text:
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Acknowledgements
1983: Tim, Eric, and Engelbert Have a U.S. Open Talk. 1983: Engelbert on "The (Open) American." 1983: $10,000 Butterfly Canadian International Championships 1983: Huging Gives a Lesson. 1983: Chinese-Canadian Ottawa Tour Stop.
More Roses Than Thorns: A Three-Way Garden Talk. (Held at the Boggan home where Germany's Englebert Huging had been a house guest both before and after the U.S. Open.)
ENGELBERT: Well, Eric, you must be feeling pretty good, huh?
ERIC: Yes, I am—but of course the field for this year's tournament was relatively weak and I had only two matches to be concerned about.
TIM: How concerned in the Saturday night semi's were you with Kosanovic? You do remember that he'd beaten you in last year's U.S. Open?
ERIC: I didn't look at Zoran as the "Defending Champion"—didn't think of him as the man to beat. My play in Tokyo had given me so much confidence that it was easy for me to say, "Hey, remember what kind of World's you had and who you beat. So who's Kosanovic?"
ENGELBERT: So in general you try to think positive things about yourself and negative things about your opponent?
ERIC: Positive things about myself, yes, but very seldom negative things about my opponent—I don't like to think negative. I wasn't worried about Kosanovic because I knew I could block him down. I pride myself on my blocking—and I feel, as I get more and more experience, that my touch is improving. Zoran's follow-up of his serve is very good—he's leaning over the table and can come at you forehand or backhand. But after that he's kind of soft, and I can take him wide to the corners, then hammer away at his backhand.
TIM: And Engelbert, Eric—did you think you'd have trouble with him?
ERIC: Actually, I didn't think Engelbert would beat Danny—especially after that first game.
ENGELBERT: What!
ERIC: Don't laugh. You were lucky to win the second game. Danny's loop can be strong. But sometimes he doesn't seem flexible enough on some of his shots—he can only go one way with them. I thought Danny would be patient with Engelbert—then put the ball away as he did in the first game, but he slowed the loops to rolls and just sort of threw the ball over the table and always cross-court at that. That hard floor, those glaring lights, Engelbert's tenacity—maybe all those things combined took something out of Danny.
TIM: Eric, did you do any special preparation for your Sunday afternoon match with Engelbert?
ERIC: Well, for the final, the first thing I had to do was make an adjustment to my racket. I had to put on additional coat after coat of glue.
TIM: What good did that do? And you did it just for the final, didn't do it for the semi's?
ERIC: Against Kosanovic, I didn't do it because it would have hurt me—I couldn't have blocked back Zoran's loops with that much glue on my racket. But against Engelbert's defense I needed more zip and—I learned this in Sweden—the extra coats of glue act as a cushion and give the rubber more elasticity. Appelgren, for example, has maybe 10 coats of glue on his racket, then throws away the rubber and replaces it with another piece for still more elasticity.
TIM: That's interesting, but I was thinking more of psychic preparation.
ERIC: After I was sure of my racket and had physically prepared, had finished practicing, I got out of the Hall and went back to my room and relaxed. Then, half an hour or so before the match, I did what I usually do. That is, I do stretching, a warm-up, then I rest. I like to sit down, get my legs strong. If I'm last-minute not sure of something about my opponent's game I'll ask a knowledgeable player. If I want to talk to someone about something, I'll talk; if I don't want to talk, I won't.
ENGELBERT: So you've no mind-formula, no ritual, that you always follow?
ERIC: No. Every match is different. I trust my feelings—not rules. I don't think Americans believe in too many rules. We seem to believe rules are made to be broken. Often though before a big match I'll go into a room where there's a mirror and in private I'll look at myself and try to psyche myself up. This increases my confidence.
ENGELBERT" Maybe you shouldn't look too long in the mirror, huh? There's a song by John Mayal—
TIM: It's his Secret Sharer Eric sees there—his idealized conception of self.
ERIC: Look, I don't want to make any big deal about this. I don't try to analyze or explain why I look at myself in the mirror. I just do it because it works for me.
TIM: And, Engelbert, do you look in the mirror? How did you prepare for the final?
ENGELBERT: I practiced one hour in the morning, and was in the Hall one hour before the match. In between I was together with Eric in our room for a while. Readers might find it interesting that Eric and I played doubles together and shared the same hotel room. I might have taken a coffee or read 10 pages of a Woody Allen book—I don't remember. I didn't make any special preparation for the match.
TIM: Eric, after Engelbert came back to beat Danny in four, did you think you were going to have a problem with him?
ERIC: Well, I knew our match probably wouldn't go three straight.
ENGELBERT: Probably wouldn't go three straight? You expected to beat me pretty easily then? Why?
ERIC: I just have confidence in my game. As my Long Island confidant Avi Stein says, "You gotta believe." I do believe. I believe in myself.
TIM: So you didn't expect Engelbert's two-sided racket to fool you?
ERIC: Hey, Engelbert's good, but I beat three choppers at the World's.
TIM: The way you played those first two games against Engelbert, particularly the second, it didn't look like any chopper in the world could have beaten you. You really seemed determined to start strong.
ERIC: I wasn't exactly trying to play Expedite. Those first two games I'd loop a ball, then really rip the next one.
TIM: So what happened in the third game?
ERIC: A three-out-of-five-game match is mentally a long road. For two years now in Europe I've been used to playing two out of three. I think unconsciously I've gotten in the habit of preparing myself for such matches.
ENGELBERT: You had this same concentration problem with Kosanovic.
TIM: Yes, Eric, you won the first two games at 9 and 11, then lost the third badly.
ERIC: I know, I know, I agree. I consciously have to work on the problem of finishing off an opponent three straight. Maybe I was just having too good a time out there.
ENGELBERT: What do you mean?
ERIC: Well, I'd come into this U.S. Open just wanting to enjoy it. After my outstanding record at the World's [because of Eric's play in Tokyo he would improve his world ranking from #23 to #18], I didn't have to prove anything to anyone. Incidentally, Tim, going into my match with Guo Yuehua, I'd won 17 out of 18 and not 17 straight as you put it in the last Topics.
ENGELBERT: And sometimes you don't go into a tournament just wanting to enjoy it?
ERIC: Yeah, sometimes I don't. It seemed like for the U.S. Closed last December I was bummed out. For the first time in my life I'd been living alone—and for a long three months—and psychologically I was disturbed by my living conditions in Sweden (was disturbed just for those three months when I was alone—the rest of the time I stayed with very caring, understanding Swedish families who were very, very good to me). The last tenant who'd lived in my apartment had committed suicide there, and occasionally I'd look at the dangling wire to the light and think, 'Is that where he did it? Where he hung himself?' I didn't have such a high self-esteem then. But my friend Brian Eisner helped me over some rough spots. The damn toilet didn't work, always needed fixing, and because there was a liquor store under my apartment, there were always drunks not knowing what to with their lives just hanging around.
ENGELBERT: Yes, Eric, I know a little what you mean about lonely living conditions. I was once three weeks in Japan. I didn't like it at the time. But I think now maybe it helped me.
ERIC: Well, I know now I can live alone and can take the kind of loss I suffered in the Closed and can come back. But if I can help it I certainly don't want to experience either of those kinds of hurt again.
