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Proposed power plant near UTC and La Jolla raises residents' ire
View the city's report on the Capital Power Corporation project and its related analysis by clicking here.
By Pat Sherman
A proposal by a Canadian power company to build a gas-powered generating station just east of I-805 between Miramar Road and Nobel Drive has angered nearby residents and business owners who don't want it in their community.
"I don't know how the city even got this far to even consider this," said Elisa Parker, a resident of UTC's Renaissance community, speaking to representatives from Capital Power Corporation during an emergency meeting June 25 at UTC Mall's Forum Hall. The meeting was called to address residents' concerns about the project, which has expanded in scope since the city accepted the company's request for proposal (RFP) in 2010.
"Are you aware that a Navy jet crashed into a house a few years ago (in this area)?" Parker asked. "Jets fly over here all the time, off-course. There's no guarantee they're not going to fly over your plant and crash."
Parker said she also is concerned about the effect the plant could have on real estate values.
"If anyone wants to sell their house, this has to be disclosed, and that will bring our property values down," she said.
The city issued an RFP two years ago, looking for power companies interested in adding to San Diego's energy supply.
For Capital Power, the 50-acre site just west of MCAS Miramar was prime, with existing infrastructure to support its operations, including a high-pressure natural gas line to tap into and the North City Water Reclamation Plant, which would provide low-cost water for its cooling systems.
District 1 City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner noted that earlier in the day Capital Power asked that the issue not proceed to the November ballot, as previously scheduled, and that it be withdrawn from consideration by the city council's Rules Committee on June 27.
Because the power plant would be located on Pueblo lands, voters will have the final say as to whether a sale or long-term lease will be approved.
"Rather than have this matter proceed to a city-wide vote in November 2012, our preference would be to begin the public engagement process now, in collaboration with the city, with a view to bringing this item forward in a future election once sufficient engagement has take place," wrote Capital Power's business development director, Patricio Fuenzalida, in a June 25 letter to Mayor Jerry Sanders.
Fuenzalida and other representatives from Capital Power were on hand during the meeting to offer information about the project and answer questions.
"We did our homework … and identified a need for additional (power) capacity in the 2018 range," Fuenzalida told those in attendance. "If the economy recovers, there's going to be an increment in the demand for power generation."
Addressing the more than 200 people assembled for the meeting, which was organized by the University Community Planning Group, Lightner noted her opposition to the project at its proposed location.
"While I appreciate Capital Power's willingness to be here and begin a real conversation with the community, it is the wrong site for so many different reasons," she said. "The location is just 2,000 feet away from a dense residential neighborhood, as well as such important community assets as the Nobel Rec Center and library. Congregation Beth Israel is just a half a mile away and University City High School is three quarters of a mile away. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar has expressed concerns about the impact of the power plant's thermal plume on their aircraft."
Lightner said the plant, which could generate as much as 850 megawatts, would also have deleterious effects on local business and the proposed site, which includes vernal pools and other environmentally sensitive habitat.
University Community Planning Group Chair Janay Kruger said that when Capital Power first came before her group, the project was "much smaller" in scope.
"We've received hundreds of emails and phone calls outraged over the secrecy of this … and over the size and location of this," she said.
Russ Gibbon, head of business development for mayor's office, said the project was kept under wraps to avoid compromising the negotiating process between the city and Capital Power.
"They were selected primarily because they provided a larger project with more public benefits in terms of the tax revenue, more jobs, more potential beneficial reuse of reclaimed water," Gibbon said, noting that the negotiations had been finalized only a week prior.
"For all of you who were wondering, well, why is this being done in secret? It's common practice for all government agencies and all corporations I know of to negotiate with confidentiality so that neither side loses its leverage with respect to the other party."
Gibbon said required environmental studies, financing, zoning amendments and approval from the California Public Utilities Commission and other regulatory bodies could not proceed until voters approved the project. The company would then have 10 years to secure all other required approval, permits and financing, he said.
"There will be many public hearings and workshops at the energy commission, the Public Utilities Commission, city council and planning commission before the first shovel hits the dirt," Gibbon said.
Should the company decide to leave San Diego at some point, he said, they would be required to post a bond giving the city money to demolish the plant.
"It's not like it would be one of those situations like in Carlsbad or Chula Vista where the company kind of walks away and just leaves the facility sitting there collecting dust," Gibbon said.
Addressing the crowd, Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts, who is running for a seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, said the University Community Planning Group should ask the city council why it would consider such a project in 2012, deeming it 1970s technology.
"The County of San Diego is looking at a new initiative to set up an alternative utility company, so that we never have to build natural gas plants like this," Roberts said. "We don't need to put projects like this in our neighborhoods destroying our quality of life and our home values."
Fuenzalida said the plant would be "one of the cleanest sources of conventional energy generation in the world," operating about 50 percent of the year, "when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing."
"It's not our intention to displace renewables," he said.
Related posts:
- City closes recycling center that would fund a shelter for La Jolla's homeless
- Book examines tenure of University of California system president Richard Atkinson
- Election 2012: City Council District 1
- Incumbent La Jolla city council rep challenged for seat
- Election 2012: Who is Lori Saldaña?
Short URL: http://www.lajollalight.com/?p=89701


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Kyle Davies and the worst fastball in the Majors
Requires Insider Anyone who has had to endure Davies' pitching in Kansas City over the last few years can attest to how often his fastball gets whacked all over the park, but the data reveals just how awful his fastball has actually been. Using FanGraphs' pitch type linear weights, we can see that Davies' four-seam fastball has been 30 runs below average since the start of the 2010 season. That's a staggering total given that he's managed to throw only 220 innings in 42 starts over the last year and a half.

subset: commoncrawl


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WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Warrior Care Month, the Army unveiled the "Hire a Veteran" education campaign to reduce anxiety about hiring a Veteran. Research conducted by the Society of Human Resource Management reveals three key obstacles to veteran employment:
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59173-army-hire-a-veteran-education-campaign-warrior-care-month-hr-resource
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121119/MM13389)
The campaign will answer the questions many employers want to ask.
The education effort includes the attached promotional trailer, a ten minute video and online materials found at www.WTC.army.mil. The material provides information on how to conduct interviews with wounded warriors, how to write an effective position description, and provides resources for employers. It also educates about all three obstacles and includes information about PTSD in the workplace and in the United States in general; encourages employers not to pre-judge wounded Veterans or make assumptions about their abilities but focus on accomplishments and specific skills; and explains how 57% of accommodations cost nothing and most cost under $500.
About the Society for Human Resource Management
The Society for Human Resource Management is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management and regularly polls its 250,000 membership about HR concerns.
About the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command
The U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command (WTC) is a major subordinate command under the U.S. Army Medical Command. WTC provides oversight of the Warrior Care and Transition Program for 10,000 wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers who require more than six months of complex medical treatment. To learn more, visit www.WTC.army.mil.
SOURCE U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command


