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To educate, entertain, and enthuse those who venture beyond the shore. Over 10,900 articles on solo swims, pro races, relays, charity events, eco-swims, stage swims, marathon swims, trends, products, services, personalities, coaches, governing bodies, rules, demographics, books, films, blogs, conferences, camps, clinics, exploits and happenings in oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, dams, canals, channels, fjords, estuaries, lochs, coves, firths, straits, bays, and harbors. Sponsored by WOWSA.org.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Jon Erikson's Thoughts 3 Decades Later On The 3-Way
The son of the legendary Ted Erikson, the only father-son pair in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, also did many pro marathon swims in Canada, Mexico and Argentina.
3 decades after his unprecedented swim, we caught up with the intrepid adventurer and asked him to take us back to that epic swim in 1981.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Was the three-way crossing of the English Channel your hardest marathon swim ever?
Erikson: Yes.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Why?
Erikson: Because the English Channel is the open water swimming's Mount Everest proving grounds. It is rich in history [from] Captain Webb [on] for athletes who call themselves a marathon swimmer. Like life, there are no guarantees when swimming the English Channel because of the unstable British weather, the strong tides, the cold water, the ubiquitous jellyfish and the vast amount of shipping traffic. Success of failure can occur. The 21 miles of sea between England and France are, without a doubt, the impartial judge.
Throughout my swimming career, I competed in numerous marathon swims and the obstacles I encountered in the English Channel were the toughest of all. Multiple crossings just throw more variables into the equation and make it more difficult to solve. For example, on single crossing – which is the easiest form of a channel swim – one can set the swim to take advantage of the tides and the distance swum. If a tide is missed, which is enhanced with multiple crossings, it doesn't matter if you are Mark Spitz or Michael Phelps, you are not going to get to shore against that tide.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Had anyone ever considered a three-way before you did it?
Erikson: In 1965, at Dover's Hubert House, Greta Andersen and Ted Erikson were contemplating double-crossings. Greta's attempt preceded Ted's and failed. Ted made the first double-crossing. In the following years, double crossings became common and the triple-crossing was presumably considered by some. However, I wanted to better the sixty-mile swims across Lake Michigan in 1963. This prompted me to tackle the 63-mile triple crossing of the English Channel.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: What kind of pre-swim planning did you do especially before the age of GPS?
Erikson: Ted made two attempts using computer modeling of the tides at the IIT Research Institute, where he worked, and incorporated several start times and directions to take the most optimum course at his swim speeds. Their failure rested in the inability to accurately monitor in-situ channel currents and position. I believe it would be resolved with present-day technology as spring tides can aid one's course. My swim was based on the captain's knowledge.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: How in the world do you train for a triple-crossing?
Erikson: That's easy. Simply swim a lot. My training was generally quality, interval training in contrast to Ted's strive for quantity: with the rigors of six miles kicking with a board for three days, ten miles of pulling with a leg float for five days, and twelve miles of swimming for four days, all non-stop, for his 60-mile swim from Chicago to Benton Harbor across Lake Michigan. My success was achieved at considerably less rigor.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Can you describe the first leg of your three-way crossing? How was the weather? How were the conditions? How long did it take? How did you feel?
Erikson: The recorded cumulative times were 10 hours 10 minutes at the end of the first England-France leg, 23 hours 24 minutes at the end of the second France-England leg and 38 hours 27 minutes at the end of the third England-France leg. Rosemary George was on of the official Channel Swimming Association observers.
The weather was wonderful for first and second crossings with a light wind and sunshine. At the first crossing, I hit Cape Gris Nez perfectly and, although there was some difficulty in finding a suitable rocky ledge to climb, I immediately began the return crossing. The second finish was near the Foreland Cliffs in early afternoon. Ted attempted to launch a windsurfer that was aboard to take me in, but wind was too light to maneuver. I was then accompanied in with the Zodiac. All seemed a 'go' for the third leg. But, the wind picked up a bit and darkness descended as we approached shore. And I just missed it. The spring tide carried us miles to the east. This was the most difficult part for the crew, but I thought, "After all this, I am not quitting now! I'm good to go."
The shore of France near Calais on a nice sandy beach was the final destination. On the journey back to England, attempts to warm me up were difficult. I shivered most of the way. Rosie George, the official Channel Swimming Association observer and my dad were happy, but concerned. The champagne at the Dover dock was a nice touch for the crew, but I wanted only a warm bed and broth.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: How did you feel when it was over?
Erikson: When I finished, I felt tremendous. My dream of accomplishing a major athletic challenge, something that had never been done before by another human being, made the culmination of all my years of my swimming – since the age of 5 – worthwhile and uniquely meaningful.
To accomplish a goal of this scope, I believe that one must have a mentor. That is, someone who has inspired you to follow your dreams – to truly reach beyond your grasp. For me, that person was, and still is, my dad, Ted Erikson, one of the greatest marathon swimmers to ever pass through the water and an even greater dad!
I'm extremely proud of this first three-way crossing of the English Channel because it is a record that cannot ever, and will not ever, be broken because like Roger Bannister's [first] sub-4 minute mile run, there is only one first. [Roger] was the pioneer and inspired others by giving them the confidence that this goal is humanly achievable. I trust that as my Dad has inspired me, my three-way channel swim has done the same, inspiring other swimmers and instilling in them the self-assurance that their goals can be reached.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: What did you eat right after you finished?
Erikson I didn't eat right after the swim. The most important aspect then is to get into a warm bath and thaw out. When I did eat, it was skinless roasted chicken, small portions because after feeding, every 45 minutes to 1 hour for the last 38 hours, on liquid foods (Nutrament, tea, coffee and soups all mixed with 400 calories of glucose), you don't want to shock your GI-tract.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: What advice do you have for anyone who is doing a single-crossing of the English Channel?
Erikson: If you can swim ten miles non-stop at a steady pace, you will have a better than 50% chance of a single English channel crossing. Double this for a double crossing and triple this for a triple. It must always be understood that the remaining [percentage of success] is dependent on the weather, the start time, your captain and crew, your handlers and the other obstacles that you encounter: jellyfish, freighters, darkness, storms, etc. You have to be prepared to pay your nickel and take your chances.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming [to Ted Erikson who was on Jon's escort boat]: Any other comments on the triple crossing?
Ted Erikson: Jon was very proud to receive a Rolex watch for the fastest single crossing on August 19th 1979 on his way to a double crossing. It bettered John Kinsella's [crossing who was] in the water at the same time, going for a single. Needless to say, I have been impressed and humbled by my son's achievements.
Other articles about Jon Erikson are here:
* Jon Erikson's Thoughts 3 Decades Later On The 3-Way
* Jon Erikson's Remarkable 12-Year Career
* Jon Erikson, A Giant In The Sport, Passes Away
* Jon Erikson To Be Honoured In Florida And Scotland
* International Swimming Hall Of Fame Open Water Great
* 24-Hour Club … Swimming All Day And Night
* Progressing Quickly In The English Channel
* Swimming Across Lake Michigan And Watching History
* Open Water Swimming Until You Are Blue In The Face
* Survival Swimming In The Outer Limits
* ISHOF Honor Bestowed On Jon Erikson
* Honor Bestowed On Sandra Bucha
* The Erikson Memorial Fund
* Crème de la Crème Of The Open Water World
* Colin Hill Livens Up Global Open Water Swimming Conference
* Simon Murie To Speak At Global Open Water Swimming Conference
* 2014 Global Open Water Swimming Conference Speakers
* Jon Erikson Needs Good Cheer
* Sharp As A Swimmer, The Mervyn Marathon Magic
* The Heart Of Lions
Copyright © 2013 by World Open Water Swimming Association
1 comment:
Thank you very much for your interest in the world of open water swimming.
The Staff of the World Open Water Swimming Association
2014 Global Open Water Swimming Conference
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
The Global Open Water Swimming Conference is a conference on the sport of open water swimming, marathon swimming and swimming during triathlons and multi-sport endurance events.
The conference which has been attended by enthusiasts and luminaries from 6 continents, is devoted to providing information about the latest trends, race tactics, training techniques, equipment, psychological preparation, race organization and safety practices used in the sports of open water swimming, marathon swimming and triathlons.
The conference's mission is to provide opportunities to listen and meet many of the world's most foremost experts in open water swimming, and to meet and discuss the sport among swimmers, coaches, administrators, event organizers, sponsors, vendors, officials, escort pilots, and volunteers from kayakers to safety personnel.
Dozens of presentations at the 2014 Conference at the Mount Stuart House cover numerous aspects of the vast and growing world of open water swimming where attendees can learn and share the latest trends, race tactics, training modalities, swimming techniques, equipment, race organization, logistics, operations, and safety practices for open water swimming as a solo swimmer, competitive athlete, fitness swimmer, masters swimmer, triathlete, multi-sport athlete, administrator, race promoter, sponsor or referee.
The conference was first held in Long Beach, California as part of the 2010 USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships. It has since been held on the Queen Mary in California, at Columbia University and the United Nations in New York City, and in Cork, Ireland. This year in September, it comes to another iconic location, the Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute in Scotland.
"The Global Open Water Swimming Conference was started due to the desire and need for athletes, coaches, referees, administrators, race directors, promoters and sponsors from around the world to share, collect and learn information about the growing sports of open water swimming, marathon swimming and triathlons," said founder Steven Munatones. "Other swimming conferences usually offering nothing on open water swimming or perhaps a speech or two, but we thought open water swimming deserves its own global conference. It is great that the community shares its information via the online social network, but there is nothing like meeting other open water swimming enthusiasts face-to-face and talking about the sport from morning to night."
Speakers at the conference include English Channel swimmers, ice swimmers, record holders, renowned coaches, world champions, professional marathon swimmers, renowned race directors, officials and administrators from the Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
"Because the audience is passionate and educated about the sport and its finest practitioners, the Global Open Water Swimming Conference is also the location of the induction ceremonies for the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame and the annual WOWSA Awards that recognize the World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year, the World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year, the World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year, and the World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year. Special Lifetime Achievement Awards are also occasionally presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport over their career."
The 2014 Global Open Water Swimming Conference Programme
Wednesday, September 17th
Leave Glasgow to commence 2-day tour of Scotland [closest international airport is Glasgow]
Thursday, September 18th
Stay Mainland, North of Scotland
Friday, September 19th
14:00 - Swim Loch Lomond
17:00 - Head to Isle of Bute
19:30 - Scottish Banquet
21:30 - Dinner Dance
Saturday, September 20th
09:00 - Registration & Coffee
10:00 - Speeches
12:20 - Lunch and WOWSA Awards
13:40 – Speeches
15:40 - Round Table
19:00 - International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony
Sunday, September 21st
09:00 - Registration & Coffee
10:00 - Speeches
14:30 - Swim in St Ninian's Bay on the Isle of Bute
The luminaries of the open water swimming world who will be honored in Scotland will include:
* Sandra Bucha (U.S.A.), International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Open Water Swimmer and International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Swimmer
* Jon Erikson (U.S.A.), International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Open Water Swimmer
* Claudio Plit (Argentina), International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Open Water Swimmer
* Judith van Berkel-de Njis (Netherlands), International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Open Water Swimmer
* David Yudovin (U.S.A.), International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Open Water Swimmer
* Mercedes Gleitze (Great Britain), International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Open Water Swimmer
* George Young (Canada), International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Open Water Swimmer
* Dale Petranech (U.S.A.), International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Open Water Contributor
* Melissa Cunningham (Australia), 2013 Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award winner
* Vojislav Mijić (Serbia), International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Swimmer
* James Anderson (U.S.A.), International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Administrator
* Dr. Jane Katz (U.S.A.), International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Administrator
* Indonesian Swimming Federation, , International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Organisation
* Elizabeth Fry (U.S.A.), International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Swimmer
* Pádraig Mallon (Ireland), the 2013 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year
* Olga Kozydub (Russia), the 2013 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year
* Bering Strait Swim (international team), the 2013 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year
* International Ice Swimming Association (Ram Barkai, founder, South Africa), the 2013 World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year
For additional articles on the 2014 Global Open Water Swimming Conference, visit:
* Olga Kozydub To Be Honored In Scotland
* Pádraig Mallon To Be Honored In Mount Stuart Castle
* Mount Stuart House, Splendid Setting For Swimming
* Colleen Blair To Kick-off Global Open Water Swimming Conference
* The Man Who Swims Better Than He Walks
* Joining In The Sea Goddess At The Hall Of Fame
* Mercedes Gleitze To Be Honored In Scotland
* The Incredible Career Of Merceded Gleitze
* Jon Erikson To Be Honoured In Florida
* The Incredible Career Of Mercedes Gleitze
* St Ninian's Bay To Host International Swim Conference
Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Swim Across the English Channel...
Who else is looking for a qualified open water swimming coach to help them swim across the English Channel?Chloë McCardel is a 6-time English Channel Swimmer who inspires and instructs. Access featured content by Chloë in this month's issue of the Open Water Swimming Magazine. Published monthly by WOWSA, the Open Water Swimming Magazine is a digital, interactive publication made available exclusively to WOWSA members. See what you've been missing! Become a WOWSA member today!
Open Water Swimming Magazine
Open Water Swimming MagazineThe Open Water Swimming Magazine is the monthly magazine entirely focused on open water swimming heroes and heroines of every age, ability, and background. Published by the World Open Water Swimming Association, the Open Water Swimming Magazine is a free benefit to WOWSA members.
WOWSA Member Benefits include 12 issues of the Open Water Swimming Magazine, the annual 276-page Open Water Swimming Almanac, a free listing in Sponsor My Swim, outstanding product discounts from FINIS, an entry in Openwaterpedia and more...
The Other Shore
The Other Shore follows world record holder and legendary swimmer Diana Nyad as she comes out of a thirty-year retirement to re-attempt an elusive dream: swimming 103 miles non-stop from Cuba to Florida without the use of a shark cage. Her past and present collide in her obsession with a feat that nobody has ever accomplished. At the edge of The Devil's Triangle, tropical storms, sharks, venomous jellyfish, and one of the strongest ocean currents in the world, all prove to be life-threatening realities. Timothy Wheeler's documentary brings Diana Nyad's extraordinary adventure to life as Diana sets out to prove that will and determination are all you need to make the unimaginable possible.
2014 Open Water Swimming Almanac
An Almanac for Open Water SwimmingAn almanac is essentially a body of knowledge which is so complete that it enables people in different fields to make predictions about the future of their respective industries.
This, for example, was the purpose of the traditional farmers almanacs. It enabled farmers to determine as accurately as possible which crops to plant for the greatest harvests in a given year.
But the farmers almanac was just one example among many.
There are, of course, many different kinds of almanacs.
In fact, there is even one for open water swimming...
Preview the Open Water Swimming Almanac:
The trends are very clear.
The tide is rising for open water swimming.


