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Tune in to the latest trends and news that really matter to you
When your chosen lifestyle, whether permanent or temporary, is one that doesn't involve bringing children into the world, the recent controversies over birth control and abortion can seem particularly threatening. But what many politicians seem more than happy to ignore is that all Americans will be impacted by limitations imposed on reproductive freedom.
As Virginia residents wait to see whether Governor Bob McDonnell will sign House Bill 462, a bill requiring women seeking an abortion to receive an ultrasound which, due to the early stage at which most pregnancy terminations occur, will often be performed with the use of a vaginal probe, and the Personhood Bill (HB1), which assigns full personhood rights to fertilized eggs, many American women and the men who support women's rights are understandably nervous.
I, too, am nervous—nervous for the women who could be affected by these bills, that is. Thankfully, my husband had a vasectomy years ago, so I won't have to worry about any of this if such medieval legislation ever slithers into my state.
Unless, that is, I'm raped by a male with viable sperm. But I'm sure that after the shock of such an utter violation of not just my outer person, but my very insides, my organs, passed, I could just take emergency contraception and do my best to move on with my life.
Or not. According to CBS News Political Hotsheet,
The personhood bill…[would] make illegal certain types of contraceptive measures, including emergency contraception.
And, as the Huffington Post reports, "[Virginia] Delegates rejected an amendment that would have ensured contraception remains legal once the personhood bill goes into effect."
I would obviously prefer a pill, such as Plan B, that would stop any cell-building before it even begins, but if the state were to insist on my having an abortion, I would accept that as my last resort. After all, the personhood bill doesn't criminalize abortions:
The personhood bill, which passed by 66-32 in the Virginia state House, does not ban abortions, the legality of which are protected under the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade.
And Section D of House Bill 1 reads:
Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as creating a cause of action against a woman for directly or indirectly harming her unborn child.
Granted, the language in section D is vague and says nothing about not creating a cause of action against medical professionals who perform abortions, but I really want to believe no member of elected office would knowingly manipulate or deceive the people. (I mean, yes, we should expect them to lie about certain matters of national security, such as what's really going on at Area 51 and any plans similar to the 1960s Operation Northwoods plot to kill innocent U.S. citizens, but this?)
Yes, probably this. PersonhoodInitiative.com's website explains the following on its "About" page:
Abortion has an Achilles heel, and that is where we must direct our attack. In Roe v. Wade, Justice Potter Stewart asked the pro-abortion attorney Sarah Weddington this question: "If it were established that an unborn fetus is a person within the protection of the Fourteenth Amendment, you would have an almost impossible case here would you not?" Mrs. Weddington replied, "I would have a very difficult case." Justice Blachmun then concluded in the majority decision that, "If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses, for the fetus' right to life would then be guaranteed by the 14th Amendment."
[Continued...birth control rights]
Great article. I find this scary...the mere thought of having the reigns pulled back on women's rights. I'm well aware that many " accidental" pregnancies are not surprises as people claim, and that people were irresponsible and don't want to admit it. However, I know that surprises still occur through birth control failure and even though my husband had a vasectomy and went back to get "approved " I still feel uneasy regarding the pssibility of a " forced pregnancy."
I'm late to the party here, but I have recently been trying to bring a related topic to the fore on this issue. The religious right, I have found, is not only very antiabortion, but they are very very pro-reproduction. While I do believe they support adoption, they will rally behind the childless couple in their massive spending and emotional agony of attempting to reproduce using science when the natural way fails. In all of these many attempts, we find now that we have shelves full of possibly viable embryos. They've now started an "adopt and embryo" movement, but it is most certainly never going to keep up with the numbers of embryos created. The only word we hear is from the guy in Vatican City with the big hat, saying it's not ok to use them for science or destroy them. I'm now picturing a Robin Cook-type scenario with all of these embryos out there. Did not these "pro-lifers" play god by creating these "things" be they people or not? When I confront them with this issue, no one comments. They have pushed pushed pushed to create more babies, and this is the consequence. I'd love for more of us who are prochoice to go after them on this issue.
As a Brit that has studied US Politics & History in the UK and USA and lived in the USA for a while - I am quite disturbed that the current policies surrounding abortion are going backwards.
What are the (in my opinion) Uber Right Wing Neo-Fascist Christian Fundamendalists - who play their own Gods) Politicians thinking? "I know- if the trashy whore sees the ball of cells moving in her womb she'll feel an instant maternal bond and change her left-wing mind and keep the baby!!"
There seems to be a very blurred line here between the Right to Life and the right to a quality life.
Women abort for all sorts of reasons - financial burden/ non-maternal/ life-threatening to own health/ rape/ defective gene pool - whatever - they all relate to the quality of life of someone - be it the mother or the child that may or may not be....
Whatever - enforcing childbirth upon women (and their significant others) just smacks of lack of choice and freedoms which the USA Constitution is built upon.
In the UK we have free contraception, free vasectomies, free family planning clinics - and a choice of what we use and when we use it - OK - so we have the highest teen pregnancy rates in Europe - we're a packed nation with shit TV - or course the kids are going to fornicate!! But the choices are out there.
You have to watch this erosion of your freedoms. This Personhood word - it's just a made up buzzword to give an identity to nothing that COULD be something. I'm going to call my next Lottery Ticket "MYEARLYRETIREMENTHOOD"!
I do hope this whole direction of policy is railroaded by common sense, the protection of freedom - and the American Way!
It is absolutely irresponsible and foolish for anyone to have a child they don't want and/or can't afford.
And it's inhumanely manipulative to force anyone else to do so.
Jerry Steinberg
Founding Non-Father Emeritus of NO KIDDING!
The international social club for childless and childfree couples and singles
How far are they going to take the whole what is life thing before you all know it we will all be forced to be Vegans because killing any life will be illegal! I don't know about you all but I love my beef and birth control!
I think its sad that we have to debate right and wrong of the abortion itself instead of working on the causes of the teen pregnancies. I wonder if we'd be having these same discussions if abortions were reserved for situations of rape and incest and not used as an alternate method of birth control. NOT having a baby is easy. I've done it for the past 30 years. Not even a pregnancy scare. Its not like tripping down the stairs. I don't think these "accidents" are really accidents. We know now what causes pregnancy. Its sex. We need to figure out what is causing these young girls to have no regard for their bodies and their futures to decide that having unprotected sex is ok and that having a baby at 16 isn't such a bad thing. It all comes down to parenting. And here I am on my "childless person teaching the people with kids how to parent" soapbox again, but seriously folks, teach your kids about actions and consequences. About the true value of human life. That if you have a child at 16, that child is so much less likely to succeed and thrive. If you truly care about kids, wait until you are ready. And don't think a quick fix abortion will make things better. Yes, I agree that abortion should be available to anyone that wants it but it still shouldn't be used recklessly. You WILL and SHOULD feel a negative emotional toll for what you are doing. Even rape victims harbor guilt for what they have done. Now imagine if you are stopping this pregnancy because you were too forgetful to take your OC or decided that just this once you were going to give in to your boyfriends request to not wear a condom. Its almost sad that we've done so well at eradicating STDs. (sarcasm font) Kids are scared of STDs but not at all scared of being pregnant. Ok, off the soapbox now. (PS - I don't have any worries that these bills will pass - just crazy pre-election drama to take our eyes off the real issues.)
This really is a serious matter, I'm surprised at how lightly people seem to take it. This sort of right infringement is ludicrous, considering how upset the people pushing these laws get about the idea of government intruding into their lives.
I had my tubal ligation on February 16th, which is kind of hilarious to me.
Here I touch on one of the major flaws of the personhood bills (which is that they don't actually grant personhood): http://sylviadlucas.com/2012/0...
Thank you, Sarah and Emma.
I'm grateful you took time to explore this aspect of the discussion because I believe it is one that does not receive enough press/public consideration. There are shockingly few female voices in the melee and I am really glad you titled it, "the War on Women," because that's what it feels like. I'm saddened that in this day in age we are still fighting what seems to a be an uphill battle with religious conservatives (aka zealots) who seek to impose their own antiquated doctrine on every woman's body. We have to keep the conversation going, and I'm glad you posted this. I'm sharing with with others as we speak!
Update (2.22.2012): "Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) revoked his support for a GOP-sponsored bill that would require women to undergo a physically invasive transvaginal ultrasound procedure before having an abortion on Wednesday." (via Huffington Post)
I appreciate your research and stance on this issue. It's a controversial subject, but the consequences of such political games can be life changing. So it must be addressed, and the discourse should be public as it has far reaching implications in our society. Thanks for helping drive the conversation.
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The West Hollywood municipal election has not even congealed yet, but Wehoans are finding themselves, to paraphrase Capt. Renault, "shocked, shocked to find that politicking is going on here."
With the deadline to file nomination papers for the two seats up for grabs in March, 2013 still more than two weeks off – on December 7 – but with at least six people already jockeying for position, and the issue of term limits having gained enough support to make the ballot, Monday night's regular city council meeting turned out to be "Pretty explosive," according to resident and Fur Information Council of America (FICA) head Keith Kaplan.
Perennial candidate Tom Demille led off public comments declaring that "this community [is] being torn apart," not to mention in increase in crime and decrease in reporting, saying, "everybody in the city puts their life in jeopardy when they walk our streets."
Yup, it seems to be the silly season already.
Next up was Scott Schmidt, one of the leaders of the Term Limits campaign, who stressed the importance of not personalizing the process.
"We can't make it personal, we can't make it about individuals," Mr. Schmidt said.
"We have to talk about what we love about the city of West Hollywood and not talk about our anger about the transgressions against it."
The politicking about those alleged transgressions came to the fore when Rob Bergstein urged the council candidates to "…stick to the facts during the election season."
He implored the candidates to voice their opinions, but first, "make sure it's [based on] a fact," he said.
He recalled former city council member Steve Martin's charges in 2011 that, "if you vote for Abbe [Land] or John [Heilman], they're going to end rent control and you will lose your apartments… not true."
Soon after those words, Christopher Landavazo, a one-year resident of the city running for a council seat accused the incumbents standing for re-election, John Duran and Jeff Prang, of contacting "many of my supporters," making them feel "uneasy" about supporting his bid to oust them.
He noted that one business owner dropped his support "in order to protect his business interest."
He charged, furthermore, that he heard from a partner of a business owner that Mr. Duran would not speak to him about a business initiative because of suspicions that the pair were working on Mr. Landavazo's behalf.
He provided no facts to buttress his claims.
Saying, "Mr. Prang and Mr. Duran, let me make this very clear, I am the candidate and if you want to target someone, I am standing right here," calling their alleged actions "thuggery."
Mr. Landavazo added, "We are not here to play politics…" but to govern responsibly.
That said, he suggested criminality in the way the political campaigns are being run by the incumbents.
"Given that your campaigns are both being run by [long-time political consultant/lobbyist] Mr. Steve Afriat, as much as I dislike your politics, as your friend," he threatened, "I would hate to see either of you charged with a violation of the RICO [Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations] Act."
Mr. Afriat is the most sought after and one of the busiest campaign consultants in the county, ranking as one of those consultants that "runs Los Angeles" in a USC Annenberg School of Communications & Journalism special feature.
His past clients include three sitting city councilmembers (Herb Wesson, Paul Koretz and Jan Perry), two sitting L.A. County Supervisors (Gloria Molina and Zev Yaroslavsky) and Sheriff Lee Baca, as well as esteemed West Hollywood council member Sal Guarriello.
Mr. Afriat is on vacation this week, so could not be reached for comment.
Messrs. Prang and Duran declined to comment on Mr. Landavazo's charges.
As residents streamed to take the microphone during an extended comments period, term limits got its share of attention.
WeHo resident and LGBT pioneer Ivy Bottini bemoaned the casualties of term limits, citing the loss of two lesbian lawmakers through the limit on their service to the state, Jackie Goldberg and Sheila Kuehl.
Candidate for council and term limit advocate Steve Martin, however, claimed that neither of those political figures could ever have gotten elected to the Assembly if not for the institution of term limits in 1990.
The term limits measure WeHo voters will decide upon in 2013 would limit City Councilmembers to three four-year terms.
The initiative would not be retroactive, meaning that all the current council members would be allowed to serve another 12 years in office.
William Neisch, another term limits activist charged that a press release issued by the West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic Club in mid-September "demonizing" that the group seeking and receiving help from Orange County Republican Jon Fleischman's California Term Limits Political Action Committee (PAC) to put paid signature gatherers on the ground in West Hollywood was actually authored by "City council member who won't be named right now."
He said the press release "sounded like some 1950s 'Red Menace Scare On Sunset' thing about people who want term limits bringing evil into the city."
Mr. Neisch was referring to Mayor Jeffrey Prang, who has acknowledged consulting with Lillian Raffel, the president of the club on the release's contents but who denies "authoring" it.

