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Insights from our Editorial Team
Joseph M. Burton, managing partner of the San Francisco office of Duane Morris, writes about both the genius and shortcomings of NIST's cyber framework.
"I don't know if there are very many people—men or women—who think they want to go work for a utility when they grow up," said Debbie Kimberly, vice president of customer energy solutions at Austin Energy. But, that may change for future generations when they get a gander at how Kimberly's career has unfolded under a motivating, mentor-filled utility environment. (Part of the women-in-energy article series.)
Futurist Daniel Burrus opened the IEEE PES T&D conference this week in Chicago. Here's his advice for the industry.
For this installment of the utility2utility article series, we spoke with Steve Zurn, general manager, about home energy management systems, customer surveys and other plans the utility has to grow better tech and, therefore, better customer programs.
Comments: 1 -
Jay Demarest, PHI customer relations and programs director, gives a program overview and a preview of the webcast "Utility Case Study; Pepco Holdings Inc.: Best Practices in Recruiting Participants for Energy Management Programs."
When tapping the pulse of the industry on predictions through 2020, we polled insiders from across the U.S. and Europe. Here we speak with Hans ten Berge, secretary general of EURELECTRIC, the Brussels-based association of the European electricity industry.
Patti Mason, director of advocacy for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Colorado, writes that "energy costs—unlike salaries—are actually one of the few expenses that can be decreased without having to negatively affect classroom instruction." Here's how Colorado is leading the way.
It seems the one thing that does not change with the NERC CIP guidelines is how much they tend to change. We're now moving from version 3 of the standards to version 5 (skipping over version 4). Version 5 was okayed last November, and here's good advice on how to start that transition process.
In this issue, we examined developing that personal customer connection—from understanding psychology to tackling social media. Click through the headline to read each article individually. You can also download a free PDF of the issue and look at it in all its beautiful print-layout glory. Just click here. (And, our two-page social media infographic is only available in the PDF version of this issue. So, it's worth the download.)
About a year and a half ago, we started a simple interview series titled "utility2utility." The premise was honest: Allow our utility audience to exchange info and advice directly to each other about projects they are working on and trends they see washing over the industry. The response was overwhelming. We've interviewed nearly 30 utilities from the UK to Brazil to Guam, and the series is now our most popular one in the library.


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Leu Gardens Annual Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18, Admission is FREE both days.
Over 40 vendors selling a large variety of plants & garden accessories including; Anthuriums, camellias, ferns, crotons, cordylines, palms, cycads, bamboo, citrus, tropical fruit trees, bananas, olive trees, orchids, flowering trees, roses, bromeliads, orchids, gingers, heliconias, aroids, flowering shrubs, perennials, Florida native plants, butterfly plants, herbs, annuals, vegetable plants, flowering vines, bougainvillea, tropical plants, African violets, cacti, succulents, bonsai, garden art and sculptures Leu Gardens is located at;
Here is a link for information;
and a link for the list of Vendors;
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by leahrenee1 z9FL (My Page) on Wed, Mar 14, 12 at 10:39
I wondered if anyone was going to post this! ;) Are you working the booth this year, and is there anything we should get there early for? ;P |
- Posted by cocoabeachlorax 10 (My Page) on Wed, Mar 14, 12 at 20:17
I've never been but I've been wanting to. Is this a circus like free for all good luck finding parking black friday crowds kind of nightmare, or more low key ? In other words, really bad weekend to try and see the gardens and maybe pick up a few plants or really good idea, go, have fun, bring the 5 and 7 year old... |
That's what I was wondering... Is it really super busy and crowded? |
- Posted by tom123 z9 Fl. (firstname.lastname@example.com) on Wed, Mar 14, 12 at 20:46
It's kind between very crowded and laid back. There are a lot of people, but not too many to make it difficult to move around and see things. The garden is beautiful by itself. I don't miss this sale. There are lots and lots of different plants, and there's food and friendly people, and, again, it's Leu Gardens--it's beautiful by itself. |
- Posted by leahrenee1 z9FL (My Page) on Thu, Mar 15, 12 at 15:54
If you like plants then you won't want to miss it. You will probably have to park in the surrounding neighborhoods and walk but it is a great opportunity to get exotic plants that you can't find at a big box nursery. Bring a handcart or some type of wagon though so you don't have to carry everything. |
Aw! Now I'm really sad because I probably have to miss it. It's just too much money in gas to get out there :(. |
- Posted by tom123 z9 Fl. (email@example.com) on Sat, Mar 17, 12 at 22:21
There was a spread on in in the Sentinel today--online at least. I'm gonna be there tomorrow morning. Really looking forward to it. |
Nick and I are going to hit it today too. He wants a new CP and then he wants to to go to Hollywood Studios, LOL, but he's still just 10. Did anyone get anything good? Was anyone selling carnivores? Last year at all the plant sales I bought gingers for under the Oak and Chinese Lantern tree on the border of my garden. While I was in India the neighbor cut down the Lantern tree and trimmed back the oak severly well over my yard. I probably had $300 worth of gingers under it that are all going white with sunburn. That was my only safe spot to grow them. But I don't want another 'enemy' neighbor. I already don't get along with my south neighbor. when he move in (we live in a circle cul-de-sac) he didn't know where the property line was and he cut down all of my plants in a flower bed including a papaya, a bay leaf, and a bougie. Then he argued about the property line! Like it had magically moved just because he moved in. Oh well. |
We went! We got a couple of hair plants....a red velvet elvis.....and from an old guy having a 'plant sale' in his yard a block a way we got a 4 1/2 yr old jaboticaba for $15! then we went crazy in Hollywood Studios. |
- Posted by love_the_yard z9A Jax FL (My Page) on Mon, Mar 19, 12 at 12:18
CP = Carnivore Plant (I think) |
yes that is correct, carnivorous plant, and there were a couple of plants for sale but we had everything already. |
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subset: commoncrawl


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Blog | Comments |
WoW | 5 Comments |
Recent Comments:
The Daily Quest: What's in a name {WoW}
Jul 6th 2010 9:44PM I found a thread about this barried deep in the suggestion forums, quietly closed with no blue post bringing any attention to it, unlike the several hundred others that were posted to put it in the QQ thread.
The Daily Quest: What's in a name {WoW}
Jul 6th 2010 9:38PM If you don't like what blizzard is doing and they obviously aren't going to listen to the community, and you live in the US write your senator and congressmen. if enough people complain they will drag Activision in front of Congress just like Facebook for privacy concerns.
Scattered Shots: It's all hunter loot in ICC, part 2 {WoW}
Jan 14th 2010 12:01PM It's a good article though I don't care for the new guys writing as much as I did the old writer. Oh well.
The Twelve Days of Winter Veil: Day four loot code giveaway {WoW}
Dec 30th 2009 9:47AM I need that epic lootz!
Breakfast Topic: Not This Again {WoW}
Dec 30th 2009 8:51AM Ughh I hate getting Occulus, at least twice a day. I drop group and find something else to do for 15 minutes.


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Turn off your TV and stand up! Cheering for your San Diego Chargers while sitting on your couch won't help them start and finish the 2014 season strong. Let your chargers hear you roar as you pep them up live at Qualcomm Stadium or as they battle their AFC rivals outside their home turf.
Get your 2014 San Diego Chargers tickets while they are hot! Guaranteed great seats at the lowest prices!
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What to Expect From the Chargers this Season?
The San Diego Chargers are poised to hit the gridiron strong and confident this 2014 season. On their roster, they have the great Philip Rivers leading and directing the pack as the wily star Quarterback of old. At his side stands the ever reliable running back Ryan Matthews and wide receivers Malcolm Floyd, Vincent Brown, and Denario Alexander. And with new rookie additions such as Keenan Allen, you can bet that the Charger offense will be packing quite a punch.
And, if you are looking for another great reason to get your 2013 Chargers tickets ahead of time, here are two words for you: Mike McCoy. Mike McCoy is the San Diego Chargers' new head coach, replacing Norv Turner who was let go after the team fell short of making the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Mike McCoy comes in from one of the Charger's AFC Division rivals, the Denver Broncos. Ever wonder why the Broncos always had such a smooth offense? Credit that to McCoy, who was their Offensive Coordinator. With McCoy at the helm, you can expect the Charger offense to be finely tuned and in shape.