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Below you will find important statistics for the past decade and a half on the luxury markets in District 5. The price point has reached $1.5M for an average home in Glen Park and more than $2M to own a home in Noe Valley and Eureka Valley. Note that the 2014 data are year-to-date, between 1/1/2014 to 7/25/2014.
Category Archives: Alexander Clark
We Just Beat The Closest Comp By $200,000
I'm pleased to announce my clients have successfully sold their Richmond District top floor condominium for $1,200,000 (listed at $949,000), or as I like to point out, $200,000 more than the most recent, closest competitor property on 26th Ave that listed almost the same day as we did.
It's no coincidence we knocked it out of the park. It was strategy, patience, perseverance, and knowing how to finesse each offer (we received five) to their highest and best without them walking away. Congratulations to my clients that just set the bar for Central Richmond condos – the last area of the city you can still find a deal. Let the migration begin.
-741 18th Ave, Top Floor, 2+ bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2 parking, Richmond District Condo, listed $949,000, sold for $1,200,000. Seller Representation.
"Sensibility And Overall Likability Are A Winning Combination"
I just wrapped up a deal with some buyers in NOPA, and this is what they had to say about working with me:
Great agent. Not only did Alex stick by us through multiple offers but finally landed us our new home even though we weren't the highest bidders and we were up against all cash offers. By really getting to know us and meeting with the sellers agent at offer time Alex was able to position us as the best fit for the home. His knowledge & navigational skills through this unpredictable market combined with a down to earth sensibility and overall likability are a winning combination. Thanks Alex – we look forward to hosting you at our moving in party!! Lauranne, Mike and Mary
Thanks guys! Looking forward to beers and barbecue. I'll bring Tequila!
Are Overbids A Result Of Intentional Underpricing? No – It's Competitive Pricing
It's happened again – I did a post Friday about the week's overbids, and the comments and emails immediately come in, "Is this because the owners are listing for under market prices to crest bidding wars?" or "Why do you always highlight overbids? Aren't these properties underpriced to begin with?" or "These properties are selling at market price, so why all the hype about overbids?" or "Can you post comps for each overbid you show?"
It's nonstop, so let me elaborate. The answer is no, most of these overbids are not underpriced, and no, most listings are not intentionally underpriced*. Most properties are "competitively" priced. In a market where buyer activity drives property values up, we have learned (this isn't San Francisco's first crazy real estate rodeo) it is best to price a property lower than where you expect it will sell, get a lot of people through the door, and let the buyers set the new market price for any particular property. It is the best way to get the highest price for the seller. The truth is, in this market, we listing agents have run out of crystal balls and simply don't know what true market value of a property is until you open it up to the hordes of buyers out there, and let them do their thing.
Additionally, buyers have become accustomed to looking at property priced lower than what they expect to pay in the end. So if you list higher than what they're searching, you won't get them through the door. For example, a buyer that is expecting to pay $1.2M on a property is likely looking at properties priced well below that (in the $800-995,000 range), knowing they have to bid over. It's mean, and totally wrong, but it is the way it is. If you bring a property to market at the higher price you hope to achieve, you might get less buyers through the door, no offers in the end, and end up "chasing the market down", which is not a fun thing.
The last three listings I had blew our (mine and my clients') minds. We had expectations as to where they might sell, and even entertained the idea of an off market sale, but man were we glad we didn't go that route. In each situation we received at least 10% more than what we originally thought was "market value". Did we intentionally price it low? No. We really didn't know exactly where it would end up selling, so we priced it competitively knowing the buyers will set the market price, and they did, and always do.
It's frustrating being a buyer in this market, no doubt, but it's stressful being a seller too. Selling a property for an exorbitant amount of money, regardless of how much over asking an offer might be, is not entirely relaxing. Appraisers strike the fear of God in sellers, because each new appraisal is at a level not yet seen. Hence the draw of accepting cash offers over those with loans. Miraculously appraisals keep coming in at value, but sometimes other things can derail the process too, and then what? Re-list? List at higher price? Are the same buyers still out there? Will you get that magical (through the roof) number again? Do you put the backup offer in (if they're still there)? So many variables cause so much stress, but that's another topic altogether.
The bottom line is the overbids that are highlighted here and make headlines are not so much about property being underpriced, as much as they are about the multitude of buyers out there willing to go to astronomical heights to realize their dream of owning property in San Francisco. Arm chair analytics are great for SocketSite, not so great for listing your home on the market, or trying to be the lucky buyer that wins in a market with far too little supply, and over-flowing demand.
So take these overbids with a grain of salt, and if MLS was smart, they'd add a category when reporting sales that will show us all the number of offers on any given property and any given overbid. That's the real stat to focus on. For every property that gets sold there are usually 10-15 buyers (at least) that just lost and are moving on to the next one, and ready to go crazy big just to be done with it.
I hope that sheds a little light on the matter, and I hope it clears up the air around most of us real estate agents that are simply doing what it takes to get the seller the highest and best price for their property. It's a bit of a game, but if you know how to play, you can win. As always, I'm here to help you buy and sell, because I do know the game, and I do know how to win.
*Some agents do intentionally underprice property, and some agents do use this as a way to brag about getting "$$$ over asking on my latest listing, I can do the same for you." But those agents are the exception, not the rule, and you should avoid them.
-Last Week's Top 10 Real Estate Overbids-San Francisco [theFrontSteps]
"Best Agent, Bar None, In San Francisco"
Recently, I had the pleasure of representing my client in the sale of his condominium in one of the most sought after locations and buildings in downtown San Francisco. Many people refer to this area as SOMA, some refer to it as FiDi (Financial District), some as the Barbary Coast, and others still as Yerba Buena. Regardless of what you call it, I call it a sale that far exceeded my client's expectations and set a new price per square foot record in his building of $1233 per square foot. In the end, we received 16 offers, all over asking, and settled 31.31% above asking, and well above any recent comparable sale.
My client was so thrilled, he sent me this wonderful testimonial:
Best agent, bar none, in San Francisco
I had the good fortune of working with Alex Clark of Paragon Real Estate on the recent sale of my condo. Alex is extremely professional yet very personable and possesses a keen knowledge of the San Francisco real estate market. My unit was listed for only 11 days and received 16 excellent offers all well over the asking price.
If you are contemplating selling or buying in San Francisco, Alex Clark is a must in your strategy.
A VERY satisfied client.
Many people will chalk this up as simply a sign of the times, but there is an art to garnering tremendous interest, multiple offers, and ultimately a successful, new high water mark sale. It also helps to have your property listed here on the most popular San Francisco Real Estate blog, so it can get press on the more most popular Curbed SF real estate blog. Buyers are online, that's where I am, and that's where your property will be.
Congratulations on your sale Peter, and all the success and good times in New York City. I'm definitely jealous of that one way ticket.
-Battle Royale: San Francisco or New York City, If You Had To Choose (Over 100 comments on the matter) [theFrontSteps]
-More Testimonials [theFrontSteps/Alexander Clark]
-Recent Transaction [theFrontSteps/Alexander Clark]
