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A faux chocolate product that contains some but not all the components necessary to be considered true chocolate. Mockolate is most often missing cocoa butter, which creates a frustrating illusion of chocolate but little of the taste or mouthfeel.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Nestle KitKat Sakura Green Tea & Wasabi
It's great when friends go traveling and bring back candy. My friend Amy (who often spits things out and then gives me her opinion) went to Tokyo and Kyoto. She was lucky enough to be there for the start of Cherry Blossom Season, which means that the limited edition KitKat Sakura are also on store shelves.
Sakura is a popular flavor in Japan. What that flavor is, is kind of a mystery to me. It's not cherry or the orange blossom equivalent of orange. It's just a soft flavor that's more like almond to me, if other candies I've had are indicative.
This particular Sakura Matcha KitKat package is a little different from others I've had. It's kind of like a King Size. The box is a little longer, and on the back is a little "to and from" space where you can add a personalize message.
Inside the package are three individually wrapped pairs of KitKat fingers. They're not large, a bit smaller than the American version, as a matter of fact. They're only 68 calories each (sorry, I couldn't figure out the exact weight since it was all in Japanese).
It's a white confection outside that's flavored (and colored) with green tea. It's not a very good white confection, a little greasy and waxy and very sweet. The green tea notes are not as bitter as some earlier varieties of matcha candies I've had from Nestle Japan. In this version, the Sakura adds a bit of a cereal flavor to it, maybe a hint of cinnamon and brown rice and a much lighter vanilla note.
As a whole, it was okay. It's not a KitKat I would buy for myself regularly, even if I was excited that the trees were in bloom. I've had a few other varieties over the years, earlier versions were just cherry blossom with no green tea.
The other prized variety that I haven't been able to find in the United States (unless I mail ordered, which usually ends in a melted disaster) was the Wasabi KitKat.
This is also what I'd call a gift variety, as I highly doubt people just go out looking for Japanese horseradish flavored candies. I love wasabi, but it belongs in my mashed potatoes and on my tuna and avocado roll.
The box in this version is very presentational, with stylized block print wasabi roots on the front. The box opens up to reveal 12 small, individually wrapped finger pairs of the candies.
Like most Japanese KitKats, the packaging is exquisite.
The flavor is, well, sweet. For the most part it's a bland white confection, equally greasy and waxy as most other Nestle white KitKats. In this version there's a peppery bite to it, like arugula or horseradish. It's mild but noticeable. It was too strange, but also didn't add anything to the experience. I think wasabi works best with starchy foods (mashed potatoes or rice), not with fatty foods like chocolate (or mock chocolate).
This is a novelty, not an extraordinary new flavor combination. I'm all for the combination of sweet and savory (umami), but this isn't it.
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Friday, March 1, 2013
Hershey's Candy Coated White Chocolate Flavored Eggs
When Easter rolls around, I usually spend my discretionary calories on new holiday candies. One candy that I do purchase year after year, though, are the Hershey's Candy Coated Milk Chocolate Eggs. The shell is thick and crunchy and the fudgy Hershey's chocolate center soothes me in a way that high quality chocolate cannot.
I was interested to see Hershey's newest item in their growing category of candy coated items. Hershey's Candy Coated White Chocolate Flavored Eggs were on sale. Last year Mars introduced the White Chocolate M&Ms as an Easter item (still an exclusive at Target this year), so it's natural that Hershey's would want to be in the white game as well.
The big thing to note is that this is white chocolate flavored, not fully-accredited white chocolate. Instead of using only cocoa butter and dairy fats, Hershey's has added all sorts of other vegetable oils.
Hershey's is capable of some wonderful white chocolate, the Cookies 'n Creme bar used to be spectacular. Here's the ingredients list for the white eggs:
The sized and shape are the same as the Milk Chocolate Eggs, in fact, I bought some at the same time just to compare.
The shell is quite thick, very hard and crunchy. Though there is quite a list of artificial colors in the ingredients, they're only splattered with color so it's not much to get in the way of the pure flavors. And by pure, I mean the sugar and the artificial vanilla and the milk.
It tastes artificial, like fake vanilla or instant pudding. It's a wonderful shorthand for the smell of Easter, it's like an Easter Basket in a candy shell. It's certainly not for those who don't like their candy sweet.
Compared to the new White Chocolate M&Ms, they're vastly different. The M&Ms are smaller, have a more delicate shell and a more well-rounded butter flavor. The M&Ms are smoother and have a higher fat content and slick, almost greasy, texture (especially if they get warm). The Hershey's White Eggs are a great mix of textures but don't have flavor nor the cleanest ingredients to go with it.
Still ... there's something about them that reminds me too much of those Easters of childhood when there really was an Easter Bunny and the candy was special. Cheap white chocolate is so inextricably tied in my head to the holiday, it's hard to objective about it. I'm eating these, but I'm not sure I actually like them. And I'm considering buying them again.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Nestle Crunch Noisettes
I was excited to see this Nestle Crunch Noisettes bar in New York at Zabar's. I scooped it right up from the display basket by the cheeses (and looked in the same basket to see if there were any other exotic flavors).
The bar is made in Italy by Nestle and is a twist on the classic Crunch bar, which is a milk chocolate bar with crisped rice. The exotic twist here is the inclusion of noisettes ... hazelnuts.
This bar is very attractive.The mold design is inventive and practical. The sections break easily but instead of a typical grid they're faceted polygons in a vaguely rectangular format. Even though I carried this all the way across the country, it still came out looking practically pristine.
The back of the bar reveals a bit more about the contents. The crisped rice is large and classic looking, unlike the newer cereal rice flour bb's that are in the current American Crunch bar. There are also a far number of crushed hazelnut pieces.
The bar smells comforting, a mix of sweet milk, cereal and toasted nuts.
The snap is crisp and the melt of the chocolate is a little sticky but overall smooth. The texture is on the fudgy side with a lot of milk and a slight grain to it. The milk flavors predominate along with a hint of malt and the fresh and crunchy hazelnuts. The chocolate recipe is a little different from the American Nestle Crunch, this version has whey in it, which is not allowed in American chocolate (if it is to be labeled chocolate), but at least it keeps the mouthfeel similar and adds protein to the bar ... which keeps it from being overly sweet. I wanted more crisped rice, but feel like the ratio of hazelnuts was just perfect.
I liked it and had no trouble eating the whole bar over the period of several days. Given a choice, I'd probably opt for a Ritter Sport bar, as I prefer their milk chocolate profile and more transparent ethical sourcing though they don't actually have a crisped rice bar (but an excellent milk chocolate with corn flakes will do).
This bar has wheat gluten in it, along with dairy, soy and tree nuts.
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Cadbury Wispa
Aerated chocolate bars are quite popular in Europe. The Nestle Aero holds the top seat but there are others worthy of sampling.
The Cadbury Wispa was introduced in 1981 in the United Kingdom. The Wispa was later reformulated and rebranded as the Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly Bar in 2003 (2005 review). Fans of the classic bar clamored for the original, which returned as a regular item in 2008.
The ingredients have nothing special in them that mentions the carbonation (extra nitrogen). It's just the same ingredients as any Cadbury Dairy Milk bar in the UK: milk, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, dried skimmed milk, vegetable fat, emulsifer (E442), flavouring. It's the vegetable fat that sets it apart in the UK from Australia or the US.
Hershey's recently introduced Air Delight (review) to the US, and wasn't the first to bring aerated chocolate to the masses. It just doesn't go over here in the States. I notice a consistent comment from consumers (even if it is from a minority) is that they think that the candy companies are making cheaper candy by putting air in it. The odd thing is that I don't hear the same thing about marshmallows being filled with air, it's just part of the texture of the product.
