solving this dilemma. The microbroadcasters think it's almost too crazy to entertain the idea...but not enough to abandon it completely.
They're also open to any suggestions and advice - if you have any, drop me a line and I will forward the info along to the crew.
11/18/02 - FMC Rebuts FCC; Miscellaneous Piracy Afoot [link to this story]
The Future of Music Coalition, a group of independent musicians and socially-conscious inside-the-Beltway lobbyists, released a study today calling into question the FCC's official reports on the effects of deregulation on the radio industry. FMC's study uses a statistical analysis of radio industry ownership trends and the playlists of radio formats, coupled with a small public survey, to paint a significantly different picture of the state of radio than the FCC's analysis.
According to the report, the idea of judging diversity of voices on the airwaves by the number of program formats available is absurd. Some formats overlap in their choice of music - some by as much as 76% - while in many markets there is quite a bit of format redundancy (two stations that basically play the same stuff). And when it comes to news, four companies program all the stations that two-thirds of Americans listen to for news.
Among survey respondents, an overwhelming majority favor localism over cluster-programmed stations, think there's too much advertising on the radio now, and want the new low-power FM service expanded.
You can check out the entire study in .PDF format or read the executive summary online for the high points. The National Association of Broadcasters, always quick on the trigger, released a response to the yet-to-be-published study last week, claiming it was flawed from the start. Who're you gonna believe?
In older news, massive props to the Institute for Applied Piracy, who reportedly successfully hijacked the frequency of a popular commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia on the morning of a meeting of World Trade Organization ministers last Friday. According to a report on the Sydney IMC, the hijackers used the interruption to broadcast a 10-minute monologue about why the WTO is harmful and why we never hear about it in the mainstream media.
Also last week the FCC fined California Speedway $8,000 for running an unlicensed radio station. The speedway was using a 1-watt FM rig on 104.7 to broadcast race action to people outside the race track.
According to the FCC, its Los Angeles office made repeated contacts with speedway officials about the unlawfulness of their operation before issuing a $10,000 fine. The speedway argued that it was operating as responsibly as it could without a license - no joke - and didn't deserve the full penalty as a result. The FCC apparently agreed, knocking two grand off the fine.
Let me get this straight: if you're some kid broadcasting metal and you take the same precautions not to interfere with anyone, you can expect the full wrath of the Feds - but if you're broadcasting revving noises to NASCAR fans, then pirate radio becomes somehow less evil.
Of course, California Speedway didn't make out as well as the Metroplex speedway in Texas did when it was caught broadcasting a low-power television signal of races in 1999. In that case, the the racetrack simply pulled the strings of its congressman, who gave then-FCC Chairman William Kennard a talking-to. Kennard told the enforcement goons to lay off, and the Metroplex was never punished.
11/14/02 - Once on the Short List for FCC Commissioner, Now Clear Channel Lobbyist [link to this story]
Andrew Levin, currently the top adviser to the ranking Democrat congresscritter on the House Energy and Commerce Committee (the body with the most power over media regulation), is leaving government service to work for Clear Channel Communications.
Levin was once considered a front-runner for a seat on the Federal Communications Commission as one of its two Democrats. Instead, he'll be opening up a Clear Channel lobbying office in Washington, where he'll serve as "Senior Vice President for Government Relations."
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Levin says, "I don't think there's been anyone in Washington to present facts that would dispel those myths about how Clear Channel operates its business. That's what I'll be doing."
He'll have a lot of money to work with: Clear Channel organized its own political action committee earlier this year and strongly suggested in a memo to employees that they donate a percentage of their salaries to the war chest.
And this guy was nearly selected to create the rules. He'll still get to do that, of course, only now he'll be better-paid and insulated from public scrutiny. Another example of the very real revolving door between government and business.
11/12/02 - Could Wi-Fi go Hi-Fi?, Prometheus to Assemble "Dictionary of Noise" [link to this story]
With low power FM mostly confined to the hinterlands, activists interested in expanding access to the airwaves are looking at other areas of the electromagnetic spectrum to squat. Kyle Drake has been reading some interesting stuff about the use of wireless networks operating at low powers with large coverage areas in the frequencies above one gigahertz (1 GHz).
In order to spur discussions on the idea of creating a new "citizen's broadcast band (CBB)," Kyle's set up a simple web forum. So far, a few are kicking the tires on the concept in a positive light, approaching the proposal from multiple perspectives. Not all think heading into such high-frequency territory is the solution - but it's the thought that counts. Contribute yours!
Meanwhile, as the rollout of new LPFM stations continues, the clever folks at the Prometheus Radio Project are working on a new online resource they've dubbed "The Dictionary of Noise." According to founder Pete triDish:
"We are looking for five to ten second samples of all sorts of audio, radio, and digital problems. These samples will be used to help teach new technicians how to recognize common problems, and will be housed for free use on our website, www.prometheusradio.org...For example, we need clips of:
Audio: 60 cycle hum, ground loop, AM interference, overcompression, bad connectors, bad stereo separation, harmonic distortion
Radio: Multipath, adjacent channel interference, interference from other services, overmodulation
Digital: Low sample rates, low bandwidth
"Before and after recordings are especially helpful so people can identify when a problem is fixed. So, send us recordings of your favorite noises! MP3s can be sent to email@example.com. Contributors will be acknowledged and get two free copies of [a compilation] CD mailed to them."
This is a really cool idea, especially helpful for those starting out in radio broadcasting with zero engineering experience. If you can think of other noises to add to the list, don't hesitate to drop them a line.
11/9/02 - Bad Spin Alert: Feds Raid Michigan Militia Microradio Station [link to this story]
Mark Koernke, a member of the Michigan militia, has been in prison for two years after leading police on a high-speed chase. While he's been out of circulation, someone has been running an unlicensed microradio station from his home in the village of Dexter. The station can apparently only be heard for a couple of miles and mostly runs information sympathetic to the militia.
It's an undisputed fact that people involved with militias love weaponry. So, when federal marshals went to raid the station on Wednesday, they should not have been shocked to find a shitload of it on the Koernke property.
Seeing the stuff apparently sent the FCC men and their badge-carrying chaperones into some sort of fit, as they called in the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms and any other police they could find in the surrounding several square miles.
All those flashing lights and badges predictably drew the attention of a local television station who wasted no time mixing footage of homemade signs advertising the station's frequency with serious-looking cop shots about all the "long guns" and ammo found on the property.
"All pirates are dangerous - look how they're armed to the teeth!" FCC field agents now train at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center mostly because of this guy and his friends, who are definitely the exception, not the rule.
This week the FCC also successfully convicted an Orlando, FL man on seven criminal counts of unlicensed broadcasting; his sentencing will take place in February. The Enforcement Action Database will be updated with the relevant info shortly.
11/8/02 - FCC To Public on Media Review: Screw Your Interest [link to this story]
Last month, a coalition of consumer advocacy, labor and professional performance groups banded together to petition the Federal Communications Commission to extend the time for the public to comment on a massive rulemaking that threatens to let today's large media conglomerates get even bigger.
The coalition sought an additional three to six months to collect public input on the proposed hyper-consolidation effort and also requested access to the data the FCC used to produce a dozen reports which are (surprise!) mostly in favor of allowing more media consolidation.
In a curiously-timed Election Day notice, the FCC granted a paltry 30-day extension to the public comment window, making January 2, 2003 the new deadline by which initial comments must be filed. Reply comments are due a month later.
While that in itself is a slap in the face (apparently the public has no interest in speaking to this potential sea-change in the media landscape), the FCC also announced it will only allow on-site inspection of the data used in its media studies. This requires anyone interested in rebutting them to travel to the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C. The agency also released a protective order on Tuesday detailing the requirements interested parties must meet for access.
Why is the FCC making it so difficult for the public to get access to the data behind its studies on this important issue? Its news release cites the use of "proprietary information" and the fact that it does not actually own all of the data used to produce its reports - in my view, such data should be required to become part of the public record. If the reports are, why not the data?
Not only is it a lame excuse, but it's one more example of how Michael Powell and the crew in D.C. have abandoned any tattered speck of lip service to any "public interest." There's too much at stake for the media industry to lose this opportunity. Hell, deals are already being made in preparation for the new ownership rules - mergers and other strategic alliances are already being forged - going through this process is only supposed to be a formality.
If the public were really involved in making the media rules, it might mess up the plan. Can't have that here in the U$A, no sir!
11/7/02 - Freak Radio Reporter Arrested for Taping Public Meeting [link to this story]
Robert Norse, a reporter with Freak Radio Santa Cruz, had no idea his mini-tape recorder would cause so much trouble.
On Monday, Norse attended the inaugural meeting of a special committee empaneled by the the Santa Cruz, CA city council. The "Downtown Issues Task Force" is charged with implementing a controversial city plan to "clean up" downtown Santa Cruz. In addition to effectively outlawing panhandling, the plan would also place severe restrictions on street theater, leafleting, and the ability to set up informational tables.
According to Norse's account of the meeting posted to the Santa Cruz Independent Media Center, 10 minutes into the DITF's meeting, its chairman - councilman Ed Porter - took issue with Norse's tape recorder, which had been set up in plain view on the table.
Porter reportedly asked Norse to stop recording and Norse refused, citing open meetings laws and his right as a reporter for FRSC to document the discussion. After asking police to remove Norse (which they refused to do), Mr. Porter performed a "citizen's arrest" on him, which forced the officers to kick him out of the building where he received a misdemeanor citation for "disrupting a public assembly."
Mr. Porter obviously doesn't know what he's up against: not only has FRSC been operating mostly 24/7 for more than seven years now (in direct defiance of multiple FCC warnings), but in 1999 the Santa Cruz city council approved a resolution in support of the station. The resolution also urged the FCC to legalize low power FM radio. Mr. Porter wasn't on the council at the time.
Robert Norse later commented, "If Ed wants privacy, he should retire to private life. He's a public official & this was a public meeting. I have a job to do as a radio broadcaster. If he's going to arrest the media for every tape recording, the police will be mighty busy."
Knowing some of the folks involved in FRSC, they're not likely to let Ed Porter off the hook easily for this...