-1 Ecker (16 Jessie) Hits The Market, Monday Open House Was Packed [theFrontSteps]
-A Slice of 1 Ecker Can Be Yours For $495,000 [Curbed SF]
Over/Under List Price — April Percentages For Your Appraisals
I wanted to share these stats for any and all of you buyers, mortgage brokers, or agents that run into appraisers who feel it is their duty to question the price a buyer is willing to pay for a property in this market. In my humble opinion, appraisers should not ever look at percentages above or below asking price. Actually, I think San Francisco doesn't need appraisers in a transaction at all, ever. If a buyer is willing to pay $$ for a property and a seller is willing to sell it for that, that's what the property is worth.
Anyhow, this chart shows the staggering number of overbids in San Francisco for April, and the lengths buyers are willing to go to win.
If you'd like to see Overbids, Underbids, Sales, Stalefish, and more, on a regular basis, sign up for my email delivery of exactly that at sfnewsletter.com.
741 18th Ave, Central Richmond 2+ bed, 1.5 bath, 2 car parking Top Floor Edwardian hits MLS for only $949,000
[Update: SOLD for $1,200,000]
Do you know how much more home you could buy if you just took a look outside of the Mission, Noe, NOPA, Cole Valley, Inner Sunset, or Pacific Heights neighborhoods? Wonder no more, and come visit my newest listing at 741 18th Ave in San Francisco's Central Richmond District.
Listed at $949,000 this exquisite Top Floor Edwardian 2 bedroom plus sunroom (easily used as 3rd bedroom or office), 1.5 bath luxury residence has it all in a location ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, or urban dwellers alike. Perhaps the last area in San Francisco where you can get a "deal", this flat features beautiful hardwood floors, formal living room w/ wood burning fireplace, formal dining room, original gum wood details, designer kitchen w/ CaesarStone counters, Bertazzoni range, breakfast area, in unit stackable Washer & Dryer, tons of natural light, views to Marin headlands, lots of closet space, additional deeded storage, landscaped yard, and 2 car parking. Half block to Golden Gate Park, and 5 minutes to Ocean Beach. Easy access to Marin, Napa, Peninsula & Downtown. Multiple public transit options, and front row seats to Outside Lands. Your friends will be asking to visit you all the time.
I will be holding this home open on Sunday 4/27 from 1-4pm, Monday 4/28 from 5:30-7:00pm, Tuesday 4/29 from 11-12:30pm, Thursday 5/1 (My birthday, so come say Happy Birthday to me) 5:30-7pm, Sunday 5/4 from 1-4pm, and by appointment all week. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you, or anyone you know, would like to get in for a closer look.
It's truly an amazing property in an amazing location.
-741 18th Ave, 2+bd, 1.5ba, 2pk, Central Richmond $949,000 [Property Details via MLS]
-Photos by Rob Jordan, Whistle Photography
1 Ecker (16 Jessie) Unit 406 Hits The Market, Monday Open House Was Packed
You may have already seen the press my good friends over at Curbed gave to this awesome condo in the heart of downtown San Francisco (Financial District/Yerba Buena), but if not, here you go: 16 Jessie (1 Ecker) #406, Junior 1br/1ba, $495,000
Sustainable down to its very foundation, this century-old building (1 Ecker) was painstakingly restored and updated with brand-new modern interior fixtures and finishes. This top floor, Junior 1br, 1ba unit features soaring 12′ ceilings, exposed brick, open kit/liv area, bamboo floors, Cesarstone kit countertops, espresso cabinetry, stackable Whirlpool High Efficiency W&D, Bosch Energy Star appliances, addl. storage, bike parking, & shared roof deck/bbq area. Furniture is negotiable. Walk to shops, restaurants, public transportation, Ferry Building, and so much more. This is the perfect Urban dwelling for anyone.
On a side note, this was the first ever Open House I've done on a Monday evening and the traffic was through the roof. Perhaps this could be the first step to getting buyers, sellers, and agents their Sundays back! Many, many of the people through the door preferred the Monday evening showing over the standard Sunday 2-4pm window for open houses, citing their inability to do anything on Sundays because this window falls smack dab in the middle of the day. My vote is to get our weekends back. What about you?
I'll have it open again:
Thursday 4/17 from 5:30-7:30pm
Saturday 4/19 from 2-4pm (my colleague will be there)
Tuesday 4/22 from 2:30-4pm
Offers, if any, will be reviewed Wednesday 4/23 @ noon.
-A Slice of 1 Ecker In Yerba Buena Can Be Yours For $495k [Curbed]
Prices Jumping – Yet Again – Across San Francisco
The San Francisco real estate market grew increasingly frenzied as the first quarter of 2014 progressed, leading to another surge in home prices in virtually every neighborhood in the city. The high-demand/ extremely-low-inventory/ competitive-bidding situation is similar to what occurred first in spring 2012 and then, to an even higher degree, in spring 2013. After the market seemed to stabilize in the second half of last year, we didn't expect to see it turn this fierce in early 2014, but right now it appears to be every bit as ferocious as last spring's.
Of major metro areas, the new Gallup-Healthways survey ranked SF-Oakland second in the nation (behind San Jose-Santa Clara) on their index for "well-being." Though already the second most densely populated city in the country (after NYC), San Francisco simply has many more people wanting to live here than there are homes available to rent or buy.
Sales over Asking Price
The heated competition for new listings coming on market has resulted in an astounding percentage of sales occurring above, and often far above, list price.
This chart below breaks down, by neighborhood, the average sales price to list price percentage for the 90% of homes selling without price reductions. Of the areas assessed, Bernal Heights came out on top with sales prices averaging an incredible 21% over list prices over the past 2 months.
Median Sales Price Spikes
Typically, the first quarter of the year does not show a dramatic increase in median sales prices over the previous quarter – in fact, a decline is not unusual due to holiday market dynamics. But the first quarter of 2014 saw large spikes in median prices for both single family homes (houses) and, especially, condos in San Francisco.
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SF vs. NYC – The Debate Continues
Way back on October 15th, 2007 I wrote a post: Battle Royale: San Francisco or New York City, If You Had To Chose. It was, and still is, an extremely popular article that has garnered over 100 comments, and still ranks incredibly high on search engine queries of the like. For a small shop like mine, that's pretty impressive. Our readers shared some incredibly good points about both cities, and it is a debate that will likely go on well after I have physically left this Earth, and well after my kin have parted. There will never be a correct answer.
Like I said back then, San Francisco has a ton of things to offer that New York simply doesn't (immediate access to outdoor recreation probably falling top of my list), and there are things New York has that San Francisco simply never will (snowstorms and brutally cold weather come to mind). But it is what it is, and it will always be.
That said, there were a couple articles written recently that I wanted to share with all of you that take a different approach to the topic, because I frequently get clients from out of town wondering what the heck San Francisco is all about. These two articles are not a question of whether one is better than the other, more a question of whether one has BECOME the other. In the end, they can certainly help you draw a conclusion about the city you're buying into, and the city you might be leaving.
In my humble opinion, San Francisco will never be New York, and New York will never be eclipsed by San Francisco. New York conjures up the image of power to me, it is the EMPIRE STATE after all. It moves fast. It never sleeps. It's gritty. It's tough. San Francisco (and I've lived here a while) brings to mind freedom, outdoor living, really smart people changing the world, getting rich, having fun, and living life to the fullest, but they will never have the power and image of the EMPIRE STATE. San Franciscans can puff their chests, but deep down they are fragile. We're golden boys and girls living in the GOLDEN STATE, and that's just fine.
I could go on and on, but I digress. Both cities are amazing in their own right. Both cities have pluses and minuses. But if I'm not mistaken, Tony Bennett did not make famous a song about losing his heart in New York City.
Just sayin'…
-Is San Francisco New York [New York Times, Kevin Rose]
-Why San Francisco Is Not New York [New York Times, Nick Bilton]
-Battle Royale: San Francisco or New York City, If You Had To Chose [theFrontSteps, Alexander Clark]