subset: commoncrawl


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Good idea or terrible idea? My husband and I are trying to be more environmentally conscious so we decided to look into transforming our old pool into a fresh water pool. Has anyone ever had an experience with this? We've been doing some extensive research but we don't really know any people personally that could give us their story without the whole selling gimmick. We just want to know how much of a process it was and if it's worth it. Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
I did a lot of research on this topic a while back. You may want to google "swimming pond" and "natural pools". The basic premise is that you use aquatic plant life to filter your pool water. I thought it was really neat, and seems to be much more popular in Europe. |
While I may jump in a lake, in my back yard, I want a sanitary body of water so no one blames me for a person to person infection of any sort. With a natural pool, this could happen. Scott |
Yep, its called a pond. Great place for skeeters and frogs to spawn. And in that dark water, where I live for snakes and gators to take up residence. Nothing beats the slight whiff of chlorine, being able to see my toes at the bottom of my sparkling blue pool. =) |
- Posted by kbirgerson (My Page) on Mon, Aug 20, 12 at 22:13
I did some research but I still can't seem to find someone with first hand experience, thanks for the help though! |
- Posted by womanowned (My Page) on Fri, Aug 24, 12 at 16:03
I understand that in Minnesota there is a trend now to use sphagnum moss for filtration. That doesn't mean it is totally fresh water though. It may be a start to what you are suggesting. You still need some process to kill the bacteria in the pool. Stay away from man-made chemicals. Consider salt or ozone |
It is reported to reduce bio-films that may have formed in some situations. IIRC, its mostly for larger and somewhat older equipped commercial pools, It isn't a chlorine reducer. Scott |
- Posted by oceandweller (My Page) on Fri, Sep 7, 12 at 3:15
I personally like a pool with a higher salt content. Swimming in the gulf of Mexico is a lot healthier for you than swimming in the pacific. Cuts heal about 1/2 as fast on most people, not sure why, but it is what it is. I guess its like epsom salt on a bruise? The water also tastes much cleaner. I am planning on going salt water but using a little more salt and a little less chlorine, though my wife will be checking params, shes a chemical engineer. Just a theory of mine :) Are you talking more about natural spring pools? There was a pool in Florida that I have been to that was all natural spring water. It was gigantic "about 5x the size of a normal pool". It tasted like nestle bottled water and that was insanely awesome. I imagine they pumped it out and had a top off system somehow, making it chemical free. Found it |
- Posted by oceandweller (My Page) on Fri, Sep 7, 12 at 3:17
Here is a better picture, its a killer http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Venetian_pool_coral_gables_florida.jpg It has been 15+ years, I forgot how stunning it was. |
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Justin Bieber's Best Boyfriend Moments
The Biebs knows how to romance his woman. The two have been on multiple beach getaways since getting together.
Source: Splash News Online
they r 2 cute 2gether!! luv u justin!!
Well if u hate justin bieber why are u on this sight?? LUV U JUSTIN ya thts right!! LOL but i realy luv justin!!
there not cute
you to are so cute together :)x


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This Spring Quarter at UCSC sees the return of Professor Fred Lieberman's popular course offerings on the Grateful Dead. Lieberman is teaching both the "Music of the Grateful Dead" with an enrollment of 400 undergraduate students, as well as an upper division Seminar on the Music of the Grateful Dead.
Lieberman presents an in-depth exploration of the music, and a contextual study of the sociology and history of the late 1960s psychedelic movement supplies background for study of the music as the band evolved through time.


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Behemoth vs. Deicide – Death Match
After some time off for the holidays, we're bringing back the Death Match! We've also re-vamped the Death Match Hall of Fame, which in addition to living on Loudwire.com, also now appears on the official Loudwire YouTube channel. Hall of Fame inductees will now get more exposure than ever, and these two bands will now face off for the chance to carve a path to the Hall.