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Couple of reports are indicating that the Cards and the Braves were the teams most interested in acquiring Brandon Inge and that now that the Braves have acquired Lee that they are no longer a suitor.
Inge seems to be the best fit for what looks to be probably available - very good defensive 3B and has a decent bat. Hurt this year and having a down year but he hit 27 HR last year so maybe he will get hot down the stretch. He also has a decent contract that ends this year and that has to be appealing to the Cards.
Couple of questions: As I understand the waiver process he would have to clear waivers for all American league teams and then have to clear waivers for all national league teams with worse records than the Cards?
Are there teams in the American league that need a 3B for the stretch drive? What national league teams with worse records than the Cards might take him?
I would think that the Cards have a couple of things working in their favor: he is a free agent after the year so a rebuildiing team should not be interested and the Cards recent loosing streak puts them ahead of seveal of the contending National league teams. On paper it looks like a match but I do not know the needs of the American league contending teams and that may be where the problem lies.
This from MLive.com:
"Reports are circulating that the Cardinals, in particular, have interest in acquiring Inge. And there have been rumblings that the Tigers intend to put him on waivers to facilitate any possible trade by baseball's Aug. 31 deadline. Putting players on waivers at this time of year is basically standard operating procedure, as teams prepare for any trade possibility. But with several contenders intrigued by Inge, and the Tigers' need to determine if players such as Jhonny Peralta and Danny Worth should be a part of next year's team, this probably isn't just a formality".
"The trade means the Braves probably no longer have any interest in Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge, another free agent-to-be who, reportedly, is about to hit waivers this week (if he hasn't already). Now the Cardinals seem like the best and potentially only customer for Inge. Their current third baseman is Felipe Lopez, who plays great defense except for the throwing and catching part". I do not know how everyone else feels about Inge, but at this point he would seem like the best possible acquisition. The other question is what would you be willing to give up. The entire world knows how much the cards need a 3B so I would imagine that they are going to ask for a lot. My guess is that it might be Alan Craig but I have no idea what the Tigers might be needing? Anyone got an idea on what the Tigers might want?


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Natasha Trethewey is a poet-historian, Professor of English and Creative Writing at Emory University, where she holds the Phillis Wheatley Distinguished Chair in Poetry, and in 2012 she was named Poet Laureate of both her home state of Mississippi and the United States as a whole.
Mixed Race in the South:
Natasha Trethewey was born in 1966, the child of an interracial marriage that was outlawed by the miscegenation laws of many Southern states at the time. Her parents, Canadian poet Eric Trethewey and Mississippian social worker Gwendolyn Ann Turnbough, had met in college in Kentucky, and had to cross the river into Ohio to get married. They settled in Gwendolyn's home town of Gulfport, Mississippi, where the family lived until Natasha was six and her parents divorced. Natasha moved with her mother to Decatur, Georgia but spent her summers on the Gulf Coast, visiting her maternal grandmother in Gulfport and her father in New Orleans. It was this childhood of moving back and forth between the homes of her black mother and grandmother and that of her white father that crystallized the experiential differences between the races in Natasha's young life.
Great Loss Points to Poetry:
In 1985, when Natasha was a 19-year-old freshman studying literature at the University of Georgia in Athens, her mother was murdered by Joel Grimmette, the man who had been her second husband until they divorced two years before. Natasha said in later interviews that this brutal tragedy was the event that turned her interest to poetry: "I started writing poems as a response to that great loss, much the way that people responded, for example, after 9/11. People who never had written poems or turned much to poetry turned to it at that moment because it seems like the only thing that can speak the unspeakable."
Poetry Made from Personal Memory and Historical Research:
Trethewey's manuscript entitled Domestic Work was selected by Rita Dove as winner of the very first Cave Canem Poetry Prize for a first book by an African American writer, with this comment: "Here is a young poet in full possession of her craft, ready to testify." Like most of her published work, these poems blend personal memory with historical research to bring to life the experiences of hitherto-unknown people from the past—in this case, African American domestic laborers of her grandmother's generation. Her second book, Belloq's Ophelia, is also a work of historical imagination, poems illuminating the life of one of the early 20th century Storyville prostitutes photographed by E.J. Bellocq.
Imagining the Forgotten Civil War:
During her childhood summers on the Gulf Coast, Trethewey had often visited Ship Island, across from Gulfport, for 4th of July picnics. But she didn't known until much later about the Louisiana Native Guard, the first official regiment of black and Creole soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War, who were stationed at Fort Massachusetts on the island to guard Confederate prisoners of war. In an interview with Bookslut, she described the discovery that would lead to her third book, Native Guard: "When I took my grandmother to a restaurant on the beach on Ship Island, someone heard our conversation and told me this history that I hadn't learned my whole life. It occurred to me that there was all kinds of historical erasure like that—things that get left out of the record and are equally important in the history of us as Americans. I started doing research about the guards, and that was what I wanted to write about." In 2007, Trethewey was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Native Guard.
Books by Natasha Trethewey:
- Thrall (poems, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012)
- Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (essays, letters and poems, University of Georgia Press, 2010)
- Native Guard (poems, Houghton Mifflin, 2006)
- Belloq's Ophelia (poems, Graywolf Press, 2002)
- Domestic Work (poems, Graywolf Press, 2000)
Publisher's Web site


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Springfield – Investigators in Springfield have found a cause to a fire that claimed the lives of four people.
They believe a space heater is to blame for the fire last Thursday on Ninth Street..
Investigators also discovered the home did not have any working smoke detectors.
Evangelist Franklin Graham prayed on a sidewalk outside the Pentagon Thursday after his invitation to a prayer service inside was withdrawn because of comments that insulted people of other religions. More>>
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CATEGORIES MoviesAnother year, another Cannes Film Festival
But it had a good run! The 65th annual event, which awarded the coveted Palme d'Or to Michael Haneke for his film, "Amour," had its faire share of priceless photo ops.
With the films and their red-carpet moments fini, lets take a look back at the bazaar of stars and classic moments from this year's Cannes. From Brad Pitt to K-Stew to Bill Murray, below a gallery of Hollywood's best, posing in the South of France.


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Well that picture just makes you want to go out and climb it!
Thanks - I had to guess the exposure as the meter on my Pentax MX had croaked - pretty frustrating until I got the negs developed. Took three frames and the middle one was good.
This one just got published in the June/July Climbing Magazine.


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Discover Adionomy, Your Online Radio Advertising Campaign, Fast, Easy and Custom-Made!
Celia Cruz (Úrsula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso) was a Cuban salsa singer who spent most of her career living in New Jersey, and working in the United States and several Latin American countries. Cruz was one of the most successful Cuban performers of the 20th century, with twenty-three gold albums to her name and has earned the moniker of the "Queen of Salsa". Leila Cobo of Billboard Magazine once said "Cruz is indisputably the best-known and most influential female figure in the history of Afro-Cuban music.
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Ubbi diaper pail
Overview Features
Ubbi diaper pail is a revolutionary nursery necessity. All the style and none of the smell. Ubbi pail will change your nursery while you change diapers.Product Information
- Powder coated steel body
- Rubber sealing gaskets
- Sliding top lid
- No special bags required
- Child safety lock
- Simple
- Safe, convenient & economical
- Machine cycle-tested
- Eco friendly
just for giggle.
we collaborated with our friends at giggle to create a funky, fresh new pail color that really pops. click to shop this tangerine scene on giggle's store.