subset: commoncrawl


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Harold Martinez was a guy who came into the year looking like a sure-fire top 10 pick. However over the course of the year he continued to fall, mostly as a result of his lack of hitting vs quality pitching.
Going into last year he was ranked as the #5 prospect in the country (#3 position player) by Baseball America and many predicted he would go in the top 10 this year . Bryan Smith of Baseball Prospectus predicted he would go 7th - ahead of Eric Hosmer/Kyle Skipworth and Aaron Crow) in his December Mock. Risk Magazine (I think they are a division of ESPN the Mag) had him ranked as the #4 prospect in the nation behind Melville, Beckham and Hosmer. Perfect Game gave him a PG rating of 10 - a Potential very high draft pick/Top D1 in the nation prospect. Baseball America later ranked him as the #7 high school prospect in the nation and the #14 prospect overall. Martinez ended up at #160 on BA's final Top 200 before the draft. He earned a place on both the under-16 (as a freshman) and under-18 Team USA baseall rosters and was the #3 hitter as a 16 year old.
He was born in Cuba but moved to Miami at the age of 3. He comes from an athletic family (father was a water polo player in Cuba and his mother was a synchronized swimmer)
My Thoughts
Evidently his biggest problem at the plate is his lack of confidence. He came into this year as a top 10 prospect and even after his horrible year many still had him going in the 3rd to 5th round-range and some mocks even had him going in the middle to late 1st round.
I tend to agree with what I read at one point which was "talent doesn't just disappear." Clearly, he has it, and it seems as if going into this year he lost his confidence and it completely wrecked his season. He also seems to be a pretty raw player (most people project he will end up at 3b) and his bad season will probably point him towards college unless he gets a boatload of money.
Seems like time with professional coaches could be what turns him around. Again, he is a guy who has been watched basically for four years so the talent is clearly there. What is a little concerning is the fact that the fell to the 19th round, which would lead me to believe that he probably will go to Miami unless we meet his price. I would like to think that if we paid $1 mil for Lemon we would pay somewhere near that to get a guy that was a consensus top of the draft talent going into this year.
I think it would cost somewhere in the 1 to 1.5 range to sign him and I am not sure if we would pay that, which is a shame considering how much better of a prospect people think/thought he was than Lemon, who never was seen as a top 10 guy (who was #120 I believe on BA's final top 200 before his draft)
(edit: sorry about the formatting, it wont let me fix it no matter how many times i try to)
Scouting Reports/Video
mlb.com - http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=http%3A//mfile.akamai.com/10869/wmv/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/2008/open/draft/prospects/martinez_harold_400.wmv&type=v_free&_mp=1
Perfect Game Info:
2007 national showcase: Harold Martinez is a 2008 SS/3B with a 6'3'', 185 lb. frame from Miami, FL who attends Braddock HS. Lean, athletic build, excellent projection. Has all the tools. Outstanding defender at 2B/SS/3B. Easy balance, plus arm, smooth hands. Plus/Plus bat speed, ball explodes, balanced pro style approach, big power in the future, can hit high velo FB's now. Game comes easy to him. Top guy!
says he throws 91 from SS to 1b
6.89 60 yard and they rank him as a 10 (10 -- Potential very high draft pick, Top DI in the nation prospect)
2007 world showcase: Major league body, present strength, great arm strength, easy arm, easy actions, soft hands, glides, makes all the plays look easy, range, quick bat, present power with more to come, advanced approach, balanced, leverage, drives the ball, hands back on CB, good eye, top level '08.
throws 94 from ss to 1b
60 yard in 7.15 there
2006 national underclass showcase: Named to Top Prospect Team. Young Arod body. Smooth, easy athletic actions. Quiet athleticism. Showed plus bat speed, lift and big power potential, attacks balls. May have top arm in 2008 class, a cannon. Easy infield pro actions, soft hands. Likely a 3B in the future, but an outstanding SS for now. Elite level talent with huge upside.
SS to 1b: 91 MPH
60 yard: 7.14 sec
Saber Scouting short report:
Yesterday, I headed south to Sarasota to see some of the premium '08 and '09 draft prospects at the Sarasota Classic. The first day was canceled in the middle of the second wave of games due to rain, but I still got a good look at some top prospects. This post will focus on top '08 prospect Braddock (Miami) High SS Harold Martinez. I'll be back to Sarasota later this week to see the end of the tournament, but will be catching another matchup of top '08 lefties in the Tampa-area tonight. Check the first dispatch from Sarasota after the jump...
The day started at 1 pm with a matchip of Miami's Braddock HS and Naples' Barron Collier HS. The only legitimate prospect in this game was a big one, the pre-season #7 HS prospect in the nation by Baseball America, Braddock senior SS Harold Martinez. BA's Jim Callis commented earlier this week that Martinez's stock is "plummeting." This would certainly be a good time to take a look at him with 15-20 MLB teams represented in the stands at a high-profile tournament.
I can report that Jim Callis' information did not disappoint. I'll have a full Harold Martinez scouting report up later with some video I took, but he looked the part of the "hyped prospect that breaks down a bit under further inspection." There's a few of these every year and they all have similar stories. For Martinez, it is that he has a near flawless swing mechanically, but lacks feel for the bat head, fluidity in his swing and in his approach. He looks like he's trying to swing perfectly, not make solid contact. Scouts were openly joking and betting about which part of the infield he'd flyout to when a sidearming, mid 70's righty came in to face him in his 2nd at-bat, and when he ripped a fastball foul in his 3rd at-bat almost all of them commented in unison that it was his best contact of the year.
Granted, that was scouts joking, but it really supported what I saw in this short look and what Callis had said earlier in the week. You'd be surprised how often scouts tip what they think about a player with subtle reactions and comments-usually to each other and only when they already know they share similar opinions on the player. And that is exactly the case on Martinez, the type of guy they all have set opinions on already and have watched extensively, together. First-round picks don't elicit jokes about popping out versus mediocre pitching. Check back tomorrow for the full Harold Martinez report with our draft projection.
Saber Scouting Extensive Scouting Report on Harold Martinez
Harold Martinez of Miami's Braddock High School was the first prospect I saw at the Sarasota Classic and you can find my preliminary thoughts here. His stock is slipping from being in the top 5 among high school players before the season and now he is more of a projection 3B prospect lacking some polish.
Harold Martinez, 3B, Braddock Bulldogs
Tool - Present/Future Grades
Hitting - 40/45
Power - 50/55
Speed - 45/40
Fielding - 50/55
Arm - 55/55
Physical Description - Wiry strong medium-to-large frame. Thin build throughout, sloped shoulders, athletic look, room for 15 lbs or more of muscle. Long limbs lack definition, skinny calves, strong mid-section drives good hip flexibility. Well-proportioned projectable athlete with striking resemblance to Twins OF Carlos Gomez.
Hitting - Mechanically is sound at the plate, however looks like he's trying to have a perfect swing, not make solid contact. Has stiff actions at the plate that lack fluidity and feel, doesn't consistently square the ball up. Shows tendency to drift and swing at bad pitches in this short look. Tries to pull and seems one-dimensional, relying on his good bat speed. Lacks hitability and hits the ball a little too far out front and may have problems identifying spins.
Power - Has hit for power in the past and hit one HR well over the LCF fence later in the tournament. The hip flex in his swing is a little late and lazy and his swing is level enough now that it's pure bat speed creating this power with aluminum. With some weight training and a more leveraged swing, he could be a big power threat, but the lack of looseness in the swing makes me doubt he'll tap into the raw power he'll gain with either a more contact-oriented approach or lots of strikeouts trying to hit the long ball. Inconsistent in applying his power into games.
Speed - The main reason he's projected at 3B. He's somewhat slow-footed given his frame and defensive prowess, slower underway, more of a first step type. Not a base-stealing threat and didn't get a good look at his baserunning ability, but seems to have good instincts in that area.
Fielding - Had buzz early in the season as a potential Gold Glove 3B. I didn't see that today, but the first step is good, the hands are alright, and the actions work on the left side of the infield. Only had a few ground balls to test him and got ahead of himself and booted one of them. Could very well be that guy, but what I saw was the tools to be above-average to plus at 3B, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Arm - Flashes an effortless arm from in the hole that's plenty for 3B and just fine for SS with solid on-line carry and accuracy.
Notes - As mentioned in the early report from the tournament, scouts were openly knocking Martinez's hitability, and one questioned his makeup due to cracking under pressure this season with double-digit scouts at every game. His situation reminds me of Stephen King's (Winter Park HS, Orlando area) in the 2006 Draft. He was shooting up draft boards with his broad base of skills but come draft time, one team I talked to said they didn't buy the bat and wouldn't consider him until the 4th round. Obviously the Nationals believed in the bat and paid him a top 50 pick bonus ($750,000). How many teams would've paid $500,000 or higher and how many wouldn't touch him until the 4th round? No way to know, but I'd guess from the buzz on King that over 1/2 of clubs wouldn't pay $500,000. I don't think Martinez will flame out in Rookie League, but I'd rather take a chance on a player I'm more sure about in rounds 2-3. His upside is still high, I just don't like the indicators I saw in this short look. Come draft time some team will probably do the same with Martinez that Washington did with King, it may even be the Nationals, who focus heavily on upside. Does that mean I, Baseball America, the clubs that like the bat, or the clubs that don't like the bat are right or wrong? We won't know for a few years.
Adjusted Overall Future Potential: 53
Present Group: P, Future Group: C
Projected Role: Solid-Average hitting everyday third baseman with above-average defense, 6th hitter profile
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round for teams that like the bat, 3rd-5th round for teams that don't like the bat
Overall Comparison: Upside is taller Adrian Beltre, more conservatively Pedro Feliz.
Aflac All-American HS Baseball Classic Info/Report
SCOUTING REPORT: A skilled player on both sides of the game, Martinez shows plus defensive ability with a strong arm in the infield and can also change games with his power and sweet swing at the plate.
2007: Martinez completed his third straight season as a starting infielder for Braddock High. Braddock lost in the district semifinals to Coral Park High. He was selected as a second-team all-Dade County player.
2006: Martinez was chosen to the second-team all-Dade County squad following a strong sophomore season at Braddock High. Martinez was one of 18 players age 16-and-under to be chosen to represent the country at the 2006 Pan Am Championships in Venezuela. He batted .364 for the youth national team, starting all nine games. West catcher Kyle Skipworth is the only other Aflac All-American who played on the '06 youth team.
Baseball Factory Info:
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Grad Year: 2008
High School: G. Holmes Braddock
More of Harold ...Harold is a shortstop and rising senior at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School in Miami, Florida. This past season, Harold hit .500 and his team finished up the season with a 21-7 record. Harold models his game after Alex Rodriguez and hopes to also play in the Major Leagues one day. Harold was recently featured in Sports Illustrated's "Where Will They Be" segment. He considers his biggest baseball strong point to be his arm strength but hopes to become an overall faster player. The highlight of his baseball career was winning the Gold Medal at the 2006 Pan Am games. Harold has verbally committed to the University of Miami and will begin his college career next fall.
MLB's draft report on him
Player Name: Harold Martinez
Position: Shortstop
School: Braddock HS (Fla.)
School Type: High school
Academic Class: Senior
Birthdate: 05/03/90
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 185 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Report Date(s): 03/31 - 04/02/08
Game(s): Sarasota Classic
Focus Area Comments
Hitting Ability: Martinez lacks confidence at the plate. He's got a good setup, but the bat drags through the zone and his pitch recognition is bad.
Power: When he squares up, he's got pop, but how consistently will he do that? His raw power grades as above average, but will it play?
Running Speed: He has below-average speed.
Base running: He's aggressive on the bases, so he's not a clogger, though he more station-to-station than anything else.
Arm Strength: He has a plus, plus arm.
Fielding: A bad defensive posture, not being set as the ball crosses the plate has limited him somewhat. Many see him as a third baseman in the future.
Range: His below-average range is made worse by the aforementioned setup.
Physical Description: Martinez has the future big league body, a frame some can dream about, though he doesn't seem that strong core-wise.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: The plus arm and above-average raw power. He also looks
the part and has a good baseball body.
Weaknesses: How he looks and how he performs have been two different things. He has struggled for most of the year.
Summary: Martinez certainly looks the part of a future pro player with a good, athletic baseball body. He entered the season with plenty of expectations and hasn't lived up to them as performance hasn't met what many thought his potential will be. Someone dreaming about his projections will likely take a chance on him, but the question is whether it will be early enough to keep him from going to Miami.