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- Recipes, Printable Coupons | $5 Dinners™ - http://www.5dollardinners.com -
Spicy Chicken Chili – Give Every Night New Flavor
Posted By Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom On January 11, 2012 @ 6:20 pm In chicken,Recipes,Soup | Comments Disabled
If buffalo wings could be made into soup form, this is it!
Chicken. Spice. Celery. Blue Cheese.
Seriously. Yum!
I decided to double this recipe…some for us to enjoy at home, and some to take a potluck this past week. I only made a slight change to the recipe that I served my family…I added half as much of the red hot pepper sauce. I didn't want the kids to complain, or have red hot lips and tongues. And I took another pot to a potluck, made as directed.
There was nothing. And I mean nothing left in the pot. I brought a little tub of blue cheese and printed out a simple instruction card so people would know to add a spoonful (or two, or three) of blue cheese to their little bowl.
I will be making this again for the Super Bowl…it's seriously like wings in a bowl! And would be perfect for game day…or any weeknight for that matter!
(And don't forget to load ingredient e-coupons [3] to your Kroger (and affiliates) Plus card!)
Spicy Chicken Chili
Recipe from Give Every Night New Flavor [4]
Yield – 6 1-cup servings
Preparation Time – 15 minutes
Cooking Time – 15 minutes
- PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
- 1-1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1-1/2 cups sliced celery
- 1 can (15 oz each) Rosarita® Premium Whole Black Beans, drained, rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz each) Hunt's® Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Garlic, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons red hot pepper sauce
- 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
- Spray large saucepan or Dutch oven with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add chicken and celery; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in beans, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce and hot pepper sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken is tender and flavors are blended. Top each serving with blue cheese. Add more hot pepper sauce, if desired.
- Serve Spicy Chicken Chili with Blue Cheese.
And there's more!
I want you to try to give every night a new flavor too…so we're giving away the following this week!
Enter to win and you've got a few meals ready for your family to try!
1. Contest ends Friday at 9 pm EST. Winners will be announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.
5. Winner will be selected by Random.org [9].
**NOTE: If you receive the email newsletter and wish to enter this giveaway, click on the title of this giveaway to get to the site and leave a comment on the site with your name and email address to be entered!
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Fri, Jul 3, 09 at 13:59
Now that I have finished the Big_Deck behind the house and will be posting pictures taken from the roof so that it can be seen in its' entirety, I am thinking about pressure washing and sealing the deck at my office.
This deck is 10 X 50 - is about 10 years old PT and has never been sealed or stained. Is it too late to run a cleaner through the pressure washer and then seal it? |
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Pregnancy tests today are much faster and more accurate than those of even 40 years ago. Credit: Paul Schlemmer | Shutterstock.com |
When you think you may be pregnant, it's time to check with a pregnancy test. There are a number of options with pregnancy tests, and it's important to understand how they work, how to read the results and which one is the most accurate.
When a woman first gets pregnant, the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of her uterus. About six days after fertilization, the woman's body will start producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which will appear in her blood or urine. hCG levels will rise exponentially, doubling every two to three days. Pregnancy tests are designed to detect this hormone. The best time to take a test — that is, for the most accurate and earliest results — is a week after the missed period.
Home pregnancy tests
Tests that are generally done at home are urine-based. Private and convenient, most women will first try a home pregnancy test (purchased at any drugstore or supermarket) and take it a week after the first missed period. These generally come with detailed instructions, but are all of the same principle — they test the woman's urine for hCG. Some may require the woman to urinate on the stick directly, while others involve urinating in a cup and dipping the stick in it.
After a few minutes (varies depending on the brand), a window in the stick will show the result. If a line, plus (+) symbol, or the word "pregnant" appears in the window — no matter how faint the line is — that means that the test detects hCG, and she is pregnant. However, make sure that the "control indicator," which is another line in the result window, has shown up as well. If it does not show up, the test is not working properly and the results are not reliable. Be sure to check the test against the instructions to make sure that you are reading it correctly.
For maximum accuracy, repeat the test after a few days, regardless of the results. But accuracy is also dictated by proper use of the test, as well as when to take the test. Testing urine first thing in the morning is considered a best practice as your urine is more concentrated, and the further along you are in your pregnancy, the more likely it is that the test is accurate. Many home pregnancy tests claim to be 99 percent accurate on the first day of your missed period, but this depends on the woman and her personal hCG production levels.
Waiting at least a week after a missed period gives a better chance of an accurate result. Generally, urine tests are roughly 97 percent accurate, while blood tests are even more accurate. The earlier the test is taken, the less accurate the results are.
There are a number of home pregnancy tests on the market. The Bump, a website of pregnancy, parenting and baby information, has a slideshow of reviews to find the best pregnancy test for you.
Blood tests for pregnancy
Done by your doctor, blood tests can detect pregnancy earlier than home pregnancy tests, but they take longer to get results. Blood tests can detect pregnancy six to eight days after ovulation. There are two kinds of blood tests:
- Qualitative hCG test — this tests only if hCG is present, giving a yes or no answer to whether or not the patient is pregnant.
- Quantitative hCG test — this measures exactly how much hCG is present in the patient's blood, even the low levels. By detecting the concentration levels, doctors are able to better track the pregnancy and rule out complications like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriages. If the levels fall suddenly, doctors are alerted to possible miscarriages.
Understanding results
With home pregnancy tests, a negative result does not always mean that you are not pregnant. Try taking the test again in a few days or a week, as the amount of hCG in your urine may not be high enough to give a positive result on the test. The accuracy of a home pregnant test greatly varies from woman to woman, depending on a woman's ovulation cycles and when she decides to take the test.
In addition to false negatives, there are also false positives. These are more rare, but they do happen. This can happen due to fertility treatments that alter hormone levels, improper testing, chemical pregnancies where the embryo or fetus doesn't develop, and rare medical conditions. Medications — such as methadone, chlordiazepoxide or promethazine — can also interfere with pregnancy test results and can give false positives.


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Quick! Let's start a slow revolution…
Several ironies struck me about last Thursday's panel event The Slow Revolution, which brought together a group of speakers who have each been exploring ways to bring the principles of 'slow' to their life and work.
(Image via http://www.registryheal.com)
The first irony was in the format of the event. Cramming four speakers and a chair into a lunchtime event, meant each of the slowness experts had only about five minutes to get their point across, meaning that a bit of speediness was inevitable. It was great to have the diverse perspectives of each of the speakers, but I couldn't help thinking that it was somehow against the very basic principles of slowness to shoehorn the speakers together so tightly.
Irony two. The event was chaired by Ed Gillespie, co-founder of Futerra Sustainability Communications, and one of the fastest-paced speakers I've ever heard. Ed is charismatic and articulate, but he rattled through his introduction at such speed that any sense of slowness audience members might have been expecting to experience was lost in the quick-fire delivery and I for one was left feeling my head was spinning, trying to keep up.
I wasn't the only one to notice how quickly Ed speaks – the first of the four panel members to be introduced, Carl Honore, commented on it, noting that Ed was the only person he'd heard who speaks more quickly than him. And, he was being very self aware in saying so, proving himself to be the second speedy speaker of the event.
The third irony was really one of perspective. Carl Honore began his talk by waxing lyrical about the RSA, describing it as an oasis of slowness and calm in the midst of the rush and hurry of central London. He said that the multitasking busyness of the office workers and the pervasive need to deliver targets quickly was left behind the moment you step through the soothing doorway of the RSA House.
perhaps the RSA appears to be more of an oasis of stillness and slowness than it is for those who are working at full pelt in the offices of the upper floors
It's true that our building has much to recommend it, but I'm not sure how many of the staff at the RSA would agree that their working lives are free of the need for speed. For those who visit us, perhaps the RSA appears to be more of an oasis of stillness and slowness than it is for those who are working at full pelt in the offices of the upper floors.
Carl talked of the way in which we have forgotten how to unplug and disconnect, and I certainly recognised myself in that. Technology allows us to check emails and keep up with the latest developments in the world whenever and wherever we are. The modern world is obsessed with speed, be it speed reading, speed dialling, speed walking, speed dating, and even speed yoga. With arresting imagery, Carl suggested that we are so caught up in the headlong dash to achieve or attain whatever the current goal might be, that we are collectively 'marinated in a virus of hurry.'
we are so caught up in the headlong dash to achieve or attain whatever the current goal might be, that we are collectively 'marinated in a virus of hurry.'
The rapid tour of the slow movement that the panel members offered showed us glimpses of the slow food movement, slow cities, the slow education movement and slow work movement. Kate Fletcher gave us a taster of the possibility of slowness changing the structure of the fashion industry, and Gervais Williams introduced us to the idea of Slow Finance. It's all fascinating stuff, but I couldn't help feeling acutely aware of the pressure the speakers were under to say their slow stuff quickly.
I was therefore impressed by Deepa Patel's willingness to discuss this pressure with the audience. She told us how she had felt some considerable anxiety about how to get across what she really wanted to in only five minutes. It was clear that she had much to share in terms of what the 'slow process' is all about, but she also obviously wanted to get us to experience something of slowness.
She tried to give the audience the opportunity to reflect on what slowness really means, by urging us to think about the fact that we are never going to have this moment again. She didn't tell us all about Slow Down London, of which she is director, but instead asked us to reflect on Gandhi's three word summary of how to live happier lives: renounce and enjoy. In saying less, pausing more, and realising that getting a sense of slowness is as important as being introduced to lots of details, Deepa's contribution to the event was, for me, a valiant attempt to put the brakes on.