TIM: Sensible, Eric, sensible. You were saying that you enjoyed coming to this U.S. Open. As a professional player, weren't you upset by the ridiculously small amount of first-place prize money ($600)?
ERIC. No. Considering this was the U.S. Open, a prestigious tournament, the small amount of prize money didn't bother me that much. But I think the USTTA should have paid my flight—and Danny's flight—to Vegas. I'm a good team player and cooperate with the USTTA and sometimes I think they should show more goodwill than they do.
TIM: Do you like it that our prestigious tournaments are in Las Vegas?
ERIC: I like to come west. It gives me a chance to see friends and acquaintances I'm comfortable with and don't see often. Steve Shapiro and Bill Hodge, for example—people who help me to be mellow. At a tournament, especially in the States, I don't need much tactical help. But I do like Steve and Bill and others saying upbeat things to me. Bill was always in my corner and, once, in an early match, when I was winning three games under 10, Bill kept reminding me to take the hard shots that I'd have to try and make in later matches, kept reminding me when I was on court not to look around at the spectators or up at the tipped lights, but to look at the floor, to practice my concentration. Every player needs somebody in his corner who's honest, who watches every point, and who with a positive approach encourages you. You aren't interested in what anyone else thinks of the qualifications of such a person—if you feel he helps you win, you want him near you.
ENGELBERT: Yes, but traditionally players have Association captains and coaches. Maybe your friend does not always know enough, is not always serious enough?
ERIC: Our U.S. Team Captain Houshang has always been very understanding and helpful to me too. He's flexible and good-humored. One reason I enjoyed the U.S. Open final so much was because you, Engelbert, looked like you were having such a good time out there. If that had been Danny opposite me, he'd have been grunting with heavy seriousness. Though you were losing, you could smile ironically or even laugh at times. Of course you were in the U.S. for a vacation and getting to the final was a bonus for you.
TIM: There's no doubt the spectators liked Engelbert—they even reacted with amusement when once on missing a shot he yelled out "Shit!" I had the strong feeling that with his fist-up screams of "C'mon, fight now!" and "YEAHHH!" he was not just a charming but a very dangerous competitor and that you'd scarcely want to encourage him to take the match into the 4th and, worse, the 5th game.
ERIC: Perhaps I did get a little thrown off that third game, then maybe got over-anxious at the end of it. Or perhaps I was just starting to get a little tired physically and mentally. Anyway, at 19-all, I missed a hanger, then pushed one into the net, and let Engelbert back into the match.
TIM: Can you recall changing your tactics after winning those first two games? Or did Engelbert just begin to play better in the third?
ERIC: That second game I played as well as I can play, so it was difficult to sustain—
ENGELBERT: When you stopped playing at that very high level, I started to get used to your cross-court loop. You always looped it diagonally. Why did you keep doing that?
ERIC: Well, for one thing, that stupid cement floor bothered me. It's so hard on your feet. And you slide. I looped down the line much better at the World's. Also, because the conditions are so fast in Vegas it's difficult to play down the parallel lines. If I loop cross-court, it's much safer. Maybe, being two games up, I unconsciously began to take fewer chances.
TIM: So, Engelbert, would you say in the third game you started to get into a rhythm? Began to figure out how to get one-ball picks?
ENGELBERT: I wouldn't say I really got into a good rhythm. The third game was the least well-played of the match. Eric didn't play as aggressively as he had the first two games, and I began to concentrate better, began to get into the match more, began to fight harder. That change often happens among two players when one is up 2-0.
TIM: How is it, Eric, that Engelbert began getting those forehands to hit?
ERIC: Well, we played a lot of points. The ball crossed the net a lot of times. I'm not a machine. I tried to keep the ball low. I knew against Engelbert I had time to push. I waited. When I saw spin on the ball I attacked. Some pushes I couldn't tell the spin too clearly. Balls I couldn't read I pushed with my anti, knowing that I could mis-read the ball and still return it fairly well, since the anti's not so sensitive as sponge. Also, I thought when I gave Engelbert the anti, he'd maybe pop the ball up. Of course I tried unpredictably to mix the sponge and anti.
TIM: So after you pulled out the third, Engelbert, did you think you could win?
ENGELBERT: I thought, "Oh, now he has respect for me." I got the feeling that since I won this game I could win the match.
TIM: In the fourth, Eric, you were up 18-17, then lost three in a row, then rallied to 19 before—
ERIC: Yeah. At 20-19 down, I made a very bad shot. I pushed the ball when I should have looped it, and Engelbert made a perfect backhand placement that I couldn't begin to get to.
ENGELBERT: Yes, that was a nice shot.
TIM: The crowd loved it. Loved the match. Both of you had already earned the standing ovation they gave you at the start of the fifth.
ENGELBERT: Yes, I was very excited. I was surprised and pleased that the American audience responded so well not only to Eric but to a stranger. I had goose bumps when that fifth game started.
TIM: Eric, you'd been up 2-0 in this match, and with chances to win in both the third and fourth games you lost them both at 19. Now, in the fifth, you were up 17-14—and then, reminiscent of the Closed, you lost five points in a row. Naturally everyone reading this will want to know what honestly was going through your mind when, with Engelbert serving, you were down 19-17 and seemed about to blow this match. Did you feel the Vegas monkey on your back?
ERIC: O.K., I'll tell you exactly what I felt. I thought, "Hey, it's unfortunate I lost those five points, but I can't let it get to me. I didn't panic. Table tennis is a streaky game and I was well aware that Engelbert still had to win two points to take the match. I knew I had to watch his serve carefully. I was afraid he might try an unusual serve and take a chance at smacking in a follow. So I was determined to return the ball low. When I saw Engelbert couldn't follow aggressively I immediately moved to loop. Engelbert sort of carried that ball back and I cross-looped it in for a winner. Down 19-18 I knew I had a good chance to win. But if I'd have lost that 19-17 point, I don't think I could have come back. That winner stopped my slide and gave me adrenalin.
ENGELBERT: Shit!
TIM: And you, Engelbert, up 19-17 and having just won five points in a row, what were you thinking?
ENGELBERT: I was sure I would win. I wanted to give Eric a surprise or two. I wanted to serve and loop with my pimples. But I didn't get the chance. Eric made a good low return of serve. Actually, after he'd lost those five points I didn't expect him to have so much in reserve, to be able to still fight hard at the end.
ERIC: I was getting tired. But I think I have a lot more strength now than just a year ago. I have more power in my game too—those were good points right up to the 22-20 end.
TIM: But you had more psychic than physical strength? You're telling us that you never weakened, not even when you lost those five points like in your last final at Vegas?
ERIC: That's what I'm telling you. Of course I didn't feel pumped up, wasn't as psyched to win as I was when I was leading 17-14. But I've played so much after that loss to Danny that I honestly don't care about that loss any more. You can't change the past. And you can't be thinking negative, fidgety things when you're out there competing—not if you want to win. C'mon, I'm not a rookie. Ever since I was a little kid—five years old—I've wanted to win. It's the American mentality to want to win. Tim's got it too. As usual he went crazy when I scored that last point. I'll tell you though, I'm very happy I won at the Tropicana—because when I go to Vegas in December for the Closed I'll feel like a Champ. I won the big one—the one your sponsor gives you a bonus for [3,000 deutsch marks]. I'll be ready to win again, for I'll have been playing in the Bundesliga among the best professionals in the world—which is where for the rest of my career I want to be.