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We can plan your training
You have been training for some time now but you wish to improve further and need a plan to guide your training?
If, in addition, you are also interested in learning about training ideas that are somewhat different to the standard ones in Europe, and you would like to have a training plan written by the Kenyan national coach, Peter Mathu Titi, or one of our experienced athletes, then you have come to the right place.
How will it work and how will you benefit?
You will either get to know your training adviser at one of our summer running camps where you have the opportunity to make personal friendships with our Kenyan athletes, or we will organise contact either by e-mail or phone direct to Kenya. It is important to establish your current fitness level and training base and to ascertain your expectations, goals, time available for training and the training you have undertaken previously. Your training adviser can then design an individual training plan just for you on the basis of this information. Regular contact by e-mail or Facebook, feedback about your training and if possible also personal face-to-face meetings (in the summer months or maybe even on a visit to Kenya) are important elements of the training advisory service.
If you are interested in Kenyan training assistance, just send us an e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com ) and we will then contact you straightaway.
Experience the Kenyan way……


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Routes Sorted
L to R R to L Alpha
P1. Climb a shallow corner past a small, gnarled juniper to a small overhang. Climb through the overhang on the right side and continue past another small overhang to a spacious ledge (Juniper Ledge) with another tree on it. Belay at a pair of new bolts. Long pitch.
Located near the center of the wall where the access trail intersects the base of the crag. Look for an obvious black water streak � Chile Verde starts at the left facing dihedral to the left of the streak.
Standard trad rack. Bolted belays.


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"We are extremely happy to honor the fourth group of Hall of Fame inductees," said Don Lizak, athletic director at SJC. "These inductees exemplify the strong tradition of athletic excellence and team success at St. Joseph's College over the past 25 years. We take great pride in recognizing their accomplishments as student-athletes, and their contributions to St. Joseph's College."
Established in 2008 by the Office of Alumni Relations and Department of Athletics at SJC, the Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame honors former athletes, coaches and friends of the College who have contributed significantly to the athletic program and continue to exemplify the principles of sportsmanship and integrity through their contributions and achievements in their respective communities and professions.
This year's celebrated class of honorees include former baseball MVP, All-District First Team member and Exceptional Senior, Charlie Caputo '90; former soccer MVP, four-time Hudson Valley All-Conference Team award recipient and All-Hudson Valley Conference player, Michael Symancyk '01; former two-time basketball MVP and two-time Student Athlete Award winner James McCormack '89; the first two-sport, four-year player in SJC history, Golden Eagle Award winner in both basketball and baseball and current fourth ranked athlete on SJC's all-time basketball scoring list, Peter Manger '92; and the 2006 Softball Team.
Tickets for the event cost $25 per person, which includes the program and a post-event cocktail reception. For reservations and information, please call Matthew Colson, director of alumni relations, at 631.687.2653 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. R.S.V.P. by September 20.
About St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility, and service. With campuses located in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn and in Patchogue, Long Island, the College offers degrees in more than 29 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.


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Evan's Mitzvah Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
Evan Pascal fundraising for PeacePlayers International
Support PeacePlayers International by participating in my 3-on-3 tournament and/or making a donation to this GREAT charity!
Hello Everyone!
As a part of my Bar Mitzvah process, I have chosen to complete a Mitzvah project so I could give back to the community. I knew I wanted my project to have something to do with sports, since as most of you know, I have an obsession with them. So, I looked up a bunch of charitable organizations and found PeacePlayers International.
PeacePlayers International is an organization that uses basketball to bring children in divided communities together and teaches them how to achieve peace by working cooperatively with each other. The areas where PPI currently has programs are South Africa, Northern Ireland, Israel and the West Bank, and Cyprus.
I believe PPI's work is awesome because how often do people get to play basketball with, or even talk to someone who their country is in a conflict with?
To raise money for PPI, I am sponsoring a 3vs3 basketball tournament at Hunters Woods Elementary School in Reston on Friday, November 30 from 6:30-8:30. We will have different age brackets (ages 10-17) and several elimination games until we have champs in each of the brackets.
We'll have t-shirts for all participants and trophies for the winners.
Please sign up to take part in the tournament by making a $10 donation above, or you can bring cash or a check made out to PeacePlayers International the night of the tournament. [Note: When signing up above, please click on the link on the next page that says "Dedicate my donation to someone" and put the partcipant's name and age in the box.]
For those not participating, please consider making a donation, because this is such a worthwhile cause. And come out and cheer everybody on! Thanks!!
80% complete


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|Jennifer Josef, ILGA-ASIA
|Jennifer Josef, ILGA-ASIA
Australia's Queer Screen has released the full line up for the 2014 Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival, with 27 feature length documentaries and dramas and a program of short film screenings.
The full program for February's Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival has been released, with 27 features and a program of short film screenings set to screen between 13-24 February at Event Cinemas George Street.
5 of the films are having their world premieres and 19 will screen for the very first time in Australia during the festival.
'Amongst our program we're thrilled to have five world premieres at the festival, all of which are from home grown talent,' Mardi Gras Film Festival director Paul Struthers said.
Read more.


text: I've been looking all over the net and can't seem to find an answer. Perhaps someone here will know? I have chosen to play dynasty as the offensive coordinator. Does this mean I only recruit for offense, or must I recruit both sides of the ball? I would think just offense, but I don't want to spend the time playing an entire season to realize I have no defensive recruits and start all over or switch teams. Thanks!