Your San Diego Chargers are in for a great season. Buy your Chargers tickets today and be assured a spectacular view of the field as the team steamrolls its way to the AFC Championships, the playoffs, and quite possibly, the Super Bowl.
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ChargersTickets.org is the premier San Diego Chargers online ticketing outlet around. Our selection of single game and season tickets, both home and away are just insanely awesome. If you are looking for box seats, we have got them. Want to be near the gridiron in Qualcomm Stadium as the Chargers tramples on the Broncos? Want to be right there when the Chargers whip the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium or the Redskins at the Fedex Field? Well, we have the best tickets in all of those houses. And we definitely have you covered for all the best football matchups this 2014. Just check the schedule above.
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The Early Bird Gets the Worm… err the Ticket!
As you are reading this, San Diego Chargers tickets are selling like crazy and may run out soon. If you want to be assured of a spot when the Chargers take the field against the Broncos, the Chiefs, or the Raiders this season, you have got to buy your tickets today, right this minute in fact.
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Photographs of Perth, Western Australia | |||
Karragullen This locality is a quite large fruit-growing region situated on Canning Road between Kalamunda and Roleystone. There is a small town centre off Canning Road, north of the Brookton Highway. Karragullen is an Aboriginal term originally used for the Cannington area. In this district was the site of the terminus of the Upper Darling Range Railway which was constructed to cart timber products off to market. The town was gazetted in 1913 |
West to Pickering Brook | South to Roleystone | ||
East to Brookton | |||
Karragullen - General Store and Roadhouse Up in the hills, on the road between Kalamunda and Roleystone, is Karragullen. This is mainly a fruit growing district. Here is the Karragullen general store and roadhouse. May 2010. Photos Ref: KGLN001 |
Karragullen - Canning Road This is a view south along Canning Road, right outside the roadhouse. May 2010. Photos Ref: KGLN002 |
Karragullen - Catholic Church This is the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Karragullen and Roleystone. It's located a couple of hundred metres south of the townsite, on Canning Road, at the junction of Rokewood Way. Just look at that bell tower - it's so tall. January 2012. Photos Ref: KGLN003 |
Karragullen - Hall The sturdy Karragullen Hall on Old Station Road up near the oval. This is home of the local scout group. January 2012. Photos Ref: KGLN004 |
Karragullen - Growing Fruit Fruit growing in the predominant industry in this area. Many storage sheds and crates can be seen along the roads. Here is an example with fruit trees thriving in the background. January 2012. Photos Ref: KGLN005 |
Karragullen - Mamarapha College Office The Mamarapha College on School Road. This is a tertiary bible college for mainly indigenous people and is an arm of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. This appears to be the administration office. On this site previously was the Karragullen primary school. January 2012. Photos Ref: KGLN006 |
Karragullen - Mamarapha College Classrooms The College classrooms and further up ablution block. It looks very attractive and is located in an extremely peaceful locale, set in the bush complete with the distinctive smell of gum trees. January 2012. Photos Ref: KGLN007 |
Karragullen - Rock Inne Tavern Set on Brookton Highway on the corner of Herbert Road is the Rock Inne Tavern. This is a few kilometres east of the Canning Road intersection. Not sure when it was built but certainly was here in the 1980's with the same name. Famed for live music concerts. January 2012. Photos Ref: KGLN008 |
All images published on this website are copyright © of the webmaster. See About section for clarification and special schools permission |


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Starbella Scarves are super popular and super easy with Maggie's tutorial videos.
Visit youtube.com/maggieweldon for more how-to videos.
Rather knit? Watch this video!
Don't know how to crochet or knit? That's ok!
Premier Starbella yarn can be used in multiple ways. Use Starbella as it comes from the ball in tape form, or open up and knit or crochet with the loops across the top. Fun and bright—perfect for scarves and shawls! One skein can make one scarf, or if you want it longer, just add another skein. Starbella yarn makes creating ruffles a breeze.
100% acrylic.
Super bulky weight, 3.5 oz/100 g/33 yd/30 m ball.
Hand wash, cold water, lay flat to dry. Imported.
Knit gauge in st st, 6 needles: 19 sts and 26 rows = 4" (10.2cm). Other needle sizes can be used with similar results.
Crochet Gauge using H-8 hook 15 sc & 19 rows=4" (10.2cm). Other hook sizes can be used for scarves of various widths.
Watch Maggie interview a 10th grader about her ruffled scarf!
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2013 Hall of Fame - Player Inductee
By USATT Historian Tim Boggan
Todd Sweeris: you couldn't help but notice this 10-year-old in action at the 1983 Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) tournament in Toronto—and his proud parents as well. That Dell and Connie were well-known for having won many major Singles and Doubles Championships might have been deduced, or at least suspected, from the attention they were giving their son. But most of the Canadian spectators weren't really aware of just how serious the game—make that the sport—was to this Michigan family.
Take a look at father Dell's diary entry back in Grand Rapids the day before they all were to leave for the tournament:
"7—7:45 pm and 9—9:30 pm…
Practice routine same as usual. However…I started a new drill where I mixed in chops that Todd was to loop and I blocked; then we countered steady till I chopped again. The key to this drill is to get the first loop in and then to handle what comes after that. This drill is very similar to actual game conditions.
Practice rating—very good.
PS. During the 15 minutes (17 minutes actually) of F.H. to F.H. Todd only missed his forehand four times."
And now the following account of Todd's play at an event in that Open in Toronto:
…"Dell," says Todd's mother Connie excitedly, 'did you see in the Under-1200 event that Todd did his little flip and the other kid missed it!"
But sometimes Todd's shots don't always go in. "Oh," he complains in this match he's in now shortly after play's begun, "you are playing so bad!"
"Todd," says Dell watching from the sidelines, "keep your cool now."
Todd is not winning—and you can tell.
His distress gets to Connie; "I never thought I'd see the day when Todd would be acting up at the table. And I certainly thought that if he ever did I'd take him out of the match."
Todd, as if his concentration is divided, as if he were always keeping a watchful eye, a listening ear, on his observing parents in the background, suddenly takes this moment to turn around, stamp a little, and says, "Don't expect me to win. He's better than YOU, MOM!"
To which Dell responds, "Naw. Now, c'mon, son, he's not that good."
Would not many a reader looking backward for clues to Todd's future success find some here?
It's hardly a surprise after reading that precise Diary entry—"15 minutes (17 minutes actually)"—to be told that Dell's an accountant, and that, as Todd grows up, enters high school and begins to think not just about winning the next tournament but about going to college, he himself takes an accounting course. "You know why I liked it?" he asks rhetorically. "because with problem after problem I always come to an answer. I like surety. I don't like gray areas."
Later that year, in Las Vegas, Todd wins his first National Championship—the U-11's. However, his progress as a 12-14-year-old, aside from a Junior Olympics win, is slow. But he and his parents persist. If at 13 Todd wants to enroll in the USTTA Resident Training Program for ambitious U.S. Team hopefuls and live and go to school there in Colorado Springs, do it! And—do it!—he did, for five years…so that by the time he'd graduated from the local Palmer High School and was looking to his collegiate future, he'd begun, still slowly, to build another future—in table tennis. At 14, he'd been part of a U.S. Junior Team that went to China where in the Association's National Magazine he could be seen in a friendship photo with China's World Champion Jiang Jialiang. Thing was, though, despite opportunities, Todd wasn't improving like he couldn't help but notice his fellow juniors were—and that was frustrating. He told Hodges, "I went through a pretty rough period and left the Olympic Training Center. I actually thought I was going to quit." But after he'd taken some time off, Bowie Martin asked him if he'd like to go to Japan for a month to train. And he said, "Sure." This helped him make the first conscious jump of his table tennis career. So finally—yes, the years at the RTP HAD helped his game, had given him, he said, the necessary formal training to improve—in 1990 he upset his friend and arch-rival Chi Sun Chui to win the U.S. Junior National's.