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During this October, in honor of Eczema Awareness Month, I'm going to be doing several give-a-ways and such :-)
I'm very happy to present this first one:
A $30 gift certificate from The Eczema Company!
Not only that, but your order will qualify for a $1 donation to the National Eczema Association!
I love, love, love, The Eczema Company. You MUST check it out. I love any store geared toward eczema, but this one has some GREAT products, such as:
The owner, Jennifer Roberge, just so happens to be one of my blogger friends :-) She writes the blog called It's an Itchy Little World.
Head on over there after entering the giveaway! She's super sweet! If you have any questions about her products, don't hesitate to ask! She's very helpful.
To win the gift certificate, enter below!
(the give-a-way is now closed. a big thank you to The Eczema Company & everybody who entered!)


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Review: Niner Jet9 RDO
By Josh Patterson,
This bike has been a long time in the making. It lived in a cobweb-filled corner of company co-founder Chris Sugai's mind—and on many scraps of paper covered in doodles of a new and striking frame—before development began several years ago. The Jet 9 RDO is the company's second carbon bike and its first carbon full suspension. RDO stands for Race Day Optimized; this acronym is not to be confused with Race Day Only, as the bikes that will share this designation are bred for racing but are capable of much more.
When I look at the Jet 9 RDO's carbon frame, I see a killer whale. The black-and-white livery, the swoopy lines, and the seat tube brace—which is clearly a dorsal fin—make me think of an orca, breaching the water's surface. I could spend the rest of this review making dim-witted analogies to killer whales, maybe even give the bike four out of five mackerels… I'll spare you that indignity.
Compared to its aluminum sibling, the Jet 9, the RDO is slightly slacker with a slightly longer rear end, which sports a full 100mm of travel. The Jet 9 RDO is designed to accommodate 100mm to 120mm suspension forks, while the Jet 9 was designed around 80mm to 100mm forks. Other refinements to the carbon model include internal cable routing through the head tube, a Press-Fit 30 bottom bracket, and a direct mount front derailleur. Niner would neither confirm nor deny my suspicion that the aluminum Jet 9 will be updated to match the Jet 9 RDO, though I consider it a safe bet that this more-afford- able bike will benefit from some high-end trickle-down.
Niner's recently patented CVA design, short for Constantly Varying Arc, uses two links that move in series through the suspension's travel. The upper link, mounted to the seat tube, is of the rocker variety and actuates the Kashima-coated RP23 shock. The lower link is what makes Niner's design different from many other dual-link bikes on the market: the link is located under and in front of the bottom bracket.
My test bike came equipped with a full Shimano XT group, Sun-Ringle wheels, and a 100mm RockShox SID fork with a remote lockout. With a solid selection of parts that left me with nothing to complain about, I was free to focus my attention on the frame and suspension.
I first rode the Jet 9 RDO last summer at a press camp in Park City, Utah. The bike rode well, but if anyone had asked me what I thought of the handling, I would have said "slightly old-school."
When compared to many other 29-inch cross-country race bikes released in the past two seasons, the Niner has a steeper head angle, at 71.5-degrees, and chainstays that are on the longer end of the spectrum, measuring 455mm. This makes for a bike that feels very responsive in front but that also requires the rider to swing the rear around when things get tight.
I tested the RDO with the stock head angle and fork, swapped the 100mm RockShox SID for a 120mm Fox F29, and finally, tested the bike with the stock SID fork but with Cane Creek's AngleSet installed and the head angle set at a more relaxed 70.5-degrees. The verdict? I prefer 70.5-degrees regardless of what gets me there—be it more travel or an adjustable-angle headset. I found the Jet 9 RDO to handle much better in high-speed situations with the slightly slacker head angle. If this were my personal XC/ endurance race bike, I would run a 120mm fork simply because it makes this bike that much more capable while giving up nothing in terms of race-day performance.
Once I had the handling sorted out to my liking, I turned my attention to the rest of the bike. Niner's CVA suspension is noticeably more active than many other dual-link designs I've ridden. One criticism often leveled at bikes that use the suspension's links to resist pedal-induced movement is that they never feel plush. This is not the case with the Jet 9 RDO—turn the ProPedal off and you have a very supple rear suspension that tracks well and absorbs square-edged bumps with poise. I rode the Jet 9 RDO through terrain that was well outside the realm of dainty XC bikes, and it never let me down. For all-around riding I kept the ProPedal in the "1" position and felt it suited the bike's personality well. For smoother courses, and for pure XC racing, I would opt for the "2" position.
Niner chose to use the tried-and-true 135mm rear spacing with a quick-release, citing its desire to save weight. I have nothing to complain about in the stiffness department. The short links kept the front and rear triangles moving as one. Speaking of those links, the lower one is very exposed; it would be nice to have the ability to purge those bearings with grease for the sake of longevity.
As a "tweener" in Niner's sizing I found the medium with a 90mm stem to be a perfect fit, and my only quibble is that the tall seat tube/ top tube junction prevented me from running a dropper post—the "RDO" vibe is the reason Niner chose not to include guides for a dropper remote.
My advice to fellow riders is to look beyond the "RDO" branding. Yes, Niner's Jet 9 RDO is perfectly suited to XC and endurance racing. But even if you are a rider who has no desire to put a number plate on your bikes, you will find a very capable bike in the Jet 9 RDO. Some riders may find the stock geometry suits them just fine. If, like me, you want a bike that can perform well over a wider range of trail conditions, run a 120mm fork and take the harder line.
Vital stats
- Wheelbase: 43.9-inches/1116mm
- Head Angle: 71.5-degrees
- Seat Tube Angle: 74-degrees
- Bottom Bracket: 13.0-inches /330mm
- Chainstay Length: 17.9-inches /455mm
- Frame Weight: 5.2lbs./2.36kg
- Complete: 26lbs./11.79kg
- Sizes: S, M (tested), L, XL (specs based on size tested)
- Price: $2,600 (frame only), $5,570 (complete)
- Made in Taiwan
Tester stats
- Age: 30
- Height: 5'7"
- Weight: 145lbs.
- Inseam: 30"
Keep reading
Since this review was first published in Issue #163, Niner has tweaked the Jet 9 RDO slightly. Read about those changes here.
If you'd like to read all our full-length reviews as soon as they are published, pick up a a subscription for just $19.95 and they'll be delivered straight to your door—or mobile device.
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Bicycle Fabrications unwraps its 2-D suspension design
By Josh Patterson, photos by Justin Steiner and Maurice Tierney.
In issue #163 we covered five of the most interesting bikes of this year's North American Handbuilt Show. Hank Matheson of Bicycle Fabrication had this downhill prototype on display. It caught our eye because it stood in such stark contrast to the rows of glossy, finished frames. That, and because it appeared that a significant portion of the suspension relied on old bicycle inner-tubes and electrical tape…
The tube and tape rat's nest was concealing a new suspension design. "It's hidden because Jon Heim [was] actually writing the patent for that particular system," said Matheson in our NAHBS video interview. Our educated guess was that the suspension used an auxiliary shock—perhaps something similar to Kona's Magic Link, but rather than controlling geometry and suspension travel the shock controled the fore-aft movement of the rear axle.
Now that all the paperwork has been filed and a patent is pending (so reads the Sharpie writing on the frame), Matheson was willing to give us an exclusive first look at this new suspension design.
Matheson worked in concert with engineer Jon Heim to create a suspension design that would allow the wheel to travel in a vertical arc, as well to travel rearwards when the suspension encounters a big hit.
Dubbed "2-D" as in two degrees of freedom. The main shock, in this case a Fox DHX RC 4, controls the majority of the suspension movement through the single pivot suspension's 225mm of vertical travel. A polyurethane elastomer spring, the black wedge bolted to the down tube and to an eccentric pivot housed in the downtube, controls the suspension's 19mm of fore-aft movement.
The coil main spring and elastomer auxillary spring work independent of each other. "You can't measure the travel in vertical inches—it's best measured in square inches," said Matheson.