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People - Allan Kelly, Singer
Allan Kelly, a native of New Brunswick, was for many years one of the more popular singers at the Miramichi Folksong Festival, and in several cases he would sing multiple songs each night. By his own accounting, he learned several hundred songs in French and English from his father. Unlike some other traditional singers who specialized in certain types of songs, Kelly (besides being bilingual) featured a variety of songs in his repertoire, ranging from a diverse array of Acadian songs to Child ballads. Allan Kelly's singing has been featured in multiple collections of Canadian folksongs, both in print and audio recordings.


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So its been a while since I made a fanpost that didnt involve photoshopping, but this is about something that I have been wondering about for a while.
Before anyone starts yelling "Heyward will not see the majors this year!!" hear me out. What I wonder is if a perfect storm of situations arise, could we see Jason Heyward patrolling right field come playoff time ala a 19 year old Andruw Jones in 1996? Here are the IFs.
IF Francoeur is either (a. Injured at the end of the year or (.b Hitting below .260 and stinking the joint up like last season.
IF the Braves are within 3-4 games of the division lead or leading by the beginning of September while the aforementioned Francoeur is holding the team back.
And lastly, IF Heyward has been crushing the ball all season in the minors and has posted something alone the lines of .300+ AVG and 20+ HRs
IF all those things were happening, it would be very tempting to try and give the team a needed offensive boost by bringing up Heyward to make the playoff push. We have no one better to replace an injured Francoeur, and if he Jeff is playing terrible again then he will only be holding the team back from making the playoffs. I know nobody wants to rush Heyward, but if by the end of the year he is just tearing up AA do you think management would roll the dice to try to make a run?


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This is the 24th in a series of articles counting down the most important players for Florida State in 2012. There are 34 days until FSU football, and that's how many are left on the list. That means no off days. Oh, and these are not in any specific order.
Xavier Rhodes | 6'2, 209 | RS-JR | Cornerback
Background (Courtesy school bio)
Excelled on both sides of the football in high school...led Miami Norland in both rushing and receiving as a senior, earned Miami Herald All-Dade honors as an all-purpose back...also earned All-Dade honors on the defensive side of the ball...played in the 12th annual Nike South Florida All-Star game...as a junior recorded more than 1,000 all-purpose yards...chose FSU over offers from West Virginia, Auburn and FIU...born June 19, 1990.
Career To Date
Rhodes came to Florida State as a receiver. That didn't last long. FSU quickly flipped him to the defensive side of the ball. At first he was apprehensive, but then saw the depth at receiver, the amount of money it was possible to make as a corner, and the quickness with which he could get on the field.
2009 was a medical red-shirt season after playing in only two games. Rhodes bulked up considerably and learned the position the best he could under a lame duck coaching staff.
2010 was a breakout year the proportions of which nobody could have possibly anticipated. Rhodes was voted the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and also earned National Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. He started all 14 games for Florida State.
Rhodes tremendous size and length were evident from the moment he stepped on the field as a true freshman in 2010. But what we couldn't know is that he could turn and run with opposing receivers, jam, play in off coverage and read opposing patterns and the quarterback. Rhodes was extremely good, and tallied four interceptions from quarterbacks who threw at him and didn't know any better.
Rhodes came in to 2011 with extremely high expectations. The year was a disappointment. There were rumors of attitude and work ethic issues, which weren't completely unexpected given his awesome season as a freshman. Rhodes was very good against the run, but he had issues staying healthy.
In the end, Rhodes played very well against Michael Floyd in the bowl game, and then injured his knee, missing spring practice, a chance at the NFL combine, etc.
I personally believe that Rhodes would have left for the NFL draft had he not injured his knee. The injury might be a blessing in disguise for both FSU, which gets back its best corner, and Rhodes, who gets to improve his draft stock and guarantee himself first round status.
Rhodes has a very good argument for being the best corner in the league. He could be more consistent in his technique, but that could come this year. I've not heard anything negative about his rehab, which is a good sign. He's just another part of an excellent Florida State defense.


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The Mall of Books
Since its launch in 2001, the National Book Festival has grown into one of the biggest literary events in America, attended by more than 100,000 visitors and this year more than 100 authors, including signings by R.L. Stine, Robert Caro, Sally Bedell Smith, Sandra Cisneros, Mario Vargas Llosa, Steven Millhauser, T.C. Boyle, Junot Diaz, Colson Whitehead, Jeffrey Eugenides, and the current U.S. poet laureate, Philip Levine. These and many others are organized into separate pavilions for Children; Teens; Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Graphic Novels; Contemporary Life; History and Biography; Fiction and Mystery; and Poetry and Prose. There's also a Family Storytelling Stage and a bookselling pavilion run by Barnes & Noble. The festival occupies the National Mall between 9th and 14th Streets from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Attendance is free. Visit the Book Festival website for the complete signing schedule, and our special Book Festival page for travel tips.
Traditionally Fiesta DC, the Latino Festival of Washington has been held in the city's Mount Pleasant neighborhood, but it has grown so large that this year its organizers have moved it downtown, to Pennsylvania Avenue. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, five stages will offer free music, folklore, theater, and other performing arts. A Parade of Nations will feature 30 separate groups of traditional dancers from Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. There will also be a Children's Festival, a Science Fair, a Community-Based Organization Information Fair, and sections for food and crafts. The event is free.
Also This Weekend…
The Big Build
The National Building Museum
Saturday September 22, 2012
10:00 am – 4:30 pm
More information…
Colonial Market & Fair
Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
Saturday September 22nd & Sunday September 23rd, 2012
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
More information…
Dulles Day Festival & Plane Pull
Dulles Airport
Saturday September 22, 2012
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
More information…
The Big Apple Circus
Dulles Town Center
Thursday September 20th, 2012 to
Monday October 8th, 2012
More information…
Movies on the Potomac
National Harbor
Friday, September 21st, 2012 (Apollo 13)
More information…
Cirque du Soleil's Totem
National Harbor
Now – Sunday October 7, 2012
More information…
Shear Madness
Kennedy Center
Kennedy Center Family Theater
Ongoing through September 30th, 2012


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After reading Travis' news post about the Yankees only being represented by Jeter and Granderson, I gave some thought and research to see who, of the Yankees players, deserves to be in the All Star game this year. My sources for this information are Baseball-Reference.com and Fangraphs.com and I have been looking at all the leaderboards (even the ones for peripherals and advanced stats, if available). These are my findings:
Baseball Reference Stats
The only categories that are led by a Yankee are Hits (Jeter 1st, Cano 7th) and Wins for the pitcher (Nova, tied for 1st with Harrison, Price, and Sale).
Yankees team members make appearances in other top 10s:
Overall bWAR - Cano 6th
Position Player bWAR - Cano 3rd
Batting Average - Jeter, 7th
Hits - Jeter 1st, Cano 7th
Doubles - Cano tied for 2nd
Home Runs - Granderson 3rd
Walks - Granderson tied for 7th
Pitcher bWAR - Kuroda 6th, Sabathia 7th
Wins - Nova tied for 1st
Strikeouts - Sabathia 2nd
FanGraphs Stats
On FanGraphs, no Yankee cracks the top 10 in wRC+ or wOBA. Granderson is 7th in ISO,
CC Sabathia is 10th in FIP, 2nd in xFIP, and 4th in pitcher fWAR.
I'll be honest and say I didn't look at the defensive metrics.
If the All Star Game is supposed to mean something (and I am wholeheartedly against this system), only the best players should be on the field and on the bench. While there is something to be said for fan favorites, it's an important game that will give home field advantage to the league that wins. If a fan wants their team to win the World Series (if they get there), it's in their best interest to vote for the best players, not their favorite players.
That being said, if any Yankees deserve to be in the All Star Game based on their performances so far this season, I would say only Cano deserves to make the trip (and not even to start, just to be on the team). Cano is the only player who is in the top 10 in multiple categories, while CC Sabathia makes a case, there are too many better pitchers in the league at this point in the season. Granderson may be a viable candidate as well, but he's not a stand-out at this point.
I'll conclude with these thoughts: I like all of the Yankees this season. I think they're all great players. I just don't think they're all having a great enough first half to really warrant All Star selection. The reason they're winning is because they are playing as a team, with different individuals stepping up at various times, not relying on any one or two or three players to carry the team this year. If the All Star Game didn't mean anything, I'd say Jeter, Granderson, Sabathia, and Cano should be there as the Yankees best players so far this season.
What are your thoughts, Pinstripe Alley?