In a 1993 Interview with Larry Hodges, who for a number of years had been the RTP Manager, and thereafter would be one of the few most knowledgeable U.S. aficionados we have in our sport, Todd, the late-bloomer, said. "In the summer of 1991, just after my senior year in high school, I went to a training camp in Detroit attended by Coach Li Zhenshi, Sean O'Neill, Huazhang Xu, Dhiren Narotam, and others, and so got a lot of good practice. Coach Li helped me a lot. And from then on, my game became more solid and I was more confident."
"In the fall of 1992," Todd said, "Rocky Wang and I went to China for two and a half months. That was probably the toughest part of my table tennis career, as well as the funnest. It got really boring. You woke up, you practiced, you went home for lunch, you took a nap, went back for the second practice, ate dinner, read a little bit, and then went to bed. It went on every day like that for two and a half months. But the fun part was that I could just feel myself getting better. At times, in China, I felt like I literally could not miss the ball. I mean, it's a great feeling when you can do that."
In China, Todd, basically always an all-around player, improved the forehand attack he favors, worked on speed, on power, and a better block defense. Later, he developed a much more effective backhand loop.
It was Rocky who suggested Todd come to Maryland, and he did, for he liked the community, the opportunity to practice with Rocky, Sean O'Neill, Dave Sakai, Sean Lonergan, Jason St. George, Huazhang Xu, Dhiren Narotam, and Amy Feng. Most importantly, it was at the Maryland National Table Center that Todd had the opportunity to learn from transplanted Chinese player/coach extraordinaire Cheng Yinghua, who'd be a big influence on the maturing young player.
In 1993 he enrolled at the University of Maryland and there he stayed, continuing to learn on two fronts, until he graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1998.
Todd would not only follow in his CPA father's footsteps, it might be said he'd hurry ahead of him. "When Todd took the CPA exam in 1998, he knew that only about 5-10% of those tested would be able to pass all four parts of the exam on the first try. But Todd did it. And that year he was hired by the well-known Accounting firm of Deloite & Touche. He would always be grateful to them, for they gave him very flexible hours and time off when he needed to train or travel to tournaments.
Back in 1993, Todd made the U.S. Team, won the U.S. Closed U-22's, and so began a 10-year string of successes that demanded a rigorous preparation. He told Hodges in that seminal interview, " I'll prepare for big tournaments at least a month in advance. That means practice four to five hours a day, six days a week, and about 45 minutes of physical training. I'll run three times a week, about three miles. Once or twice a week, I'll do about 10 or 15 sprints of about 40 yards each. Also, as much as possible, given my responsibilities, I'll continue to be very involved in watching and, to some extent, playing other sports—basketball, tennis, and golf. Being from Michigan I root for the Wolverines." "Over the University of Maryland!" says Hodges, feigning shocked surprise. "I only like the University of Maryland Ping-Pong Team," says Todd. Perfectly understandable since he'll be the repeatedly successful Team's star, and in 1997 represent them as the National Intercollegiate Champion.
You could—or at least I could—write pages about Todd's 10-year stretch of major accomplishments, in which at every National's, faced with world-class competition, he was a late-round finisher, including being runner-up in 1998 to David Zhuang whom he'd great regard for as his Teammate and Championship Doubles partner. But here I'm going to summarize Todd's major successes and move on with my own life.
U.S. Under 22 National Champion.
Member of winning team at the Pan Am Games, U.S. Open Team Championships, and Olympic Festival, where he was the 1995 Men's Singles winner.
Three-time U.S. Closed Men's Doubles Champion.
Two-time World Team member (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2000, and Gothenburg, Sweden in 20003).
Two-time Olympian (Atlanta, Georgia in 1996, and Sydney, Australia in 2000). Being an Olympian had for years been one of his long-range goals…until dream became reality.
In addition, Todd served his Association, his country, outside the playing courts. He's a two-time member of the USATT Board of Directors—Athletic Rep in 1995 and 2001.
Moreover, just as he emphasized practicing—practicing with a purpose, with goals—so he carried over that dedication in pursuit of making a good living, and, as it would turn out, not just for himself but, in due course, for his wife Jacqueline and son Brandon.
As many-time U.S. Team Captain/Manager Bob Fox concluded in his Banquet Introduction for Todd: his friend was a class act. On court, and off, "he balanced school, work, table tennis excellence, and family."
Welcome to our Hall, Todd.


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Bring on skin that's dry, oily or somewhere in between. Give us the wrinkles, rosacea, acne, blackheads, and big pores. Paula's Choice Skincare treats them all. Without irritation. No added dyes. 100% fragrance free. Our products are based on our unique combination of research, reviews, and results-driven product development. Finally, products that really work.
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Customer Ratings:
Used this in combination with the liquid last night for the first time. This is the best day of my skin's life. No product has ever reduced my blackheads even slightly. One use and my blackheads are nearly gone in most areas and hugely improved in my worst area on the sides of my nose. My skin isn't flaky like with most products that claim to improve blackheads. It's glowing!
I tried this several times over a week and it stung and didn't absorb well. I don't have particularly sensitive skin and I use the AHA 8% perfectly well but that product has parabens so I wanted to try another exfoliant. I gave it 4 tries but it didn't give me results or feel good on. It just didn't settle in even though I only used a little pea sized amount and went section by section. I need a gluten free product or else I would try the 1%.
Hello, and thank you for sharing your experience with us - we're sorry to hear this didn't work as expected for you! Please contact a member of our Customer Care team, who can assist you with a possible exchange or refund.
I have only been using the BHA 2% Lotion for about a week and already I can see an improvement with the stubborn blackheads on my nose. I don't know how this stuff works, but it does. I will be ordering the entire Resist Anti-aging line in February and I cannot wait!
Even though this is advertised for dry/normal skin types, it's no problem for my oily acne-prone skin. After I tone, I apply my hyaluronic acid serum and then two pumps of this as my moisturizer all over my face, and SPF 50 in the AM. The consistency of the 2% BHA lotion is of a thick cream that needs some working in to absorb properly, but it seals in my serum and helps keep the congestion out of my skin. Only down side is the completely opaque bottle, I can't see how much is left.
Years ago I tried the 1% BHA Gel and my skin HATED it, I got a stubborn rash and my face was pretty much a mess. Fast-forward to now, I'm in my mid-30's and encountering the dreaded hormonal acne roller-coaster. My skin is **very dry** but I was getting these bad breakouts. If you are dry but still have acne issues, definitely try a sample of the BHA lotion! My previously angry/confused skin is loving this stuff. No rash, and it's keeping me clear. I won't be without it now.
This is my first skincare product to contain acids, and I'm very happy with my starter's choice. I never had acne, and was generally satisfied with my skin. My only concern were pores on my nose, and I tried a lot of products with no visible result, so I didn't put much hope in this. But it helped, and almost instantly! It also gives my skin a much more "polished" look and makes my face look very fresh and young. So, even if you think your skin is ok, try it, and see how "ok" becomes "great".
I bought the 2% BHA lotion after running out of my 1% BHA lotion thinking that more BHA must be better... not in this case. 1% BHA absorbs into my skin fast and has the same amazing result. 2% also feels a bit too harsh for my sensitive skin. I ordered the 1% lotion again, and saving the 2% for when I have acne or skin irritations that call for more intensive exfoliation.
Most of the year I use a liquid or gel version of either PC's 2% or 1% BHA product on my sensitive, breakout prone skin, but this winter I switched to this lotion version as my skin had been getting flaky and dry in the colder weather. Turned out to be a great move. Same excellent exfoliation but better protection for dry skin, and not a pimple in sight. Great idea, to have all these different versions of the same basic product. Her BHA has been a staple in my routine for almost twenty years.
Hi guys!So I wanted to order a few PC Products,especially BHAs:)Now i have two questions:1.Can I use BHA exfoliants on Birthmarks?(I have a few on my face rather small ones,but one is like the size of Cindy Crawfords...)2. I have combo-oily skin and i have some dry patches that you can see when putting makeup on,my skin is also dehydrated.I wanted to buy the 2%BHA lotion,but im scared itll clog my pores,since im very clog prone!i have whiteheads and blackheads.What formula to buy? Thanks!
Hello, and thanks for contacting us! We recommend talking to a member of our Customer Care team, who can assist you with finding the best product for your skin type! You can find all the ways to contact them here.