Matheson and co-developer Heim set out to design a suspension that would better handle large square-edge impacts, which have a tendency to slow riders down, or stop them in the tracks. "Everyone's had this experience riding a full suspension: you come up to a square-edge hit and it yanks the bike out from under you—it's too big for the vertical travel to deal with. This suspension design allows the wheels to move back, up, and out of the way," Matheson explained.
Matheson was inspired by the Cannondale Gemini DH, a decade-old downhill bike, developed for World Cup racers Cedric Gracia and Anne-Caroline Chausson that never made it past the prototype stages. "I liked what the rear axle was doing…Cannondale did a really good job of isolating one from the other."
How it works
Where Cannondale used five pivots and an auxiliary air shock for the Gemini DH's vertical and rearward travel Matheson looked to automotive suspension, which uses polyurethane bumpers to dampen forces coming into the chassis. While elastomers may be synonymous with the first generation of suspension forks and shocks, Matheson and Heim believe they are the right tools for the job.
Illustration by Jon Heim
"We've talked about a bunch of different ways of tuning the movement of the rear axle. We're not asking for a ton of rearward travel, [an elastomer] is light, simple, and compact. If we went to an air shock, yes, it would be more tuneable on-the-fly, but it's more than we need," said Matheson.
The main suspension controls the majority of the suspension movement. The fore-aft suspension duties, handled by the elastomer and the eccentric pivot, only comes into play when the rear suspension encounters abrupt impacts in the 4:30 to 6:00 range of the rear wheel, as viewed from the drive side of the bike.
Once an impact is encountered, the elastomer allows for a controlled rearward movement of the rear wheel; the eccentric pivot allows the swingarm to rotate backwards and slightly upwards, away from the impact, while the main shock controls the suspensions vertical movement.
Because the eccentric allows the swingarm to rotate back and up, it does have an effect on the spring rate of the main shock. When activated, the movement of the eccentric pivot slightly steepens the shock angle, making the suspension more progressive.
No Switching
I've used the words "eccentric pivot" several times to explain how the 2-D suspension works. Some readers may immediately think of Yeti's recently introduced Switch suspension system.
According to Matheson, the only thing these suspension designs have in common is the use of an eccentric pivot, in place of a linkage, and the eccentrics are used for two entirely different reasons.
Yeti uses an eccentric pivot to control and improve pedaling performance. The eccentric rotates backwards during the initial stroke, counteracting chain forces and increasing anti-squat to provide a firm pedaling platform. As the suspension compresses further, the eccentric rotates forwards, giving the suspension an active, plush feel.
In contrast, Bicycle Fabrications' 2-D design uses an eccentric pivot to control the rearward movement of the axle. "My eccentric activates a separate shock and axle path, which the Yeti's design does not," says Matheson.
The next step
Now that a patent is pending Matheson plans to do a small run of 20-30 frames to get feedback from riders. After than he plans to do more tweaking and possibly increase production. If nothing else, this is a refreshing effort from a small company to improve mountain bike suspension.
Keep reading
There were a lot of cool mountain bikes at the 2012 North American Handmade Bicycle Show. See our coverage here.Tweet Print
Review: Canfield Nimble 9
By Josh Patterson
Canfield is a small, Utah-based company that has been building downhill and freeride bikes since 1999. Lance and Chris Canfield have four bikes in their current line, two of which are 29er hardtails with short chainstays and slack head angles.
The Nimble 9 and its aluminum counterpart, the Yelli-Screamy, were built because the Canfield brothers needed bikes to train on when they were not able to ride downhill. "As much as we love riding downhill, we can't do it every day. Basically all our bikes are built for downhillers," says Lance.
Making it fit
Lance Canfield designed the Nimble 9 to address some of the shortcomings of other 29ers. "All the products we build are things we want to ride. I liked 29ers, but the geometry of most is terrible," says Lance.
He wanted the Nimble 9 to have short chainstays, ample tire clearance, and the ability to run a front derailleur. Choose two of these three things and one can design a 29er without much fuss. The designer must get creative when building a bike with all three elements.
Canfield's solution was to weld the downtube 35mm forward of the bottom bracket. This provides enough tire clearance to run a direct-mount front derailleur without running into clearance issues that result from big tires and short chainstays. (The sliding dropouts will change the chainstay length from 412mm to 429mm.) As for tire clearance, my test bike was spec'd with Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35" tires and there was room to spare between the stays.
To the trail!
I'll get right to it, the Nimble 9 lives up to its name. I immediately noticed how easy it was to navigate tight switchbacks. Pedal kicking over obstacles was also a breeze. The frame is extremely playful and really comes alive as your speed increases.
I was underwhelmed by the performance of the Marzocchi fork that came with the bike and promptly swapped it for the Fox TALAS 29 reviewed in issue #150. (The Nimble 9 can accommodate 80-120mm suspension forks.) The Fox TALAS gave me a chance to test the bike with the fork in the 120mm and 95mm settings, which gave the Nimble 9 unsagged head angles of roughly 68° and 69° respectively. Even with 120mm of travel, the bike never felt sluggish nor did the front end wander excessively while climbing. Though I did find myself weighting the front end more than usual to get the front wheel to bite while cornering.
Canfield Brothers incorporated gracefully curved seatstays to act as leaf springs, taking the edge off. Despite this, my impression was that the rear end was stiffer than most other steel hardtails I've ridden. Perhaps this is due to seat and chainstays that are shorter than the norm, and therefore flex less along their length. The frame as a whole was appreciably stiff. No bottom bracket sway while hammering up climbs and no awkward front and rear yaw under hard cornering.
The Nimble 9 rode well, but there are design elements I took issue with. This is the only bike I've ridden that my heels routinely clipped the chainstays—a byproduct of trying to maximize rear tire clearance with remarkably short chainstays—more shaping of the chainstays could solve this. The junction of the bottom bracket and chainstays acts as a shelf to collect mud and debris, something to keep in mind if you live in a wet climate. A 44mm headtube would have been a nice addition, giving riders the option to run forks with tapered steerers. Finally, the Nimble 9 is only offered in three sizes. Thankfully, this will be remedied with the introduction of an extra large size this spring.
Final thoughts
The Nimble 9 is versatile enough to suit riders of many different backgrounds. It offers excellent handling characteristics in an affordable package. If you're looking for a versatile 29er without cookie-cutter geometry, throw a leg over the Nimble 9.
Vital stats
- Price: $650 (frame only)
- Weight: 5.5lbs (frame only) 24.5lbs. (as built)
- Sizes Available: S (tested), M, L
- Country of Origin: Taiwan
First look at new helmets from Kali Protectives
By Josh Patterson
The Avana, above, is Kali's new all-mountain helmet. We reviewed the company's popular Avita model in issue #156. One of our quibbles with the Avita was that it didn't offer quite as much rear coverage as comparable models from other companies. Kali took this criticism to heart when designing the Avana. This new model offers more rear coverage and uses multiple foam densities to increase the helmet's ability to dissipate energy upon impact.
The Avana will retail for $139.
Kali also has a new performance cross-country lid. The Maraka XC weights approximately 250 grams and offers reinforced structures around the helmet's front vents to lessen high-speed impacts.
The Maraka will retail for $189.
On the more budget-minded end of the spectrum is Kali's Chakra Plus. This helmet offers a full in-mold shell, one-handed dial adjust, and a breakaway visor. It's Kali-sponsored rider Eric Porter's go-to helmet and it retails for a very reasonable $50. Not bad, Kali. Not bad.
Eric Porter, rocking the Shakra Plus and leading the way. "It's just over that next hill…"
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Hands on with Turner's 650b full-suspension prototype – the Burner
By Josh Patterson,
Dave Turner revived the 'Burner' name for the latest bike in the Turner lineup. The new Burner is a 650b trail bike, sporting 140mm of front and rear travel. Turner has gained a loyal following by building full suspension bikes that are efficient, durable, and are made in the United States. The Burner has a 44mm headtube, 142×12 rear thru-axle, and ISCG 05 chainguide mounts. Like all Turners, the Burner is built around Dave Weagle's dw-link suspension design, with zerk grease fittings on the pivots to keep the bushings smooth and silent.