The Wispa bar is milky and a tad malty, slightly salty. It's not as sweet or sticky as a traditional Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate slab. The aeration helps it melt quickly, but also gives it a drier feeling on the tongue. Often I find Cadbury to be a very soft bar, but this was more crumbly and less fudgy. The bubbles are smaller and denser than the Nestle Aero and many other bubbled chocolates that I've tried. It's no better or worse as far as texture goes, just a slight difference.
The bar contains dairy and soy. No mention of gluten or any nuts. Some of Cadbury's items are being ethically sourced, including their most popular Dairy Milk Bar in the UK, but the Wispa is not on that list yet. I'm not certain about what kind of vegetable fat is used in the bar, as UK standards don't require listing it specifically, so there's no word on its sustainability.
Related Candies
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Christopher's Big Cherry - Dark
It's amazing the diversity of candy bars that are still available, many of the most popular bars we eat today have been around for over 70 years. One regional classic that started right near where I live now is the Christopher's Big Cherry (original review).
The lump of a candy bar was introduced by the Christopher Candy Company, which started in 1887 in Southern California. (That company was later bought out by Ben Meyerson, who made the Sunkist Fruit Gems, who then sold out to Jelly Belly in 2006 who kept the Fruit Gems line but sold off the Christopher's line to Adams & Brooks, keeping it in Southern California.)
More recently the folks at Adams & Brooks introduced the Christopher's Big Cherry Dark. The wrapper is a rich brick red instead of the bright pink of the classic bar.
The bar looks terrible. It's a big, golf ball sized mass. It's lumpy and irregular but at least smells good, like roasted peanuts and hot cocoa.
The ingredients are, well, barely passable as an edible item, very high in partially hydrogenated oil:
The previous review I did of the classic Christopher's Big Cherry didn't have a cross section. So I wanted to be sure this review fully documented the innards of this candy. What does set it apart from all others (Cherry Mash and Twin Bing) is the fact that it uses a whole cherry in the center. That auspicious fact aside, it's marginally satisfying.
The center is sweet and slightly grainy. The mararschino cherry is sweet and heavily artificially flavored and colored. The mockolate coating is supposed to be "dark" but still has milk products in it and really doesn't do much for me except that it's less sweet than the original version. The peanut bits in the mockolate are the shining star here, they're fresh and crunchy and flavorful. The combination of flavors is odd, the peanuts come across as rather savory, the fudgy mockolate has a vague brownie flavor to it but at least isn't sweet and the cherry center is a blast in the face of fake cherry and sugar.
It's certainly not a candy for me. The fakeness on so many levels is disappointing, especially for $1.89 which I could spend on things with real chocolate and real cherries in it. But it's unique, if that's still a selling point. If chocolate covered bacon can be all the rage, I suppose this can find a home somewhere.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 1:19 pm Candy • Review • Adams & Brooks • Fondant • Mockolate • Peanuts • 5-Pleasant • United States • Comments (5)
Friday, August 3, 2012
Nestle Butterfinger Bites
Butterfinger Bites made by Nestle come in a few sizes, but I picked up their theater box. It was a helpful box with a little image of the candy with the words "actual bite size" pointing to one of them that is actually far smaller than anything inside the box.
The box also says that they're new, though I'm pretty sure Nestle has made these before, or something amazingly similar. Then the box also says that they're Easy To Eat! which is a huge relief, because Butterfingers are menacingly difficult what with all that wrapper and ... largeness.
The box actually had 3.5 ounces of candy bites in it, which is a pretty decent deal for a buck. Of course it's also filled with Butterfinger Bites, so maybe I'd be happier with less than 3.5 ounces considering what dismal tasting candy it actually is.
There are so many things wrong with this, like the fact that there's more hydrogenated palm kernel oil in it than cocoa (and no chocolate), artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservatives.
The pieces are about an inch long and are, in fact, easy to eat. If you don't have a sense of smell. I found the odor simply offputting. It's overly sweet, artificial and reminds me of a combination of birthday cake and fake butter topping. They are not even vaguely peanutty or chocolatey.
The pieces are lighter and crunchier than a regular Butterfinger. The mockolate coating is chalky looking, very light in color and not the slightest bit chocolatey. The crispy layers of the center are wonderfully crispy and do have a lovely proportion of salt. But that's about it, the level of peanut butter is so far below what I love in candies like Chick-O-Stick or Clark Bars that it's more like a butter flavored center.
The mockolate coating really ruins it, it tastes about as good as sucking on the cardboard box. These can't be stale (they were plenty crispy and they expiry is more than 6 months away), they're just poor excuses for candy. What's sad is that I would absolutely love to buy little nuggets of real chocolate covered peanut butter crisp, even at twice the price.
I have a little poll running over there on the sidebar about what companies should do when they need to cut costs. Maybe we should let them know that making bad candy really isn't a way to increase sales.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 1:43 pm Candy • Morselization • Review • Nestle • Mockolate • Peanuts • 3-Unappealing • United States • 99 Cent Only Store • Comments (7)
Monday, June 11, 2012
Frankford Mallo-Licious Strawberry
American marshmallows are not as interesting as those that are found in Europe and Japan. It's sad, because I would think that the United States has the capacity and the desire to eat really good marshmallows.
So I was surprised and pleased to find this bag of Mallo-Licious: Strawberry filled with Chocolate on display at the end of the candy aisle at Walgreen's. They come in other flavors as well. I saw Green Apple (filled with green jelly) there and the package says they also come in Sour Peach.
I've had quite a few Frankford candies over the years, which is not a very well known brand. They make licensed candy and have another sub-brand called Kandy Kastle. Much of their candy is made in China, though Frankford has a small chocolate factory in Pennsylvania (where they started) that makes mostly novelty foil wrapped molded pieces. For the most part, their stuff is sub-par, some of it actually horrible. But I saw that this candy was made in Italy, so I thought it might be different.
They are shaped like real strawberries, and are actually sized like an average strawberry as well. They're over two inches tall from the tip of the berry to the top of the green "stem". It's a standard marshmallow but instead of the campfire style, these are covered with fine granulated sugar. It gives them a little sparkle and in the case of the strawberry flavor here for review, it gives it a slight grainy crunch that vaguely mimics strawberry seeds.
The marshmallow berry is filled with a little dollop of what is called chocolate on the front of the package, but the ingredients are probably more on the order of sugar, palm oil, milk powder and fat reduced cocoa.
The ingredients as a whole are pretty substandard (though what I'd expect from Frankford). It starts with sugar and high fructose corn syrup. See, here's what so surprising about that. There are a lot of people who assume that candy has a lot of HFCS in it, but in reality there are very few candies that do. This is, though, the second candy I've had in the past month that does, and marks only the fifth since I've been keeping the database that I've noticed it.
The marshmallow is soft and has a pleasant strawberry scent, a combination of toasted sugar like cotton candy and a light floral note of pineapple. The bite has the slight grain and the marshmallow is bouncy and melts quite easily, more like a meringue than some latexy gelatin-rich marshmallows. The chocolate inside is more like a soft paste that has a cake batter flavor to it and very little actual chocolate flavor.
It's not horrible, but much better to look at than actually eat. Honestly, I think they're charming and wouldn't be afraid to use them to decorate a cake or put amongst some home baked cookies on a tray for dessert without ever telling people they're edible. (Lest the eat them.) I'm sure children will enjoy them. I'm thinking about trying to toast them.
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 2:35 pm Candy • Review • Frankford Candy • Marshmallow • Mockolate • 4-Benign • Italy • Walgreen's • Comments (2)
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Milka Bars, Milka Drops and some Li'l Milka
Milka is an old German chocolate candy brand that dates back to 1901. The Milka brand fell under Suchard, a popular chocolate bar maker which also made powdered cocoa. The bar was their milk chocolate and named by combining the German words milch (milk) and kakao (cocoa). The earliest chocolate bars sported the lavender wrapper that is still one of the distinguishing marks of their branding.