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Today, Laura Murphy would be at Nelson County High School wishing her 17-year-old daughter Alexis luck on her first of her senior year.
Alexis would reunite with her friends and take her place on the court as the volleyball team captain.
Instead, a now grieving mother is pleading through tears for help to find her daughter.
'I carried my youngest son to school this morning, but didn't have my daughter to take," Alexis' mother, Laura Murphy says. "If anyone knows anything, please let us know, please."
Once a missing person case has changed with police arresting 48-year-old Randy Taylor on Sunday afternoon on abduction charges.
Alexis' aunt tells our sister station NBC 29 that she's seen Taylor around the area and recognizes a distinguishable tattoo on his neck. She also has seen his camouflage SUV.
Investigators are now asking the public if they have seen the truck between August 3rd when Alexis first disappeared, and August 6th, when her car was found in Charlottesville.
The news has turned this community upside down, including Allison Fisher, a teen the same age as Alexis.
"It's kind or scary, because I wouldn't think that could happen to someone around here like that because its a really small town," local teen, Allison Fisher says. "So, it's kind of scary."
You can't go far without seeing fliers with Alexis' picture asking people for help, and pink ribbons tied from Alexis' home in Shipman to Lovingston.
"It's reminded me of how close and tight knit the Nelson County community is," Nelson County Commonwealth Attorney, Anthony Martin, says.
A community that hopes Alexis will be found and returned to her family's arms soon.
Be sure to follow our WSLS 10 reporter Katie Love for the latest news updates.
Twitter: KLOVEREPORTER
Facebook: Katie Love
WSLS 10, P.O. Box 10Roanoke, VA 24022-0010
Telephone: 540.981.9110
Fax: 540.343.3157
Email: email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Tommy Mann Jr.
The Orange Leader
The circus is coming to town.
The Carson and Barnes Circus, affectionately known as the "World's Biggest Big Top Circus," will make two stops over a four-day period in Orange County this coming week. The circus will be in Rose City on Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9, and then in Pinehurst on Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11.
Showtimes are at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., each day. The circus will be located on the grounds of Rose City Baptist Church on Old Highway 90 and in the parking lot of the old Sears building off MacArthur Drive.
Tickets are $12 - $14 for adults and $6 - $8 for children in advance, depending if purchased online or at local ticket outlets where available. Reserved seats are available for an additional $3 per ticket surcharge and box seat upgrades are available for a $6 per ticket surcharge. Free children's tickets for ages 11 and younger are available at select area convenience store locations and online at www.carsonbarnescircus.com but the child must be accompanied by a paying adult.
The Carson and Barnes Circus, which can trace its beginning back to 1937, traveled across 15 states in 2012 performing more than 700 shows in 250 cities and communities. Now it's coming to Orange County.
"This circus should generate a lot of excitement from the community," said Joe Parkhurst, city administrator in Pinehurst. "That location used to have carnivals quite often many years ago. When the circus officials called, we put them in touch with the people running that location and they obviously worked out a deal. We're really about excited about having a circus in Pinehurst."
The circus in Rose City will be the same, but it will have a slightly different result as Carson and Barnes Circus will return approximately 20 percent of all ticket sales to the City of Rose City for an upcoming project it hopes to begin very soon.
"We are looking to construct a small fire station in Rose City, but we don't have the funds to do it ourselves, so we are having a fundraising project to get it started," said Mayor David Bush of Rose City. "The people at Carson and Barnes Circus offered to give us 20 percent of the ticket sales back to help us start our fundraising campaign."
Bush said representatives from Orange County Emergency Services District 1 will be on hand to help park cars each day and will also have a fire truck on site for children to see up close.
"If you don't live within five road miles of a fire station, you are automatically considered a Category 10 for fire insurance by the state," Bush added. "This will benefit our community greatly in having a single-vehicle fire station here in reducing fire insurance costs. It will benefit our citizens and the businesses in the area too."
Circus attractions include Katy the Pygmy Hippo, clowns, jugglers, a trapeze act, pony rides, a petting zoo, camel rides and even the opportunity to ride an Asian Elephant.
"We've had a lot of interest from the surrounding communities about this circus," Bush added. "It's going to be great for our community."