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Norwegian Bakery Gets By During Butter Shortage
By editor
Norwegians are suffering a butter shortage. The Nordic country has to go without, supposedly because of trade barriers imposed by the country's dairy cooperative Tine. And of course, this comes right as the holiday baking season is heating up. Lynn Neary talks with Lovisa Morling, of the Apent Bakeri in Oslo, about how the bakery is getting by.


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Check out some of the best events happening this May in Rockland County, NY, including Mother's Day events, kid-friendly shows, and outdoor fairs and festivals for families.
Take a Walk
There are two family-friendly ways to walk for a cause this month. But you'll have to choose: both are on the same day, May 1.
The American Cancer Society invites families and their dogs to the 2011 Bark for Life of Lower Hudson Valley. SUNY Rockland hosts the walk, which will be followed by contests, games, and demonstrations. Registration starts at 8am. All ages. $30 per dog in advance; $40 per dog day of event. SUNY Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern. 800-227-2345.
Rockland Lake State Park is the place to find the 2nd Annual Earth Citizen Walk to benefit the United Nations Environment Fund. Walk one or three miles around the lake. Kids can get their faces painted, too. Registration starts at 8:30am. All ages. $20 per family to walk; $8 per car to park. Rockland Lake State Park, 299 Rockland Lake Road, Valley Cottage.
Bang A Drum
Looking for some primal drum therapy or just need something to hit? Try your hand at African drumming when the Chiku Awali African Dance Company of Rockland hosts an aza, or festival, featuring hour-long African dance and drumming workshops. Vendors will also be on hand selling African crafts, clothing, and other merchandise. May 1. 1-5pm. Ages 5 and up. $15 for one, $28 for two, $40 for three, and $53 for four people. Nyack Center, 58 Depew Avenue, Nyack. 866-357-5062.
For the Love of Mom
Make a special gift or share a special story with mom this month with the following Mother's Day activities:
Rose Memorial Library in Stony Point hosts a special storytime and craft activity for toddlers on May 2. Preregistration is required. 10:30am and 1pm. FREE. Rose Memorial Library, 61 East Main Street, Stony Point. 845-786-2100.
Jill's Ceramics hosts Toddler Mornings on May 2 and 3 at noon, as well as a Mother's Day Workshop for all ages on May 6 at 3pm. Paint and glaze plates, mugs, jewelry boxes, and more. Preregistration requested. $15 includes instruction. Jill's Ceramics, 180 Germonds Road, West Nyack. 845-623-4975.
Enchanted Characters
Introduce your little ones to classical ballet with the timeless tale of Sleeping Beauty at Bergen PAC. Little girls will love seeing Princess Aurora, her handsome prince, the king and queen and their splendid royal court, as well as characters from the fairy realm: the Lilac Fairy, the wicked Carabosse, Puss in Boots, Red Riding Hood, the Blue Bird, and the Enchanted Princess. This special performance for kids and families features a "storyteller" narration. May 8. 4:30pm. All ages. $20-$35. Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ. 201-227-1030.
Food For Thought
Maybe most of us aren't the Barefoot Contessa, but with a little culinary help we can do better by our kids in the kitchen. This month, The Food Evolution in Bardonia hosts three workshops specifically aimed at parents. On May 4 at 12:30pm, Food Evolution founder and children's nutrition advocate Diane Hoch presents "Cooking for Baby." Parents can learn the truth about baby foods - both packaged and homemade-and just how easy it is to prepare their own. Class participants will discuss infant nutrition and prepare a variety of easy recipes that can be made at home. On May 9 at 7pm, parents can explore options for creating beautiful, healthy, and easy meals for the dinner table with "Simple Dinner Menus for Busy Families." And on May 10 at 9:30am, parents can get tips on "Creating a Healthy Lunchbox." Students will learn how to re-invent classic sandwiches into delicious and healthy lunches, and explore options for leftovers that save time and money. Preregistration is required for all classes. $65 each. The Food Evolution, 295 Route 304, Bardonia. 845-507-0260.
A Fair Bet
There really is something for everyone at Nyack's Famous Street Fair, which features more than 200 vendors selling crafts, clothing, photography, antiques, jewelry, accessories, toys, pottery, soaps, and more. There will also be a dedicated food court with festival food and a children's area with entertainment. May 15, 10am-5pm. FREE. Main Street and Broadway in Nyack. 845-353-2221.
Full of Wonder
Take a closer look at a wetland ecosystem and the wildlife that lives there when the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum hosts Wonders of the Wetlands on May 21 at 10am. $5. Muser Drive, Cornwall. 845-534-5506.
Touch a Truck
Event organizers tell us it's hard to know who likes this annual event better: kids or their dads. The Junior League of Bergen County hosts its 7th Annual Touch-a-Truck Event featuring SWAT cars, ambulances, fire trucks, a bus, a garbage truck, a race car, tow truck, and other vehicles. Visitors can see the vehicles up close and give some of them a fantasy test run. Proceeds from the program benefit the group's community projects, including Done in a Day, Kids in the Kitchen, StarPower!, and a college scholarship for high school seniors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to volunteer work. May 22. 10am-3pm. All ages. $20 per family of four in advance; $25 per family of four at the door; $5 additional members. Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ. 201-447-2292.
Let the Good Times Glo
Mention Rockland Parent for discounts at a variety of activities throughout the month at The Sports Place. The indoors sports arena features GloPutt mini golf, inflatables, paintball, games, and a gym. See our Calendar of Events for dates, times, and fees. The Sports Place, 600 Bradley Parkway, Blauvelt. 845-358-4263.
Also see: Our Online Calendar, for even more upcoming events in Rockland and the New York metro area
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Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) reported it is establishing affiliates to provide drilling, logistics, and electricity services as part of its corporate restructuring in response to Mexico's sweeping energy reform that ended Pemex's monopoly on oil and gas activities.
In an Aug. 20 statement, Pemex said it plans to keep its exploration and production unit while consolidating its divisions focused on natural gas, refining, and petrochemicals into one unit to be known as the industrial transformation division.
Pemex also plans subsidiaries within the two divisions. One subsidiary will offer drilling services to private and foreign companies entering Mexico's oil and gas businesses. Mexico's government officials have suggested the first private contracts might be announced as early as the 2015 first quarter.
Mexico's energy reform legislation was signed into law earlier this month (OGJ Online, Aug. 18, 2014).


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Fly Tying Class
Spend a day learning the basics of fly tying. You will learn to tie 3 saltwater flies.
When |
Feb 19, 2014 from 02:40 PM to 02:40 PM |
Contact Name | Brittney Zepeda |
Contact Email | email@example.com |
Contact Phone | 979-292-0100, ext 24 |
This workshop, sponsored by the Sea Center Fly Fishers, is open to anyone (ages 12 or above). All fly tying supplies will be furnished. Accessible for the mobility impaired. Minimum of 6 participants required for the class to make. Maximum class size is 12. Preregistration is required and will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 30, 2014. To register, email email@example.com or call (979) 292-0100 ext. 21 with the names of each participant, age if under 18, email address and a daytime telephone number. Cost is $5.00 per participant due at registration.