I picked Dave Turner's brain while he was setting up my demo bike about everything from where he sees the wheelsize fitting into the mountain bike spectrum, to what to call the damn thing—there are many tongue-in-cheek nicknames floating around for 650b.
"I want to call it the 'waffle,'" Turner said. "As in waffling, but also because it's sweet."
Turner sees a big future for 650b. "I won't build anything I wouldn't want to ride," he said. The company's 29er trail bike, the Sultan, has been Turner's best selling bike for several seasons. (Read our review from Issue #145 here.) The Sultan served as the first test mule for 650b. Turner saw merit in the wheelsize and a handful of prototypes were produced.
In the coming years he expects 650b will take marketshare from the emerging breed of long-travel 29ers and annihilate 26-inch wheels on everything but downhill rigs.
"Downhill racers are not like the rest of us," Turner said. "The bikes are already really long, and [the riders] need bikes that are very maneuverable."
On the Trail
I set out on a test ride with a handful of other journalists. The trails overlooking Park City have a little bit of everything (and a lot of elevation). Our ride included a great mix of terrain on which to test the merits of the wheelsize and the frame itself: some fast and flowy terrain, bermed switchbacks, and just the right amount of rocky chunder.
My Burner was spec'd with a RockShox 650b Revelation fork and a Rockshox Monarch RT3 in the rear. I used all 140mm of the Revelation's travel. It proved to be a smooth and highly tunable fork. My experience with dw-link bikes has generally been positive; the suspension design provides a firm pedaling platform that's unfazed by out-of-the-saddle mashing, while still managing to hug the ground when the going gets rough. The Burner was no exception. I rode with it with the platform damping turned off for everything but the road climb back to Deer Valley resort.
As soon as I through a leg over the Burner it was very apparent that I was not riding big wheels, just big-ish wheels…
Acceleration was very good. The Burner is more flickable than 29ers with a comparable amount of travel. (The feather-light and incredibly stiff 650b ENVE wheels certainly didn't hurt either.) A stiff chassis and stiff wheels kept the Burner pointed where I wanted it to go. It rolled over rocks and roots OK. I could not plow through rock gardens the way I could with a 29er, but it was easier to make quick line adjustments and pop off berms and other trail features.
Wheelsize is only half the Burner's story. Turner's interpretation of the 650b trail bike is low and slack. The exact geometry numbers are yet-to-be determined, but if they are in the same ballpark as the prototype I rode, I think the Burner will be a hit. The Burner could appeal to a wide variety of riders: it can be built up as a lightweight trail bike or as an enduro-ready machine with a 1×10 (or the soon-to-be available 1×11) drivetain, chainguide, and dropper post. I think the Burner will excel in either configuration.
The Burner will be available this fall with an estimated retail price of $2,500 for the frame with shock.
What do you think about 650b?
Is it good to have choices? A solution to a problem that does not exist? A 'just right' wheelsize? An industry-driven ploy to sell more bikes? All of the above? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.Tweet Print
Hutchinson: New treads to shred
By Josh Patterson
Hutchinson is investing a lot of resources in developing its gravity-oriented tires. The French tire manufacturer now has full range of DH tires to suit most conditions. From top to bottom you see the Toro, an all-arounder, available in 2.5 and 2.35; the DZO, for wet and muddy courses; and the Squale, for dry and rocky conditions.
Note the stepped blocks on the DZO. These serve as guides for shaving the tread.
Hutchinson readily admits the company was caught with its pants down when the 29er boom hit. While they are just now getting up to speed with a full line of 29er rubber, the company made sure it would not make the same mistake twice. Three of their most popular treads are available in 650B sizes with more to come. From left to right, the Toro, Cougar, and Cobra:
The Black Mamba is a very low-profile version of the Cobra, with more space between the knobs. This tubular tread was designed for Julien Absalon's Olympics aspirations. Hutchinson makes treads for Dugast tires. This Mamba tread will be mated to a Dugast casing for a super-light, race-day only tire that most of us would be too afraid to ride.
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Camelbak unveils new, redesigned packs
By Josh Patterson
Camelbak seems to be in a constant state of refinement. There's always something that can be made lighter, more ergonomic, or easier to use. For example, last year's Charge LR has been updated with a back-loading (Your back, that is.) reservoir. This allowed the company to up the cargo capacity significantly.
I've used the Charge LR for numerous endurance events and my only criticism is that I wish there was a version with a three-liter bladder. Enter the Volt LR, below. It's a larger version of the Charge LR with 10 liters of cargo capacity and a three liter reservoir for long days in the saddle. The Volt LR will retail for $125.
Through the R&D process Camelbak found it needed to change the shape of the three liter lumbar reservoir. (The manta ray-esque two-liter bladder, below left, didn't work as well when the volume was increased.) The three-liter bladder, below right, also uses an internal baffle like the company's traditional bladder to keep it flatter against your back when topped-off.
On the more traditional-side of the Camelbak line, the stalwart Mule NV, below, has been updated with a clamshell main compartment, an integrated bottom-loading rain cover, and new pod-like back panels said to improve airflow over the previous design.
Camelbak has come up with a pretty clever helmet carrying method for their packs. These clips, located on either side of the pack, securely hold your helmet's straps and are very unobtrusive when not in use. Camelbak will be incorporating this helmet carrying system throughout its line.
For the ladies
The now has a women's version of the Charge LR dubbed the Spark LR. Like the Charge LR it has a two-liter bladder and 7.5 of cargo capacity. The straps are contoured to fit a woman's body and the pack is slightly shorter than the Charge LR for shorter torsos. The Spark LR will retail for $110.
The Luxe NV is essentially a women's Mule NV. Like the Mule NV it's redesigned with updated features including the new back panels. The Luxe NV will retail for $135.
First ride report: Niner's redesigned S.I.R. 9 steel hardtail
By Josh Patterson
Last year about this time Niner Bikes unveiled its first carbon full suspension platform, the Jet 9 RDO (read our review in issue #163). This year Niner took time to reinvest in one of the first frames in its line-up, the geared and singlespeed-compatible S.I.R. 9. The company felt steel bikes were being equated with retro, which seemed unfair to such a versatile frame material.
"Steel was being left behind," said company founder Chris Sugai. "You couldn't run tapered forks, you couldn't run Maxles." Niner's goal was to revise the frame to make it compatible with current standards while maintaining the S.I.R. 9's soulful ride quality.
The two most visible changes include the use of a larger diameter, 44mm head tube, which will allow riders to run straight or tapered steerers on their forks, and a 142×12 Maxle rear end to bolster stiffness and make it compatible with the latest hubs and wheelsets.
Other, more subtle changes include switching the rear brake mount from IS to post-mount, and moving it from the seatstay to the chainstay. Not only does this change give the rear end a much cleaner look, it also does away with the need for a brace between the seat- and chainstays, and allows for the use of thinner-walled seatstays to improve the ride quality.
Niner also redesigned its eccentric bottom bracket. Dubbed Biocentric II, the new unit uses two 6mm bolts, versus a single 8mm used previously, to more evenly distribute clamping forces and lessen the chance the unit will creak. There's also a keyed 8mm slot to make chain tension adjustments. The Biocentric II is also compatible with Niner's CYA modular bottom bracket system, allowing riders to choose the bottom bracket technology that best fits their needs: BB30, PressFit 30, BB92, or a tried-and-true threaded system. Best of all, Biocentric II is backwards compatible with Niner frames that use the Biocentric I EBB. Pricing and availability are not set.
Niner will also be offering their Maxle hardware to custom frame builders.
The Reynolds 853 front triangle was redesigned to accommodate the larger diameter headtube. Niner worked with Reynolds to select the right butting profile to ensure the frame would pass stringent EN testing requirements.
While the S.I.R. 9 receives numerous updates the frame's geometry remains unchanged.