Milka is now owned by multinational conglomerate Kraft, which also makes Toblerone, Marabou, Cadbury, Cote d'Or, Freia and here in the United States, Baker's Chocolate. Milka bars are known for their high milk content, soft and sweet melt and favoring of hazelnuts.
They're far more available in the United States in the past 5 years than I think any other time in history. I've been seeing Milka products reliably at discounters like Target. This particular Milka Chopped Hazelnut bar was purchased at the 99 Cent Only Store. For only a buck, for a 3.5 ounce bar. Not a bad deal.
Now I must state that Milka is not chocolate by current American definitions, because it contains additional dairy whey. But the coolest additive they use is hazelnut paste, which more than makes up for it.
The bar is soft and extremely sweet. The only thing that moderates that sweetness are the crushed hazelnuts. They're well distributed though I'd probably want more of them (but I understand that this is a bargain bar). The nuts are fresh and crunchy. The dairy flavors are on the toffee and toasted sugar side, instead of tasting like powdered milk Cadbury sometimes can.
Overall, this is one of the more satisfying bars I've had from Milka. I prefer the use of palpable nuts in addition to the hazelnut paste and of course the price can't be beat. Though Kraft and Milka may have sustainability and ethical sourcing plans, they're not noted on the package or their website.
The Milka White Chocolate Confection was equally cheap, also a 99 Cent Only Store find.
I'm a fan of good quality white chocolate. I like cocoa butter a lot and this bar does use the real thing. Again, the only reason it's not considered true white chocolate in the United States is the use of additional dairy whey.
The bar is nicely sized and the little domed pieces are easy to break off.
In the world of white chocolate, this is probably the best deal you're going to find for a dollar that doesn't include other fats besides cocoa butter and milk products. The use of whey doesn't actually bother me that much. I understand it's a filler but it allows things like chocolate to maintain their texture without becoming overly fatty or too sweet.Of course I would only endorse it for "candy" type applications, not fine chocolates.
It's a sweet bar, but not very complex. It's a bit grainy and fudgy, not a lot of vanilla flavors and the even the fresh dairy taste isn't that distinctive. I found this wasn't very interesting eaten plain, but went well with other candy. It's best with a good chocolate cookie (like an Oreo) or a salty item like nuts or pretzels. (Even tortilla chips.)
While in Germany last December I also picked up a few other Milka items, because of their novelty. One of them was this box of Milka Schoko Drops. I know I'll probably never see these again, which is too bad because they're certainly a distinctive product. I think they were about one Euro but the little box only has 25 grams (.88 ounces). It's a rather different price point for a brand that's usually dirt cheap.
The pieces are large, almost the size of a quarter in diameter and a beautiful purple or pearly white.
The center is Milka's hazelnut milk chocolate, the outer layer is white chocolate and then a crunchy shell. The box didn't hold much, but I didn't need much. I liked them quite a bit. They're not better than M&Ms, just different. BTW - why doesn't Mars make Hazelnut M&Ms?
My favorite of the European Milka Bars was this one I picked up at a Kaufland grocery store (on a big sale display that I think was .59 Euro, or about 80 cents American) in Schmalkalden, Germany. It's the Milka und Oreo which is a natural combination, since Kraft owns both brands.
If there was a disappointment with this bar, it was the use of that cream in the center instead of just more Oreo Cookies. The cream was okay, more on the yogurt side, though less sweet than the actual filling of Oreos. But without the filling, I suppose there's nothing to distinguish it from regular Chocolate & Cookies bars.
I would buy this again, though I'm not sure if they're sold in the United States.
I was pretty excited to see these Milka L'il Stars bags at the 99 Cent Only Store on a more recent visit. The reignited my interest in Milka, and spurred me to dig out these photos from earlier this year and finish this write up.
Again, for only a dollar, it's a great deal for a chocolate hazelnut product. Think of them as giant, shell-less Crispy M&Ms.
The Milka L'il Stars Crispees look completely different than anything else on the American market and fill that hole I often have for a cereal and chocolate combination. The bag is a decent deal for a buck, it holds 3.88 ounces of little spheres of wheat crisps covered in Milka chocolate coating.
The pieces are a bit rugged and uneven. The good part about that is that they don't roll around as well as a Malted Milk Ball would.
The crispy center is airy and light. It's a little crunchier and less honeycomb/foamy than a malted milk ball. The flavor is also delicate and cereal-like. It's a rice puff, made with rice malt and malted barley syrup. It's not very malty, not like a malted milk, but has the hints like Corn Flakes do.
Of course there's gluten in there and hazelnuts, dairy and soy. They're made in Slovakia.
The Milka L'il Stars Hazelnuts are a simpler product, and kind of loop me back to the first one in this list.
They're just single, whole roasted hazelnuts covered in the Milka chocolate which has hazelnut paste in it.
This bag (also made in Slovakia) also has 3.88 ounces in it, though not as much volume as the Crispees because of the density of the nuts.
They're crazily simple, but really well done. The nuts are well chosen, good quality and lightly roasted. The coating is soft and sweet, a little on the fudgy side but the dairy flavors come out more than I noticed them in the bar. The roasted hazelnuts are crunchy and satisfying.
Since chocolate covered hazelnuts are so hard to find, I can see myself picking these up again, especially if I wanted to combine them with the Crispees and some other savory items for a little bit of trail mix to create the perfect movie snack.
The touch of hazelnut paste in Milka products distinguished them from other dairy milk chocolate products like Cadbury. Though it's not great quality chocolate, it is satisfying candy.
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Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.


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Men's Health
The 6 Most Common STDs in Men
How Well Do Condoms Prevent STDs?
That question has been devilishly hard for scientists to answer, says Markus Steiner, PhD, senior epidemiologist with Family Health International, a nonprofit group that focuses on STDs. "People aren't lab animals that can be carefully manipulated," Steiner says. "When it comes to asking people what they do in their bedrooms, they're often likely to tell you what they think you want to hear" -- a problem called "social desirability bias."
What's more, people who use condoms are typically people having "high-risk" sex, meaning with a variety of partners, for instance, or in settings where the risk of encountering an infected person is higher, such as in sex clubs. Those who don't use condoms are more likely to be in monogamous relationships. "So if you simply ask about condom use and then measure rates of sexually transmitted diseases, these two problems can lead condoms to appear less effective than they really are."
New Evidence on Condom Effectiveness
Until recently, in fact, there was little evidence one way or the other on how well condoms lowered the risk for specific STDs. Anti-condom forces used that fact to argue that condoms don't protect. But lately, important new findings show that condom use can lower the risk of infection -- not only of HIV/AIDS, but of many other STDs. A 2006 study by University of Washington researchers found that women whose partners consistently used condoms were half as likely to be infected with human papillomavirus. For HIV/AIDS, consistent and careful condom use can lower risk of infection by a whopping 90%. When researchers from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention reviewed results from 45 studies looking at gonorrhea and chlamydia infection, they found solid evidence that condoms reduce the risk of these two STDs as well.
Do pro-condom messages promote risky sex? For years, that's been the worry of groups that promote abstinence. But a review of 174 programs that encouraged condom use found no increase in unsafe sexual behavior.
The bottom line: Condoms don't offer 100% protection, but they can certainly lower your risk -- and the risk of your partner.