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By the time she bid adieu to the publication nearly a decade later, she had 142 magazine covers under her belt, including the famous shot of a naked Lennon curled up on a fully clothed Yoko Ono. Throughout the years, musicians, writers, athletes, actors and all manner of public figures have vied for the opportunity to be captured through the lens of the iconic photographer.
Her work has appeared in museums and galleries throughout the world and her latest project, "Pilgrimage" is on display at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. The exhibition features more than 70 photographs taken at historic American sites, including Niagara Falls, Yosemite Valley and two Gettysburg images featuring Devils Den and the Jacob Lott Farm.
The Lott farm had the distinction of being right in the center of the Union lines on the final day of battle and it is being farmed today. Leibovitz remarked on photographing the sacred ground, "It was hard for me. It's so beautiful in some way, to see the land still going on ... life still going on."
Leibovitz embraces the departure from her standard style in this particular collection of photographs. "This project was an exercise in renewal, which taught me to see again. It's not my normal work, but it's not so far from my normal work either. It's sort of the peripheral vision of my usual work," she said.
Chambersburg photographer Jeremy Wolfe, owner of Jeremy Wolfe Photography, weighed in on the exhibit in a recent interview.
"Annie came in at the top and is working her way backwards," Wolfe said. "She never had time to shoot the way she felt. Most artists start out doing what she's doing now. It's a different career trajectory. These point-and-shoot-type images are very different than what she has done before."
He speculates that Leibovitz might be just a bit disenchanted with the entertainment industry, given the controversy over her Miley Cyrus shoot and financial struggles due to outstanding lawsuits, a battle described by Leibovitz as "an extraordinary period of soul searching."
"Most of my favorite artists say that their inner turmoil dies down with age," said Wolfe. "Annie might be pulling back from the entertainment industry and doing more whim work as opposed to client-based work."
Gettysburg Foundation President Joanne Hanley said, "This photography exhibition, 'Pilgrimage' charts a new direction for Annie. Unlike her staged and carefully lit portraits done on assignment for magazines and advertising clients, the photographs in this exhibition were taken simply because she was moved by the subject. The images speak in a commonplace language to the photographer's curiosity about the world she inherited."
Hanley said that the exhibit is particularly pertinent to Gettysburg. "Millions of people make their own pilgrimage of sorts here every year, to stand on these fields and reflect on the battle of Gettysburg's effect on our nation, an effect we are still feeling today. The 'Pilgrimage' exhibition helps people understand that Gettysburg is very much relevant in our lives today."
WHAT: Photography by Annie Leibovitz
WHERE: gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitors' Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg
WHEN: The exhibit continues through Jan. 20
COST: Included in the museum/film/Cyclorama admission fee of $12.50 for adults, $8.50 for ages 6 through 12.
DETAILS: http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org.


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Ever heard of this phrase: 'customer is the king'? However, there seems to be variation in the letter and the spirit in the real world.
If one were to believe the discussions held in Pune at the Custommerce National Convention, it generally boils down to motivated employees delivering delight to the customers.
Hence, we will focus on a few battlefield strategies to motivate corporate employees to do the needful so as to deliver customer satisfaction.
"A soldier signs up for unlimited liability when he joins the armed forces (because he is ready to pay with life)… however, in the corporate world employees sign up for a limited liability," Lt Gen (Retd) said Shamsher Singh Mehta, former Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industries.
The challenge for the corporate management is to bridge the gap between unlimited and limited liability, he said.
The leaders in the corporate world should lead by example, the way officers lead their men on the battlefield. They should delegate enough tasks to their executives and give them enough time to execute the task. "Delegating tasks does not mean absolving oneself of the responsibility," he cautioned. "If you do not delegate enough then you will be bogged down yourself by the enormous amount of tasks and risk having to do it all by yourself."
Leaders must leave the comfort of their chairs and go and see how things are with their customers. Leaders need to be bold about what they want to do, creating a bold culture within the organisation.
Bringing different people together
While admitting that bringing and motivating different people from various social backgrounds is a challenge, Vice Admiral (Retd) S.C.S. Bangara said that leaders must ensure that everyone in the team aligns to a particular common objective.
Mehta added, "In the armed forces men die for their unit because they are made to realise the stakes involved with a defeat are too costly." Likewise, in boardrooms managers must create a culture, which inspires and goads the employees to give their best.
In vulnerable times
"After the 2008 crisis, some people spread rumours that ICICI Bank is going to go bankrupt and this led to customers making a beeline to branches to withdraw their money," K. Ramkumar, Executive Director, ICICI Bank, said.
Ramkumar claimed that ICICI Bank executives in some places like Madurai, Tiruchi and other places went to the ATM counters and served the people who were waiting in the queue. "They offered them tea and coffee. In a couple of days customers came bank into the bank's fold realising that the bank's balance sheet was robust."
He said that if employees are motivated and serve the customer in times of vulnerability, only then can one provide top-class customer service.


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Went straight to port and since it was later in the afternoon no lines for embarking and was soon on the ship and able to go straight to my room. This was my second great surprise. I was travelling solo (third solo trip and I must admit it is becoming my favorite way to travel). I had cabin 2444 and was expecting a twin bed. I had booked this room specifically for the two windows and it was better than advertised. Short hallway and a big window over the (queen) bed with a couch and another big window behind the couch. Perfect views the entire cruise. I had a view through the windows from bed or bathroom and even when sitting on the couch window view reflected in the mirrors. Loved this room and planned out next years trip to have the same one. A bit of louder noises when arriving into port but otherwise absolutely perfect.
Great steward who when I let him know I was not doing dining in the evenings actually started making my towel animals during his morning clean up time. I had absolutely none of the problems earlier reviews had made me wary of. Every crew member I ran into was polite and most were very friendly. I did use the lido and room service for meals and either had incredibly good luck or just timed it right and never waited more than 3-4 minutes for a meal, morning room service arrived on time all but one day when the card had not been picked up and when I called was there in 5-10 minutes.
I had been on Holland America for two cruises and Carnival Glory last trip and liked this port debarcation method better. Instead of going to a central point I would walk to the end of the hall and down a flight of stairs, off the ship in a short time after they opened the doors, seemed to floor well at least from my level. No tendering this trip so of course this helped, but still felt very smooth. I actually enjoyed being on the second level as I could take stairs instead of worrying about elevators. But again no issues with people blocking stairs/elevators etc I had read about.
I am a port and not a ship board activity person so can't speak to entertainment. I had made a decision to do an excursion a day and just relax in the evenings with my laptop for movies and arranging pictures and came home relaxed and with amazing memories. I did all but one of the excursions through cruise critic recommendations and they were exceptional. The only one I will change for next year was my Carnival excursion to St. John and it wasn't bad just not as good as the others.
Met some great people on this cruise, one a young couple before even leaving the states as they took the bump along with me from the airlines. Friendly passengers, great experiences and a lovely ship. Food in the lido was good and no complaints, loved the fact my room was right below lido so I could grab a meal after returning from the excursion, hit the elevator and be in my room in five minutes. Cheapest on board expenses I have ever had, used one of the large water bottles and with my carnival bottle holder could refill it up at the lido each day. Only left with the $70 in tips (I did leave full tips since it was a deliberate choice to not do the dining) and about $4.00 for the bottle and tip for the steward.
I had been able to switch my Segway tour in San Juan from embarcation day to the day after we came back to San Juan. Highly recommend the Segway, it is amazingly fun. It was drizzling that day but they supplied raincoats, Natalya was our guide and gave us the history of the sights while we played driving the segway up the cobblestone streets and across the lawns to the Fort, loved this tour.
I stayed that night at the Howard Johnson Plaza de Armas.I had packed a cheap poncho and HJ let you leave your luggage in the back room until check in time at 3:00. A bit uneasy the first couple of minutes, rain and a bit nervous about getting lost, of course once I took a second to think I realized that would be impossible since the free trolley stopped right at the door of the hotel or close to that. Next year plan on getting myself totally lost exploring, find the closest trolley sign when I get tired and enjoy the ride back to the hotel. Really could not be in a better place for a hotel with easy access to everything from grocery store/drug store/ starbucks and subway if you were missing US coffee/food, Bought a exceptionally good pastry from the Plaza across the street. Next years goal is to visit La Bombera and Barrachina(?) for my pina colada.
Awesome trip. I had a single twin room for $89 a night and really thought it was nice (after the reviews was expecting a closet) I did request bottom floor and they gave me a room at the back of the lobby, decent sized room and a nice bathroom, not huge but about the size of a bedroom in a house, felt like staying at Grandma's. Comfortable bed, nice shower and bathroom.
Perfect way to end the trip since the flight out was about 8:30 and the airport was almost empty. Taxi let me off at the agriculture check point and was through security in 5 minutes. Much better than trhing to struggle through with 5-8000 other people coming off the cruise. Things flowed perfectly this trip. Here is hoping next year is just as great.