I've used the liquid version of this and hated it. I went through it so fast because so much of the product was absorbed and lost inside the cotton balls I used to apply it. This lotion is perfect for me, and I think it will last me twice as long. It dries to a nice, matte finish that makes it comfortable to wear under makeup, if desired. I tried to go without a BHA for a few months, thinking I didn't need it, but I got far more acne and clogged pores without it. It's now a staple!
I have been using this product ever since I heard it from the Wayne Goss's make-up video. This thing works! I also let my pre-teen daughter uses it and it does reduced the blackheads for her but I guess it will need more taking care of if to eliminate the whole problem. After all, she is at an acne prone age.
I saw immediate results after using this product for just a few days. My skin is clearer, brighter, more evenly toned, and better than it's been in years. I was a little concerned about it being too drying for my skin type, but have had no problems whatsoever with dryness due to the 2% lotion. It's perfect for sensitive skin and for someone who struggles with the seemingly contradictory issues of dryness and clogged pores at the same time. The lotion is easy to apply and feels great.
I love this product! It has done a great job minimizing/unclogging pores (even in the area around the sides of my nose) and has made my skin noticeably smoother and brighter. I don't have any serious acne, but I do occasionally get pimples or blackheads from makeup . Since I started using this, I have had nothing of the sort. If a small pimple does rise to the surface, I just dab this on top & it goes away. I added it to the Resist Retinal Serum and Moisture Boost Hydratinng Tx Cream. Awesome!
Did nothing for me, my pores DID NOT minimized and it makes my skin kind of itchy, I did used it for about 4weeks giving it a chance to "adapt to my skin" NO LUCK, want to send it back since I cant use it.
Thanks for your review! We're sorry this didn't work for you and welcome your return. If you need assistance returning an item, click here.
This product's failure for me is due to my incorrect assumption that I had dry skin, but I actually had a damaged acid mantle. So the blame is all mine, I'll admit. It's a good product, but better suited for dry/very dry skin. I haven't seen a significant reduction in blackheads/whiteheads after a month's use, but again: my fault, not the product's. I will continue to use until I receive PC's 2%BHA liquid instead. If you have dry skin (for sure), get this product. I'm sure you'll love it
I have dehydrated, combination skin in a really dry climate, and this product has smoothed out blackheads and closed comedones that I have had for years. The clogged pores on my nose and forehead are definitely diminished (without the flaking I've had with all the other products I've tried) and my skin looks brighter. As long as I follow with a moisturizer I don't have any tightness or flaking. The 'purge' only lasted a few weeks. Going to try the BHA 9 next!
I didn't know that this BHA 2% lotion had alcahol in it!?? You know, I thought Paulas choice was so against alcahol and irritating ingredients in your skin care? What gives? I am not sure I will be using this anymore. I'm disappointed.
Hi there! We're against the bad alcohols used in some skin-care products, not the good ones, which are collectively known as fatty alcohols, which is what this product contains. More info here.
I tried BHA (I usually use AHA), because I had a small breakout. I think I was over-moisturizing. I have combo skin, but on the dry side, so it's hard to strike a balance. Because of my dryness, I use either Moisture Boost or Skin Recovery cream. Covering this BHA lotion with those moisturizers was just too much, so I decided to go with the 2% liquid, which worked nicely. If you usually use a lighter moisturizer, this will likely work for you. Also leaves a nice matte finish!
Strange tiny white bumps on my chin that appear to be whiteheads or flaky skin at the base of tiny hairs: Esthetician said they were a combination of oil and dry skin cells. Tried lots of products that didn't work. THIS LOTION WORKS--RIGHT AWAY! I had a sample I was hesitant to use it as lotions usually make me break out. NO BREAKOUTS, NO IRRITATION! Had a tiny bit of flaking, which only lasted a day. I recommend starting out using sparingly every other day. I'm ordering more!
I've been using this lotion for about a year now (thanks to Wayne Goss for recommending it!). I'd never even heard of BHA, but gave it a try. My skin has calmed down considerably as a result of using this exfoliant and I will continue to use it. Very pleased with the result. It works without drying out my skin like other acne lotions I've tried. Just one tip: be careful when applying that you don't get it on or near your lips, as it can be mildly irritating to the skin there, I've found.
WOW, this product saved my life. For so many years, I've been lead to believe that I'm a genetic freakshow because I have both atopic AND acne-prone skin at the same time. Paula's Choice saved my life because this product is designed for my exact skin type. I am forever thankful because modern skincare advertising tells me that my skin type should not exist, and I finally found a product that accommodates both issues. If you have both dry and acne-prone skin, give this a try.
I didn't like the topical options that came with the acne formulas Paula has created. However, I tried this product as a sample and loved it! It really helped clear up my tricky areas. Since I am using an exfoliant with BHA and am pregnant I am not adding this to my regimen until after I deliver (I'm nervous about using too much BHA--though it's probably harmless). Thankfully pregnancy has cleared up my skin too :) I can't wait to add this into my daily routine, though.
I have been dealing with low/moderate acne in cheeks for almost 10 years now I'm in my thirties. I have tried too many things and have never worked. I have been using this lotion for 3 months already and it's the only thing that has helped me get rid of my acne. However, Im not gonna lie that I have had maybe one pimple a month or none. This is a miracle for me because I was use to break out every month and some of them left me scars. It does work for my skin I really recommend it!
I love this stuff! Its just the right amount of daily (or every other day) exfoliation to keep my skin looking fresh and clear. I get less breakouts when I am using this daily. Also give my skin a pretty glow. I definitely recommend!
I have been using PC products for years. I thought I needed AHA exfolients because I do have some sun damage, and so I used them for awhile but over the years I have found the AHA to be too harsh for my skin. I am 58 and have Northern European very fair and sensitive skin, prone to redness and rosacea. My dermatologist took me off of all AHAs and I used nothing for awhile. Then I discovered Paula's 2% BHA, hoping it might help with the sensitivity and redness. BINGO! Perfection.
What makes this product unique?Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant moisturizes as it exfoliates both the skin's surface and inside the pore, reshaping the pore lining, unclogging pores and improving skin cell turnover rate. This creates a dramatic improvement in the skin's appearance, feel, and function, leading to healthier skin. There is a great deal of research indicating that BHA (beta hydroxy acid) increases collagen production and drastically smooths the surface of skin. Additionally, BHA has antibacterial properties that attack blemish-causing bacteria. The lush texture of the 2% BHA Lotion makes skin feel satiny soft, while potent anti-irritants help calm a reddened, blotchy complexion.
This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free with a pH range of 3.5-3.9. Every Paula's Choice BHA product is formulated with additional soothing agents.
Who is this product for? All skin types may use this product, but the texture is especially suited for those with normal to very dry skin prone to blemishes.
NOTE: Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylate) should not use products containing salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid).
International Immunopharmacology, August 2009, pages 1,126–1,130; British Journal of Dermatology, August 2007, pages 295–300; Journal of Cosmetic Science, November-December 2004, pages 519-531; Archives of Internal Medicine, July 2002, pages 1531–1532; Annals of Dermatology and Venereology, January 2002, pages 137–142; Archives of Dermatology, November 2000, pages 1390–1395; Pain, January 1996, pages 71–82; and Seminars in Dermatology, December 1990, pages 305–308.
Key Ingredients: vitamin E, salicylic acid, willow herb, BHA (beta hydroxy acid), green tea, sweet almond oil, squalane, grape seed oil, beta-glucan
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol (thickener), Squalane (emollient), Glycerin (skin-identical ingredient), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate (thickeners), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Epilobium Angustifolium (Willowherb) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (anti-irritant), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea)Leaf Extract (antioxidant), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil (antioxidant plant oil), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil (non-fragrant plant oil), Beta Glucan (antioxidant), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant), Panthenol (water-binding agent), Bisabolol (anti-irritant), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (emulsifier), Xanthan Gum (thickener), Sodium Citrate (pH adjuster), Butylene Glycol (slip agent), Acacia Senegal Gum, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum (thickeners), Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Ethylhexyglycerin (skin conditioning agent), Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate (preservatives).