Huging on "The (Open) American"
I came to the U.S., to the Open at Las Vegas (Timmy's, July-Aug., 1983, 9), to see Americans, to learn a little from them, and if possible to take back home with me a different point of view. Most of what I learned, I'm sure, is nothing that you can literally write down. It's like reading a novel. It would be absurd to take down the facts of a novel—the plot—so naturally you don't mind forgetting such details. But what has gone into you from your reading—a feeling, an attitude, that is important and will surface later.
Not being a gambler, I knew I wouldn't be much interested in Las Vegas—but I wanted to see it. I found it, as I expected, a boring place—the people there bought, empty. The outward shine, the show-time glitter was there, but, with the mindless pull of a lever, the take of a useless card, so was the lack of light inside, the lack of self-illumination.
Did one really expect that such a venue would draw spectators interested in watching table tennis? I could hardly imagine them interrupting their addictive play to take the long walk to the Sports Complex. And the table tennis itself! The concept, the organization, the playing conditions of this supposed International Open. Fifty or more different events; 50 tables in simultaneous use with no barriered-off courts; a cement floor; and a time schedule that couldn't always be trusted. My God—all this is so without focus, so provincial.
There's just a world of difference between a European Open and the U.S. Open. In a European Open only the five best players of each country are the representatives. This tournament was almost a North American Closed: the U.S. and Canada in the final of the Men's Team's; Eric, Danny, and Kosanovic in the Men's semi's. The Americans can brag about Eric and Danny all they want, but there were no good players here from Europe or Asia to challenge them. For the most part, the player-spectators in the U.S. have no perspective from which to judge the world-wide reality of the sport.
I did learn something about American player-spectators, though. Perhaps it's because the U.S. Open is really their tournament—incredibly, they play side by side with, mingle with, the top seeds—but these player-spectators seem so open. Are they really so interested in others, as friendly, as they appear to be?
Certainly I lacked no opportunity to speak with Americans. Total strangers would stop me and say, "Are you still in the tournament?" Or, "I just want to wish you luck." And those more bold would try to initiate a conversation with "What rubber do you use?" To this last question I would always answer "Feint." Actually I don't use Feint, but a similar rubber—some unnamed Chinese pips-out rubber I picked up in Saudi Arabia. But this feint, this pretense of mine, I hoped would be allowed, since I really didn't want to get into the kind of lengthy conversation the answer "Chinese" might have brought about.
Before my key matches I wanted to be alone to concentrate. But in this Complex, with these hundreds of players, you couldn't be alone. Such an invasion of privacy would never happen in Germany. If one didn't know you personally he would never come up to you and start speaking to you. And about anything—it didn't have to be table tennis.
All this openness, independence, variety, it's reflected even in the players' sportswear. Player after player is dressed for bowling, golf, hiking, an open-air barbecue. A vacationer's paradise—this Tropicana Sports Hall. And the table tennis games! Everybody plays his own style, if so it can be called. As you can't learn a language without grammar, so you can't learn to play good table tennis without the basics. There are not many good players in America because the basics aren't there. Maybe, though, I shouldn't talk like this? Shouldn't be so critical—so open? After all, Germany has just fallen into the Second Division in the World's, and maybe it looks like I think we Germans are better than the Americans who remain in the First Division?
But let me tell you also that I like the openness, the fairness, the friendliness of the player-spectators. They motivated me to try and give a good account of myself in the Open.
I like to play in different countries, even under different, it may be difficult playing conditions (in 1979 I played in Hong Kong in an open hall with the wind blowing the ball about quite ridiculously). It's boring to me if I always play in the same place under the same conditions.
I hope I gave the spectators who cheered me on a good feedback. I like the drama of an exciting match. I like to be on stage—to act a little bit. Perhaps occasionally I overdo it, perhaps not—though once in Germany an umpire told me, "We are not in a circus, Mr. Huging." It may be, though, that in that line by that umpire there's a clue as to why Germany, despite its superior organization to and hundred times more registered players than the U.S., has fallen into the World's Second Division and the U.S., with its organizational chaos and only one or two good players, remains among the world's best teams.
The naïve Americans, amateur-minded table tennis enthusiasts in a world of professional glamour sports, like highly individual acts, and both Danny and Eric have grown into center-ring performers capable of winning an audience. Americans enjoy a circus, enjoy fantasizing. Even those who seem so dead at the slot machines or blackjack tables. They think they can beat anyone, win anything. It's a national characteristic.
Both Eric and Danny have the mentality to fight against the Chinese. (And unless you think you can win, how can you really?) The Germans, on the other hand, are apt to say [quite realistically?...too pessimistically?], "We don't want to go to Peking. What's the point? We won't ever to be able to beat the Chinese."
With an attitude like that, the danger is that no matter how well organized you are, there's no soul point to the organization, no dream.
So perhaps, as in America, as in Las Vegas, even a vulgar illusion is better than no illusion at all.*
$10,000 Butterfly Canadian International Championships
The $10,000 Butterfly Canadian International Championships—held just after the U.S. Open, June 15-17 at Massey Hall in downtown Toronto--featured 24 players (16 men, eight women) from The People's Republic of China, South Korea, West Germany, the U.S., and Canada.
How, you may well ask, did this select field come about?
Back in February, Canadian TTA Technical Director Adham Sharara had gone to China to work out an exchange agreement—Canadian players would come to China in April before the World Championships and Chinese players would come to Canada on a six-city Tour after the World's in June and July.
Since Norwich Union had withdrawn their sponsorship for the Canadian Open, the CTTA was looking for a high-visibility tournament. And what better drawing card than the invincible Chinese? Who could resist them?
For Cai Zhenhua, World #2; Xie Saike, World #3; Qi Baoxing, World #3; and Lijuan Geng, World #11, would sponsorship of such a tournament be forthcoming?...It would. The International Management Group (IMG), Canada agreed to help promote and market the event. Sponsors involved were: Canadian Pacific Air, the Power line of Bata shoes, and—through a liaison of Dick Yamaoka, the Tamasu Co.'s 20th-century Renaissance man, and Brian Hackeson, the Co's Canadian rep—Butterfly.
Moreover, surely the Chinese weren't the only players spectators would pay to see? There was a Korean community in Toronto, was there not? And though (for some financial reason?) the Chinese weren't going to be playing in the U.S. Open just a few days before, Korean Air Force and Korean Airlines teams were. If at least some of those players could manage to come to Toronto that would bring in ethnic support.
And Adham's wife Mariann Domonkos, and former Canadian Coach Zlatko Cordas
had strong connections with the German Saarbrucken team that had just had a very good season, and wasn't Herr Rebmann, the owner, looking to give his boys the reward of a little trip? And top U.S. men players Eric Boggan and Danny Seemiller—they were easy to get. Or so it appeared, until an emotionally spent Boggan begged off after winning the U.S. Open, sending as his last-minute replacement Engelbert Huging and me, Tim, to too sleepily drive from Long Island and cover the tournament.