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Have a question or comment? Click here.
Are there things you want to know about the flu and the flu vaccine? If so, you're going to love this article.
I recently had the opportunity to speak one on one with Dr. Carolyn Bridges, the Associate Director for Science in the Influenza Division of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This CDC unit is responsible for a number of tasks, including:
Influenza, "the flu," is caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract and is spread from person to person through coughing and... Read more »
Have you had your flu shot yet? If not, you should get one as soon as possible. Flu season is almost upon us, if it hasn't already arrived... Read more »
National Flu Vaccine Week 2008 runs from Dec. 8 through Dec. 15, so this is the perfect time to get your annual flu shot, if you haven't... Read more »
Italian astrologers called the seasonal misery we are familiar with "influenza" because they blamed it, as they did all misfortune, on the... Read more »
To be unaware of the impact of the flu on communities around the nation your head would have to be buried in the sand. Flu related... Read more »


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I really need to build a shelter/semi enclosed shed for my GH supplies, tools etc.
I have an existing building that I'll butt this new one up to. It measures 10 feet across and 10 feet tall (it sits up on a wooden platform). I've recently securred some salvaged materials to use, (all treated deck boards, posts etc.) I have a vision, but I"m just not confident in just starting to build something without having a VERY clear idea of how to do it. I also possibly could get help (old reliable neighbor with power tools ;) if anyone has any ideas, I'd welcome them. I wold be building on the back end of this building, the side facing the GH. |
Follow-Up Postings:
You could try this: Lay out a wooden timber for the "foundation" that goes from the metal wall out at 90 degrees, across and back to the building in "u" shape the same size as the greenhouse you want. Of course you'd remove all the things you have stored in that space first to make the work go smoother. Then fasten an upright board to the building on each side as tall as you want the greenhouse roof to be. Place another board across these two at the top. Fasten all joints with metal fasteners. So now you have a "u" shape on the ground and one on the side of the building. Place two upright pieces at the outside corners (away from the building)and brace them. They need to be as tall as the front wall will be, less a few inches and shorter than the back wall, to allow rain to run off. Put a couple or 3 more upright studs spaced along the wall. Place the rafters at each end and as many between as you need to hold up whatever roofing material you will use, but no more than 2&1/2 feet apart or so. Add a door on one end and any more vertical studs to hold your covering. |
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Note: The 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 publications have not been audited.
Jump to: Publications | Grants and Consultancies | HDR completions
Margaret R. Zacharin may be from another institution or only recently joined Deakin University.
2006 External
Munns, Craig*, Zacharin, Margaret R.*, Rodda, Christine P.*, Batch, Jennifer A.*, Morley, Ruth*, Cranswick, Noel E.*, Craig, Maria E.*, Cutfield, Wayne S.*, Hofman, Paul L.*, Taylor, Barry J.*, Grover, Sonia R.*, Pasco, Julie A.*, Burgner, David* and Cowell, Christopher T.* (2006) Prevention and treatment of infant and childhood vitamin D deficiency in Australia and New Zealand : a consensus statement, Medical journal of Australia, vol. 185, no. 5, pp. 268-272, Australasian Medical Publishing Company, Sydney, N.S.W. [C1.1]
ERA journal ID: 15323 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-33748643014
Citation counts: Scopus - 101, Thomson - 106
DRO entry for this publication
No grants and/or consultancies found or audited – the 2014 HERDC financial return has not been completed or loaded as yet.
No completions found or audited.
DRO to publications collection last synchronised: Sunday 25th January 2015 10:04pm