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The state fire marshal is investigating a fire at a storage facility in Piedmont.
A fire broke out shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday at a storage unit on Main Street.
Two units were damaged.
No one was injured.
The Piedmont City Fire Department and Clearwater Fire Protection District responded.
No word on a cause.
Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.
310 Broadway
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
FCC Public File
EEO Report
Closed Captioning


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Jake Blauvelt is currently riding a pretty big wave. Having thrown in competitions for back country movies his blockbuster 'Naturally' movie blew people away when it dropped earlier this year. Blauvelt is continuing to innovate and lead the sport in new, exciting directions. Blauvelt's began his career on the competition circuit. It peaked in 2004 when he won the US Open Competition, at this point he decided that was enough and wanted to return to his back-country roots. Under the mentorship of the great Terje Haakonson, Blauvelt started delivering incredible parts in a whole host of movies including 'That', 'Derelictica' and 'Nowhere.' Jake was born on August 22, 1986, in Bellingham, WA. He developed a love of snowboarding while ripping it up on the natural terrains back in his home town. His laid back personality is evident in his riding and belies the precision and agility he has when strapped in. 'Naturally' came after a two year gestation period and didn't disappoint. Blauvelt is one of the few riders who leads rather than follows and it's truly exciting to see what he creates next.
Mpora © 2014 Factory Media Ltd.


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Kunea PL Private Pool & Tennis Court-Views of Mountain & Oce in Paia
- bedrooms 4
- baths 4
- sleeps 10
- pool yes
- hot tub no
- pets allowed no
- type House
- community
rates (USD)
/ night
vacation rental description
Specific information about property STWK 2013/0001
Kunea Place rests on three-quarters of an acre of beautifully landscaped property, with a private
pool and tennis court. The home sleeps 10 guests with four bedrooms
all with pool-side patios and a view of the ocean and West Maui Mountains.
We only rent the whole house 5 night minimum
All four of the suites look out over the pool,
tennis court, lush landscaping with the West Maui Mountains and the ocean in the background. The
property has ample gardens where you can swim, play tennis, practice your golf swing, play croquet,
have a game of volleyball, badminton, or just spread out and throw the football around.
If you prefer to make your meals at home, Kunea Place lends itself to this experience as well. With
Safeway and Costco just ten minutes away, and with each suite equipped with your own kitchen
facilities, you can make beautiful meals at home too.
Description of surrounding area and attractions
Baby beach is just a couple of minutes away walking. Paia is a great historical town one mile away.
Just 10 minutes from airport.
The North Shore is so spectacular. Very upscale community
vacation rental location
property availability
- dates with deals
- unavailable dates
Last modified on 09-4-2008 at 9:02 AM.
email owner view full calendar
Inkeeper 808-269-0389
house rental amenities
Private gated.
Amenities Washer
Linens Provided
Off Street Parking
Beds King Bed
Queen Bed
Double Bed
Twin/Single Bed
Convertible Bed
Entertainment Cable/Satellite TV
CD Player
Stereo System
Private Pool
Kitchen Full Kitchen
Cooking Utensils Provided
Ice Maker
Outdoor Features Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
View/Location Ocean View
Mountain View
Golf Course Front
Communications Telephone
Broadband Internet
WiFi (Wireless Internet)
Other Amenities Clay Tennis Court, Hammock, Outdoor Shower
Suitability No Pets Allowed
Kid Friendly
Smoking Not Allowed
activities and attractions in Paia Maui
There is every type of water sport available near bye. Hiking, golf right out the back yard.
Tennis court. Pool, Just a couple minute walk to baby beach and Pais is one mile away.
All that Maui has to offer.
vacation rental rates
Cancelation is in contract. Once booked unless the home is rebooked no refunds.
$650 is for 8 persons $50 for each additional person per night
There is a $450 cleaning fee for the whole house
Inkeeper 808-269-0389
accepted payment methods
Prior to paying a reservation deposit, always verify payment instructions by calling the phone number displayed on this listing page. By contacting the owner directly and paying by an approved method - credit card, paypal, check or bank transfer - your reservation payment will be protected up to $1,000.Learn more in our Security Center


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Category archives: PR Interviews
Editor Q&A: How to Pitch Lauren Indvik, Editor in Chief of Fashionista
Fashionista is our go-to source for fashion industry news and commentary. We are delighted to feature an interview with Lauren Indvik, who recently joined the team as the site's Editor in Chief! Name: Lauren Indvik Title: Editor in Chief Publication: Fashionista Circulation: 1.8 million unique visitors/month Email: firstname.lastname@example.com How do you prefer to receive pitches? By email. I don't mind… More
Marquet Media Helps Preps US for Vancouver Fashion Week
Vancouver Fashion Week is a semi-annual week-long celebration of fashion, creativity, and multiculturalism. This fall/winter 2014 season,VFW is expecting 50 designers from 21 countries including Argentinian designer Gabriel Lage, Peruvian designer Noe Bernacelli, South Korean Designer Soojin Lee. Designers will display their collections to more than 20,000 industry insiders, socialites, celebrities, media, and buyers. State side, Marquet Communications (soon to be Creative Development Agency, LLC) was tapped to… More
Editor Q&A: How to Pitch Sustainable Business Platform Triple Pundit
While fashion typically relegates most of it's eco coverage to the April issue, Triple Pundit (or 3p if you're in the know) is one of the world's most well read B2B focused websites on ethical, sustainable & profitable business with over 350,000 unique monthly readers. Recently, 3p announced a four-month focus on sustainable fashion, published with the support Levi Strauss… More