subset: commoncrawl


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The TV images of the Tour de France show an idyllic country, but behind the gloss is a nation where fears of decline are prompting people to vote for the far right. A trip along the route of the world's most famous cycling race reveals the deep uncertainty ailing the French. By Alexander Smoltczyk more... [ Comment ]
After its triumph in European elections on Sunday, the French far-right Front National is hoping to increase its power back home, with Marine Le Pen aiming for the presidency in 2017. With François Hollande's popularity plummeting, it is not out of the question. By Stefan Simons in Paris more... [ Comment ]
Prime Minister Manuel Valls' job is to save François Hollande's presidency. The new government has committed to some changes. But will it push through the painful reforms the country needs or will it chart a political collision course with Brussels? By Mathieu von Rohr in Paris more... [ Comment ]
France's right-wing populist party Front National stands to make significant advances in upcoming local elections and in the European vote in May. One reason for its current success is 32-year-old chief strategist Florian Philippot. By Mathieu von Rohr more... [ Comment ]
In an interview, French Economics Minister Pierre Moscovici discusses President Hollande's decision to implement structural reforms, his friendship with Wolfgang Schäuble and criticism of France he believes is unjust. Interview by Britta Sandberg and Mathieu von Rohr more... [ Comment ]
German politicians are letting out a sigh of relief over French President François Hollande's apparent about face on economic reforms. With his private life under scrutiny, is he strong enough to push through needed changes? By Sven Böll, Ralf Neukirch and Britta Sandberg more... [ Comment ]
French troops are fighting in bloody conflicts around the world, most recently in the Central African Republic. Other EU members, including Germany, say they will now provide support for these deployments. It's high time. A Commentary by Gregor Peter Schmitz in Brussels more... [ Comment ]
The passionate commemoration of World War I is a vital element of France's contemporary national cohesion. But before a momentous turning point in August 1914, the country looked to be on the brink of defeat. By Romain Leick more... [ Comment ]
Despite its financial troubles, France remains committed to an expensive military intervention in the Central African Republic. Now the country is looking to its European partners, chiefly Germany, to support the operation. more... [ Comment ]
The Central African Republic is on the verge of collapse, as religious warfare threatens to devolve into genocide. Now French President François Hollande is sending 1,200 troops to end the violence -- but France runs the risk of becoming embroiled in complicated power struggles. By Stefan Simons more... [ Comment ]
French society is under threat, argues philosopher Alain Finkielkraut in a controversial new book. The conservative spoke to SPIEGEL about what he sees as the failure of multiculturalism and the need for better integration of Muslim immigrants. Interview Conducted by Mathieu von Rohr and Romain Leick more... [ Comment ]


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LOS ANGELES (AP) - The cast and crew of "Glee" is saying goodbye to star Cory Monteith, who died earlier this month.
Twentieth Century Fox Television says "Glee" co-star and Monteith's real-life girlfriend Lea Michele and show creator Ryan Murphy gathered the show's cast and crew for a memorial on Thursday. They shared memories and music in "an emotional celebration" of Monteith's life.
The 31-year-old actor was found dead in a hotel room in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 13. An autopsy revealed he died of an overdose of heroin and alcohol.
Murphy said recently that the show plans a tribute episode honoring Monteith that will address the death of his character, Finn.
"Glee" is set to begin its fifth season on Sept. 26, a week later than originally planned.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Using Google Wonder Wheel
Bret Bernhoft
March 11th, 2011
Topics: Facebook, Perspectives
Google Wonder Wheel (GWW) is quite a tool. With the ability to visually explore the connections that related terms have, you are ultimately able to aim your search towards a more specific destination. In addition to utilities such as TouchGraph, Google Wonder Wheel allows you to visually refine your search. This is a powerful ability, as much of the time that we spend on Google with a new search is trying to find out how best to phrase it. In addition, this tool allows you to explore a topic much quicker and without ever leaving the page.
To access Google Wonder Wheel simply click on the "More Search Tools" link on the left hand side of a Google Search Page. This will create a new column between the Search Tools and the Search Results that allows you to use GWW without leaving the page you are on. That's pretty cool by itself, but you are also able to explore "up and down" the tool on the same page, making it possible for a quick exploration.
In my mind, the primary use for Google Wonder Wheel is the ability to immediately refine your search and to understand what alternative queries you might be able to use to find better results. For example, lets take the term we have been exploring recently, "Web Analyst", and see what Google Wonder Wheel can help us discover.
When I opened up Google Wonder Wheel after having already searched for "Web Analyst" I was greeted with an array of options from which I could dive deeper into. One of the lessons that I have learned about searching is that you should almost always refine your search by what seems to be the most interesting next step. I decided that "Web 2.0 Analyst" would be an intriguing excursion.
After having clicked on the GWW link I found an array of second options, most of which seemed to be directly related to "Web 2.0 Analyst". However, there was one refinement that stuck out to me, "Facebook Analyst". I decided to click on this link simply because it seemed to stand out from the rest as being almost a category unto itself. It turns out it was.
The results from having clicked on "Facebook Analyst" were a pleasant summary of various other potential queries. Terms such as "MySpace Analyst" and "YouTube Analyst" popped up, providing a deeper understanding of what Google relates to "Web Analyst". This is an invaluable ability and when combined with Social Media monitoring tools the Analyst is given access to realtime awareness, but that is for another post.
I was able to funnel through Google's keyword relationships to find possible new searches that could ultimately help me find different answers to old questions. This is a model of discovery that many Analysts and Researchers could benefit from. Google understands that the ability to "see" how various search terms are related gives the user an edge and the advertiser a more targeted audience.


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Glen Burnie needs your help to package, and send out over 235,000 meals to people who are in desperate need. Volunteers are needed to help package meals. This event is for your entire family. Child care will be provided free for under age 4. Sign up for one packing session or for all 4 packing sessions. Please send your tax deductible donations to help fund these meals. As little as $0.25 ($25=100 meals, $50=200 meals). Go to www.arundelcc.org and click MDVSHUNGER then join on Arundel Christian to register. Help make a difference in your community, Glen Burnie.
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text: Live Snooker: The Masters Day One Share: About this programme Hazel Irvine introduces coverage of the opening day of the non-ranking event at Wembley Arena in London, featuring the first-round clash between Mark Selby and Mark King. The two players had vastly differing fortunes here last year, with King losing to Stephen Maguire in the first round and Selby edging Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9 in the final to win the title for the second time. Commentary by Dennis Taylor, Willie Thorne, Ken Doherty and John Virgo. Categories Sport Share:


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The Hardison & Cochran Blog
The weather is supposed to be great this weekend. It may be a little cloudy, but the chance of rain is minimal and it should be in the mid 60′s across North Carolina. For the almost quarter of a million folks in the Tar Heel State who have registered motorcycles, that sounds like the perfect weather to do a little riding. While there aren't any "official" stats, it would be safe to say that you'll see a higher frequency of motorcycles on the road this weekend. In the past few…


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Now Karen Pryor clearly explains the underlying principles of behavioral training and through numerous fascinating examples reveals how this art can be applied to virtually any common situation. And best of all, she tells how to do it without yelling threats, force, punishment, guilt trips--or shooting the dog. 8 methods for putting an end to all kinds of undesirable behavior. The 10 laws of "shaping" behavior--for results without strain or pain through "affection training." How to combat your own addictions to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, overeating or whatever, how to deal with such difficult problems as a moody spouse, an impossible teen, or an aged parent. Plus. . .House training the dog, improving your tennis game, keeping the cat off the table, and much more!
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Holy Cross Recruiting
July 19, 2013 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
by Alex Schwartz
HYATTSVILLE, Md. – The Big Shots All-American Camp at DeMatha Catholic High School features some talented players from all over the country.
NBE Sports was there to take in the action on Thursday and got to see eight of the 10 teams play as well as noticed quite a few college coaches in the gym.
Darian Bryant of St. John's College HS (DC) may not have a true position, but is best suited as a small forward right now. Regardless of what spot he plays, the 6-foot-4 class of 2014 prospect brings great effort when he steps on the floor and is a strongly built player. Bryant attacks the cup well and runs the floor adeptly. He needs to show he can shoot it consistently, but he did knock down at least one 3-pointer in the game we saw.
Class of 2014 prospect Lloyd Burgess might be limited athletically, but he has a big frame, quality height and he plays pretty hard. The 6-foot-10 center from the Christ School (NC) works around the rim and can get some points down low.
Kiair Crouch, a class of 2014 recruit, is a pretty quick player who can get in the lane and attacks the rim adeptly off the dribble. The 5-foot-10 point guard from Columbia (GA) has a pretty solid build and also showed he can hit a pull-up 3-pointer in transition.