Now, how else, thought Ontario TTA's Executive Director Ken Kerr and his Management Committee, Chaired by Tournament Director John Brayford, could we make these Championships a success? Well, past experience had shown that the Etobicoke Olympium was just too far away for the 2,500 spectators or so they hoped to attract. So why not try something different? Put table tennis up on a pedestal—or, rather, a stage. Right in downtown Toronto, next to a subway line that meant only a five-minute ride from Chinatown. Marvelous.
And whether the three-tiered 2,700-seat Massey Hall was or wasn't filled couldn't we get CTV to televise the matches (perhaps for their Sports Weekend show)? Of course we could—on their multi-cultural MTV Channel 47. (What, for 40 minutes, would go better on Chinese TV?) The "Thrill of a Lifetime" for a 12-year-old Caucasian who'd written in to that program was to play a world-class Chinese. Here was his chance and ours—a natural hype. Was Cai Zhenhua available? Coach Zeng Chuan-Chang said he was.
So, with all this planning, all this hope, all this effort—how'd the three-day tournament turn out? Might there have been an unexpected problem or two?
A certain emptiness inside for those who'd worked so hard. A very noticeable emptiness in the Massey Hall theater the first two nights. And, oh, it was so unair-conditioned hot! But what else would it be in the middle of summer, and when otherwise would the Chinese come? I mean the Chinese players, not the spectators. Though as May-June entertainment luck and a certain amount of rationalizing would have it, there had already been three major touring attractions taking up the attention of the resident Chinese—a martial arts program, acrobats, and (this was stretching the competition a bit), a symphony orchestra.
And where were not only the hoped-for Chinese spectators but the Koreans? Perhaps word-of-mouth had leaked out that there were 4 and ½ hours worth of matches during the course of the evening and not a refreshment to be had in all that fanning heat—except maybe back stage, and if one walked out he wasn't going to get it back there.
And the German audience? Where were they? They must have been waiting in a beer hall for Engel to finish.
As for the border-line Americans (the complimentary Chinese-Canadian Tour poster had a drawing of Ricky Seemiller on it—was that too subtle to draw them in?), they were at the Blue-jays' game each and every night?
And last but not least, what about the local Canadian members of the Association? They were all waiting for Sunday—to go out to Etobicoke to see the Chinese begin their Tour?
And, my God, my God, the Massey stage floor—no matter what you tried to do to it in private, it just wouldn't wash. Whatever made it slippery remained—so that ITTF rules to the contrary, the players, if they didn't want to be carried off to a hospital, had to do a lot of foot-stamping—on the wet towels and into the resin-litter at tableside. So much so that it seemed their Bata sneakers squeaked out, screeched out one long continuous protest.
Still, when on Friday finals night, 1,000 people came and Ken Kerr, heartened a little, struggled out of his suit jacket to man the mike, you really had to feel that, though the Association at best did no better than break even, it was all a tiring but worthwhile venture. There was a falling-down/getting up drama here, real-life actors—players and officials—struggling to go on, some caring more than others, but all putting on a performance that could never have been duplicated in any sterile film studio.
The three-day show must go on, did go on, for all those who believe table tennis can be not just a participant but a spectator sport.
Women's Matches
Canadian International Team members Gloria Hsu, Thanh Mach, and Becky McKnight did what they could (all were given $100), but against spin serves they couldn't read, they had no chance. Thanh, who, when asked, said, "I am Chinese," did not intimidate Korean Baeg Soon Ae, who only a few days before had gotten to the semi's of the U.S. Open.
Only Mariann Domonkos, up against Korea's Lee Jin Sook, had a chance, with something more than a bit part, of stealing the show. In their first game, the Canadian Champ was up 20-11 when suddenly from Baeg in Lee's corner came what sounded to me like "Beep! Beep!"—so I knew, with that encouragement in a game that was hopelessly gone, the Koreans weren't into giving up a single point. In the second game, Lee proved that she could do something—hit a forehand, but not much else. But in the third, the Korean rallied—got enough confidence to take her into the fourth where she was up 19-15. Mariann tied it up with some slow loops and drops, but then at game's end she twice served and twice followed into the net.
Undiscouraged, Domonkos opened the fifth with a slow backhand loop that was a winner. By mid-game, though, she was down 10-8. Then—a breakthrough—up 15-11. But Lee was tenacious and when Mariann failed to return serve, her lead was cut to 16-14. "Please," said one of the international umpires—Von Nottbeck, Wong, Craig, Kennelly, Skinner—to the Korean Coach sitting in a corner of the drapeless wings, "Please, no coaching." In his Power outfit, from head to toe, he looked most professional, but that didn't stop the Asian audience from tittering. However, it was Lee ($100) not Domonkos ($300) who lost concentration—she pushed one into the net, blocked another off, and Mariann won going away.
In the semi's, though, penholder or shakehands, it was all one, all Chinese. And in the final, after the first two games were traded off, Geng ($1,000), leading Qi Baoxing ($500) 21-20 in the third, had a hanger to win, but slipped and fell, then got up and smiled, as if to say, "It's fun playing here, huh? Different." As the match came to an end, Qi, the loser, laughed as if she were at a resort hotel playing a friend. How long would it be, do you suppose, before she got back to Baoding to see her boyfriend?
Men's Matches
In the Men's Singles, six of the opening eight matches (losers would be given $100) were won in straight games. Some of these I'll comment on.
Engelbert Huging, who'd come from behind to beat South Korea World Team member Lee Chang Hoon in five in the U.S. Open, looked a couple of times like he might do it again. Down 8-1 in the first after missing three picks…down 14-12 after missing two more, he finally ("I HIT IT IN!") threw up his hands in mock triumph at tying it up at 14-all. But up 18-16, in a rhythm now and all carelessly confident, he took one, maybe two, of the worst forehands I've ever seen—and eventually lost the game at 19. Which, needless to say, un-paralyzed Lee.
Then, down 9-1 in the second (Lee was playing him smarter this time—push, push, push, then flat-hit hard), Engelbert could not begin to come back. In the third, Huging, again behind, three times moved to within one point, but every time he did so, the Korean made a near miraculous shot. A frustrating loss for Engelbert. Know how I know? Once the umpire, back to the audience, discretely abandoning his microphone, quietly admonished, "Please, Mr. Huging, control your language!"
Saarbrucken's Peter Becker didn't win a game from Kosanovic—but for me he was the most interesting player to watch. I'd never seen him play before and was fascinated by his crisp, cutting chops and (though he had a crazy hitch in it) his often perfectly timed chameleon's flick-of-a-forehand that tongued the little ball out of sight.
In the first of the two first-round matches that went three games, Horatio Pintea, who's got a good loop, got by Choi Euy Song. In the third game, the Korean coach continued to advise Choi, despite some "Please, no coaching" token resistance by the umpire. That gentleman, however, soon began giving Choi a hard time on his serve—warned that "The ball has to be struck behind the line." In the fourth, Choi, up 2-1 in games, was faulted on both his first and third serves. Down 7-2, he seemed very unsure of himself, so no surprise he lost that game, and, failing to recover, the fifth as well.
The bearded German, Peter Engel, foot-stamping on the serve and following with a hard-hop backhand, had Caetano down 2-1 in games. Maybe Errol needed a drink? Former Canadian Closed Champion Derek Wall was telling me how when Caetano was a boy he once had to be admitted to a hospital for weeks because he'd been taking too much coke. (Sounds like one of Derek's stories, huh?) Anyway, Errol certainly looked in need of some cola or juice now. But then, alright, he won the fourth. And in the fifth, with a late-game flurry of third-ball follows, and an inspired not to say wild backhand, he came away a winner.