DIRECTIONS: Apply once or twice daily after cleansing and toning. Apply a dime-sized amount over the entire face, including the eyes (avoid the lower lash line and eyelids). Do not rinse. For daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 25 or greater.
Detailed instructions on how/when to apply your Paula's Choice products can be found in our How to Put Together Your Own Skincare Routine article.
What's the difference between AHA and BHA exfoliants? Do I need both?
When properly formulated, both AHAs and BHA are brilliant options for exfoliating the surface of skin. Both AHA and BHA work to reduce wrinkles, stimulate collagen, and firm skin but each has its special qualities you'll want to consider when deciding which one to use:
If your skin is sun-damaged and you're also struggling with acne or clogged pores, add a BHA product to your routine.
If you'd like to use an AHA and BHA at the same time, that is an option, though not really necessary. Some people find they work well when they're applied at the same time, but if you want to give this a try it is best to apply them separately, one during the day and one in the evening.
How do I use an AHA or BHA exfoliant?
What strength of BHA should I use? Will a higher concentration provide better and faster results?
What makes the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant different from the 2% BHA Gel and Liquid?
Your AHA (glycolic acid) products have a higher percentage than your BHA (salicylic acid) products. Does this mean AHA is a stronger exfoliant?
At what point after my laser and/or peel procedure can I begin using my BHA exfoliant again?
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*Promotion expires 9pm PT, February 3, 2015. No cash value. Cannot be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases.
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Showing All "Eek" Posts
Oct 18th, 2013 9 Comments
Maybe practice a little bit every day? An elephant never forgets, right? So you have that going for you! Ahahah. And I can already tell that you have an ear for it! LOL. LMFAO. Ahah. No, but…   Read Story »
Sep 3rd, 2013 12 Comments
"Have you ever met someone who was so passionate about something that it made you feel like you were, I don't know, living life halfway? Like if you could just find the thing that you're that…   Read Story »
Aug 21st, 2013 42 Comments
"Listen. I know you've probably already made up your mind about what you're going to think about my wife. Yes, she walked down the aisle to a cover of Buckcherry's 'Crazy Bitch' (which might have…   Read Story »
Dec 4th, 2012 14 Comments
Eeeeeek! How horrible! Uhhh...At least you're not in a three-day traffic jam? Something about the traffic in LA, and abou how sometimes it rains there? Something about how we all willingly enter into…   Read Story »
Jun 18th, 2012 33 Comments
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! Ronan Farrow, the biological son of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, tweeted this yesterday, and then his mother retweeted it. Eek! Uh, guys? You OK? I mean, I know you're not OK and…   Read Story »
Apr 26th, 2012 25 Comments
In order for this to exist, someone had to come up with the idea, write the whole thing out, find other adults who agreed that this was a good idea and worth everyone's time, secure financing, put a…   Read Story »
Apr 24th, 2012 24 Comments
Another day, another teenager posting a video on YouTube of himself singing a song in his bedroom about he masturbates to all of the Facebook profiles of the women he knows. QUE SERA SERYUCK! The…   Read Story »
Mar 28th, 2012 15 Comments
After the jump, I have posted a video that features a live demonstration of a new-fangled technology in which a computer, or WHATEVER, measures some junk in your hand and then translates that to a…   Read Story »
Mar 12th, 2012 27 Comments
When you're younger, your interests revolve around rock concerts and keg parties and cruising around all night with your friends in your mom's car. You'll drive by a group of older people with their…   Read Story »
Jan 9th, 2012 32 Comments
I'm a subscriber to the general belief that you should try anything once, but that's when you're talking about trying a weird food, or traveling to a neat place, not JUMPING OFF OF BRIDGES WITH A…   Read Story »


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I gathered my supplies and went to town making my veil this afternoon. It was surprising very easy! I would have to say sewing the bridemaid's t-shirts with ruffles, flowers and beading was a much harder journey.
Remember I said that I would be needing LOTS of tulle?
Thank goodness Randy's house has an empty room right now because I needed it! First, I laid the tulle flat on the floor.
Yes, the tulle filled the ENTIRE room's floor. The width of the veil is about 90 inches. The Length of the veil is 3 YARDS!!!! What am I thinking…really?
Next, I folded the tulle "hot dog" way and lined up the two corners.
That's soo LONG! Then, I cut the corners to round the edges.
Now, to the hard part. I had NO idea how to "properly" gather the tulle to attach it to the hair comb.
So…like always…I played.
I slowly gathered the tulle by weaving a needle and thread in and out of the tulle. It looked right?
Until I pulled too hard and SNAPPED the thread and the whole thing fell apart.
Play Time #2: New technique
I decided this time I would gather a little bit at a time and then attach the small bit of tulle that was gathered to the head piece bit by bit. And….
I can't show you the complete finished veil because that would just give away the surprise of the big day. So I guess you'll have to wait.
Plus, the real test is when I try it on with my wedding dress. Then I'll decide if I really am done!


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Marines Expose an Untold Number of People to Radiation at the Kane'ohe bay sandbar
September 8, 2011
Autumn. Low tide. A group of people wading in shallow water in a row dangling line over the water. Must be oama (baby goatfish) season, right?
Wrong. These guys are not fishing for oama. These men are workers from the state of Hawaii Department of Health absurdly conducting a radiation screening of Ahu o Laka (Kane'ohe Bay sandbar) with radiation monitors hanging over the surface of the water. The state admits that its radiation monitors are not the right tool for surveying underwater contamination.
Photo: Carroll Cox/ carrollcox.comWhy are they screening for radiation at the popular recreational site?
In March, a Marine Corps helicopter crashed on the sandbar, killing one crew and injuring several others. What the Marines never reported was that the helicopter components included a radioactive isotope Strontium-90, the same bone-attacking radiological substance spewed over the Pacific by the meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. You see, Strontium-90 is chemically related to Calcium, which it mimics when ingested into the body. Once inside bone tissue, the nasty little particles of radiation emitted from the decay of the isotope can wreak havoc on tissue, cells, and genes in very close proximity over a sustained period of time.
When another CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter crashed into a university in Okinawa in 2004, Okinawan public safety crews and media and residents were forcefully excluded from the vicinity of the crash. Many were concerned that Depleted Uranium often used as counterweights on the rotors were a public health hazard. However, it appears that depleted uranium is used in the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, but only Strontium 90 is used in the CH-53 Sea Stallion.
Environmental investigator and activist Carroll Cox received a tip that radioactive substances were released by the crash and that rescue and salvage workers and public users of the bay may have been exposed to the hazardous material without their knowledge. He notified state officials, who were unaware of the public health hazard, as well as the media. Media reports on the radiation contamination can be read here, here, here and here.
Carroll writes on his blog:
Sources alerted The Carroll Cox Show, that civilian employees within the United States Marine Corps Environmental Department knowingly and intentionally withheld critical information about the presence of the radioactive isotope from the state, the workers at the crash site, and the public. Their actions caused the possible exposure of an untold number of people to radiation as they retrieved parts, looked for clues to the crash, contained leaking fuel, removed the aircraft from the site and assessed environmental impact, because they were working without protective gear.
The civilian support staff made the decision to not tell the workers even though the marine squadron that assigned the helicopter advised them that the aircraft contained IBIS units and they should treat the site as a hazardous waste spill.
Cox sent a series of questions to the Marine Corps and received a canned response. Here's the correspondence between Cox and Marine Corps Public Affairs Officer Major Crouch:
Questions we asked the Marine Corps:
Did the aircraft contain radioactive materials as part of its cargo? If yes, what was the material and the quantity?
Did the aircraft's rotors contain deicers or a safety In-flight Blade Inspection System (IBIS)? If yes, how many were there? Were all of the IBIS's recovered? If yes, when were they recovered?
Were any of the radiated materials recovered and placed in a survival raft at the crash site? Were geiger counters used to recover the IBIS's? Where were the IBIS's stored once they were removed from the crash site?
How much strontium-90 is contained in each IBIS unit? Were any of the IBIS units damaged? If yes, what degree of damage was noted? Did any of the strontium -90 get released into the environment? if yes, how much?
Did your agency inform the public, first responders and all recovery personnel that the downed aircraft contained IBIS with strontium-90? If yes when and how was this accomplished? If not, why?