Trevor Dunbar of St. Ignatius (CA) is only 5-foot-9, but the class of 2014 prospect is a nice player. The point guard has a thick build that helps him make up for being undersized a bit. Additionally, he accelerated well and does a good job of getting into the lane.
Read more
January 14, 2013 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
by Alex Schwartz
After a long swoon during the holiday season, things have picked back up in a hurry on the recruiting trail. One of the nation's best big men made his pledge and several, as did a top-notch junior guard and several other players.
Dakari Johnson of Montverde Academy (FL) became yet another part of the star-studded Kentucky recruiting class. The 6-foot-10 class of 2013 center picked the Wildcats over Georgetown and Syracuse.
Johnson had been ranked No. 3 in the NBE Sports Class of 2014 Post-July Top 75, but he has since reclassified up to 2013. UK already has four additional top-15 commits in the NBE Sports Class of 2013 Post-July Top 125, as John Calipari is putting together his, if not the best class yet.
July 15, 2012 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
By Brian Bosworth, National Recruiting Analyst
Saturday in Indianapolis was all playoff action at the Adidas Invitational and with higher stakes came stronger performances. All three age groups (15U, 16U, 17U) were represented at the main gym and players from all ages and all places managed to stand out. Here's a sampling of who impressed.
Top Performers of the Day:
Daniel Hamilton (Dream Vision 2014) – The younger of the pair of brothers on Dream Vision's 17U squad, Daniel is two inches taller and significantly longer than his older brother. While Daniel's set of tools on the offensive end is not quite as refined as Isaac, he does have the middle game down to a science. He's best scoring on runners or floaters going in either direction often using the back board from unusual angles. Hamilton has range out to the 3-point line but is consistently more successful when he puts the ball on the floor and pressures the defense off the dribble. Added strength, improved ball handling skills, and better shot selection can spring board Hamilton's game to the next level.
June 13, 2012 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
Over the last several years much has been written on the shortcomings or pitfalls of the fly-by-night prep schools that seem to come out of the woodwork each year across the country. Some are termed diploma mills or accused of funneling their players to certain programs or conferences.
At the complete opposite spectrum of the schools that operate in the gray areas of the sport is Northfield Mount Hermon. If anything, the program could be accused of funneling its players to a certain conference…the Ivy League!
A tremendous mix of academics and athletics makes Northfield Mount Hermon special. In the last several years the program headed by John Carroll in Northfield (MA) has been a virtual factory of Ivy League basketball players. NMH is considered the best combination of academics and basketball in the United States and in the 2010–2011 season eight NMH alums were in the Ivy League, more than any other school in the nation. That number contines to rise with players like Evan Cummins, Joe Sharkey, Jvonte Brooks and Armani Cotton in recent years following the path and will continue to attract players to the program, like Anthony Dallier, who are looking for similar opportunities.
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July 26, 2011 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
By Raphielle Johnson
By the end of the last college basketball season it was best to simply expect the unexpected. The same could be said for this weekend in Las Vegas, which has produced an unexpected champion in the Kansas City 76ers. The 76ers won the Las Vegas Fab 48 by beating Team Breakdown (Florida) in Monday night's title game.
While the stands weren't filled to brim as they were last summer (Oakland Soldiers tend to bring out the crowds), there were a few college programs represented in the coaches area with 2013 wing Ishmail Wainright the primary focus.
Ben Howland (UCLA) and Steve Lavin (St. John's) were both there to watch Wainwright, who considers Earl Watson (who has connections to both as he played at UCLA under Lavin) to be an older brother and mentor. Other programs represented include Western Illinois, George Mason, Kansas, Missouri, UC Irvine, South Florida, Cal Poly, Nebraska, UM-KC and Creighton.
July 24, 2011 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
Khan/Judah not the only prize fight in town
By Raphielle Johnson
While boxing fans enjoyed the battle between Amir Khan and Zab Judah over at Mandalay Bay, two of the top AAU teams on the West Coast did battle at Bishop Gorman in the Las Vegas Fab 48. Led by the interior tandem of 2012 Brandon Ashley and 2013 Aaron Gordon, the Oakland Soldiers withstood a late rally to beat Belmont Shore 85-80. Both showed off their vast array of skills, especially Gordon with a few thunderous dunks.
The game was also valuable to see what Belmont Shore big men Zena Edsomwan and Grant Jerrett could do against two of the best prep players regardless of class. Edsomwan isn't the kind of player who's going to dominate the basketball but rather do the little things on both ends of the floor needed to win. Jerrett had his moments as well but it proved to be a tale of two halves for the Arizona commit.
In the backcourt the battle was just as intense, with the likes of Dominic Artis and Jabari Bird taking on Ikenna Ireogbu and Katin Reinhardt for Belmont Shore. With regards to dribbling skills, Artis may not have an equal in the 2012 class (Kris Dunn is another to consider). Bird can do just about everything on the floor, and while the 2013 prospect needs to continue to improve as a shooter he's shown the ability to knock down open shots.
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June 29, 2011 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
College basketball is a year-round sport. In the summer there is news of players coming and going from programs to keep track of, a busy recruiting season and more and more summer leagues that offer the players a chance to stay sharp against high-level competition. While many incoming freshmen just celebrated their high school graduation in the last few weeks and even days, many are already on a college campus and competing in the summer leagues and attending classes with their new teammates.
Today we take a quick run through some of the latest stories in the BIG EAST that touch on each of those subjects…
In Mike Helfgot's Recruiting Notes in the Chicago Tribune there is an update on 6-foot-2 rising junior Jaylon Tate, who recently confirmed rumors he will be transferring from De La Salle High School to Chicago Simeon. At Simeon Tate will join a loaded roster that includes classmates Jabari Parker and Kendrick Nunn and senior Steve Taylor. All four players are considered sure-fire high-major recruits.
As for Tate, Helfgot reports that has offers from Northwestern, Providence and Xavier, according to his mother, Arisa Johnson, with several other high-majors such as DePaul, Marquette, Tennessee, Florida State and, as of this week, UCLA, expressing serious interest.
Read more
June 10, 2011 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
by Alex Schwartz
PHILADELPHIA – The 17th annual Rasual Butler All-City Classic took place last night at Benjamin Franklin High School in Philadelphia. The top players in the Philadelphia area took the court for three games, one for each of the high school classes besides the outgoing seniors.
The first contest was the Freshmen Game and the White team defeated the Black team by a score of 94-78 in a matchup of 2014 standouts. The MVP from the victors was 6-foot-5 power forward Jamal Custis of Neumann-Goretti (PA) with 18 points. Eric Anderson was named White's MVP, as the 6-foot-4 small forward from Haverford (PA) dropped 15 points.
The Defensive Player of the Game award went to the White team's Conrad Chambers, a 6-foot point guard out of Friends Central (PA). He was the game's top scorer with 19 points. It was Black's Malik Smith, a 5-foot-10 point guard from Del Val (PA), who won the Unselfish Player trophy.
Other double-digit scorers for the White team were 6-foot-2 combo guard Ja'Quan Newton and 5-foot-11 point guard Troy Harper. The Neumann-Goretti (PA) teammates had 10 points apiece. For the Black team, 6-foot-1 combo guard Shep Garner and 6-foot-2 combo guard Rashann London, teammates at Roman Catholic (PA), had 14 and 12 respectively. In addition, 6-foot-2 shooting guard Malik Starkes of Olney (PA) added 11.
The second game was easily the best one, with the Black team winning 93-86 in the Sophomore Game featuring 2013 players. The MVP from the winning side was 6-foot-6 small forward Rondae Jefferson of Chester (PA) who had 18 points. For the White team, the MVP was 6-foot-2 shooting guard Rysheed Jordan of Vaux (PA) who also had 18.