In the first of the straight-game quarter's (losers would earn $300), Kosanovic beat Seemiller who I thought looked a little tired, a little slow. On readying himself to play the second, Danny said his strategy was no more, no less than "Basically, I'm just going to try to wear him down." But that was obviously going to be difficult, for, playing un-aggressively, popping the ball up, Danny was 6-0 down. Still, he quickly got to 11-all. Only then he just didn't seem to have much of the power, the freshness he'd had when he beat Zoki rather easily in the Team's at Vegas the week before. In the third, he was passively blocking the ball so high and just not moving that he was down 14-4 and saying sotto voce, "A nice way to end the season, huh?"
Pintea, in a close five-gamer, lost to the Lee Caetano had beaten in the International Team Matches at the U.S. Open. After coming back from two games down and a 5-0 deficit in the fifth, he was up 18-17 with his serve, but couldn't hold on to win.
After carefully dusting, powdering, and washing his extra-sticky Double Happiness racket that he'd picked up in Hong Kong, Caetano, playing very, very well, proceeded to split the first two games with Cai, who at one point went after a ball by doing a cartwheel. Later, on his way to ending the match, 19 in the 4th, with his customary sneer and follow, Cai went into a half-crouch and gave Errol four of the most incredible serves I've ever seen—two of which he, Cai, put into the bottom of the net, and two of which Errol did.
Both Cai and Xie Saike, who'd downed Canada's Joe Ng, fell on the slippery dangerous floor, and Cai on getting up went hurriedly over to his corner and taking off his pretty new Bata shoes put on his old ones.
In the first of the semi's (losers get $750), Cai dropped a string of points at the end…until Lee got to 19. Then the Chinese went for his towel, sneered or smiled, came back, served and followed for the point. In the second, Lee tried to fool Cai with a fast unexpected serve, but Cai, gunslinger-like, bullet-looped it back. Cai 20—Lee 6. The third game was practically a repeat of the first. Cai, up 19-15, played cat and mouse with Lee—until, up 23-22, he whipped out his gun, twirled his racket, and whirled into a serve and follow.
In the other semi's, Xie Saike was mixing it up with Kosanovic. In the first, Zoki, fighting to keep Xie from pinning him tight to the backhand, barely prevailed at 19. In the second, Zoki at the end failed to return serve, but then snapped in, as no one else in North America could, a beautiful rabbit-hopping, down-the-line backhand. Finally, though, Xie got a slow roll in to win it.
Both Coach Su and Caetano's return-of-serve advice to Kosanovic was: "Don't slow-push Xie's short serve up the middle; instead, give a quick push down his backhand side and move to take advantage of his return." From 20-17 down, Zoki deuced it, then had pips-out Xie back lobbing until—oh, oh—Xie countered with a perfect passing placement…and won the game.
More advice from Su and Caetano. "Zoki," said Errol, "his pips are dropping the ball. You gotta pick it up at the table. Then you can go back to loop." Soon, though, Zoki was back curving lobs table-ward as Xie was driving him off the stage and into the audience. Zoki was down…like out of the wrestling ring…11-4. "After a few loops, sweat comes down into my hands and I can't get a good grip," he complained. Still, as the losing semifinalist, his prize was $750.
In the first game of the exhibition final between the Chinese (1st-Place: $2,500; 2nd Place: $1,500), Xie, as the score mounted, kept looking at the electronic scoreboard. What kind of fantasy was he having? Cai, down 20-19, foor-stamped a serve (a signal of some sort?) and Xie dumped the ball into the net. Then at deuce Cai tried the most ridiculous sidespin return—and the first game went to Xie. In the second, Cai got quick revenge—was up 13-3. As Xie smacked in an unbelievable backhand, I looked over at the TV people working the camera nearest me. They looked very bored. Perhaps Cai was too far ahead this game?
At 1-0 in the third, Cai called "Time" and went to his corner for a drink (Or was it to change his racket? Someone told me, you can't play a good exhibition with a "junk" racket.) The international umpires looked at one another, but quite sensibly, rule or no rule, no one wanted to call it. Down 19-16, Cai took to lobbing, Xie to chopping…lumberjack hard, down on the ball.
In the fourth and final game, Cai began lobbing early: daringly, he tight-roped the curve-edge of the stage as Xie sliced boomerang balls at him. Although the exhibition was severely curtailed because of the dangerous floor, it was still good enough to send some of the crowd bananas—slipping some of them into near hysterics, for Cai was twice down off the stage trying to get an answering curve back so that play would go on. So, o.k., Xie first, Cai second—$4,000 for the two of them, professionals to the end.
Huging Gives a Lesson
At the U.S. Open in Las Vegas, world-ranked Engelbert Huging defeated Canadian National Team member Horatio Pintea three straight. A week later, at the Carleton College Training Center in Ottawa, on the very day Pintea was to participate in a Canadian-Chinese Tour match against Cai Zhenhua, Engelbert played a practice session with 2456-rated Horatio and in effect gave him (Timmy's, July-Aug., 1983, 19) an hour-long lesson, a part of which I'll describe here.
After an easy exchange of balls allowing the players to warm up and work into their natural rhythms, the lesson started in earnest. However energetic and willing Horatio was, he continued to have more than a little trouble with Engelbert's chop defense. "Higher!" Engelbert would roar intimidatingly, as Pintea, without much confidence, kept top-spinning into the net. "Why are you jumping at the ball?" Huging would ask rhetorically. "Because you think you can lift it better that way? Can you really?"
Now Horatio began top-spinning into Engelbert's backhand, and Engelbert, continually switching his racket forced Horatio ("Think what I'm doing against you!" he'd say) to deal with variations of spin—the heavy chop and floater from the twirled-to inverted side, and the reaction of the twirled-to pips-out side. Horatio's two-fold problem was (1) to read the spin and (2) to pick out the right ball to hit in for a winner.
As practice went on, Huging would deliberately limit his returns to three-fourths of the table, and alternately would allow Horatio to concentrate only on a series of forehands, then on a series of backhands while of course Engelbert would continue to vary the spin. Then there was drop shot practice ("stop shot" Huging called it). Once, against a drop, Engelbert came dashing in to smash, only to hit the ball on the edge of his racket. Unconsciously, he began inspecting his blade. Then, looking up, he saw me watching him and caught himself. "We always do this—I hate it. It's so stupid, huh? We players make a mistake, then look at our bat. It's so stupid—there's nothing to see."
Serve practice was next. And Engelbert's job was to come at Horatio with a serve and follow third-ball attack. Horatio had to discover which serve Engelbert attacked best with—and how to stop it.
As the varied play continued, Engelbert made the point, "I can't say what exactly you MUST do on any occasion, but I can say generally, "Steadiness is not enough. Patience is not enough. You have to do something to win the point. You must always adapt, must always use your own judgment. And you must act."