Colors will be Tamale Red (with an option to purchase the frame with a color-matched RockShox XX SID fork), and Arctic White. Weight for a medium S.I.R. 9 frame with Maxle hardware and seatpost clamp is approximately 4.8 pounds. It will retail for $999 and will be available in approximately 12 weeks.
On the trail
As mentioned previously, the updated S.I.R. 9 has geometry that is identical to its predecessor—quick, but not twitchy is how I would describe it. The frame is designed around 80-100mm forks. My demo bikes was spec'd with a 100mm RockShock SID fork and a mostly XTR drivetrain, all of which worked well enough that I could focus all of my attention on the frame.
I was curious to find out of the inclusion of modern features, designed to bolster frame stiffness, might exaggerate the steel frame's lively feel to the point that "complaint" turned into "flexy."
I'm happy to report that this was not my impression. Through tight switchbacks, bermed turns, and the occasional blast through rocky chunder the S.I.R. 9 displayed the refined ride quality one would expect from a high-end steel frame: comfortable, lively and precise.
So I mentioned the S.I.R. 9 will not be available for 12 weeks, and that it comes in red or white. Well, there is a loophole. Think this is the right bike for you? Want to help IMBA fight the good fight? Well, there's a way to do both at the same time.
Niner is auctioning off on eBay six custom-painted, IMBA-themed S.I.R. 9 frames with matching carbon RDO forks—seen here with the yellow paint. One hundred percent of the proceed go directly to IMBA. The auctions end June 29, so bid early and often!Tweet Print
Anatomy of a gravel race bike: my Dirty Kanza 200 rig
By Josh Patterson,
One of the things I enjoy most about endurance gravel events is that they challenge participants to innovate. Gravel racing is a new and evolving niche. Companies are starting to take note, but for the most part it's about improvisation and ingenuity.
I've toed the start line at Dirty Kanza five times, each year with a different bike. (Read Josh's race recap here.) This year I think I've honed in on my ideal endurance gravel setup. I would not go so far as to say this is the perfect gravel race setup, but it was good enough for my mid-pack finish.
Salsa Cycles was kind enough to allow me to ride an aluminum prototype of their upcoming gravel race bike. (There was also a titanium version at this year's race.) The yet-to-be-named bike takes design cues from Salsa's existing cyclocross bike, the Chili Con Crosso. The new bike will be disc-specific and features many subtle changes, which are the result of "many, many miles and years of gravel racing experience," said Mike Reimer, Salsa's marketing manager.
The bike
Like the Chili Con Crosso, the new bike will have a Press-Fit 30 bottom bracket.
The seat and chainstays are flattened to allow for a small amount of vertical compliance.
The frame has mounts for three water bottles. I chose not to carry a bottle underneath the downtube—there are plenty of cowpies on the roads and I don't enjoy drinking from a bottle encrusted in bovine excrement.
Wheels and tires
There is no doubt in my mind that there is exponentially more hand wringing about tire choice for gravel racing than all other disciplines of cycling combined. Tire choice will make or break your ride. Kansas gravel is generally composed of limestone and flint. Flint can be sharper than steel and will make short work of thin tires.
I opted to run Clement's brand new X'Plor MSO 700x40mm tire. Gravel is an unpredictable and ever-changing surface; I find it hard to conceive of any tire that would allow one to "rail turns" on a gravel road. The X'Plor's round shape, and consistently spaced, low-profile tread make for a tire that rolls fast and is extremely predictable. I ran 42psi in the front and 45psi in the rear.
I also opted to run them tubeless on a pair of Rolf Ralos 29er wheels. I'm sure Clement does not recommend this (it's my job to try these things and occasionally make poor decisions so you don't have to). They seated with a floor pump and held air with three scoops of NoTubes sealant. X'Plor MSO has a supple, 120tpi casing, my pair weigh approximately 430 grams, and carried me across miles of flint-strewn roads without any issues. I'm sold.
The Rolf Ralos wheelset rolls on White Industries hubs laced to what are essentially NoTubes Arch rims drilled for Rolf's paired spokes. On my mountain bike I found this wheelset to flex more than I like, but for long gravel rides I appreciated the compliance.
I ran a Shimano 105 group with an FSA Gossamer crankset. Nothing special, just solid, reliable stuff. For events like this I've found the wider range of a 50/34 t compact crankset is a better option than a traditional 48/38t, or 46/36t cyclocross gearing. Sometimes you need the little ring, other times, when you've got a tailwind on your side, it's nice to be able to take full advantage of it with a 50t ring. I paired this with a 12-28 cassette and was never wanting for gears.
Frame Packs
Frame packs like this one made by Jandd and similar bags made by Revelate Designs are excellent options for carrying all the food and gear you need easy access to during your ride. I planned to carry a three-liter hydration bladder in my bag and forego a hydration pack, but when full, the pack rubbed against my knees. I ended up riding with a CamelBak Charge LR and it proved quite comfortable.
Saddle Bag
In my saddlebag I carried two tubes, a multi-tool, patch kit, tire boot, two links of chain, and two 16-gram CO2 cartridges.
Front and rear lights are mandatory. Many riders who are confident in their ability to finish before sunset opt to run a very minimal headlight. I was not one of those riders, so I opted to run a Cygolite TridenX 750 OSP. If you think you're going to be riding well into the night I also recommend running a helmet-mounted light to make map reading and navigation easier.
Frame Pump
Portland Design Works' Magic Flute is my pump of choice.
I ran my a Salsa Bell Lap 2 handlebar about two centimeters higher than I normally would for road or 'cross to ensure I had a position in the drops that would be comfortable for hours on end.
Have a question about gravel tech? Feel free to ask below.Tweet Print
200 miles of bad roads – Dirty Kanza 200 race report
By Josh Patterson, photos by Josh Patterson and Corey Godfrey
At the Dirty Kanza 200, the volatile Kansas weather shapes the outcome as much as the racers' fitness and preparation. Scorching heat, soul-crushing headwinds, and high humidity often upset the best-laid plans. Last year an afternoon outbreak of severe thunderstorms forced many racers to seek shelter in barns and ditches, but this year mild temperatures and light winds created ideal conditions for 200 miles of gravel road racing.
Here's the winning video from last year's DK200 video contest. (Ben Thornton was not lucky enough to find refuge in a barn.)
This year unseasonably mild temperatures, light and variable winds, and rain showers several days prior—just enough to pack down the gravel—conspired to make this year's race one that would see previous records broken.
At Friday night's pre-race meeting many riders talked in hushed voices about who would break the 12-hour barrier, and best former 24-hour National Champion Cameron Chamber's four-year-old record of 11 hours and 58 minutes. Would it be DK200 stalwart Dan "the diesel" Hughes, owner of Sunflower Outdoor and Bike in Lawrence, Kansas; Lincoln Nebraska's Corey "Cornbread" Godfrey; or would the Queen of Pain, three-time World Champion Rebecca Rusch chick everyone?
The next morning more than 420 racers lined up in downtown Emporia, Kansas, for the start. It appears that 2012 will go down as the breakout year for this race. It has reached a critical mass, having made the transition from a popular regional event to one that draws participants from across the nation and beyond; riders from 38 states, Canada and Great Britain journeyed to the Flint Hills of central Kansas for this year's race. Paying money and traveling long distances to ride 200 miles of Great Plains gravel—who would have thought?
As the depth of the field increases, so too does the pace. From the start, the in-it-to-win-it group set a tempo that left the in-it-to-survive-it riders like myself strung out over miles of rough gravel roads.
It came as quite a surprise when, two hours into the race, riders from the lead group began passing the pack fodder. The course is well marked, but navigation is still a critical element of the Dirty Kanza; in their haste the lead pack missed a turn and went several miles off course before realizing their error. Some of these racers blew past at breakneck speed, frantic to regain lead while other, more seasoned racers slowly ratcheted up the pace.
As the clock ticked towards the 12-hour mark two riders rolled onto Emporia's main street: Dan Hughes and Rusty Folger of Golden, Colorado, crossed the finish line, arm in arm, tying for the win and setting a new course record in of in 11 hours and 56 minutes. This was Folger's first attempt at the race, and Hughes third win.
Soon afterward Rebecca Rusch rode across the line, finishing in 12 hours and two minutes, finishing third overall and setting a new women's course record by over an hour.
Stay tuned for a breakdown of the gear I used that didn't, well, break down.Tweet Print