Why did your agency representative, Mr. Randall Hu, not disclose that the IBIS units contained strontium-90 during his appearances on television and other news accounts, and only expressed concerns about the fuel that the craft contained?
Did the location and recovery of the IBIS units cause the Marines to delay the removal of the downed aircraft?
In several news accounts it was reported that "the Marines were to comb the bay looking for any metal scraps and inspect the area for any environmental damage". Were these Marines wearing the proper safety gear to search and retrieve strontium-90, the IBIS units or other radioactive materials?
What was the final disposition of the IBIS's or strontium-90?
Is it the opinion of the United States Marine Corps that the presence of strontium-90 aboard aircrafts that have crashed are not an environmental hazard requiring public reporting? If no, why not?
Did your agency meet with management of the Honolulu Fire Department to discuss the failure of your agency to notify them of the presence of strontium-90 aboard the downed aircraft? If yes, please provide a copy of their concerns and the Marine Corps' response?
Were members of the recovery teams screened for exposure to strontium-90? If yes, when and by whom? If no, why not?
Is the Marine Corps conducting any type of monitoring for the presence of strontium-90 at and around the crash site? If yes, what are the results? If no, why not?
Did The Marine Corps notify the Hawaii State Department of Conservation or other agencies that the downed aircraft was equipped with IBIS's or other parts containing strontium-90?
If yes, when and how were the each of the agencies notified? Please provide copies of the notification.
The answer we received from Major Crouch:
Subject: CARROLL COX SHOW – QUERY RE: CH-53D MISHAP
From: "Crouch Maj Alan F" <firstname.lastname@example.com>
Date: Thu, September 01, 2011 4:34 pm
Aloha Mr. Cox, Marine Corps Base Hawaii takes its obligation to protect personnel, the public and the 'āina very seriously. Our first responsibility after the tragic mishap on March 29 was the rescue of personnel in the downed helicopter. Rescue responders included the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Waterfront Operations, aircraft from the U.S. Coast Guard and Army and the Honolulu Fire Department, as well as another CH-53D from MCAS Kaneohe Bay.
Almost immediately, base personnel placed a floating containment boom around the site to prevent the spread of petroleum fluids. Shortly thereafter, base and squadron personnel, with assistance from Navy, Coast Guard and state personnel, began the process of recovering the remains of the helicopter while an aviation mishap board conducted its investigation.
During the recovery efforts, some aircraft components were found to have a low level of contamination. All materials found to be contaminated were decontaminated or appropriately contained here on base. All personnel involved in the handling of any contaminated material were screened to verify they were not contaminated.
The low levels of radiation previously detected pose no significant health or environmental risk and were not of a reportable quantity. The site on the sand bar where the helicopter rested was inspected both during and after the salvage and recovery of the aircraft as a precautionary measure. No radiological contamination was found at the site.
Maj. Alan Crouch Director,
Public Affairs Office
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
(808) 257-8840/-8870
In other words, the Marine Corps dodged nearly all the questions.
But it gets even worse. The Marines lost the raft containing the radioactive parts. The raft drifted around Kane'ohe Bay for some time before it was found by residents near the bay:
On Sunday, September 4, after our broadcast we learned the raft used to hold and transport the IBIS units and radioactive waste came lose from its mooring at the crash site, floated around Kaneohe Bay, and ended up by Kamehameha Hwy. A number of citizens came in contact with the raft.
Here are the questions Mr. Cox sent to the Marine Corps about the lost raft:
September 5, 2011
Major Alan Crouch
United States Marine Corps
Dear Major Crouch;
It has been brought to our attention that the life raft used at the site of the US. Marine Corps CH53 helicopter crash on March 29, 2011, broke loose from its mooring and drifted from the crash site to a residential area along Kamehameha Hwy at Kaneohe Bay. It is our understanding that the U.S. Marine Corps used the raft to store and transport radioactive materials containing Strontium-90 from the helicopter. We also learned, and as you have confirmed, the raft containing the radioactive material was transported to the water ops pier at the Kanoehe Bay Marine Corps Base and stored for a period of time. Reportedly it leaked radioactive materials onto the pavement of the pier area, causing some 65 square feet of cement to be excavated. We would like to ask you the following questions regarding the raft:
1. What date did the raft become dislodged from the crash site and the Marines lose custody of the raft?
2. How many days was the raft adrift?
3. How did the marines learn the raft was missing?
4. Did any of the civilians who had the raft in their possession during the time it was adrift remove any of the materials contaminated with radiation or the IBIS components?
5. Did you screen the individuals for radiation contamination? If yes, what were the results?
6. Did the Marine Corps screen the area along Kamehameha Hwy where the raft was recovered from? If yes, what was the level?
7. We have a picture showing a civilian towing the raft by boat. Did you screen that individual for radiation contamination?
8. After the marines retrieved the raft from the civilian did the marines immediately take it the water ops area on the base?
9. Did you notify the surrounding community and the individuals that came in contact with the raft that it contained radioactive Strontium-90?
10. Will there be charges brought against any of the civilians for handling the raft and materials?
11. Did the Marine Corps notify the U.S. Coast Guard, the Dept. of Health, DLNR, or other agencies that the raft was missing for several days? If so, when and to whom was notification made?
I would appreciate it if you would please provide answers to my questions by Thursday, September 8.
Carroll Cox
He has not yet received an answer. READ THE FULL ACCOUNT ON CARROLLCOX.COM.
Photo: Carroll Cox / carrollcox.com
In the photo above of the downed helicopter, you can see the orange life raft that was used to contain the radioactive IBIS parts. This raft broke loose some time after this and drifted across Kane'ohe Bay, eventually reaching residential areas along the bay shore.
A contact who lives on the shores of Kane'ohe Bay in Kahalu'u saw the raft adrift while working on a canoe.
This incident underscores the hazards of such intensive military activity in Hawai'i, the inability of the military to manage the risks and the secrecy and lack of honesty of the military when dealing with the public. To paraphrase our friends in Vieques, Puerto Rico, history does not permit us to trust what the military says.
This incident also highlights why we must stop the proposed expansion of helicopter and Osprey facilities and activities at Mokapu (Kane'ohe Marine base).
State allows public access on Ahu o Laka sandbar despite radiation leak
September 3, 2011
Using radiation monitors not designed to scan under water, the state determined that it was safe for the public to access the helicopter crash site in Kane'ohe Bay where radioactive Strontium 90 leaked out. The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports:
The public will be allowed on the sandbar at Kaneohe Bay this holiday weekend despite concerns about low levels of radiation in the area, state Department of Land and Natural Resources Director William Aila said.
Aila made the declaration after officials from the state Health Department's Indoor and Radiological Health Branch traveled to the sandbar off Heeia Kea Pier and were able to measure only background levels of radiation during a survey of the air from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.
Testing was prompted by warnings from environmental watchdog Carroll Cox earlier this week that military officials failed to notify the state or the public about the radiation released when a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter crashed March 29 at the edge of the sandbar. One Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii was killed and three others were injured in the crash landing.
The Marine Corps denies that it had a duty to inform the state or the public about the release of the radioactive substance:
"The low levels of radiation previously detected pose no significant health or environmental risk and were not of a reportable quantity," Marine Corps Base Hawaii said. "No radiological contamination was found at the site."
Yet, as reported in a KHON report, the Marine Corps thought the radiological threat serious enough to remove portions of asphalt on the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe that were possibly contaminated by the Strontium 90:
Due to rigorous standards, officials at Marine Corps Base Hawaii carved out asphalt that came into contact with strontium-90 after a raft used to collect the helicopter's IBIS system was placed on what's known as the waterfront ops area.
"As a part of the mitigation, approximately 65 square feet of asphalt was removed from an area where contaminated components were temporarily located and isolated," said Crouch. "Thorough inspections were done at all aircraft component locations – both during and after recovery and salvage operations – to confirm there was no remaining contamination."
Kaneohe sandbar deemed safe after radiological testing?