In their last exercise, Horatio would have to read Engelbert's changing spin and would have to practice one power shot after another to try and keep his forehand advantage and end the point. Engelbert, back from the table at the start, would have to fight hard, sweat out each point from afar to get back into scoring position. Horatio's point-scoring difficulties reminded Engelbert of how once, while training in Japan, he'd lost to a girl—and how his trainer, former World Champion Ichiro Ogimura, had made him crawl under the table on all fours like a dog.**
For both Horatio, smacking the ball with all his might, and Engelbert, retrieving it from out of the hands of dozens of imaginary spectators, this last exercise was an inspiration. Both teacher and pupil were world beaters—were, even more, comrades. "You're not so afraid to play me now, are you?" said Engelbert to Horatio with a handshake, a smile and a wink.
Chinese-Canadian Tour Match
This International Match between The People's Republic of China and Canada was held in Ottawa June 20th during Prince Charles and Princess Di's visit (no, they didn't come to watch). It was the second of six such matches (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, Victoria, and Vancouver) that came into being with the help of government funding and the sponsorship of Canadian Pacific Air, Molson's, and Seagram's.
The ballroom of the Skyline Hotel was the venue—and it was just ideal. Thanks primarily to Michele Goyette, CTTA Administration Assistant, the court and its surroundings looked absolutely wonderful.
Bleachers were brought up close to accommodate the 750-1,000 spectators who were expected to show And did, and in between these bleachers and the sides of the court were blue VIP "boxes" draped off to contain four seats in a box. Inside the court proper there were bouquets of flowers; green cloth-covered tables for Marc Richard and other umpiring officials to sit at; and Joola scoreboards.
At precisely two minutes till eight, the ballroom was darkened, so that the focus was perfect—only the dim lights over the table prevailed. The players marched in and, with a special floral presentation to each team, the trilingual (English, French, Chinese) ceremonies began. It was a floor show that induced an intimacy. (In both the earlier Butterfly Invitational and the Tour's first stop, the Etobicoke International in Toronto, there was too much emptiness, too much distance between the performers and their audience).
"I'm so happy," said Goyette. It was the kind of line—that of a man proud of his work—that would appeal to both CTTA President George Pardon and CTTA Technical Director Adham Sharara who was again doing the color commentary.
The crowd watching the opening one-sided match between Qi Baoxing, World #3, and Thanh Mach, Canada #2, was in good spirits too. They laughed knowledgeably, sympathetically, along with Thanh as she futilely tried to return Qi's tricky sidespin serves. They weren't the least self-conscious about not taking the match too seriously. If Thanh could be good-humored, they could be too.
Romanian defector Horatio Pintea was not over-awed by Cai Zhenhua. In 1980 he'd played 1983 World quarterfinalist Cheng Xinhua before 2,000 people in his home town of Oradea. Moreover, although Horatio didn't start playing the sport until he was 14, he'd been making up for lost time, had developed a good touch. Once, after he'd been at it almost every day for months, he was advised to take three weeks off. But by the third day he was calling Sharara, pleading with him to find an opponent—someone, anyone, Sharara himself—he was that desperate.
Two-time World finalist Cai Zhenhua had been in a playful mood. At the Etobicoke Olympium, discovering that he'd lost his bag with his anti racket in it, he borrowed Xie Saike's penholder pips-out racket and, playing shake-hands with it, had beaten Kosanovoc 14, 12. Which makes one agree with the uninitiated Chinese sitting next to me, who, watching Cai go 12-6 up in the first, said, "He's pretty good."
Cai's serve and follow movement in which his body looks like it's going away from the ball, then at the last possible moment snap-catapults into it, is really awesome. No wonder when he doesn't win the point, he has this habit of looking at Coach Zeng with an apologetic, cockily-ironic smile.
At 10-all in the second, Horatio squats, gives Cai his spinniest sidespin serve. Cai all-out aces him. Discouraging? Nope. Up 18-17, Horatio puts Cai's first serve into the bottom of the net, the second one off. Up 20-19, Cai sneers or smiles, difficult to say which, serves, and 20-19 follows for the win. Discouraging? Well, maybe a little.
The match between Domonkos, many-time Canadian Women's Champ, and Lijuan Geng, destined to be 1985 World Women's Doubles and 1987 World Mixed Doubles Champion, has a more serious tone to it. Perhaps too serious. But with such a rare chance to play a Chinese, 25-year-old Mariann wants to make the most of it. She isn't out there to roll her eyes in teenage wonderment and smile appealingly. She wants to win, whatever the odds. But Geng, forefinger up unorthodox on the racket as she takes that nice, easy little stroke that explodes the ball, is just too strong.
The evening's program is fast, zippy, entertaining. And should anyone like me want a drink, he or she has only to walk to the bar inside or outside the ballroom.
Xie Saike, World #3, can take the offense away from Canadian Champ Kosanovic if he wants to. And the first game, as he hooks one away from Zoki, he 7-0 wants to. Wants 15-3 to do it in the second game too. That match finished, Xie, playing like maybe the best player in the world, joins Geng in a Mixed Doubles win over Canadian Champions Pintea/Domonkos.
Finally comes what the spectators have been waiting for—The Exhibition. And what an exhibition it is, whether Cai is playing with his normal anti or immaterially not. Here they do what at slippery Massey Hall they dared not do. Interchangeably, they attacked or defended. dropped and scooped up returns, and reversed table ends. Swerving sidespins from out of the laps of spectators were won and lost at the net-posts opposite. Under the table the acrobatic Cai slid, tunneled; over the table he seemed to float. They could keep the ball in play any way they wanted. "The Harlem Globetrotters of Ping" one reporter called them.
Most in the audience had never seen anything like it. They gave the Chinese such a standing ovation that they had to come out for a third-game encore. In this ballroom, this evening, everyone had a ball.
*Dick Evans, in his "The Pang of Ping-Pong (Apologies to Puccini)" article (Timmy's, Nov.-Dec., 1983, 4), has this to say about Engelbert Huging's "The (Open) American":
"…A century and a half ago Alexis de Tocqueville developed a similar love/hate relationship with the young republic: attracted by democratic optimism; repelled by gregarious familiarity. (We did at this U.S. Open have four barriered-off courts for the aristocracy on which no rabble matches against the King—or Pat Collins—were allowed.) We could, of course, entirely eliminate the unpleasantness of the nobility having to soil themselves with mob togetherness by holding just two events—Singles and Doubles. No gender or age discrimination. And we might have 64 persons in the hall instead of 600. It's doubtful to this writer if you can have it both ways. Characteristic of the host city, you make your choice and put your money down.
There are many advantages, and some disadvantages, to a broad-based participatory democracy. I can remember that the first Nationals I played in had 12 events. I played one match and watched the rest of the weekend. Today there are nearly 60 events and everyone plays a lot.
Anthropologists know that when you change one aspect of culture you often precipitate changes in other, sometimes unpredictable areas. It is unimportant whether I personally agree with the ideas expressed by Engelbert Huging for the crème de la crème who may favor other forms of governance. What is important is that the USTTA leadership/membership give serious consideration to the choices they make and the consequences which may follow. I can set up a line of 50 tables or a barriered court for one. But, make no mistake, there is a difference. And we deserve what we get."