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Learn how to get the most from your Janome Embroidery Machine
Including the new Top Of The line MC15000, MC12000 & MC11000
The MC15000 is now available and in stores in the USA and Australia. Special Deals / Promotions are available from some dealers, check out Special Offers Page.
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The Memory Craft MC15000 is the first Janome Horizion Memory Craft to use wireless Internet connection (WiFi) to allow you to communicate, now you can use your iPad® to talk to your MC15000….. via two included apps, you can also connect directly to your laptop or PC via the usual USB connection or "YES" you can you WiFi with the AcuLink Suit software.
Imagine sitting in your lounge room and watching the progress of your design being sewing out from the comfort of your armchair, well now that is possible.
The 9″ Screen is fantastic, so you need to get to your local Janome dealer and see this machine for yourself, don't go home without one.
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It's not just the largest touch screen on a Janome Memory Craft, it's the largest touch screen on any home sewing and embroidery machine to date. Capable of displaying tens of thousands of colors, it's brilliant, crisp and easy on your eyes. The new bigger touch screen makes navigation more intuitive than ever and gives you more room to work on your embroidery layouts.
Whether you do embroidery for quilting, home décor, or garments, the Horizon Memory Craft 15000 will help you complete your projects like never before.
The new Janome MC15000 has the largest workspace on any Memory Craft. Now matter how big your creative ideas are, you're going to have the room to stitch them out.
100% Faster
The internal processor is 100% faster than the fastest Memory Craft to date. That really saves time when importing and opening those big design files.
You want frustration-free sewing, quilting and embroidery, so the navigation is so intuitive, that changing from one process to another is fast and simple (like a one-step needle plate conversion), and time-saving features, like a new automatic needle threader are instantly useful."
Check it out NOW !!
See this amazing new machine in person. Ask about a free iPad® with the purchase of your MC15000*
Special deals available from our supporting dealers, contact them now and lock in the best deal available. Our Janome Memory Craft Dealer Specials
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If you want to get the latest, up to the minute news of what the new Janome Memory Craft 15000 has in store, or you just want to learn more about machine embroidery and digitizing, simply complete the form on the right and we will help you get the best deal available.
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Avian Medicine: Avian Emergency Medicine:
Presenting problem: Voice Change in Birds
Date: April 12, 2012
Author: Christal Pollock, DVM, Dipl. ABVP-Avian Lafeber Company veterinary consultant
Reviewer: Tony Poutous, VMD; Pet Care Veterinary Hospital Virginia Beach, Virginia
Key words: Voice, syrinx, trachea, respiratory, aspergillosis, goiter, seed, avian.
Key Points
- A change in voice or loss of voice in the bird localizes disease to the trachea, or more specifically the syrinx.
- The syrinx serves as the avian "voice box".
- In addition to loss of voice or a change in voice, syringeal disease is often associated with a high-pitched squeak or clicking sound with each breath.
- Depending on the species involved, important differentials for tracheal/syringeal disease include aspergillosis, an inhaled foreign body (i.e. seed or seed hull), the tracheal mite, Sternostoma, or Syngamus trachea, "the gapeworm".
Understanding voice change in birds
Understanding the anatomy
When a bird is presented for a change in or loss of voice, this will localize lesions to the trachea, or more specifically the syrinx. The syrinx is the "voice box" of the bird, a collection of membranes and muscles located at or near the tracheal bifurcation.
When compared to the cat or dog, the bird trachea is relatively wide until the level of the syrinx. The airway normally narrows at this point creating turbulent airflow. This turbulence means that some disease agents, such as an inhaled foreign body or Aspergillus spores, are most likely to drop out in the syrinx.
Recognizing the bird with tracheal or syringeal disease
Signs of tracheal disease are usually not very subtle and may involve "cough"-like noises and gurgling breath sounds. When the syrinx is the site of disease, common findings include a loss of voice or a change in voice. Birds often emit a high-pitched squeak or clicking sound with each breath. In some cases, these noises can be heard for days or weeks before the bird becomes truly dyspneic.
Signs of dyspnea or increased respiratory effort include open-mouth breathing, increased sternal motion, tail bobbing, and/or tachypnea. The wings may also be held away from the body as the bird sits in a wide-based stance (Box 1).
Box 1. Signs of increased respiratory effort |
+/- Wings held away from the body, wide-based stance |
Signs of tracheal obstruction include tachypnea, dyspnea, and sudden death.
Tracheal disease is usually seen in conjunction with upper or lower respiratory problems. Therefore, it is possible that your patient can present with more subtle signs of illness such as a fluffed and ruffled appearance, exercise intolerance and a prolonged respiratory recovery rate (RRR). A bird that takes longer than 3-5 minutes to breathe normally after being manually restrained has a prolonged RRR. A prolonged RRR may be observed with a host of problems including respiratory disease, obesity and/or cardiovascular disease.
Important differential diagnoses
There are only a few diseases that COMMONLY cause tracheal disease in the bird. The likelihood of each condition will vary with signalment.
- Fungal infection caused by Aspergillosis fumigatus is a very important cause of tracheitis in raptors. Aspergillosis is less common in companion parrots, however disease is more prevalent in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus), Amazon parrots (Amazona spp.), pionus parrots (Pionus spp.) and macaws.
The index of suspicion should increase when the bird is housed in an environment that can increase the load of fungal spores:
- Poor sanitation
- High relative humidity
- High temperatures
The bird with a weakened immune system due to corticosteroid administration or concurrent illness (particularly when treatment involves long term antibiotics) is also at greater risk for aspergillosis.
- Sternostoma tracheacolus mites of the trachea, air sacs, and lungs are seen in the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae), and less frequently in canaries (Serinus spp.).
In addition to dyspnea, wheezing, squeaking and loss of voice, clinical signs can also include sneezing, nasal discharge, and head shaking.
- Syngamus trachea is a nematode, which can be found in the tracheas of backyard poultry, pheasants, guinea fowl , and many wild birds such as corvids.
Infection occurs either by direct ingestion of the third-stage (L3) larvae or through ingestion of a paratenic host such as the earthworm. Therefore infection is much more common in birds with access to the outdoors.The smaller male and larger female worms are locked in a state of permanent copulation creating a characteristic "Y" shape. Young birds are most severely affected as the worms migrate through the lungs leading to pneumonia. Adult worms attach to the trachea and bronchi where lymphoid nodules form at the points of attachment. Hemorrhaging and formation of large quantities of mucus can plug the trachea leading to dyspnea, gasping or gaping, asphyxiation and even death. Pheasants seem particularly susceptible with mortality rates approaching 25% in some outbreaks.
- Mechanical obstruction of the trachea can occur secondary to inhalation of foreign bodies such as seeds or seed hulls. Inhalation of millet seed seems to occur most commonly in cockatiels or similarly sized birds.
Onset of clinical signs is often peracute in the bird suffering from a seed foreign body. The owner reports that the bird was completely fine, until respiratory distress suddenly developed while the bird was eating.
Papillomatosis of the oropharynx can also mechanically obstruct the airway (Fig 1), however the onset of signs should be more gradual.
5. Extraluminal tracheal compression secondary to goiter is an important cause of voice change or voice loss in the budgerigar parakeet (Melopsittacus undulates).
Goiter or iodine deficiency develops in "budgies" fed all-seed diets lacking vitamin/ mineral supplementation. Clinical signs are secondary to extraluminal compression of the trachea and/or crop by the hyperplastic thyroid gland. In addition to a clicking respiratory noise, voice change and dyspnea, affected birds can also demonstrate regurgitation.
Key points of urgent care
- Provide supplemental oxygen
Transfer the dyspneic bird to a quiet, calm, oxygen-rich environment.
- When the bird is presented in a relatively small cage, simply place the entire transport enclosure within a large oxygen cage.
- When it is necessary to restrain the patient to transfer it into oxygen, obtain a body weight using a gram scale and perform a quick, cursory exam if clinical condition allows.
- Humidify air providing 40-50% oxygen for at least 15-30 minutes. Two to four hours of supplemental oxygen prior to restraint may be preferable.
- An air sac cannula is indicated for severe tracheitis or obstruction to establish a patent airway and allow further case management.
Cautiously provide supplemental heat (80-85°F or 26.7-29.4°C) if the patient is fluffed and ruffled or thin. Monitor the patient closely since overheating can exacerbate respiratory distress, especially in the overweight bird.
Provide some form of visual security such a towel draped over part of the oxygen cage (Fig 2). See Basic Husbandry: Hospitalizing Non-Traditional Pets for additional advice.
- Obtain a complete history while the patient is being cage rested.
- Confirm signalment.
- Discuss the presenting complaint and the progression of clinical signs.
- Be sure to ask if a change in voice or loss of voice has been noted in any bird presented with respiratory signs or non-specific signs of illness.
- Take a detailed medical history. Has the bird been ill before? Is the bird currently on any medications? Has the bird recently been anesthetized? (Iatrogenic tracheitis and tracheal stenosis has been reported secondary to endotracheal intubation).
- Obtain a complete picture of husbandry practices. What diet is fed? What proportion of the diet is actually eaten? Are any vitamin/mineral supplements provided? Where in the house is the cage located? What is used to line the cage floor? (Soiled corncob bedding can promote fungal overgrowth). How often is the cage cleaned? Is the bird exposed to other animals or birds?
After taking a complete history and providing supplemental oxygen, the bird may improve enough to handle an abbreviated physical examination. Although it is prudent to gather supplies for all avian exams, it is particularly important for the bird with respiratory disease. It is also wise to have oxygen available for the dyspneic patient. Always warn the client in advance about the inherent risk of handling a critically ill bird.
In addition to standard supplies, gather a bright, focused light source like a transilluminator. Transillumination of the tracheal lumen may be performed in finches or canaries to look for the presence of tracheal mites, aspirated millet seeds or other tracheal foreign bodies (Box 2).
Box 2. How to transilluminate the small bird - Part the feathers overlying the trachea.
- Wet the skin with alcohol.
- Hold the transilluminator to one side of the throat.
- Observe the tracheal lumen within a darkened room.
If the bird is dyspneic, the clinician's initial response should be HANDS'S OFF!!! Dyspneic birds can die soon after presentation with the additional stress of restraint, therefore minimize handling and place the bird in an oxygen-rich environment (see below).
Case management
Obtain a minimal database when (and if) clinical condition allows. If the bird is dyspneic, even staged testing may not be possible and initial care will need to be empirical therapy that is guided by signalment and history.
- Radiographs:
- Complete blood count:
- Plasma protein electrophoresis:
- Biochemistry panel:
Obtain survey whole body radiographs that include the trachea. Depending on the size of your patient, the entire length of the trachea may not fit on the same film as the coelomic cavity.
Aspergillosis can be associated with a number of abnormalities including a profound heterophilic leukocytosis(Box 3).
Box 3. Clinical pathologic findings common with aspergillosis |
Leukocytosis Heterophilia Monocytosis Lymphopenia Regenerative anemia |
Protein electrophoresis in the bird with aspergillosis may reveal hyperproteinemia and hypergammaglobulinemia.
Biochemistry panel results can be unremarkable, but may indicate organ involvement if advanced aspergillosis extends into the liver or kidney.
When performing a complete workup, advanced diagnostic techniques that may be performed by an avian veterinarian include Aspergillus serology and laparoscopic evaluation of the trachea, air sacs and lungs.
Treatment will vary with the underlying cause but frequently includes supportive care, such as fluids, cage rest and nebulization as well as anthelmintic (Ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg PO or SC) or antimicrobial therapy. Antimicrobials can be delivered systemically and via intratracheal injection.
Treatment of aspergillosis is often very difficult. Itraconazole is one of the most widely used antifungals in the avian patient. This drug is generally well tolerated during long term use, however anecdotal reports suggest that the African grey parrot is more sensitive to itraconazole. Adverse drug effects can be observed in grey parrots at normal dosage levels. See Fungal Disease in Avian Patients for specific antifungal recommendations.
It is extremely rare to find a treatment in modern avian medicine that relies upon medication in the water, however this is the case for goiter. There is significant risk of toxicity in parakeets given parenteral iodine supplementation. Instead Lugol's iodine is placed in the water. The stock solution consists of 2 ml of Lugol's iodine added to 30 ml of water. One drop of stock solution is then mixed with 250 ml of drinking water. This solution is provided as the only form of drinking water.
Advanced therapeutic technique that may be used by experienced avian veterinarians include laparoscopic debulkment or removal of plaques or even tracheotomy in rare instances.
Further reading
Bowles HL, Odberg E, Harrison GJ, Kottwitz JJ. Surgical resolution of soft tissue disorders. In: Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Clinical Avian Medicine. Palm Beach, FL, Spix Publishing, 2006. P. 798.
Ford, S. Tracheal foreign body removal in small birds. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet. 2007. Pp. 49-54.
Jankowski G, Nevarez JG, Beaufrere H, et al. Multiple tracheal resections and anastomoses in a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna). J Avian Med Surg 24(4):322-329, 2010.


text:
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Prison
BROWNSVILLE — One of the biggest drug traffickers in the Valley has been sentenced to prison to nineteen years in prison.
The judge sentenced Eric Alexander after he was found guilty of distributing hundreds of pounds of marijuana and cocaine. United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley stated, "You know Mr. Alexander faced a very tough sentence, that's what drug dealers face when they participate in this activity, but it is a win for the community. We've gotten a major drug dealer off the street and it makes our community safer. Our goal is to let them know and let the public know, that we are here, we're not going away and we're going to fight the good fight in this because we think this community is worth it."
Sixteen other people have been convicted for their involvement in this case and the U.S. Attorney's Office says it'll make three more arrests.