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Narrow your search
The electronics titans square off in a tangled tale of mobile technology, centered on Apple's iPhone
Looking for phones? CNET's reviews of the best phones include photos, video, and user reviews.
There may be no Android, but Samsung's Z phone running its in-house Tizen operating system looks enough like the Galaxy S5's custom interface to easily get around.
Pricing not available
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 is a smooth-performing midrange slate, but it's overpriced compared to similar tablets.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 delivers everything casual tablet users will need, but it's all tied down to an inflated price tag that makes comparable options more attractive to budget-conscious shoppers.
Except for Galaxy compatibility, the Samsung Level On doesn't offer anything you won't find in other, better on-ear headphones for the same price.
With its powerful processor, great camera, decent screen and gorgeous, waterproof design, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the best small Android phone around.
If you absolutely must have a phone with an optical zoom, the K Zoom is basically your only option. It's bulky though, and the pictures it takes aren't any better than the Galaxy S5's. You'll be far better off with a cheap Android phone and a decent compact digital camera.
The Samsung Wireless is the best mobile device for media streaming and data backup, but only Android users need apply.
Pricing not available
Samsung's second stab at the Beam line signals the return of the built-in projector, and adds a 4.6-inch screen and quad-core processor.
Pricing not available
Subtly improved and smartly refined, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a superior superphone that hits every mark but the sharpest design.
Huge launches are expected from Samsung, Sony and others as the German show sets the tech agenda for the rest of the year.


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Tags: andy cohen, Bravo, watch what happens live
Here's the thing: Mariah Carey was a guest on last weekend's Watch What Happens Live, and we loved how candid she was!
When host Andy Cohen asked her to say three nice things about Eminem on the "Plead the Fifth" segment, she had only this to say:
"They come in a package that you can carry wherever you go. People love them around the world, and they're tasty. You can have peanut or the regular kind."
Well, at least that was more indirect than her 2009 music video, "Obsessed"!
Also, the diva claimed that her 2001 excuse of a film, Glitter, was her biggest regret.
"There was no script darling. And it was released on 9/11," the diva shares as some of the reasons that made the film tank so bad.
"It was a horrible couple of years and then I had to get my momentum back for people to let it go."
Mariah has also revealed that she and husband Nick Cannon are sort of leading separate lives due to their busy work scheds.
"He's the hardest working man in show business. Hi, Nick!" she says before blowing a kiss to the camera.
Hopefully, he's working on more hits for our fave superstar!
Posted by Jack+ as Celebrities, Mariah Carey, Tid Bits & News, TV at 9:00 AM EDT on 24/12/2013
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text:
Luxury ocean view apartment on 38th floor,La Perla. in Sunny Isles Beach
- bedrooms 2
- baths 2
- sleeps 6
- pool yes
- hot tub yes
- pets allowed no
- type Condo
- community
rates (USD)
/ week
$ 3,800 - $ 5,000 / month
vacation rental description
Spend your next vacation in luxury on a brand new condo on the top of the world(38th floor) with stunning
ocean views as well as intercostal views from all rooms.Step outside and you are on the beach.
The unit offers 1400 sf of luxury including white marble floor,stainless steel appliances with granite countertop
in the kitchen,a large master bedroom with private balcony and a large masterbath with jacuzzy and
shower.Plasma TV in all bedrooms and family room,washer and dryer in the unit.The unit is completely furnished
and exquisitely decorated.
vacation rental location
property availability
- dates with deals
- unavailable dates
Last modified on 06-8-2009 at 9:57 PM.
email owner view full calendar
grisel 786-357-2998
condo rental amenities
A beautiful warm beach when you step outside,24 hour fishing Pier with restuarant and sport bar,heated
beach front pool and jacuzzy,gym with ocean view,a beach attendant at all times,live entertainment,24 hour
security,valet parking,concierge services,jet ski,parasailing and surfing rental,9 miles from famous South
Beach,close to Ballharbor Shops and Aventura mall,close to Turnberry Golf and Country Club.Casinos nearby.
activities and attractions in Sunny Isles Beach Atlantic Coast South
Fishing,Volleyball,Jetski,Parasailing,Scuba diving and best restuarant within walking distance.
vacation rental rates
3,800 monthly between May 1st and August 31 and 1300 weekly during May 1st and August 31st.
5,000 monthly between September 1 and April 30 and 1500 weekly between September 1 and April 30
Prices are negotiable and subject to change.
grisel 786-357-2998
payment methods
Owner has not provided their accepted payment methods
Prior to paying a reservation deposit, always verify payment instructions by calling the phone number displayed on this listing page. By contacting the owner directly and paying by an approved method - credit card, paypal, check or bank transfer - your reservation payment will be protected up to $1,000.Learn more in our Security Center
Top things to do in Sunny Isles Beach
- Hard Rock Casino
- Balharbor Shops
- Snorkling,Scuba diving
- Oleta River Park
Top things to do on a budget
- Beach
- Visit South Beach
- Visit Las Olas Boulevard,Ft Lauderdale
Top things to do with a family
- Miami Seaquarium
- Monkey Jungle
- Historical Museum of South florida
- Everglades Alligator Farm
- Miami Metro Zoo
grisel , owner


text:
Whether you're an aviation geek or just always wanted to sit in the cockpit during a flight, Boeing's new "DreamPass" digital experience for the 787 Dreamliner is simply freakin' awesome. There are two portions to this neat new feature from Boeing and one in particular that is badass. On the last leg of the Dream… Read More
Boeing engineer hopes sports app soars above competition
There is no doubt that the social sports playing field is a crowded one, but one Boeing Flight Deck iPad application engineer is hoping he's found the right formula. Benjamin Monnig develops the iPad user interface for airplane cockpits during the day, but he's spent the past five months working evenings and weekends building up… Read More