The Defensive Player of the Game honor was given to 5-foot-6 point guard Yahmir Greenlee of Boys' Latin (PA), a member of the White team. Stephen Vasturia, a 6-foot-3 combo guard from St. Joseph's Prep (PA) on the Black squad, won the Unselfish Player honor. In addition to Jefferson and Jordan, both Black's 5-foot-10 point guard Britton Lee of Roman Catholic and White's 6-foot-5 power forward BJ Johnson of Lower Merion (PA) had 18 points.
Three other players finished the game with double figures in the points column. Shafeek Taylor, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Roman Catholic, scored 15 points for Black, while 6-foot-3 combo guard Miles Overton of St. Joseph's Prep had 14. Finally, 6-foot-8 center Zac Tillman of Shipley School (PA) finished with 11 points for the White squad.
Read more
May 29, 2011 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
Could Andre Drummond be on a college campus next fall? Possibility was not ruled out on Saturday
By Brian Bosworth
After the Bob Gibbons' Tournament of Champions field was trimmed at the last minute, many teams were left scrambling for a new home for Memorial Day Weekend. Thankfully, the NERR Invitational sprung together quickly and some of the nations' top amateur players had a venue to display their talents. Saturday's action was chock full of future college stars as high profile programs Connecticut Basketball Club (CBC), NE Playaz, Mass Rivals, New Heights, Team Philly, and a host of others were in action. A few players proved themselves to be a cut above the rest and they are outlined below.
Andre Drummond (CBC 2012) – Drummond stands at 6'10" 275 pounds and he is the best high school basketball prospect in the country regardless of class. While often criticized for inconsistent play and a lack of dominance neither issue showed itself on this day. In an afternoon contest with Drive 4 Stardum Drummond had 20 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 7 rim shattering dunks. He showcased his full arsenal of skills and truly punished the opponent with his incredible force. Three of his monster dunks came on offensive rebound tip-ins but to simply call them tip-ins doesn't do them justice. Drummond rises above everyone else on the floor in traffic with his hand easily above the box, grabs offensive boards, and hammers them down all in one fluid motion. It's the kind of play that maybe 20 people on the planet could pull off and Drummond is an 18 year-old kid who just finished his Junior year of high school.
Read more


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2nd Annual
Space Building Contest
This is the continuation of Todd Lehman's Classic Space Set Design and Building Contest. Special Thanks go out to Todd for creating it! Since last year's theme was Classic space, we have decided to progress to the next subtheme every year, so this year's theme is Blacktron I.
-- Categories -- Winners -- Rules -- Voting --
Category I
Polybag Ground or Air
Here is my poly bag entry, it is about 25 pieces.
This one is a small one man shuttle with 2 transport holds. It just fits into category I with either 49 or 50 pieces... I couldn't let there be only one entry in Category I :)
The Outrider is a small escort ship that intercepts and assists larger vessels in landing and taking off.
The cheapest of the Blacktron units, these tiny scooters are seen everywhere.
Category II
Small Ground
This one is called "The Light Show." It's an all terrain mobile anti aircraft battery.
WTF-2001 Wide-Track Fury: It's a one-wheeled laser artillery battery... it weebles and wobbles, but it doesn't fall down!
Hellfire AAA: used as an infantry support vehicle it is excellent at what it does.
Road Runner: A fast lighly armored, light mech. It has, for its weight, an amazing weapons array...
Spiderwalker was supposed to be my entry for the "Ugliest, Wackiest Thing in Space" category, but when I looked at the final product, it just wasn't wacky enough.
Category III
Small Air
It was not without irony that the Blacktron starfighter division took an ailing design and transformed it into the deadly Intruder class assault vessel...
I took the Blacktron I theme to heart, and tried to stick with pieces from theoriginal sets.
This ship supports BERTs when the possiblity of encountering large ships hostile is likely. With a compliment of 16 Apocolypse missles, it is the most feared support ship the Blacktron possess.
The mysterious Devourer starfighter, a heavily armed and versatile two man fighter which is rarely employed by the Blacktron navy, but when it is...
The Hornet was versatile enough that it was used both on raids, as well as to defend the various BT bases hidden on asteroids around the galaxy.
This one's name is the Arrow. Simple name, but it sort of looks like an arrowhead from the top view.
Here is my late entry for the BT1 Space Contest.
Scrutinizer uses modular components that are compatible with my large ground vehicle as well as my old (non-contest-entry) Intruder and various other non-Blacktron models (ie most of my Dark Futuron vehicles).
Category IV
Large Ground
The Neotrax: a mobile rocket launcher which is used to avoid enemy radar and take out enemy outposts, small bases, or even capital ships orbiting the planet.
This big truck consists of a set of interchangeable modules, and comes with a small wheeled rover that in turn carries a small robot.
My evolution of one of Lego's coolest space vehicles: It's modular, articulated, and has yellow hoses.
Category V
Large Air
One of the lesser seen weapons in the Blacktron arsenal is the "Obsidian" Mobile Cannon. The cannon is equipped with one of the highly secret Blacktronium Reactors...
The Extended Sentinal is a Blacktron defense drone that has been coupled with a TOE or FOE fighter.
This vessel has two detachable pod ships, and a compartment in the middle which hides a worker robot. I definitely would've paid $39.99 for this set. :-)
The ship has three huge engines powering it well past the speed of ludicrous and can transform into a three legged walker for planetary excursions.
Modular Design compatible with some original BT1 sets - Mid-section slides on cog for wall to open four studs as an exit - Cockpit and engine sections form a cool looking heavy scout ship, and more...
An experiement in asymmetry, the Scythe embraces the ideas found in Renegade and takes them a step further.
Category VI
While the 6987 message intercept base steals valuable transmissions, its counterpart here locks up the authorities communication systems with all sorts of radio jamming technologies.
Category VII
This craft confirms our suspicions regarding the recent rise in effectiveness of Blacktron pirate attacks.
BERT is a Battle-Engagement Ready Transport. It is a reconfigurable platform that can deliver a squadron of fighters or missle ships almost anywhere at interceptor speed.
Recently declassified documents prove the existence of at least one transition-era vessel - dubbed the "Vengance"-class.
Category VIII
Ugliest, Wackiest Thing in Space :)
Submitted for your disapproval in Category VIII - Ugliest, Wackiest Thing in Space (defending my status as the current holder of the honor from the first annual contest, natch).
Eliminator is undefeated since its debut in the IPHRA (InterPlanetary Hot Rod Association) circuit. More than a few of the opponents' machines seem to have failed mysteriously before raceday...
The Sy Borg is an all-terrain scouting vehicle that features a really flexible suspension. It's a little silly, but hey- even the bad guys gotta have fun sometimes.
A nice rendering of Renegade on a cool background.
Just wanted to show off a Blacktron creation to fellow Blacktron fanatics. It is not necessarily a MOC, per-say. It is the Unitron Starhawk redone in BT colors.
Regular Categories:
- I - Polybag Ground or Air - limit of 50 elements
1875 Meteor Monitor
- II - Small Ground - limit of 100 elements
6876 Alienator
- III - Small Air - limit of 200 elements
6894 Invader
- IV - Bigger Ground - limit of 300 elements
6941 Battrax
- V - Bigger Air - limit of 400 elements
6954 Renegade
- VI - Bases - limit of 600 elements
6987 Message Intercept Base
Style Categories:
- VII - General - no limits except that it must be a "serious" MOC.
- VIII - Ugliest, Wackiest Thing In Space: no limits, weighted towards the humorous.
- Non-competing - These are entries that for one reason or another, are not competing. There will be no voting in this category and if you have no models entered in any other category, you may not vote.