**I'm reminded of the following passage in Mitsuru Jojima's Ogi—The Life of Ichiro Ogimura (translated into English by John Senior in 2009):
"[For a while, World Singles Champion Ichiro Ogimura dreamt of competing at the World Championships in Mixed Doubles with his wife Tokimi. He was as relentless with her as he was with himself.]…Ogimura, a look of intense concentration on his face, was coaching his wife. Each time Tokimi hit the ball out, he gave her a severe dressing-down and, as punishment, made her pass under the table from one end to the other…. [This while] her right hand [was] bloodied by burst blisters, her pretty face twisted with pain."


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Healthcare for Kibera
With just $26 and a dream, the Tabitha health clinic was founded.
Rising over Kibera's low-lying roofs, the Tabitha Clinic is a community-based medical clinic housed in beautifully constructed 3-story, 13-room eco-friendly facility which utilizes solar panels and a rainwater catchment system. The clinic boasts two full-time physicians, six clinicians, a comprehensive laboratory, x-ray services, a central pharmacy, HIV/AIDS counseling services, and a youth-friendly reproductive health clinic – all run in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tabitha Clinic offers healthcare to all residents on a sliding-fee scale. Over 40,000 patients visit this remarkable clinic in the heart of Kibera every year.
Outside the Clinic Walls
The Tabitha Clinic goes well beyond its exam rooms to offer home-based HIV/AIDS testing and counseling. Community health workers employed by CDC-KEMRI compile and analyze data about infectious disease using PDA devices as part of their infectious disease surveillance project.
Tabitha Clinic's Origins
The Tabitha Clinic sprouted from the dreams of the late Tabitha Festo. A resident of Kibera and widowed mother of three, Tabitha was given $26 from Rye Barcott to start a vegetable selling business. The money she earned would go to found a clinic in her own home. Read more of Tabitha's story here.
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One of the clearest markers of a community's well-being is the health of its children. When resources like food, clean water, and income are scarce, surviving trumps thriving. Kids in Kibera who suffer from chronic malnutrition often never bounce back …

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Fri, Nov 16, 07 at 12:14
Just recently I have noticed indentations in all of my fingernails, both hands. I made a doctor's appointment, since it's time for labwork anyway, but read enough on the internet to totally confuse me - I take Effexor, Levoxyl for thyroid, and Lipitor for cholesterol and wondered if it might be a side effect of one of these medications. It has been a stressful time, (Katrina, father died, moved into new house last week), and maybe that's a reason. I can't see the doctor until December 7, so will just keep an eye on it for now, but wondered if any of you had experienced this? |
Follow-Up Postings:
Horizontal indentations or vertical along the length of the nail> The vrtical are a product ofa ging....and poor nutrition....a horizontal ridge happens because of a serious health crises...like surgery or a grave illness. Linda C |
- Posted by catherinet (My Page) on Sat, Nov 17, 07 at 22:18
Hi wodka, I have those. They do seem to appear after an illness or some big stress of some kind. I have fibromyalgia, so I have them about every couple of months. I figured out that my nails take 6 months to grow out, and I can tell from the indentations, when the illness/stress happened. I'm sorry you've had such a rough time. |
Thank you both for your responses. My lines are horizontal.....I'm hoping it's something that can be treated or controlled....as with everything in life, the unknown/not knowing is the scariest part. Take care. |
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On the Edge: Galileo to the Rescue
"E mergency Alert: Bus collision in Berchtesgaden, parking area Salzbergwerk. Many injured. Bus overturned, some thrown from vehicle, some trapped inside. Local temperature below freezing, snow falling. All crews respond immediately." The alarm operations center for the state of Bavaria receives this message from the accident location, and swiftly moves into coordinating activity, gathering and distributing real-time geospatial data and other key information to all emergency teams and medical facilities in the area. read more


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Updated Friday, November 30, 2012 at 09:16 PM
Developer Skanska USA and the Wallingford Community Council have settled their fight over Skanska's controversial "deep green" Stone 34 office building, and the project is expected to break ground within a month.
The council and developer announced the settlement Friday. Skanska will provide the Wallingford group with cash and in-kind help for a project to improve neighborhood access to the Lake Union waterfront, community council President Lee Raaen said.
In return, the council is dropping its appeal of city permits for the five-story, $51 million project.
Raaen wouldn't reveal the settlement amount.
Stone 34, at the foot of Stone Way North, is an unusual project with a stormy history.
Skanska plans to incorporate features making it probably the second-greenest commercial building in Seattle. But for the project to pencil out financially, the developer said, the building needed to be 20 feet taller than the 45 feet zoning allows.
The community council and some neighbors argued the building would be out of scale with the neighborhood. But this summer the city council amended an existing incentive program encouraging "deep green" buildings to allow Skanska the additional height.
Stone 34 will be the headquarters of running-shoe and -apparel maker Brooks Sports, which is moving from Bothell.
Skanska, an arm of a multinational construction company based in Sweden, said it is self-financing the 129,000-square-foot project, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2014.
Eric Pryne: email@example.com or 206-464-2231


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In Can IT Help Government Be Less Bureaucratic? I waxed optimistic about a government IT program that could significantly reduce the burden on constituents applying for government social services programs and opined that the same approach could be used for other interactions between people, businesses and the government. I spun this vision by extrapolating the consequences of a simple, short-term assignment for the Secretary of HHS, to recommend enrollment standards. The vision, should it arise, will not be derived from a narrow view of the task and may not be possible in the four months that remain. As I discussed in my blog it is important that this important opportunities not get the short shrift due to tight Congressional deadlines.
The committees will certainly create an inventory of places where common enrollment has been achieved and the specifications that were used. They can survey standards that are available. For example they will certainly examine the ASC X12 834 Benefit Enrollment and Maintenance standard. Although it is identified under HIPAA they will find is little used and narrowly defined for healthcare coverage. They should also examine the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM), which has been effective at creating interoperability in a green-field area (law enforcement and anti-terrorist information sharing). They should examine the NIEM experience in terms of the time frame and level of economic support that was necessary to achieve functional interoperability and whether the potential availability of existing standards accelerates or impairs the NEIM process.
Business Architectural Considerations
The ultimate standards approach depends on the business architecture and interact with governance. Will information that is shared among agencies within a state, across states and between states and the federal government be mediated by consumers using personal repositories, by a spider-web of reciprocal agreements among these agencies or by a uniform governance agreement comparable to the Data Use and Reciprocal Support Agreement (DURSA) created in support of the U.S. Nationwide Health Information Network artifacts. The spider web is exponentially impossible. It took about three years to conceptualize and complete the DURSA and that effort was arguably much easier than creating a similar agreement among 50 states, some territories and a few large city-states that operate their own social service programs.
The committees should consider standards that support a constituent-mediated approach comparable to the popular conception of the personal health record (PHR). Will each government agency have only two connections to consider:
- sending data to the constituent or the constituent's representative
- receiving data from the constituent/representative.
The direct involvement of the constituent significantly eases governance and authentication in healthcare. The argument that it provides similar simplification for government data is less clear, but I believe the underlying principle is the same. Complex policy issues arise when a keeper of data (health data or other data) sends it to another agency on behalf of the constituent. The requirement to ascertain that the two agencies have identified the same actual person is difficult and they must exercise their obligations to be good steward of the data provided them by the constituent. On the other hand, when the data is managed by the constituent, that person identified himself to both the source and recipient using on-line authentication methods that already exist.