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Tuscany ~ Luxurious Beachfront Home in Destin! in Destin
- bedrooms 7
- baths 6½
- sleeps 20
- pool yes
- hot tub no
- pets allowed no
- type House
- community Destin
rates (USD)
/ night
$ 5,040 - $ 23,095 / week
vacation rental description
Enjoy a luxurious vacation at Tuscany in Destin-By-The-Sea. This lovely home features seven spacious bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms and provides accommodations for up to 18 people. It is a great choice for a multiple-family location. Located directly on the beach, enjoy relaxing on your private balcony and watching the waves cascade onto the soft, sugar white sand. Go for a swim in the private pool (heated by special request for a fee). This home is within close proximity to many fantastic restaurants and shopping centers in Destin, Florida. Book a relaxing vacation at Tuscany today.
vacation rental location
property availability
- dates with deals
- unavailable dates
Last modified on 03-20-2014 at 6:43 PM.
email owner view full calendar
Vacation Planner 866-581-1323
house rental amenities
- 5,600 Square Feet
- Bed Sizes:
- Second Floor:
- Master Bedroom - King
- Second Bedroom - (2) Twin Bunks
- Third Bedroom - Queen
- Fourth Bedroom - Queen
- Fifth Bedroom - Queen
- Bunk Room - (2) Full Bunks
- Third Floor:
- Sixth Bedroom - King
- Seventh Bedroom - (2) Twins & Queen Sleeper Sofa
- Second Floor:
- Private Balconies Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico
- 8 TVs
- 8 DVD Players
- Stereo
- Travertine Flooring
- Hardwood Floors
- Walk-in Showers
- Elevator Spanning All Three Floors
- Private Pool (Heated for a Daily Fee Upon Special Request)
- Private BBQ Grill
- Private Walkway to the Beach
- 4 Bikes Available at this Home
- 4 Private Parking Spaces
- Community Pool, Hot Tub and Lounge Area in Destiny by the Sea
activities and attractions in Destin Gulf Coast North
Spend the day playing on the beach or check out some of the other activities in the area such as...
Water Sports
Bicycle Riding
Deep Sea Fishing
All day shopping at the Silver Sands Premier Outlet, Destin Commons, Grande Boulevard or at one of the many specialty stores in Destin
Catching the latest movie releases at one of our theaters
vacation rental rates
May 31st, 2014 - Jun 27th, 2014.....$2,265/Daily...$12,995/Weekly
Jun 28th, 2014 - Jul 4th, 2014.....$2,495/Daily...$14,955/Weekly
Jul 5th, 2014 - Aug 15th, 2014.....$2,265/Daily...$13,595/Weekly
Aug 16th, 2014 - Sep 1st, 2014.....$1,415/Daily...$8,495/Weekly
Sep 2nd, 2014 - Sep 26th, 2014.....$905/Daily...$5,440/Weekly
Sep 27th, 2014 - Oct 10th, 2014.....$1,090/Daily...$6,530/Weekly
Oct 11th, 2014 - Oct 31st, 2014.....$905/Daily...$5,440/Weekly
Nov 1st, 2014 - Nov 21st, 2014.....$715/Daily...$4,280/Weekly
Nov 22nd, 2014 - Nov 28th, 2014.....$1,090/Daily...$6,530/Weekly
Nov 29th, 2014 - Dec 19th, 2014.....$715/Daily...$4,280/Weekly
Dec 20th, 2014 - Dec 27th, 2014.....$1,090/Daily...$6,530/Weekly
Dec 28th, 2014 - Feb 28th, 2015.....$715/Daily...$4,280/Weekly
Mar 1st, 2015 - Mar 20th, 2015.....$1,310/Daily...$7,854/Weekly
Mar 21st, 2015 - Apr 3rd, 2015.....$1,549/Daily...$9,282/Weekly
Apr 4th, 2015 - Apr 17th, 2015.....$1,155/Daily...$6,825/Weekly
Apr 18th, 2015 - May 121st, 2015.....$1,310/Daily...$7,854/Weekly
May 22nd, 2015 - Jun 26th, 2015.....$2,379/Daily...$14,275/Weekly
Jun 27th, 2015 - Jul 10th, 2015.....$2,620/Daily...$15,695/Weekly
Jul 11th, 2015 - Aug 14th, 2015.....$2,379/Daily...$14,275/Weekly
** Rates do not include applicable tax and fees.
**Optional Travel Insurance Available**
We reserve the right to correct rates that may have been misquoted due to human and/or computer error.
Vacation Planner 866-581-1323
accepted payment methods
Prior to paying a reservation deposit, always verify payment instructions by calling the phone number displayed on this listing page. By contacting the owner directly and paying by an approved method - credit card, paypal, check or bank transfer - your reservation payment will be protected up to $1,000.Learn more in our Security Center
Top things to do in Destin
- Sunbathe
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Relaxing
- Spending the day at Crab Island
- Walking the Harborwalk Village watching the fishing boats
Top things to do with a family
- Big Kahuna's Water Park
- The Track Amusement Center
- The Gulfarium
- Fishing at the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
- Shell Seeking
Vacation Planner , owner