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Expired Property Listing
This property is disabled.
Sunset Mountain View Cabin Great View Book now for Summer in Blue Ridge
- bedrooms 2
- baths 2
- sleeps 4
- pool no
- hot tub yes
- pets allowed no
- type Cabin
- community Cherrylog
rates (USD)
/ night
$ 690 - $ 690 / week
vacation rental description
Sunset Mountain View Cabin is a great place to just relax, sit back,
and enjoy the serene nature and breathtaking mountain views. When
you stay at this peaceful and beautiful cabin, you truly can getaway
from it all.
Enjoy a romantic evening by the stone fireplace. Rock quietly on the
deck over looking the mountains enjoying the sunset. Soak peacefully
in the hot tub. Take advantage of the nearby Benton MacKaye Trail
only footsteps away. Savor the seclusion, but appreciate that you're
only a few minutes away from downtown Blue Ridge.
This log cabin rental has 2 bedrooms (queen beds in each), 2 baths,
hot tub and a covered porch. Very nicely decorated, beautiful cabin
furnishings. Cabin sleeps 4 comfortably. Split floor plan for your
cabin rental amenities
Just bring your food, clothes and personl toiletries...everything
else is provided!
Kitchen - Full Kitchen which include Refrigerator, Stove,
Dishwasher, Microwave, Coffee Pot, Blender, Toaster and all utensils
(Just bring your Food)
Beds Queen Bed (2)
Linens (Sheets and Towels Provided)
Washer, Dryer
Gas Fireplace
36" Sony Flat Screen TV with DVD Player with an assortment of
movies and an additional TV in each room
Stereo System with small assortment of CD's; Stereo also includes
IPOD docking station so bring your IPOD
Broadband Internet - WiFi (Free Wireless Internet)
Private Hot Tub located on lower deck overlooking mountain view
Outdoor Features - Gas BBQ Grill and Deck Patio Furniture
Telephone - Local Calls Only (Bring Calling Card for Long Distance
activities and attractions in Blue Ridge Georgia
Shopping, Sightseeing, Restaurants, Golfing, Rafting, Kayaking, Boating,
Waterskiing, Jet Skiing, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Horseback Riding.
vacation rental rates
$115/night .. $690/week - Rent 6 nights/7th night Free
Plus Lodging Tax and Cleaning Fee
3 night minimum on major holidays and during Month of October
4 night minimum on Thanksgiving
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.


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This was good: Kanye West bbc radio one Interview | September 2013
Rather, neoliberalism has been, since its inception, a reactive strategy aimed at capturing, commodifying, and individualising the very creative, and necessarily social, energies which emerged from the cultural and technological revolutions of the 1960s. These are the energies which capital must to some extent facilitate and intensify, precisely in order to be able to exploit them for its own benefit.
This paradoxical dynamic, whereby capital must create productive relationships, while also policing them, containing them, and capturing their outputs is not new: it is precisely the contradictory logic of capitalism as analysed by Marx, and conceptualised more recently by Hardt and Negri in terms of the 'parasitic' relationship between capital and 'the multitude'.
-Neoliberal Networks, Jeremy Gilbert


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Resourceful wedding planners, master collaborators and creators of authentic experiences
Founding director Carly Baum has been managing and planning events for over 10 years. Born and bred into the hospitality and events industry, starting her way in some of Queensland's most iconic restaurant venues. A world away from the stereotype, Carly is a friendly professional, who combines creative talents with meticulous organisational skills to bring your wedding and event vision to life.
Carly and her team are there to ensure every element comes together with elegance and efficiency.
The flow, timing and execution of a wedding day or special event are as important as the details themselves.
Focusing on service and making sure your guests are taken care of is at the forefront of Carly's commitment to excellence, allowing you to relax and enjoy your day.
Carly and her team are a source of unfailing support, advice and inspiration. Allowing you room to breathe and to do the things you want to whilst giving guidance and support when needed.
Their attention to detail and creative flair mean that your wedding or event is a truly unique and personal experience.
Whether you're planning a destination wedding, require professional advice or simply want the best suppliers for your event, CL Weddings and Events can help you with all wedding details.


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Facebook as legal evidence: Allowed or banned in Pa.?
Legal blog Tort Talk has a fascinating list of precedents in the use of Facebook in Pennsylvania court cases that will be continually updated with new cases.
The "Facebook Discovery Scorecard" chronicles which court cases in which counties admitted evidence gleaned by Facebook and which did not, pointing out that there is no consistent statewide law governing this new frontier of litigation. So, watch out – if you find yourself embroiled in a civil case in Jefferson or Northumberland counties, you may want to delete your Facebook page, whereas in Bucks County or in Philadelphia, you may be okay.
In cases argued in the U.S. Federal Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and Jefferson County, the court granted requests for reviews of the plaintiffs' private Facebook pages in order to gather evidence. In Northumberland County, the court allowed Facebook but, in a footnote, said that the site should be proven to have information relevant to the case before it is allowed.
One case in Franklin County allowed the defense to use information from the plaintiff's Facebook page, but limited access to 21 days, and in another case, the court denied access to the plaintiff's Facebook page because the defense did not prove that the plaintiff even had a Facebook page or, that if one existed, it would contain relevant evidence.
In a Bucks County personal injury case, the court denied the defense's attempt to friend request the plaintiff in order to obtain pictures pre- and post-accident because they had already been provided, so it was essentially overkill.
In Luzerne County, access to private Facebook pages was also denied because the plaintiff argued that the defense had ample access to information on public pages of the site, and in Philadelphia, a judge denied a motion to provide access to a plaintiff's private Facebok pages because the defendant did not first show that the pages would reveal pertinent evidence.
Right now, there are a patchwork of precedents and policies governing the role of social media as evidence in court cases, as the blog's findings show. It will be interesting to see where this goes in the future.


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The links below will take you to the campus scholarship/financial aid webpages. As an applicant to the Honors Program you should apply for the Honors Scholarship and any other scholarships open to the general student body. There may be additional scholarship support available for President's and Provost's Scholars, so check for these in the summary listing of available scholarships.
CSU Stanislaus Scholarship Application and Financial Aid & Scholarships Handbook.pdf
When you submit the on-line application form, make sure you receive confirmation the form has been received before exiting the system; the submission system can bog down as we get closer to the deadline. Additional information and application materials are also available on the Campus Scholarship Information web page. Deadline for submission of all scholarship application materials is the end of February.
Should you have any questions, or need additional information, contact Diana Garz, Scholarships Coordinator, Financial Aid and Scholarships Department, at firstname.lastname@example.com or (209) 664-6587. Fax (209) 667-7064. You may also contact Jim Tuedio, the Honors Program Director, email@example.com or (209) 667-3286 especially if you have questions pertaining to your eligibility for a President's, Provost's, or Honors Program scholarship.


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Ralph Lauren Corp Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (RL)
Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of A+ . The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its growth in earnings per share, increase in net income, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and reasonable valuation levels. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook.
- ACTIVE STOCK TRADERS: Get trading ideas for stocks under $10 for less than $6/week. Start with a 14-Day Free Trial.
- RALPH LAUREN CORP has improved earnings per share by 6.8% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past two years. We feel that this trend should continue. During the past fiscal year, RALPH LAUREN CORP increased its bottom line by earning $7.13 versus $5.76 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($7.85 versus $7.13).
- The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry average. The net income increased by 5.0% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, going from $184.10 million to $193.40 million.
- Despite its growing revenue, the company underperformed as compared with the industry average of 10.0%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 4.4%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.
- RL's debt-to-equity ratio is very low at 0.08 and is currently below that of the industry average, implying that there has been very successful management of debt levels. To add to this, RL has a quick ratio of 1.55, which demonstrates the ability of the company to cover short-term liquidity needs.
--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.FREE from Real Money's Jim Cramer: Winners and Losers Election 2012 - Steps to take NOW so you can profit no matter who is in charge! Free Download Now
Ralph Lauren Corp Class A Stock Price
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Final Score in Kansas City: Angels 5, Royals 4...
A late insurance run in the top of the 9th proved to be the difference as gutless closer Brian Fuentes surrendered a leadoff walk to Jose Guillen and then gave up a 1-out HR to ... okay are you ready for this... Willie Bloomquist. Gutless. Also on the chopping block is Kevin Jepsen who got into trouble with, surprise, a leadoff walk. Fernando Rodney had to relieve Jesepn in the bottom of the 8th and got a double play with one pitch, courtesy of a great stop at 2B by Kevin Frandsen and a nice toss to Robb Quinlan by Howie Kendrick, getting taken out with a slide at 2B but still nailing Billy Butler in his powder blue waddle towards 1B.
Highlights in the game for the Halos:
- Weaver struck out 9 Royals
- Hunter scored on a Mike Napoli sac fly in the 9th after doubling with 1 out
- The team is 4-1 since losing Kendry Morales
Michael Ryan and Frandsen comboed with a double and basehit for an early run off Greinke