September 3, 2011
Ahu o Laka, a sandbar in Kaneʻohe Bay, was the site of a fatal Marine Corps helicopter crash in March 2011. More about that crash can be read here and here. The crash resulted in the release of fuel and a radioactive substance Strontium 90, which mimics calcium and attacks bones. However, the Marine Corps did not report the radiological release until documents were revealed by environmental activist Carroll Cox. Another story on the radiological release is here.
According to KHON News, the State of Hawaiʻi conducted a radiological sweep of Ahu o Laka and declared the area "safe" just in time for the long holiday weekend, when boaters converge on the island.
A sweep of the Kaneohe sandbar Friday by six members of the state's Indoor and Radiological Health Branch turned up no evidence of radiological contamination from a helicopter crash five months ago.
"We got mainly background radiation," said Jeff Eckerd, IRHB's program manager. "We did not get any hits or spikes."
The testing was ordered Thursday after environmental activist Carroll Cox received information that the CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter that crashed onto the sandbar March 29, killing one marine and injuring three others, contained an In-flight Blade Inspection System. Within the device are six half inch pellets that contain 500 microcuries of strontium-90, a radioactive substance known to be harmful if ingested.
"It's a bone seeker," explained Eckerd. "It can get in and possibly cause bone cancer in high quantities."
The Marineʻs insist that it was not required to report the spill:
Marine Corpse Base Hawaii spokesman Maj. Alan Crouch stressed that the amount of strontium-90 released into the environment as crews removed the helicopter off the sandbar was not a "reportable quantity." He said some military personnel were exposed, but at minimal levels.
But the radiological hazard was so severe that the Marines excavated asphalt where a raft was parked after removing the helicopter wreckage:
Due to rigorous standards, officials at Marine Corps Base Hawaii carved out asphalt that came into contact with strontium-90 after a raft used to collect the helicopter's IBIS system was placed on what's known as the waterfront ops area.
"As a part of the mitigation, approximately 65 square feet of asphalt was removed from an area where contaminated components were temporarily located and isolated," said Crouch. "Thorough inspections were done at all aircraft component locations – both during and after recovery and salvage operations – to confirm there was no remaining contamination."
William Aila, Chairman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources was not satisfied with the Marine Corps' response:
However Aila expressed concern DLNR was not immediately notified about the presence of strontium-90 on the downed helicopter, even if it posed no risk to first responders or state conservation officers.
"This is state land, it's not Marine Corps base land," said Aila. "We certainly registered some strong feelings about not being kept in the loop. We are in some very stern discussions with the Marine Corps base right now and working to ensure that situation doesn't occur in the future."
The state Health Department is checking whether the Marine Corps was required to report the release of strontium-90 to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which monitors the use of radiological substances.
"That is what we're checking with the NRC," said Eckerd, "to see if an actual notification was submitted to them."
I'm in agreement with Carroll Cox that we should not accept the state's testing results:
Cox however is still not satisfied with the military's response to the release of strontium-90 and is demanding further testing.
"Create an effort to go and address this problem because people can be sickened," said Cox. "People can die from this neglect of duty."
Another story about the radiation leak at Marine helicopter crash site
September 2, 2011
KHON TV carried a story about the radiation leak at the site of a fatal Marine Corps helicopter crash in Kane'ohe Bay:
Activist concerned about possible radioactive contamination at Kaneohe Sandbar
Reported by: Andrew Pereira
Updated: 8:28 am
KANEOHE- Environmental activist Carroll Cox says a helicopter that crashed onto the Kaneohe Sandbar on the evening of March 29, killing one marine and injuring three others, released radioactive material into the surrounding area.
Cox says he was informed a week-and-a-half ago by military sources that the CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter contained a device known as an In-flight Blade Inspection System, or IBIS. Within the device are six half inch pellets that contain the radioactive isotope strontium-90, a known carcinogen with a half life of 29 years that's easily absorbed by human bones.
"I'm told by sources that some did contaminate, that meant that these capsules were breeched," Cox said in an interview with Khon2. "I would like to see an independent entity sample that area."
Cox believes the popular three acre sandbar should be off-limits ahead of the Labor Day weekend until the state Health Department and the Department of Land and Natural Resources can guarantee the public is not at risk.
"Sacrifice one holiday rather than sacrificing the untold numbers out there that may become exposed," he said.
DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said testing of the sandbar where the helicopter went down would proceed Friday morning in an effort to reassure the public that all is safe.
"We'll go out and do an assessment and make a determination later that day," said Ward.
In a post accident report obtained by Cox, the Marine Corps notes the release of jet fuel, oil and hydraulic fluid from the downed helicopter, but there's no mention of strontium-90.
David Henkin, chairman of the Kahaluu Neighborhood Board, said it's disappointing the military chose to keep the release of radioactive material a secret, even if it posed no risk to the public.
"It's disappointing that the marines didn't report that to the community," said Henkin, a Honolulu attorney. "We're about to go into the Labor Day weekend and there's going to be a lot of families out there; we want to make sure that they're safe."
According to Cox, there is no evidence rescue personnel who rushed to the scene of the crash were told about the possibility of encountering radioactive material.
Radioactive strontium leaked into Kaneʻohe Bay from helicopter crash
September 2, 2011
Brooks Baehr reports on Hawaii News Now that the fatal Marine Corps helicopter crash in Kaneʻohe Bay in March, resulted in radioactive Strontium 90 leaking into the bay. But the Marines never notified anyone, not even the State Department of Health.
Meanwhile, Hawaii News Now reports that a missile defense test failed to hit its target off Kaua'i:
The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency says at approximately 3:53 a.m. (HST), a Standard Missile 3 interceptor missile failed to hit its target over the Pacific Ocean.
But the Pentagon is still planning to procure hundreds of these missiles. Bloomberg reports:
The Pentagon plans to buy more than 300 of the SM-3 Block IB missiles over the next five years, at a cost of $12 million to $15 million per missile, Lehner said.
State to test for radiation at Kaneohe Sandbar
Posted: Sep 01, 2011 6:36 PM
By Brooks Baehr
KANEOHE (HawaiiNewsNow) – A small amount of a radioactive isotope leaked into Kaneohe Bay when a CH 53D helicopter from Marine Corps Base Hawaii crashed onto the Sandbar March 29, 2011 killing a Marine and injuring three others.
A Marine Corps spokesperson told Hawaii News Now there was "none at the site once the aircraft was removed," but the state wants to make sure. Friday representatives from the state Department of Health and Department of Land and Natural Resources will travel by boat to the Sandbar to measure radiation levels.
Environmental watchdog Carroll Cox made the leak public when he contacted the media Thursday.
"What is most troubling to me in this situation was one, the failure to disclose it, and two, to allow it to continue to occur and progress without disclosing it and subjecting other human beings to this potential danger," Cox told Hawaii News Now.
The CH 53D is equip with an In-Flight Blade Inspection System (IBIS). A device is attached to each rotor to warn the crew of problems with the blade while in-flight. Each device contains a small amount Strontium 90, a radioactive isotope.
"We don't know if they recovered all six (IBIS devices) or what quantity they recovered or what was the proper disposal," Cox said.
The Marine Corps spokesperson Maj. Alan Crouch confirmed there "was some contamination" from the inspection system, but said the radiation was "contained," and there was "none at the site once the aircraft was removed."
Cox is not so sure. He faults the military and civilians on base for not disclosing the leak and is asking the Marine Corps, the Department of Health, and the DLNR to investigate.
"I'm inclined to believe that there is still radiation out there, period. And until they give me a clear bill of health that they have gone out with a third party, then I would accept that," Cox said.
Crouch said the leak was not made public because it was "not at a level to require notification."
Both the Department of Health and the Department of Land and Natural Resources said Thursday they did not know about the radiation leak until receiving letters from Cox this week.