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Drift Innovations HD170
FOR: Neutral
Product Info:
With a rugged waterproof body, the back sports a color LCD playback screen, while the included remote control enables you the freedom to start and stop filming wherever you might have the camera mounted. The Drift HD170 offers a unique 300° rotating lens to giving you all sorts of freedom to film in different ways.
- Fixed Focus .5m to ∞, glass lens
- 300° lens rotation
- f/2.8
- 170° wide angle lens in 720p, 127° in 1080p
- 1080p, 720p, WVGA up to 30 fps
- 4x Digital Zoom in 720p
- Built-in Microphone
- SD Card, up to 32GB capacity
- Wireless remote control


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Arizona homicide suspect arrested in Oregon
By Associated Press
Originally published: Feb 13, 2014 - 9:12 am
Originally published: Feb 13, 2014 - 9:12 am
SALEM, Ore. -- Police said a homicide suspect wanted in Phoenix was arrested Wednesday night at a homeless camp in Salem.
Police said they received information that 38-year-old Darren Keith Longoria may be in the area and an officer found him in an area used by transients.
Longoria is held in the Marion County Jail for extradition to Maricopa County, Ariz., where he's accused of second-degree murder.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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AT & T 2000 Minutes US & International Rechargeable Prepaid Phone Card: U.S and international calling capability Card valueexpires 365 days after activation, recharge, or last use No hidden surcharges No monthly fees Rechargeable - additional minutes can be added to card or sign up for AT & T Auto minutes AT & T Auto minutes: Have minutes automatically added to your card when your balance is low Save time and simplify calling with these optional features included on your AT & T PrePaid Phone Card at no extra charge*: - PIN-less Dialing: Make calls without entering the PIN on the back of the card - Lost Card Protection: Provides added security by replacing your card minute balance if the card is lost or stolen - Speed-dial: Program up to 10 frequently called domestic numbers so you will have one-touch dialing capability for those numbers *Administrative fees for certain user-initiated actions involving speed dialing and PIN-less dialing will apply and are deducted from the card's minute balance. There is no charge for use of the AT & T Autominutes feature. Terms and Conditions: BY USING THIS AT & T PREPAID PHONE CARD, YOU CONSENT TO THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, RATES AND CHARGES BELOW AND IN THE SERVICE GUIDE AT www. att.com/prepaidguide; Also available from Customer Care at 1-888-854-6741. Minute value applies to U.S. domestic calls only. A surcharge not to exceed 35 minutes applies to pay phone calls, some of which compensates pay phone providers. One-minute billing increments; partial minutes used are billed as full minutes. Rates may be higher for calls to/from mobile phones. International rates are higher than U.S. domestic rates, vary according to area called, and can change. Call Customer Care for International calling information before leaving the U.S. Recharge minutes may have different rates, surcharges and terms and. Price: $39.50
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Eugene 4J prepares to build new Howard Elementary
EUGENE, Ore. - The first of 4 school projects funded by a $170 million voter-approved bond measure is about ready to go.
The new Howard Elementary School will be a $32 million, 2-story school. Ground breaking is set for late spring. The building should be ready for students in the fall of 2015.
The new building will go up on the current school property, behind the existing building.
This Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. at Howard is a public open house for people to look over the design drawings and comment to the design team. | Project Website
Still on the drawing board: new Roosevelt Middle and River Road Elementary buildings. The Arts and Technology Academy at Jefferson is set for a major remodeling.