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Cardboard Tube Snake
2013 is the year of the Snake according to Chinese lore. Recycle a cardboard tube into a snake to celebrate the new year.
- Cardboard tube
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- scissors
- Newspapers
- Wiggle Eyes
- Glue
- First paint the inside and outside of the cardboard tube with a background color of your choice and let dry. We picked red, one of the favorite colors of the Chinese.
- Then decorate the outside of the tube in a design of your choosing. Let dry.
- Using the picture as a guide cute the tube into a coil.
- Taper one end into a point as the tail.
- Taper the other end into a head for the snake and add two wiggle eyes.
- Cut a forked tongue from scrapes of felt or construction paper and glue to the underside of the head.
- Now go ahead and celebrate Chinese New Year.
This craft was inspired by our good friend Amanda Formaro at Crafts By Amanda where you will find lots of fun craft ideas.
You may enjoy these other snake crafts too:
Listed under:
Cardboard Tube Crafts, Chinese New Year Crafts, Reptile and Amphibian Crafts, VBS Bayou Crafts, VBS Jungle Crafts, VBS Rainforest Crafts
Tagged as:
What do you think?
Visit our blog at LittleFingersBigArt.com for crafty ideas! Inspired by Roylco products, this blog is focused on providing aspiring crafters, students and educators with unique arts and crafts projects.


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At a time when the number of new futures products is higher than ever, it is unusual to find one that elicits as much pre-launch buzz as the volatility products developed by the Chicago Board Options Exchange. In the three years since the Commodity Futures Modernization Act took effect, 478 new products have been introduced, according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, versus just 175 in the three years before the CFMA. The fact that so many people in the equity derivatives business are talking about the CBOEs new line of products suggests that these have a better than average chance of success. Last August, the CFTC gave its approval to the CBOE to form a futures exchange subsidiary. In late March, this exchange will begin trading its first product, futures on the VIX, a proprietary CBOE index that has become the benchmark for stock market volatility. The VIX, which measures 30-day implied volatility in S&P 500 options, is a standardized, widely followed volatility index that a lot of people recognizeand one of the few equity indexes on which there are no products today, says Sandy Rattray, head of U.S. equity derivatives strategy at Goldman Sachs. The index, introduced in 1993, has earned a reputation as the investor fear gauge because its highs and lows measure skittishness in the market and are often perceived as market signals. A high VIX reading means that fear is running high, and that frequently presages a rising stock market. A low VIX is often seen as a harbinger of a declining market. The CBOE Futures Exchange (CFE) plans to have a designated primary market-maker and a number of market-makers providing liquidity by the time the VIX futures are launched. The contracts will be traded electronically on the CBOEdirect trading platform and cleared by the Options Clearing Corp. The exchange currently has an open membership, with any CBOE member or qualified non-member permitted to trade on the CFE. Membership fees have been waived for the first 12 months. Patrick Fay, a long-time CBOE official who worked briefly for NQLX, the security futures exchange, has been appointed managing director in charge of the futures exchange. The CBOE has high hopes for VIX futures. The last time there was such anticipation for a new product was when the CBOE introduced the OEX contract in the early 1980s, says Joe Levin, vice president for research at the exchange. He notes that this is the first time that investors in the U.S. will be able to trade volatility as a listed product. Anyone doing volatility plays currently has to buy straddles, he explains. There will now be a direct listed investment that isolates volatility. Levin sees the universe of potential users as broad and deep. Hedge funds that use [over-the-counter] volatility and variance swaps are obviously going to be at the forefront of users, he says. Also anybody at a firm that has a volatility book, options traders, and dealers in variance swaps. Diane Garnick, a managing director and chief U.S. portfolio strategist at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein in New York, is optimistic. It wouldnt surprise me if its one of the most popular index-level instruments at the CBOE, she says. One advantage of VIX futures is their transparency. If a dealer lowers its volatility by two points, the only way for me to know is to compete for the same product, she says. Once VIX futures are listed, they will be marked every day and will be available to anybody. Volatility has two characteristics that make VIX futures particularly appealing to some investors. It is non-correlated with the broad stock market, and it is mean-reverting. The former means that volatility futures could be used as a portfolio diversification tool by investors, according to Andrew Harmstone, head of quantitative and equity derivatives research at Lehman Brothers in London. Volatility is more negatively correlated than gold or other products that people put in their portfolios as a hedge, he says. As a result you could diversify your portfolio that much betterthats one of the biggest potential uses of VIX futures. The fact that the VIX is a mean-reverting index indicates that when the index reaches high levels, it is likely to come down, and when it is low, it will likely rise. This makes products based on the VIX potentially interesting to statistical arbitrage funds and other relative-value players. Last September the CBOE made two significant changes to the VIX to make it a more useful underlying index for tradable products. It shifted the index on which the VIX is based from the Standard & Poors 100 Index to the S&P 500 Index, which is more widely known and has more than $800 billion in assets indexed to it. This change makes the VIX a more viable index for investors interested in hedging the volatility in their equity portfolios. The CBOE also altered the methodology for the VIX index calculation. Instead of being based on a weighted average of the implied volatilities of eight at-the-money options on the S&P 100 Index, the new VIX relies on a formula that extracts implied volatilities from a much larger range of options across strike prices. For professionals, this means the VIX utilizes a broader portion of the markets volatility surface, including the volatility skew. More simply, this means the index reflects a fuller view of expected volatility. Mark Longo, an options trader and former CBOE member, notes that VIX futures meet a clear and present need. Volatility is the biggest risk you face as an options trader, he says. A trader seeking to profit from options he considers mispriced can hedge volatility with spreads, but there are risks with that. VIX futures allow traders to hedge pure volatility. Longo points out that the new VIX is a much better gauge of investor sentiment. Unlike the old VIX, the new VIX takes its values directly from the S&P 500 options skewfrom the ATM options and the put wing and the call wingso it is closer to a snapshot of the entire month, he says. That makes it more viable for traders, since volatility fluctuates depending on the strike youre looking at. It is possible, of course, to trade volatility using options and through OTC volatility swaps and variance swaps. Indeed, interest in the OTC market, which began around 1997, has grown. Dean Curnutt, head of equity derivatives strategy at Banc of America Securities, points out that as the market for variance swaps has matured, there have been more trades, at narrower spreads, and with the ability to execute very large transactions. Users are mainly hedge funds, with occasional insurance companies, endowments and sophisticated pension funds executing trades. Customers that can trade in the OTC market do so because swaps eliminate the time-consuming and costly need to delta-hedge a portfolio of options. For the hedge funds that trade variance swaps to use VIX futures would surprise me, says Curnutt. In 30 seconds they can call [a dealer] and get a price on a very large trade and have it executed quickly and confidentially. He adds that the bulk of variance swaps are for a period of six months to two years. Demand for trading one-month volatility is not large. Leon Gross, a managing director and global head of equity derivatives research at Citigroup, adds that another fundamental drawback in attracting volume from the OTC market is that VIX futures are a play on implied volatility rather than realized volatility. He doesnt think the product will appeal to the more-sophisticated hedge funds that trade volatility or variance swaps with Wall Street dealers. Those funds currently trade implied vs. realized volatility, and anyone who trades the VIX is only trading the implied volatility, Gross says. Theres no realized component to it. Someone who buys a VIX future is thus hoping that the VIX at the contracts expiry will exceed the VIX at the start of the contract, regardless of how realized volatility behaved. For this reason, he expects VIX futures to be used by retail customers and by macro or fundamental hedge funds. Another reason some suspect VIX futures may be slow to build traction is that many investors may not understand that volatility has a term structure, which in turn affects the futures price. The volatility term structure reflects the fact that an options implied volatility varies across different maturities. As a result, there can be scenarios in which the pricing of the futures differs substantially from the underlying theoretical level of the VIX. If a market crisis occurs and the VIX spikes, for example, the jump in implied volatility will be reflected primarily in short-dated contracts, not long-dated contracts, because the VIX is a mean-reverting index, notes Goldmans Rattray. At the same time, he adds, an investor who shorted a VIX future before the implied volatility spiked must recognize that he could face substantial losses. Once VIX futures are trading, the CFE plans to list options on the VIX futures, pending regulatory approval, as well as other volatility products, possibly including futures on the square of the VIX. Market participants point out that an obvious candidate is the CBOE Nasdaq Volatility Index, launched last September. We obviously want to expand the volatility complex, acknowledges CBOEs Levin, but were going to do more than just focus on volatility. DKWs Garnick notes that volatility futures based on the Russell 1000 would find a receptive audience among institutional investors. That index is more transparent than the S&P 500 and the amount of money indexed to it is increasing, she says. Another product that has some backers is single-stock variance futures, which currently trade OTC and would be a cheaper alternative to trading listed equity options. For the CBOE, however, one drawback to trading these products would be that they are not proprietary products, like the VIX, so they could be multiple-listed on other exchanges. Citigroups Gross also points out that indexes will most likely continue to be the main underlying product for volatility futures, based on demand for volatility and variance swaps over the last half-dozen years. The VIX futures contract size is $100 times the VXB, or Jumbo CBOE Volatility Index, which is 10 times the VIX index. Until early this year, the futures contract had been sized at $500 times the VIX index. The doubling of the contract size was the result of customer interest, notes CFEs Fay. This shift suggests that the exchange sees VIX futures as a primarily institutional product, since retail customers typically prefer smaller-size contracts. VIX futures will be available for the two near serial contract months and two contract months on the February quarterly cycle (February, May, August and November). Futures traditionally have March, June, September and December expiries. The reason for the February quarterly cycle, says Fay, is that a VIX futures contract expiring in May, for example, will settle based on the implied volatilities in the June index options contracts, which will have exactly one month to expiry. The Fear Gauge: VIX Levels Since 2000 Source: Lehman Brothers and CBOE The New VIX Family VIX -- CBOE Volatility Index, based on SPX options (options on the S&P 500 index) VXO -- Old VIX index, based on OEX options (options on the S&P 100 index) VXB -- Jumbo CBOE Volatility Index (10 times VIX) VX VIX futures ($100 times VXB) A Glossary of Terms Volatility -- a measure of the fluctuation of the asset return (based on the annualized standard deviation of the asset return) Standard deviation -- the square root of the variance Variance -- the average of the squared deviations from the mean Realized volatility -- a measure of volatility based on the actual behavior of the asset return Implied volatility -- an estimate of the future volatility of the asset return Volatility swap -- a forward contract based on the realized volatility of the asset return Variance swap -- a forward contract based on the realized variance of the asset return Volatility skew -- the variation of an options implied volatility across strike prices Volatility surface -- a graphical description of the variation in an options implied volatility by strike and maturity Volatility term structure -- the variation of an option's implied volatility, at a particular strike, across maturities (a cross-section of a volatility surface at a particular strike)
Nina Mehta is a financial journalist based in New York. She is a former managing editor of Derivatives Strategy magazine and has contributed articles to Institutional Investor magazine.