- Category I - Shufflepod by anonymous (entry and name removed by request after contest ended)
- Category II - WTF-2001 Wide Track Fury by Tony Hafner
- Category III - Scrutinizer by Tony Hafner
- Category IV - Battrax II by Bram Lambrecht
- Category V - Scrutinizer by Greg Howell
- Category VI - Message Transmit Base by Tom Holloway
- Category VII - Tied - Expropriator by L F Braun AND Vengeance by Paul Hanson
- Category VIII - Tied - Orca Class Freighter by Richard Marchetti and Sy Borg by Tony Hafner
1. Any MOC may be entered as long as it was not entered in ANY previous contest. Enter by posting a message to lugnet.space and lugnet.build.contests with a link to a webpage with model pictures on it. Make sure you mention "BT1 contest" or something in the subject line. Also, see rule 11.
2. The main contest page will have a thumbnail image of every entry, so if you'd prefer a particular picture (it must be 129x80 or smaller, or I will shrink it myself), please let us know. Also, you may submit a short description of 30 words or less.
3. Each model may only be entered into one category, however, you may enter multiple models into the contest.
4. Entries may be CAD or real but must consist of only real LEGO elements.
5. CAD MOCs cannot include element configurations or element colors impossible to achieve with real world bricks -- bricks need not necessarily "clutch" each other, but the physical laws of the real world still apply otherwise. Customization of elements is allowed for the purpose of including the BT1 logo only -- no other exceptions are made. Fantasy backgrounds, lens-flare, and similar effects are allowed as long as they do not alter the MOC's configuration. Any DAT file created for any entry must also be made available for the use of others in a timely fashion (at least two weeks before the end of the contest) even if the element remains unofficial. The DAT files of CAD MOCs will be sent to the scrutinizer for reference.
6. Voting is limited to only those who enter the contest. Failure to vote disqualifies a participant's entries from winning (see below for how and when to vote).
7. Each competitor will vote for one MOC in each category regardless of the number of entries he/she has. And no, you can't vote for yourself. ;)
8. All votes for a disqualified entry will not be able to be reused (we will only have one round of voting).
9. Amendments to the rules will be decided by Richard Marchetti, Tony Hafner, Tom Sciortino, and Jude Beaudin.
10. The scrutinizer will be Jude Beaudin who will not be competing nor voting in the contest.
11. All entries must be submitted by December 31, 2001 00:00 GMT (that is 24 hours before New Year's Eve).
12. All votes must be submitted by the end of January 8, 2002.
13. All models mailed to the scrutinizer will not be returned and will become the property of the scrutinizer.
14. Non-competing entries: This is a new category I added for models that for whatever reason can't compete. There is no voting in this category and they will not be listed on the ballot. Also, if this is the only category you have an entry in, you may not vote.
The prizes are simple...
NONE!!! Except exposure to your fellow builders and the pride of knowing you created a winning model. Unless someone wants to donate, oh, say... a lifetime's supply of Jar-Jar and Timmy Heads?
Voting will be via e-mail ballot. Simply go here and follow the instructions: http://www.lugnet.com/~549/BT1-FinalBallot
Please note that voting has been extended to the end of January 8th. And no, Tom didn't win anything in Vegas, though he only gambled 35 cents. ;)
For other information on voting, see rules 6, 7, 8, and 12.
Happy Building! --
Jude Beaudin, Tom Sciortino, Tony Hafner, and Richard Marchetti
This site is niether owned nor operated by the Lego company.


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The Texas Eyeball Killer
The more the investigators learned about Albright, the less certain they were that they had the right guy. He did not fit the profile of a serial killer, and he had an alibi. He had a master's degree, knew several languages, was a former science teacher, was charming, was in a seemingly satisfying relationship, and seemed completely at ease with having his home searched and his gun tested. He did not abuse substances. Associates who were questioned about him remained loyal, certain the police had the wrong man. Albright had coached football, helped with Cub Scouts, and was kind to children. He was both articulate and artistic, a cultivated man accomplished in many things from piano to bullfighting, who seemed anything but a murderer. He was generous, friendly, and helpful to people in need. He was also apparently too old. At 57, he defied the stereotype of the angry young lust killer who was generally in his 20s or 30s.
According to what was then known about most serial killers, they tended to be loners and losers, taking only menial work and not maintaining relationships for very long. They were undereducated, narcissistic, and often in search of short-term gratification. While Texas had not seen many serial killers until then, and the Dallas police had dealt with none, they knew from the FBI profile what to expect. Albright just did not fit. He claimed that the officers would not find a woman who would say he'd treated her badly. But on the other hand, with more digging, it turned out that there was more to Albright after all.


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Sediment 3XL$78.00This signature series is based around sedimentary conglomerates, with striking cobbles jutting out of smoothed sandstone. These are some of the most distinctive and sought-after holds on the market, and this versatile series includes everything from micro-crimp pebbles to massive features can be set to create anything from moderate to extremely difficult routes and problems that will have a more unique feel than any other climb on your wall. Learn More
Powertools XL Logo Hold$24.00A classic retro series for climbers looking to get a little bit of everything. Complete with specialized hold sets for specific training fuctions, such as our popular Refiner Crimps, Sliders, or Slots, the Powertools offer a wide variety of options at a great price, and are ideal for routes of any angle from moderate to extreme difficulty. Learn More
Power Dome #5$93.00A series of massive slopers, designed for pure power climbing. A combination of new shapes and classic features dating back to the early nineties, the Power Domes are fantastic for moderate to advanced climbing on vertical walls to more difficult routes and problems on steeper terrain Learn More
Patina 2XL$63.00One of our original signature series, our patina series runs the gamut from huge, sweeping flakes to juggy micro-crimps, and everything in between. The patinas are one of the most versatile sets that we make, and can be easily set for anything from simplistic jughauls for first-time climbers to steeper problems that will challenge the strongest climbers in your gym. Learn More
Power Dome #6$81.00A series of massive slopers, designed for pure power climbing. A combination of new shapes and classic features dating back to the early nineties, the Power Domes are fantastic for moderate to advanced climbing on vertical walls to more difficult routes and problems on steeper terrain Learn More
Coastal Sandstone 2XL$51.50This sandstone series has deeper grooves for aggressive pinches and featured jugs, emulating the more eroded style of sandstone often found in more temperate climates. This versatile set can be used on any angle of terrain, for moderate to advanced problems and routes. Learn More
Tufa 2XL #2$69.00Ergonomic ridges give setters a massive variety of options of how to use each hold in this, ranging from hand-size pinches to enormous tufa pinches that climbers can make three moves on and still be on the same hold. The Tufas are a moderate to advanced series, good for routes of all grades on the vertical wall and more difficult routes and problems on steeper terrain. Learn More
Crater 2XL$51.00Another beautifully designed dual-texture series, the craters are the best tendon-friendly set of pockets and pinches on the market. Learn More
Hueco 4XL$123.00One of our most popular hold lines. This series was designed with a similar type of feel and aesthetic as our limestone series, with a vast multitude of setting options for each individual hold. All holds in this finger-friendly series range from positive to juggy, and are ideal for setting anything from easy topropes, to moderate and difficult routes and problems on steeper terrain. Learn More


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POWAY (CBS 8) - Investigators are trying to determine the cause of an explosion and fire that destroyed a motor home parked on a Poway residential street, and scorched a nearby home.
Neighbors say they heard two ear-shattering explosions around 5:45 p.m. Friday along Schaler Drive near Robison Boulevard. The blasts tore through a motor home parked on the street, and flames scorched the side of the house it was parked in front of.
The house suffered smoke and heat damage to several rooms. Nobody was home at the time and no one was injured.
Neighbors say the motor home showed up on the block a week ago, and they have considered it an eye-sore and nuisance.
The RV is registered to 50-year-old Lori Graf. Neighbors say Graf and her partner had been living in the motor home.
Nobody was injured in the explosions or the fire.
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As you make your list and check it twice, local shops hope you don't forget about them this holiday season.
"There's lot to choose from," said Brenda Murphy of Vergennes. "This our third trip here."