Copyright 2011 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Nuclear Radiation Workshop: Demystifying the Science & Uncovering the Lies
July 19, 2011
Nuclear Radiation Workshop
Demystifying the Science & Uncovering the Lies
*Alpha * Beta * Gamma Radiation*
*Rads * Rems * Sieverts * Becquerel *
*Cesium-137 * Iodine-131 * Strontium-90*
*Depleted Uranium * Plutonium*
*Health Effects of Ionizing Radiation*
*Exposure vs Dose* Risk Models*
*Latent and Long Term Effects*
*Atomic Physics * Nuclear Fuel Cycle*
*Nuclear Power * Nuclear Weapons*
*Hiroshima * Nagasaki * Fukushima * Chernobyl*
In remembrance of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the dozens of nuclear tests in the Pacific and in light of the recent Fukushima nuclear disaster and discovery of depleted uranium on O'ahu and Hawai'i island, learn to protect yourself from the effects of nuclear radiation and the lies perpetuated by the nuclear industry with the power of knowledge. Join physics educator and peace activist Lynda Williams in a friendly workshop covering basic atomic physics and the health effects of nuclear power and ionizing radiation. No prior scientific knowledge required. Free, accessible and welcome to all.
When: Weds, August 3, 6-9 pm
Where: Honolulu Friends Meeting House 2426 O'ahu Avenue, Honolulu
More Information: firstname.lastname@example.com / 808-988-6266.
Sponsored by: AFSC Hawai'i/Hawai'i Peace and Justice,
DMZ-Hawai'i / Aloha 'Aina http://www.dmzhawaii.org/
Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space
Guam Senator Cruz demands demands radiation tests for Apra harbor
April 21, 2010
Senator B.J. Cruz from Guam is demanding that the Environmental Protection Agency require the U.S. military to test for radiation contamination be conducted in Apra Harbor before dredging and dumping of the sediment is approved. He is right to demand these studies. It is widely known that U.S. navy ships have leaked radioactive water in Apra. Given the nuclear history of the Mariana islands, it is reasonable to expect that there is radioactive sediment in the harbor.
In Hawai'i, radioactive Cobalt 60 contaminates the sediment in Ke Awalau o Pu'uloa (Pearl Harbor), leaked from the nuclear power plants on navy ships. The EPA knows this, but is not requiring a thorough clean up. The EPA should at least require that the military study the contamination of the harbor sediment to know the baseline level of environmental and human health risk that exists.
Cruz demands radiation tests
VICE Speaker BJ Cruz is protesting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's policy decision to not require radiation testing for dredged materials from Apra Harbor that would be dumped into the proposed ocean disposal site.
EPA said the testing was not necessary, prompting Cruz to fire off a letter to Nancy Woo, associate director of EPA's water division for Region 9.
"It appears then that the dumping of any radioactive sediment under that equivalency threshold is an acceptable practice," Cruz wrote.
"I take this to mean that, absent any proof that fuel and concentrated waste from nuclear reactors or materials used for radiological warfare were leaked into Apra Harbor, dredging and dumping may proceed without testing. That I cannot accept," he added.
According to the Federal Register, EPA is proposing to designate the Guam Deep Ocean Disposal Site as a permanent ocean-dredged material disposal site located offshore of Guam. Disposal operations at the site will be limited to a maximum of 1 million cubit yards a calendar year and must be conducted in accordance with EPA's site management and monitoring plan.
The Federal Register further reads that EPA should conduct an extensive series of tests and studies to determine if radiation exists in Apra Harbor waters or its sediments to independently confirm the Navy's claim that the amount of leakage from nuclear-powered vessels is insignificant.
Woo has sent Cruz the final environmental impact statement for the designation of an offshore ocean-dredged material disposal site.
In an April 14 letter, Woo assured Cruz that his concerns regarding radiation in dredged sentiment in Apra Harbor and its dumping in Guam waters have been addressed, but the vice speaker said he was far from reassured.
Woo cited USEPA regulations that prohibit ocean disposal of high-level radioactive waste and materials. Woo also stated that radioactivity testing will be required when there is reason to believe that elevated levels of radiation may be present.
The rules that Woo cites refers to fuel and concentrated waste from nuclear reactors and materials used for radiological warfare.
Cruz said he is concerned that EPA will allow the dumping of any radioactive material below high levels of concentration, which he said, is obvious.
Cruz believes that before any dredging occurs in Apra Harbor, samples taken from the depth of the proposed dredge must first be tested for radiation.
"It is common knowledge that the U.S. Navy discharged radioactive material into Apra Harbor on more than one occasion. It is imperative, then, that no dredging of the harbor take place until adequate radiation testing independent from that reported by the U.S. Navy has been conducted on proposed dredge sites," wrote Cruz.
Oahu may get giant radar
July 16, 2003
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Oahu may get giant radar
The military assesses the potential impact of a missile defense dome off Kalaeloa
Associated Press
Mooring a 25-story-tall radar dome and platform a few miles off Kalaeloa in West Oahu would impose only a minor visual impact "comparable to ships passing along the horizon," according to a military report.
That assessment of the proposed Sea-Based X-Band Radar being developed as part of the nation's ballistic missile intercept system was included in an environmental impact statement released by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency last week.
The mooring site off Oahu is one of six locations around the Pacific being considered as a home port for the huge radar device that would be towed to various sites during the testing program. The radar is part of a project from the Missile Defense Agency to target and intercept ballistic missiles in flight as a ship- and ground-based defensive shield.
If it is home-ported in Hawaii, the Sea-Based Test X-Band (SBX) radar platform, about the length of a Navy frigate, would spend up to nine months moored either in the Pearl Harbor area or three miles off the old Barbers Point Naval Air Station at Kalaeloa, and would be moved to one of three operational areas in the northern Pacific. It would have a crew of 50 and about another dozen shore-based personnel.
The radar platform and recent tests at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai are part of plans outlined in December by the Bush administration to have a rudimentary missile defense system ready for use by 2005.
Under the plan, 20 Standard Missile-3 interceptors would be placed aboard three Navy ships with improved versions of the Aegis system which uses radar to detect and track hostile missiles and cue on-board weapons to intercept them.
This sea-based system was outlawed under the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, but President Bush gained the flexibility of testing it when the United States withdrew from the treaty last summer.
The plan also calls for the development of ground-based missile interceptors.
The testing program comes when North Korea, which has a ballistic missile program, claims that it has produced enough plutonium for about a half-dozen nuclear bombs.
North Korea's missile development program includes the Taepodong-2, a two-stage rocket that some analysts believe could reach Alaska or Hawaii.
Besides Hawaii, other areas being considered for the SBX are at Valdez or Adak in Alaska; Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands; Port Hueneme, Calif.; and the naval station at Everett, Wash.
Civilian authorities in Snohomish County, Wash., have raised concerns about potential adverse effects of electromagnetic radiation on health and safety and the radar platform's imposing size.
Officials in Valdez, Alaska, expressed support for getting the radar.
The EIS reviewed potential environmental effects of a wide range of facilities the agency might build or upgrade as part of a new missile defense testing area recommended by Pentagon planners.
The report does not recommend a particular home port and that decision will be made some time after Aug. 11 by Gen. Ronald Kadish, head of the MDA, after the 30-day comment period on the final draft of the EIS ends, said Maj. Cathy Reardon, spokeswoman for MDA in Arlington, Va.
The $900 million radar uses a finely focused beam to track an incoming ballistic missile in space during the 20 minutes it spends outside the Earth's atmosphere.
The radar could not be activated off Oahu before an electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic interference survey and analysis is completed, according to the EIS.
During a March public hearing on a preliminary draft of the EIS, Leandra Wai, a Waianae Coast resident, said she was concerned about radar emissions from the SBX platform on top of her ongoing concerns about emissions from military facilities at Kaena Point and Lualualei.
"We're going to be sitting in radio emissions from radar for the whole length of the coastline," she said. "Now that feels pretty serious."
David Hasley, from the Army Space and Missile Defense Command's environmental office, discounted that concern. "They will make sure there are no hazards to people, period," he told the March meeting.
"Implementation of Sea-Based Test X-Band Radar operational safety procedures, including establishment of controlled areas, and limitations in the areas subject to illumination by the radar units, would preclude any potential safety hazard to either the public or work force," the EIS said.
"These limitations would be similar to the existing Ground-Based Radar Prototype on Kwajalein, resulting in no impacts to health and safety," it said.
The SBX radar is not expected to radiate below 10 degrees above the horizon at the mooring site and the relatively small radar beam would normally be in motion which reduces the potential impact on birds, marine mammals or sea turtles in the area, the EIS said.
"Overall, no adverse impacts to marine mammals or sea turtles are anticipated," it said.