text:
Jeff Scott
+2Posted on Apr 25th, 2013 | re: The 10 Best Bright Eyes Songs (137 comments)
"Nothing Gets Crossed Out" is definitely a favorite of mine.
+5Posted on Dec 22nd, 2011 | re: The 50+ Most Anticipated Albums Of 2012 (348 comments)
Sparta? LOL
0Posted on Feb 3rd, 2011 | re: Toro Y Moi - "New Beat" Video (Unofficial) (3 comments)
Sorry, this video does not exist. :(
+1Posted on Dec 7th, 2010 | re: Wye Oak - "Civilian" (Stereogum Premiere) (3 comments)
I loved this song live when they came to San Diego in October, can't wait for the new record.
And Noah's right, Jenn does shred.
0Posted on Oct 23rd, 2010 | re: Kanye West - "Runaway" Video (48 comments)
+2Posted on Mar 12th, 2010 | re: Hear A Song From Ryan Adams Orion, His "Most Legit Metal Record" (18 comments)
This is hilarious. You all need to not take it so seriously.
Though Ryan's most legit metal song ever was the song "Sarcophagus" he played at a show in LA. Genius!


text:
Sometimes objects in the landscape can be both a framing device and the focal point of a view, depending on whether your focus is near or far. Here's a tree which frames a view most of the time, while having its own sculptural interest at all times. However, when the tree trunk is lit up by the late afternoon sun, it becomes the focal point from any point of view throughout the garden. Changing light can do that in a garden, and is not always easy to plan for. Trees grow, views get obscured, light no longer reacts within the garden in the same ways over time. This particular garden is well located at the crest of a west facing slope overlooking the San Francisco Bay, so it presents many opportunities to use late afternoon light in interesting ways. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Frame or Focal Point?
Follow-Up Postings:
Another view illustrating how different viewpoints within a garden change everything. This garden is different than the average suburban garden in that it doesn't have any large lawn area to act as negative space, and is more akin to a Japanese Stroll Garden with pathways winding through the slopes to experience the garden. This same tree from the first photo is now definitely a framing device for a longer view back towards the house. Accent palms and trees were located to act as full stop focal points at key intersections of garden paths, framed by the others in the garden. Depending on the angle of view, each plant/tree/palm switches back and forth in the role it plays within a garden vignette. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Now it's a frame
- Posted by Phoenix_Landscaper none (My Page) on Wed, Jun 1, 11 at 2:57
Gotta love all the lush greenery in your photos. As a Phoenix landscape design firm, we don't typically get to work with such intensely lush gardens. But the principles you mention still apply. Each object in the landscape might serve different purposes from different view points or at different times of day. A wise landscape designer definitely has to plan for all the possibilities. |
Thats a really excellent example! I think that is one of the things that makes designers special; the ability to consider multiple aspects of one plant and its relationship to the surroundings at the same time. Its a part of designing that I have difficulty expressing at times. I really admire Piet Oudolf and his books have a very different way of expressing those varied plant qualities. The first time I read one of them I remember thinking that it was a glimpse into the way his mind works and it worked differently from most other garden authors. You are exactly correct when you write this "Casuarina torulosa is a fabulous accent tree if you like your bark chunky and corky, and the Cyathea cooperia 'Brentwood' tree fern trunk beyond leading your eye to the background shaggy Trachycarpus fortunei palm in the back center of the photo are all variations on the theme." As I was looking at the first picture I thought about how a tree as amazingly interesting as the Casuarina torulosa could become a frame - its color texture and structure is so dominant and strong. In the second picture it is very clear that the way it is balanced by the Cyathea does create the frame. I think in part it is the similarity of the color and texture of bark - but then the Cyathea draws the eye further with its branching pattern. |
This is what I was talking about in the other framing thread. When you focus your thoughts on one design tool, it does not make the other effects go away. Great follow up subject and example. |
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text: I recently joined the forum. Being "typing challenged" I much preferred to lurk for quite some time. I've had a fondness for snubbie revolvers for a long while now. I recently purchased a LCR in .22 to play with. After searching the internet, the snub nosed Smiths all seemed to have an aluminum alloy based cylinder which some had seen as problematic with extensive shooting. Factoring the cost and availability with that information I decided to try the Ruger. The Ruger has been a wonderful training tool allowing me to shoot three to five hundred rounds a session with abandon. Hip shooting, point shooting,and weak hand shooting all can be cheaply practiced now, and being a .22 the fatigue is minimized. I often will shoot several cylinders of .38's mixed in with the .22's and the accuracy and continuity of the practice seems to flow naturally, no real adjustments necessary. I currently carry a 642 if carrying a snubbie and not an LCR and that is what I have been using in these shooting sessions. The trigger and sights are close enough that it seems to give me a substantial training benefit, especially when you consider the number of rounds I will now shoot. Face it live fire is the best practice, and using a double action .22 is allowing me to economically practice much more than I ever would with a standard .38 . Overall I am pleased with the LCR and feel it will pay for itself in savings of practice ammo, and wear and tear on the larger calibers. Thats about it, just wanted to get a post in to say hello.