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Baseball ProGUESTus: Answers from a Sabermetrician, Part 2
Tom Tango answers questions at BP. Here's a snippet: 1) What sabermetric advancement do you think is the least-appreciated by a majority of franchises? 2) I like to flatter myself that I'm an 'early adopter' to the sabermetric perspective on the game, even though it's been so many years since its introduction and uptake by those like yourself. Is sabermetrics already 'mainstream' in your mind, or how long do you think it will be til it is? 3) What was / will be the tipping point to #2? 1. Regression toward the mean. 2. Sabermetrics will always be on the leading edge. There's no need for it to be in the mainstream. If the mainstream wants to adopt, they know where to find us. If they want to ignore us, they can. We're there to make sure they don't misuse numbers, that's all. 3. I hope it never happens, actually. You look over to your left and right to make sure that whoever wants to be part of the movement has the tools and knowledge to join in. There's no sense in looking over your shoulder to make sure everyone comes along. They aren't in a burning building they are trying to escape. They are on the beach, and they can decide if they want to come surfing with us or not. But I don't need them to tell me that I'm drowning people with numbers. We're giving out surfboards, and they can decide if they want one. And then we'll be happy to make sure they don't drown.


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Writing Workshops
In 2011, Free Minds began offering eight-week long Writing Workshops as a way to expand our reach and offer additional educational opportunities for adults.
Want to get a sense of the kind of exercises we do in a typical workshop? Check out our Write Now page to get started.
Writing Workshop Goals
- Help workshop participants improve their skill and comfort with writing
- Create a supportive community environment which fosters development in critical thinking and communication
- Introduce workshop participants to foundational humanities texts and higher education opportunities
Spring 2014 Workshop
Leader: Mary Lavallee, UT Austin MFA Candidate
When: Tuesdays, February 11 – April 1, 6:15-8:15 pm
Where: M Station Apartments, 2906 East MLK Jr. Blvd
Who: Beginners and experienced writers are welcome.
To sign up or request more information, complete the Join Our Community form here.
You can also check out Workshop FAQ page here.
Meet the Facilitator
Mary Lavallee originally hails from Massachusetts, where she pursued degrees in both English and Communication. She made her way to Texas to pursue an MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of Texas at Austin. She has worked as a Teaching Assistant for courses in world literature, American literature, and creative writing, where she ran workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Her work has appeared in various literary journals in the US, UK, and Canada. She is currently at work on her first novel, which is a little bit of everything.


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It continues to pour so they asked for more...
The Zoo staff have been so happy with our all-volunteer-constructed rain shelters that they asked for 10 more units!
Learn More...
The Wildest Show in Town Concerts Return June 11th!!
Ten Tropical Wednesdays in June, July and August.
Find out more...
... and get a lemur of your own!
Find out more...
Meerkats Photo: Bryan Thompson
Zoo License Plate
Show your support for the zoo while driving!
The Honolulu Zoo Society has joined the City and County of Honolulu's Organization License Plates/Decal Program. This program benefits non-profit organizations that provide programs to improve the public's education or general welfare. Every time you re-register your vehicle, $20 of the organization plate fee will come to the Honolulu Zoo Society.
Join this important fundraising effort by printing and
filling out the application form at Application/Replacement
form for the Organization License Plates/Decal(s)
and bringing it to a Satellite City Hall. You will need to
surrender the last issued Certificate of Registration for
the vehicle that you with to be issued an organization
license plate/decal. Show other drivers you support the
important education programs of the Honolulu Zoo Society!


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News: 40 Glocc Hits The Reset Button, Drops New Game Diss [Audio]
Monday, Jul 22, 2013 7:50PM
West Coast rapper 40 Glocc is not done beefing with Black Wall Street head Game and has released a new diss track called "The Last 48."
The four-minute anthem features Glocc using a massive assortment of bars to down the former G-Unit member.
The Game's arch-nemesis, 40 Glocc, is back today with a brand new track aimed at the head of his west coast rival. The track is called "The Last 48" and finds the wordsmith laying down a barrage at bars aimed at The Game. He speaks about their first altercation, their latest altercation, and pours out a number of threats in the process. Are we going to end up seeing another video on Worldstar soon? (Stupid Dope)
Earlier this year, 40 said Game released footage of him getting assaulted last summer to receive widespread attention.
"As far as the lawsuit, I looked at it as what he did. He didn't do that as no street sh*t. I looked at it more of he did it as an entertainment purpose. So if it's an entertainment purpose, 'Hey, I'm an entertainer. I get paid to entertain.' You made that fake a** movie, and made a fake a** edit. Lied about everything that took part, but you did it to assassinate me. And as an entertainer I'm like I get compensated. You know I do movies. I done did movies, films, TV, videos. So I get paid to entertain on that side of it. And at the same time I seen it as like if that was some real sh*t and it wasn't entertainment purposes, you wouldn't have recorded no sh*t like that and put it out for that because that's like letting the authorities know." (VLAD TV)
In March, 40 boasted about filing a hefty lawsuit against Game.
"MY LAWYERS BEAT A N*GGA POCKETS UP.. "Jab,Left,Right,Upper Cut.,FILING BANKRUPT!.""
"WILL SOME 1 TELL ME HOW MUCH THE LAWSUIT FOR!! BCUZ I HONESTLY DONT KNOW?..LOL!! I HEARD ITS 2.8mill,3.6mill,4.5mill,?" (40 Glocc's Twitter)
Reports of the suit surfaced months after the fight took place.
Rapper 40 Glocc is gunning for $4.5 MILLION ... and his target is The Game. TMZ broke the story ... Glocc sued Game over a street fight between the two rappers, which went down in July outside a Hollywood Hills mansion. Game subsequently posted footage of the brawl on YouTube, showing him whaling on Glocc. At the time Glocc filed the suit, he didn't specify how much he wanted, but now we know. Glocc just filed legal docs demanding a cool $4.54 million. Here's the breakdown: -- $500,000 in pain and suffering -- $500,000 in emotional distress -- $750,000 in lost earnings -- $2 million for punitive damages -- $25,000 in medical expenses -- Various other stuff (TMZ)
Last fall, Game briefly spoke on what went down and said 40 sprinkled some lies into how the altercation really happened.
"I smashed him, smashed him," Game said when asked about the 40 Glocc situation. "You gotta break it down, man, you gotta break it down. I smashed him. He said he got smashed. Little fabrication in there, he said we pulled weapons out and he got jumped. We'll be back, man. Don't worry about it." (Funkmaster Flex Show)
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Check out 40 Glocc's "The Last 48":