text:
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed
The National Bar & Dining Rooms
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Private Dining
The National Bar & Dining Rooms
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Reviews ›
557 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10022
Midtown East
Getting there ›
Contemporary American
$30 and under
More Details ›
The National Bar & Dining Rooms Details
Dining Style:
Casual Dining
(212) 715-2400
Hours of Operation:
Breakfast: Mon - Fri 7:30am - 10:30am; Sat - Sun 8am - 10:30am
Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30am - 2:30pm
Brunch: Sat - Sun 10:30am - 3:30pm
Dinner: Daily: 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Payment Options:
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Contemporary American, American
Executive Chef:
Paul Corsentino
Dress Code:
Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins:
Additional Details:
Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine, Wine Bar
Special Events & Promotions:
The National presents The National Sessions each Sunday evening from 6pm to 10pm. Join us for this free weekly event featuring New York City bands performing an array of musical selections such as classic jazz, funk, blues, and more.
Getting there
Cross Street:
50th Street
Public Transit:
Take 6 Train to 51 Street.
Street Parking
A word from The National Bar & Dining Rooms
Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian brings his vision of a contemporary New York grand café to life at The National Bar & Dining Rooms. Housed in the same 1927 Emery Roth-designed building as The Benjamin Hotel, The National's all-occasion modern bistro offerings satiate guests from breakfast through late
night. Modeled after the celebrated grand cafés in Europe, The National is both residential and metropolitan in design and offers thoughtful details such as antiqued mirrors, a bronze spiral staircase, distressed peacock blue and chocolate leather banquettes, classic marble table tops, and black and white glazed-tile flooring.
Each Sunday evening from 6pm to 10pm, The National features a lineup of New York City bands performing an array of musical selections such as classic jazz, funk, blues, and more.
Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Diner Reviews
The food was very good! However
the restaurant was not very full on the evening we dined and the service was slow. Other than that we had a very good experience."
Dined on 8/25/2014
Service was mediocre. Waitress
was not friendly and seemed annoyed we were there. Omelet was good; potatoes on the side were inedible - so salty! Toast was cold."
Dined on 8/25/2014
The staff was very nice (my poor
service review is the bar), however there were several issues. The drinks were extremely slow to arrive - not sure what was going on at the bar, but it was a good 10-15 minutes to get a drink. We were even there early and the place was almost empty. We ordered another round and had finished dinner before the drinks showed up. The food was ok - ordered the ugly burger medium and it came out rare and cold. Not sure I would go back here given the lots of other great choices."
Dined on 8/15/2014
Always an interesting menu and
well executed meal at the National but the service and overall dining experience has been off just about every time I've gone. This past trip featured broken glass shards in my plate due to a nearby dropped glass, which the server less-than-emphatically apologized for after being told about it. Ten minutes later another dropped glass just feet behind me. Add to this the wait times for just about everything, and the noise level, and you have an experience you'd rather forget. The saving grace is that the food is always good and interesting. I was excited to use the pay-from-your-phone app but was never offered dessert or coffee. I was left to assume our meal was over, pay, and get up and leave."
Dined on 8/15/2014
Have never had a bad meal at The
National. The wine by the glass selection was as always very good. The dishes on the Restaurant Week menu was plentiful and extensive. Can you do something about the noise level? When we arrived the noise level in the bar area was out of this world, we requested for a quieter table and was given one in the dining room area but once that filled up the noise level was the same. Love the restaurant but help, my ears can't take the beating from the noise level."
Dined on 8/14/2014
We enjoyed the food immensely but
the service was indifferent bordering on rude. It was early and the place was not overly busy. Yes, we ordered from the restaurant week pre-fix, but we also had cocktails, wine and after dinner drinks. The check was $180 plus tip. Not reason for such service. Maybe it was just a bad night, but perhaps this waiter should find a new line of work."
Dined on 8/14/2014
I ordered from the Restaurant Week
menu, and was happy to see a vegetarian entree option (which doesn't always happen at a lot of places). I had the Market Salad, Sweet Corn Risotto, and Lemon Pound Cake. The food was all delicious, service was great, and we had a wonderful time."
Dined on 8/13/2014
The staff at the National is top
notch! They got us in for lunch exactly on time...no waiting. The decor is clean and elegant, without being pretentious. The food was delicious. Id recommend this restaurant to anyone."
Dined on 8/13/2014
Wonderful 3-course menu perfect
for our late arrival."
Dined on 8/12/2014
I have never been disappointed
here. There are plenty of choices and the food is always good."
Dined on 8/12/2014
Outstanding food as always.
Restaurant week portions can be small, but not at the National. Third time here and will be back."
Dined on 8/11/2014
Brunch was fine, but nothing
special. Dinner was not great. Loud band playing and undercooked burger."
Dined on 8/10/2014
We were here for restaurant week.
The appetizer was lamb neck, the flavor would have been good if it wasn't way too salty! Then for the entrée we had branzino, the skin was so burnt it made the entire fish bitter, the sides weren't any better. At least the chocolate mousse w/strawberry sorbet was good. 1 out of 3. I expected better from Zakarian. Then the service, the waiter did not seem to care. When the bill came, they charged us a supplement of I think $13 each for the lamb neck, which did not have a supplemental charge. I always make sure the bill is correct, and especially since I did read reviews saying they get the bills wrong. I should have listened to the reviews about the bad food & service, & billing errors, bc they are all true!"
Dined on 8/8/2014
Overall we liked the food. Pork
chop and Brussels sprouts were excellent. The potatoes accompanying the branzino were almost inedible as they were so sour. Fish / branzino was a trifle overcooked and not at all moist.Service was great. Music was too noisy. Speakers everywhere playing thumping club music at 7:30 pm dinner, really? Took my appetite away. Was expecting more from Zacharian."
Dined on 8/7/2014
i expected a restaurant of chef
zakarian's to be classy in the environment and excellent in the food categories and was truly disappointed in both. from the greeting at the door by two disinterested very young women in jeans to the inattentive waiter who had to be forced to bring coffee at the end of the meal to the overly salty branzino and hard as a rock lemon pound cake this restaurant is a nightmare to be avoided at all costs. shame on you chef zakarian!"
Dined on 8/6/2014
Food was not full of taste or pair
to its reputation, at least the options served on the restaurant week menu... Pea gazpacho with neutral flavor roasted chicken with a very light tasting sauce and a sorbet that could be bought at a supermarket"
Dined on 8/5/2014
We dined at The National on a
quiet Sunday evening. The food was excellent,t he service however was lacking. After cocktails, I ordered a bottle of wine for our table. We sat unattended for almost 30 minutes with empty cocktail glasses. When our server finally brought us the wine, she noted that it wasn't cool enough and suggested she put it on ice for a bit and walked away. The service staff brought our appetizers and we proceeded to eat the entire course without any wine. Our waitress returned 15 minutes later and poured the wine. I ordered another bottle and the same routine followed - we finished our first bottle of wine and ate our entrees with nothing but water to drink. The second bottle was served as we ordered dessert."
Dined on 8/3/2014
The food and service were both
fantastic. The courses were timed perfectly. The rosemary infused vodka tea specialty cocktail...oh my word. And it paired perfectly with the juicy roasted chicken (I was worried) with barley risotto entree. The chocolate mousse dessert? Out of this world. The pea gazpacho app was perfectly light and summery. I will be back."
Dined on 8/3/2014
Salad was salty and my egg
breakfast had no flavor. Highly disappointing."
Dined on 8/3/2014
My friend and I met my daughter
here for dinner on a one-day visit to NYC. We ordered from the restaurant week menu since they were offering the entrees we wanted. Great food and surprisingly large portions. Service was also great. Noise level is high."
Dined on 7/29/2014
Hate nongender-specific bathrooms
especially when bar is big focus of a restaurant. Yuck! If have to remain co-ed, ditch the horseshoe toilet seat which only adds insult to injury (to women)."
Dined on 7/28/2014
Well located. There is a dearth of
good spots for business dinners in midtown, if you can believe it. The appetizers were delicious, the entrees more average. The service could be better, and I was frankly surprised at that given the price point. I had a business dinner for five, and the waiter was not of the caliber you would expect. He seemed out of it, didn't seem to care, was not attentive, etc."
Dined on 7/28/2014
The food is always good here ,
solid classics. Yesterday's pea gazpacho was delicious and it's worth going just for that brocolini side dish. Service is professional although not particularly warm and friendly. And the people who greet you at the door and answer the phone are usually not very warm and friendly. I eat here all the time yet never once has anyone said "Welcome back" as many other restaurants do. Yesterday the greeter took my name then proceeded to answer the phone and stay on the phone while we stood there. Finally another person came along and seated us. It's a disservice to a really nice little restaurant. Friends and colleagues who go here feel the same way."
Dined on 7/28/2014
Had brunch on Saturday. I found
the menu limiting. Service and food was good."
Dined on 7/26/2014
We located this restaurant because
of Restaurant Week. I would highly recommend."
Dined on 7/22/2014
We ate here before the theater,
and opted for appetizers and cocktails. The specialty cocktail list is short, but I ordered a French 75 - not on the menu - and it was made perfectly. Cheese board, meatballs with a pesto cream sauce - oh, and did I mention the macaroni and cheese with carmelized onion and gruyere? All delicious."
Dined on 7/20/2014
I had done extensive research and
actually based the choice of the hotel ultimately on the convienence of the restaurant. The service was not up to oar, wine was not chilled sufficiently , uncomfortable wood chairs and very noisy bar and background music..did not think Zakarian., would approve."
Dined on 7/18/2014
I was really looking forward to
eating at The National based on the reviews. I was disappointed all around. While I appreciate service that is on request and not hovering I would have appreciated a refill on my empty water at some point during my meal since that was the only thing I was drinking. Our server never checked on the quality of our food either which was only so-so. My roast chicken with risotto seemed bland and my husband's strip steak was rather leathery. I don't know that I would have sent our food back but it certainly wasn't the food or experience that I was hoping for."
Dined on 7/12/2014
Great spot by Grand Central.
Really cool atmosphere and delicious food. Check it out."
Dined on 7/12/2014
The restaurant is cool and fun.
The food was very good. However, our service was not. I don't think it was necessarily our waiter's fault. He had a lot of tables to serve. Regardless, we had to wait too long to order, get the check, etc."
Dined on 7/9/2014
I've eaten at the National several
times, and as always the hostesses are wonderful. The waiters are ok—distracted, at best. It's always was hard to get the check, which I'll never understand (dropping the ball at the moment we decide how much to tip??) The food was fine this time around, but the portions are a still bit ridiculous. My wedge salad was an entire head of lettuce, my pork chop the size of my face. The flavors are always good. Still, we enjoyed ourselves in the beautiful space and consider this spot a go-to in an otherwise (good) restaurant-scant neighborhood. Easy to make reservations, and great for groups, kids or a date. Imagine that."
Dined on 6/27/2014
The noise level was unbearable.
the booming club music did not help! But the food was terrific and the service attentive and thoughtful."
Dined on 6/26/2014
Rude, inattentive waitress, messed
up order and food came out cold. Won't be holding anymore business breakfasts there."
Dined on 6/26/2014
I fit in at least (2) business
lunches per month at the National and find that it is the exceptional venue to have them at. Not only are they local to most mid-town offices, their menu is healthy and delicious."
Dined on 6/25/2014
A trendy, but not too upscale,
convenient restaurant choice that should be perfect for anyone midtown east in Manhattan. Very accommodating staff, excellent/attentive servers without being "in your face" constantly. The lunch menu has more than enough excellent choices. Whether you desire the tasty "ugly burger", steak, chicken or seafood, and compliment them with scrumptious side dishes, it's all possible here. One can start with great appetizers and finish with beautifully presented (and delicious) dessert choices. We were a table of five and everyone raved and sent emails after to thank me for making the restaurant choice. They will be returning, as will I!"
Dined on 6/25/2014
Food is fine. Not notably
anything. Service was remarkably uninspired. First time in a long time that I tipped well under the 20% standard."
Dined on 6/24/2014
the "grilled" chicken i asked to
have added to my ceasar salad tasted like boiled chicken reheated in the microwave. It was barely edible"
Dined on 6/24/2014
Reserved for a group of 8 for
brunch. The restaurant was nearly empty, and yet the service was incredibly slow. Food was fair but nothing special, which is underwhelming considering the reputation and the price. Would not recommend (for brunch, at least)."
Dined on 6/22/2014
I think Zakarian pays more
attention to his TV gigs than his restaurants. The food was not hot, not tasty. It came very quickly. The lamb shanks were cool and not tasty. I make them better with fresh herbs.and a delicious sauce. Goodcservice and great wine. Will not return and neither should you."
Dined on 6/21/2014
Dining at Iron Chef, Geoffrey
Zakarian's restaurant, The National was an exhilarating experience. The drinks, my gosh the drinks, so perfectly crafted, so balanced. I couldn't even imagine liquor can taste this good. The atmosphere is relaxed but high quality. It feels like a place to take a special date or get drinks after work. The food was equally delectable as the drinks and the service! WOW is all I have to say. If you go there, ask for Wendy, she's a native Honduran beauty who served us. She was insightful, creative, helpful in choosing drinks and food to try. She kept it real and was so accommodating. She is the reason I would go back, aside from the amazing food and drinks that is. PLEASE GO, GO NOW!"
Dined on 6/20/2014
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text:
Project Coordinator
This job posting is no longer active.
IPEX is looking for a customer focussed individual to join their US Sales and Customer Service department as a Project Coordinator. Located in our Mississauga, ON office, this individual will need to be able to work at a fast pace, in team environment guided by IPEX's mission to provide our customers with the highest quality products and services using your knowledge and engineering background. Responsibilities:
Required Skills/Qualifications
- Answer phone/fax/e-mail quote inquiries from customers/reps/regionals.
- Communicating market trends with regional managers.
- Quote all industrial products and municipal products for the US.
- Quote specifiable products, when required.
- Update Monthly costs for all products lines (pipe, fittings).
- Update and maintain blender spreadsheets.
- Update and maintain freight rates from main DCs.
- Update and maintain pipe price sheets – street sheets and customer net sheets.
- Create custom price sheets for key customers.
- Liaison between plant/customer to meet promised production dates.
- Regularly review competitors' websites for new price sheets, pricing announcements or new products.
- Keep a Log and update weekly all Large Diameter/Large Project quotes as well as Vortex projects.
- Follow up on quoted projects for competitive feedback-revise quotes as required.
- Call customers and ask them to help fill loads as required.
- Maintain quotes and drawings for OEM customers.
- Work with planners/plant managers/costing i.e. customer pipe inquiries.
- Work directly with vendors for special order items or special pricing.
- Technical support to customers (dimensions, technical letters, etc…).
- Provide technical support to contractors and/or distributors regarding specifications for PVC piping projects.
Required Skills/Qualifications
- University degree in Engineering; working towards the P.Eng designation
- Experience in the PVC pipe and fittings manufacturing business.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Excellent telephone manners.
- Good interpersonal relationship skills
- Excellent knowledge in various computer applications including: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.