This is the first year for pop-up shop the Vermont Artisan Craft Gallery in the Burlington Town Center Mall. For the busiest three shopping months of the year, people can choose from gifts made by more than 75 Vermont artisans.
"Definitely rather support local than the box stores," said Courtney Gourley of Middlesex. "It's fun to shop here."
"I don't think you can compare a Vermont gift to something in a box store. They're second to none. You're next-door neighbor could have made it and that's a true gift," said Darcy Church of the Vermont Artisan Craft Gallery.
"Customers, since the recession, are even more aware of shopping locally because they've seen the downturn in the economy," said Tasha Wallis of the Vermont Retail Association.
The Retail Association says that even though the economy is still rebounding, local business is up. And that's important for the job market; 38,000 Vermonters work in retail. That's one in five people.
"We were earlier predicting a 4 percent growth in retail this year. There is some uncertainty about the fiscal cliff, but no one ever cancels Christmas," Wallis said.
Giving people the community experience rather than the box store one they might be used to.
"I think there's a lot more time and effort in these products and they come out looking much nicer," said John Teske of Milton.
There are several local pop-up shops, including Sweet Grass Gallery and Gifts in Williston, but the nice thing is they each have their own flair-- and in unique settings. Sweet Grass is located in a former driving range and offers products from 44 Vermont artisans. This is its second year popping up for the holidays.
Alyson Chase of Sweet Grass said, "Why carry a store all year when the most lucrative time of the year is the months we're open anyway?"
"Many local shops do as much as 40 percent during the holiday season, so for many it can make or break them," Wallis said.
Reporter Gina Bullard: There are a lot of box stores around here. Is it hard to compete with that?
Alyson Chase: I don't consider them competition because it's totally different what we have.
A shopping experience that's unique to Vermont.
PO Box 4508
Burlington, VT 05406-4508
Primary Phone: 802-652-6300
Primary email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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What's this? A new web series that portrays black preachers as less than perfect? And, I dare say, maybe even hypocritical? I'm there!
And I was just saying to someone the other day that there's maybe one too many black web series about relationships involving 20-something year olds (yawn) and not enough dealing with other subjects; and along comes this new web series called Te$timoney produced by Michael Greyson, who also directs, and Corey Scales.
Written by J. Sanders Nelson and Grayson, it deals with Rev. Calvin Shephard who finds himself in a conflict. As someone who was formerly involved in the "street life", Rev. Shephard "is caught between two worlds and two allegiances. He is a saved man, called by God to preach the gospel. He is a loving father and husband. He is also running from a previous life that is trying to pull him back"..
Starring Calvin Gabriel as Rev. Shephard and Nadine Marissa, the web series will consist of 6 ten-minute episodes.
Here's Episode One:
Lashawn Vanhook | September 8, 2013 3:19 PM
Looks very interesting. I saw several familiar faces ms Ann and Michael you guys have my support. ONE
Phreeze | September 6, 2013 7:18 PM
I watched this thinking "this looks very familiar." Then I got to end and saw the church credit. This was made in the neighborhood I grew up in, Oak Cliff! I'd like to wish the hometown film makers well. I'll be sure to watch the future episodes.
ALM | September 6, 2013 3:39 PM
The part with the wife and the deacon felt random and forced (the deacon's audio also was messed up), but otherwise this was fine.
Man, the guys on the block are paying tithes....Wouldn't that be something? The conversation about "dirty" tithe money is an interesting one. Some pastors will turn their heads and accept the money, and some won't accept the money if they know of the origins. I think most pastors take the money, though.
The guy on the block was speaking a lot of truth, though.
I attend church, but you can often find people on the corner with purer hearts than the hearts of those in the church.
Cinema | September 6, 2013 10:40 AM
Thank you for watching Carey. This is a real story like so many others. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but many people like to drink it.
CareyCarey | September 6, 2013 9:56 AM
Following Sergio's lead... I was just saying to someone the other day that there's maybe one too many black films about charlatan preachers (yawn) and along comes some more tripe called Te$timoney and Issa Rae's pitiful The Choir.
They should have asked Russ Parr how that worked for him? I mean, I am wondering if anyone has seen that film and if it was a "success"? More importantly, I can't help but wonder who exactly is the audience for this type of propaganda? Surely the producers can't believe they're swimming in Tyler's wake, hanging on his coat, gathering his crowd of "church folks", can they? Well, I am here to tell them they're missing the point and they couldn't carry Tyler's jock strap... for various reasons.
Anyway, it's such a shame that filmmakers like the aforementioned, who all appear to have the resources and connections to produce a quality film, have decided to resort to this type of madness.
So please please please, somebody please call the above filmmakers and suggest they move their egos out of the way... employ a focus group ( in-which they have no connection) to determine if there's even a market for this tomfoolery? Or maybe they should simply ask Tyler Perry what they're doing wrong?
Cinexa | September 6, 2013 9:50 AM
Thanks for supporting this project Sergio.


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March 5, 2013
This documentary was shot by Panther cub Gregory Everett, whose father, former Panther Jeffrey Everett, appears in the film. It gets its name from a five-hour shootout that the LAPD initiated against the L.A. Panthers at 41st & Central on Dec. 9, 1969. This was the first time that any police department in the country used a SWAT team.
January 21, 2013
On the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it comes to mind that from day one our society and culture have been heavily influenced by film. The recent slavery-related films, "Lincoln," directed by Steven Spielberg, and "Django Unchained," directed by Quentin Tarantino, will have a social, economic and psychological impact.
March 16, 2012
In a Hollywood Reporter article, Spike Lee is quoted: "In 1989, 'Do the Right Thing' was not even nominated [for best picture]," said Lee, with some mock outrage. "What film won best picture in 1989? 'Driving Miss Mother F-ing Daisy!' That's why [Oscars] don't matter," said Lee. "Because 20 years later, who's watching 'Driving Miss Daisy?'"
March 20, 2011
"I Will Follow," about a day in the life of a woman letting go of her own life and moving on, has a one week engagement at the Metreon in San Francisco and AMC 16 Bay Street Theaters in Emeryville. The film stars Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Blair Underwood, Omari Hardwick and Beverly Todd.
March 13, 2011
Bay Area journalist JR Valrey, the voice behind Block Report Radio on KPFA and associate editor of SF Bay View, known as the Minister of Information, reports vital news about the struggle against oppression. In the 31 interviews in his new book, "Block Reportin'," he shows what he calls the "big gap between what is going on in the world and what is being reported. I want to inspire people to become their own media and to truly speak on behalf of the people." Meet JR at his first book signing Saturday, March 19, 6:30 p.m., at Marcus Books, 3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland.
February 10, 2011
On Feb. 18, 7 p.m., at Modern Times Bookstore, Krip-Hop Nation will present an author panel of new books by Black disabled writers and friends, including Toni Hickman of Texas, Adarro Minton of New York, Allen Jones of San Francisco and friends of Krip-Hop Nation, DC Curtis and Bones Kendall of Los Angeles.
January 11, 2010
It has been one year since Oscar Grant was brutally murdered by BART policeman Johannes Mehserle. The power of the people of Oakland and the Bay Area has ensured that he is standing trial for murder and not getting away unscathed as is the normal practice in police killings and brutality of our community members.
January 6, 2010
Meet former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and see a screening of 'Operation Small Axe' Wednesday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m., Black Dot Café, 1195 Pine St. West Oakland. Come and support Minister of Information JR and Holly Works, who still face charges from the Oakland Rebellions that secured the indictment of Johannes Mehserle, the triggerman who executed Oscar Grant.
January 1, 2010
An organizing meeting has been scheduled for Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. at Chuco's Justice Center in Inglewood for people interested in monitoring the trial of Johannes Mehserle, the former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer who shot Oscar Grant, an unarmed 22-year-old Black man, in the back on an Oakland BART platform on Jan. 1, 2009. Mehserle is the first police officer in California ever to be charged with murder.