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It took three straight trips to the state championship tournament, but the Lady Panthers finally made 2013 a year to remember by beating Saltillo 45-36 for their first-ever state championship.
Senior Taylor Moore continued her dominance with 13 points and 7 boards. The story of Saturday's matchup were senior guards Mia Ochoa and Maeci Scott. They both dropped in 12 points and hit crucial three pointers.
The Lady Panthers made the trip to Austin in 2011 and 2012, but fell just short of winning a state championship.
The Lady Panthers finish the season at 38-4 and will raise the schools first girls basketball championship banner.
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This game proves how badly the Lions need Matthew Stafford under center. Shaun Hill doesn't have the necessary tools to lead a team to a win who hasn't won on the road since 2007. Just now as I'm typing, Daryl Johnston just said that "The Detroit Lions are a different team, but until that guy right there ( as it was showing Matt Stafford on the screen) get's healthy and get's into a rhythm with this offense, they won't win very many games this year." Soon after he says that, Shaun Hill throws another interception on consecutive drives in the endzone.
It's not that the Lions are totally bad on defense, personally I think that's a misconception amongst most people. The Lions offense goes 3-out just about every drive due to vanilla play calling thanks to Scott Linehan and the ineffectiveness of Shaun Hill at quarterback. When the defense who's already suspect outside of the defensive line is on the field too long, eventually bad things are going to happen. This is where an efficient offense that's lead by a quarterback who has the physical tools to throw downfield and the mental toughness to overcome any obstacle or setback comes in handy. Without Matthew Stafford, it's safe to say that the Lions chances of winning the expected 6-7 games this season goes to about 2-3 games with Hill. He's not a starting caliber quarterback, he threw back to back picks in the endzone and cannot lead any offense to game winning drives. If they had Stafford and he never went down week 1, our record would be more like 2-1 or even 3-0. You cannot win when your starting quarterback is a career back-up who cannot throw farther than 30-40 yards downfield, cannot interpret the correct defensive coverages prior to the snap or audible into the proper play to create mismatches. I'm sick of watching Shaun Hill throw game deciding picks or incomplete passes every Sunday. We need Matthew Stafford back and fast.
I'm just angry as usual at this wretched Detroit Lions team. We all know they are at least one more offseason away from respectability, but without Matt Stafford they are even farther away than that. If he can come back next week, get a win in Green Bay (yeah right) and maybe start out the season 2-3 or hopefully 3-3, the season may not totally be lost. If he's out another week, we are surely 0-4 when he comes back and the season is very well lost before it starts for another season. This is humiliating as a Lions fan anymore to deal with this, every Sunday I get excited to watch my Lions play and every Sunday for like the 10th consecutive season, they let me down with an embarrassing game. I'm sorry my fellow Lions fans if I seem like I'm crying, but this is really starting to piss me off. These Lions are just plain sorry every year and it's ridiculous that we spend all of this money and time to watch them play against themselves and they lose every time. If Matt Stafford isn't playing next week, count on Aaron Rodgers to throw 3 TDs and their back-up running back to rack up 100 yards rushing because we can't move the ball well enough to keep our defense off the field. That's the same song and dance it's been for way too long.
Good luck my fellow Lions fans, with this kind of heartbreaking start, we are all going to need it to cope with this incompetent Detroit Lions team led by a career back-up. Please Matthew Stafford come back to us so we can salvage what's left of this forgone conclusion that is the 2010 season. Ughh, I need to get drunk to forget about this.


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Aug. 7, 2012
LONDON - Former Utah player Kim Smith scored 13 points to lead the Canada Senior Women's National Basketball Team as it fell in the quarterfinals to the USA, 91-48, to close out its run at the 2012 London Olympics.
Smith also had six rebounds for Canada against the USA. Shona Thorburn scored two points with three assists and two rebounds, while Michelle Plouffe played eight minutes, scoring two points off free throws.
Smith averaged 13.8 points per game for Canada over its six games in London, while Thorburn averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Plouffe played in two games for Canada.
Use the links below for more information.
Canada Basketball Website
Canada Basketball on Twitter
Plouffe Twitter (Plouffey_15)
Thorburn Twitter (ShonaThorburn)
Smith Twitter (8kimsmith)
`Road to London' Blog
FIBA Canada Page
London Olympics Canada Page


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Dr. Wale Babalakin S.A.N
Educational background
Dr. Babalakin attended the University of Lagos, Nigeria, where he obtained an LL.B (Hons.) in 1981. He thereafter proceeded to the University of Cambridge, where he obtained an LL.M in 1983 and a Ph.D in 1986. He was a Commonwealth Scholar of the University of Cambridge, 1984-1986. Dr Wale Babalakin was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1982.
Professional background
Dr. Babalakin is a member of the Body of Benchers, which is the highest legal body regulating the affairs of legal practitioners in Nigeria. He is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), where he is currently the Chairman of both the Committee on Construction and Real Estate under the Section on Business Law and the Committee on Government Practice under the Section on Legal Practice. He is also a member of the International Bar Association. He was appointed by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Chairman of the Constitutional Drafting Sub-Committee of the National Political Reforms Conference in 2005; Member, National Political Reforms Conference in 2005 and Vice Chairman of the Committee on the Review of the Evidence Act CAP 112 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 in 2005. Dr. Babalakin is currently the Pro-chancellor of the University of Maidugri and Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigeria Federal Universities. Dr. Babalakin is the Senior Partner of the firm.
Dr. Babalakin was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2002.
He was also conferred with the National Honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), in February 2008. In 2007 he was appointed as the Honorary Special Adviser on Legal Matters and General Counsel to the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, late Alhaji Musa Yar'dua.
Notable work undertaken
Dr. Babalakin has considerable experience in Litigation, Arbitration, Real Estate law and Project Finance. He has acted in high profile Commercial Arbitrations proceedings and Civil Litigations in disputes arising from various sectors of the Nigerian economy. He has conducted trials and appeals in all our courts, from the courts of first to the Supreme Court in matters of significant constitutional national importance and equally in commercial transactions that cut across the entire gamut of Nigeria's economy- construction, real estate, oil and gas, telecoms, maritime, aviation, banking and financing.
Dr. Babalakin has worked with Federal and several State Governments in conceptualizing transactions to support the development of infrastructure and investment in the country. He led the team of legal consultants to a state government for the building of an international airport in Nigeria, a multimillion dollar project. He is currently leading the team representing a state government in an arbitration claim arising therefrom.
Dr. Babalakin led the team of lawyers who represented the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in a $100 million dollar claim in arbitral proceedings for the determination of contractual rights and obligations of the Corporation. Dr. Babalakin also led the team of lawyers in a landmark election petition case which resulted in the appointment of one of Nigeria's Senate Presidents. He is also acting as lead Counsel in arbitral proceedings on behalf of a state owned oil company, in a billion dollar claim.
Relevant publications/ Conference presentations
Dr. Babalakin is a much sought after speaker in the Nigerian legal profession and has presented so many papers at seminars, conferences and workshops in Nigeria and abroad on topical issues of law, some of which include:
"Buyer's Right of Rejection: Whither Nigerian Courts,"1980.
"The Supreme Court and Constitutional Developments in Nigeria, 1960- 1985" Ph.D Thesis Cambridge University, 1986.
"Legal Dynamics of Privatization in Nigeria" presentation at the First Bank Round Table, Lagos, 2003.
"Foreign Investments in Nigeria", presentation at the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce, South Africa, 2000.
"Aviation Infrastructure Financing: The MMA2 Project", presentation at the workshop on Aviation Financing, Lagos, 2008.
"Public Private Partnership as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development: MMA2, a case study", presentation at the 4th Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law conference, Abuja, 2009.
"Aviation Financing: Statutory and Legal Challenges", presentation at a Seminar for Judges on Banking and Allied Matters, Abuja, 2007.
"Shariah, its Place in the Modern Legal Order" presentation at a memorial lecture organised by the National Association of Muslim Students, Ibadan, 2007.
Practice Areas:
Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Real Estate, Infrastructure and Construction
Corporate Commercial and Compliance
Professional Membership:
Member, Nigerian Bar Association
Member, International Bar Association
Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria


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Videos > Nikki Kane > Nikki Kane on her naked body masturbates her twat until she cums
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Kensie participated in the school's Battle of the Books and made the all-star team who competed and won against the teachers.
Landon got booted from the crib and is now sleeping with the big boys. It's going well, except for the time they told him there was a dead body in the corner and he was scared to death for a week.
Kensie and I went to New Beginnings! I can't believe she's going to be in Young Womens soon!
We saw Rise Of The Guardians in the theater. I highly recommend it.
Landon still hates the car wash.
The weather went from sunny days at the park to cars driving through our front yard and knocking out all the utility boxes (again).


text: I would really like to see Prince Fielder on Our Whitesox. This trade would go like this; Jenks and Konerko for Fielder and maybe a Brewer minor leaguer. The trade would be difficult since Fielder is represented by Scott Boras. If the trade was made it would help the Thome loss of a lefthanded slugger and would replace Konerko at first base. On another note it wouldn't help Dayan Viciedo to make it to the big club; since he might be looked at for first base. Even with the trade though Viciedo could still turn out to be a left fielder. Financially the trade would lower some cost because Konerko is due 12 million next season and Jenks will most likely get more than 6 million. Mr Prince Fielder is due 10.5 million with an incentives that could bump it up $250,000;still that is less than what could be at minimum 18 million


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Two words, "simply delicious", describe this classic chicken main dish that I have transformed into a savory appetizer to serve my family and guests.
1 cup peach, apricot, or raspberry preserves
8 ounces Catalina salad dressing, recipe below
8 ounces light or regular bottled Catalina salad dressing
1(1-ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1/2 - 1 teaspoon curry powder, optional
1 package chicken wings
Note: You can make this into a main dish by using the larger pieces of chicken and increasing the baking time until chicken reaches an inner temperature of 165 degrees F. Serve this entree on a bed of with buttered rice, top with crushed peanuts and drippings from the chicken and voila; you have a stress-free meal that's oh-so-easy and quite delicious.
Note: I have also made this in my slow cooker by cooking the chicken on low for about 6 hours. French dressing is a wonderful substitute for the Catalina dressing.
Mary Anne's Catalina Salad Dressing:
1/4 cup sugar or sugar substitute equivalent
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup canola oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Note: If you are using onion powder instead of chopped onion you could also shake this up in a jar with a tightly sealed lid.
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