text:
Written by Julie Silva Friday, 16 May 2014 08:50
Looking toward a runoff in the race for mayor of Mission, both incumbent Norberto "Beto" Salinas and challenger Jaime Gutierrez are hoping to gain votes from Dr. John Guerra, who was pushed out of the race Saturday.
And Jessica Ortega-Ochoa, a political newcomer who was running against incumbent Maria Elena Ramirez for Place 1 on the council, took 53 percent of the votes, pushing Ramirez out of the office.
Salinas just missed avoiding a runoff with 49 percent of the votes, according to unofficial totals. Collectively, Gutierrez and Guerra received 2,698 votes to Salinas' 2,590. Gutierrez, with 31 percent and 1,640 votes will face Salinas in a runoff on June 21. Early voting is scheduled for June 9-17.


text:
Thousands retrieved in fraud investigation (From Harrow Times)
Get involved: send your pictures, video & news by texting Harrow Times to 80360, or upload here
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Thousands retrieved in Harrow Borough Council's fraud investigation
Updated 3:23pm Monday 17th February 2014 in News By Anna Slater, Chief Reporter
Arrests were made as officials clawed back thousands of pounds during investigations into benefit fraud.
Four people were arrested, three council houses freed up and two disabled parking badges seized for suspected misuse during a crackdown by Harrow Borough Council.
In a string of operations between February 3 and February 7, officers visited seven council properties which were being illegally sublet and ten addresses where individuals receive financial support or social care arrangements.
They also visited Stanmore Broadway to find people fraudulently using disabled badges.
In the past year, the team has prevented fraud losses of around £1million in similar operations.
Harrow Council leader Councillor Susan Hall said: "Our anti-fraud team are doing a brilliant job and have shown what can be achieved in just one week – unearthing cases which could amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
"It doesn't stop there and they will continue all year round to bring fraudsters to justice. Fraud is the same as stealing from your neighbour, as it means the council has less money to spend on the services residents need and deserve.
"We will continue to use all our powers to stamp out this unfair and unacceptable behaviour."
Comments are closed on this article.


text:
- Title:
- Herb Gardens and Aromatherapy-Cancelled
- When:
- Thursday, June 13, 2013 6:30pm - 8:00pm
- Where:
Muriel Sahlin Arboretum at Roseville Central Park
2525 North Dale St., Roseville, MN 55113
- Category:
- Classes
- Fees:
- $15 Members, $20 Nonmembers
Minnesota has an excellent climate for growing your own herbs for cooking and aromatherapy, even if all you have is a patio or balcony. Learn about the different varieties of culinary and aromatic herbs, how to grow them and the history of their usage. Find out how aromatherapy can repel bugs, freshen your home, soothe your sunburn and add pizzazz to your cooking. Everyone will take home an aromatic plant from Elen's garden.
Instructor Eleanor Swenson is a local gardener, who has a life-long interest in the cultivation and uses of aromatic plants. She has studied aromatherapy and been growing her own herbs for 18 years.
- Venue:
Muriel Sahlin Arboretum at Roseville Central Park
2525 North Dale St., Roseville, MN 55113
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