In this model the data repository software that constituents would probably be vendors and agencies that offer on-line storage mediated through the Web, just as TurboTax does now.
It is natural to ask whether the constituents in most need of government services are capable of serving as an intermediary through a Web. Many people, probably a majority are or will be particularly if the required personal technology is limited to a smart phone. Those that aren't may rely on advocate organizations to assist them. Being an advocate for such constituents requires more than technology; the people who are functioning as advocates will be able to operate the technology.
As always, the standards – however challenging – will be the easy part of realizing a new vision for facilitating interactions with the government. Although the law creates a narrow charter for these committees and a tight deadline, it is important that they at least consider the broader context so that the standards they choose enable the support of the Internet culture that is upon us.
Category: Healthcare Providers Interoperability Vertical Industries Tags: Common Enrollment, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PHR, PPACA


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Napa First United Methodist Church
Napa FUMC has a long history as a field placement site. Many of "our" seminarians are serving UMC (and other denomination) congregations as pastors, administrators, teachers and chaplains.
Pastor Lee Neish has said that it is a prime responsibility of congregations and clergy to "pour themselves into the next generation of church leaders." He experienced the power of field placement himself and is a proponent of the program. He is eager to mentor a student.
We are a congregation that values the field education program. We at Napa First UMC look forward to an opportunity to serve again as a Teaching Parish.
Monthly Stipend: negotiable
Car Required: Yes
625 Randolph St.
Napa, CA 94559
Rev Lee Neish, Pastor


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Story Highlight
Hear the brand new James Bond track Skyfall.
Adele has released the full version of her James Bond theme song Skyfall.
Following a leak of a 90 second clip earlier this week, the official full version was unveiled at 0:07 on Adele's website.
With it's release comes speculation that Skyfall may take the UK chart No. 1 spot above Rihanna and One Direction.
Check out the track below:


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Sony to Add TV Tuner, DVR to PS3
Re:In the UK you'll need a TV license (255 comments)
Yes, in the UK if you told that to the judge and they couldn't prove you were watching TV then you are okay. I owned a tv and video projector for some time before I finally caved and got a TV license. Until then I didn't watch TV. No problem.


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Authorized Yamaha Dealer!
We've updated the popular MOX Series with the latest MOTIF XF technology by adding more sounds, more effects and even a Flash board option slot. Because it's compatible with MOTIF XF and MOX data, MOXF has a huge collection of sound and sample libraries and optional software available right away. Expandable, portable, affordable, and compatible with a wide range of other products, these instruments brings MOTIF music production power to a whole new generation of musicians and producers.
Features:MOTIF XF sound qualityThe MOXF boasts a rich collection of instrument voices that includes pianos, electric pianos, strings, wind instruments, orchestral sounds, guitars, basses, and drums, as well as a wide variety of vintage and modern synth sounds.MOTIF XF sound engineOf special note are the detailed digital re-creations of two Yamaha grand pianos (a 9-ft CFIIIS and a 7-ft S6) that only an acoustic piano manufacturer could achieve. The finely-detailed reproduction of even very subtle nuances has resulted in exquisitely crafted piano voices that will satisfy even the most demanding players. Now containing a huge total of 741 MB of waveforms, and featuring all-new content, the MOXF offers 136 new voices including the superb S6 grand piano, keyboard sounds such as clavinets and organs, and a range of new sounds from genres as diverse as orchestral and hip-hop.VCM effectsYamaha's proprietary VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) technology simulates the effects of vintage EQs, compressors, and phasers at the circuit level. This technology has enabled Yamaha to improve the quality of the instruments in the MOXF by modeling the sonic texture of vintage analog compressors, EQs and stomp boxes right down to their component transistors and resistors. The MOXF also puts the high-quality effects found in Yamaha's industry-standard digital recording consoles at your fingertips, as well as the award-winning REV-X reverb found in the SPX2000. It even comes equipped with vocoder effects, allowing you to connect a microphone to the MOXF's A/D input terminal and apply effects to your voice or create stunning harmonies.Flash memory expandabilityThe MOXF is compatible with the sound content developed for the MOTIF XF and MOX. The optional Flash board lets you add up to 1 GB of new samples to your MOXF to customize and tailor your sound set to your needs, using promotional contents like Yamaha' s "Inspiration In A Flash" and "CP1 Piano," as well as the many third party libraries for sale.Performance mode to enhance your creativityPerformance mode allows you to combine multiple voices together (up to 4 parts) and play them on one MIDI channel, so that you can play dynamic layer sounds or even solos along with drums and bass backing tracks. With the interactive Arp engine, playing simple chords or even single notes gives you complete musical performances to inspire your creativity. The MOXF has 256 preset performances in a wide variety of music styles including rock, world, hip hop, jazz, and more.Built-in sequencer to give shape to your inspirationMOXF features a built-in sequencer that lets you produce high-quality music without the need for a computer or any other external devices. This powerful tool offers both real-time recording, which records your performance data as you play it, and step recording, which is suitable for recording precise phrases or other difficult passages. You can even record particularly creative performances directly to a song or pattern simply by pressing the [REC] button.Advanced computer integration makes the MOXF the center of your music production studio01 A complete suite of bundled softwareThe MOXF comes with a variety of music production software that allows you to integrate it with your computer setup. These include the MOXF Editor for detailed editing of voice and mixing parameters, MOXF Remote Editor, a convenient tool that lets you edit and create control templates for your favorite VST instruments, and Remote Tools, which makes integration with Cubase software incredibly simple.02 A single USB cable for both Audio and MIDI connectionsA single USB cable is all you need to transmit both audio and MIDI data between the MOXF and your computer. The MOXF features a built-in 4-in 2-out USB audio interface so you can record its internal sounds, and two dedicated audio inputs that can be used to capture guitars and vocals all recorded directly to your computer. Compatible with all the major DAWs including Cubase, you can digitally record the sounds of the MOXF and anything connected to its stereo analog inputs straight to your favorite recording software. Far more than just a music production tool, the USB connectivity and in-depth keyboard controller functionality also lets you playback and control your VST soft synths via the audio outputs of your MOXF, allowing you to integrate VSTs into your live stage shows with no extra gear—just add a computer and play.03 Music production with Cubase AI 7Cubase AI 7 is a version of Steinberg's DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software made specifically to integrate with Yamaha music production synthesizers. Because the MOXF features both a MIDI and an audio interface you can record up to 32 audio and 48 MIDI tracks. You can even connect an analog mixer, microphone or guitar to the analog inputs, you can record any instrument to your computer via the MOXF. With built-in effects and the ability to control up to 16 VST instruments, Cubase AI lets you perform the complete computer music production process, including notation, scoring, and automated mixing.04 Controlling DAW softwareThe MOXF has a special remote mode for controlling DAW software that allows you to use the buttons on its panel to open and close software windows, add instrument tracks and select VST instruments. The AI knob can be used as a jog wheel or set so that any parameter you mouse over in Cubase can be controlled automatically. You can also use the MOXF to control other popular DAW packages.05 Steinberg Prologue VSTiPrologue is a wonderfully rich-sounding virtual analog synthesizer that will become an indispensable part of your VSTi arsenal. Prologue's textural range includes lush, detailed pads and bright, acerbic leads and everything in between. Prologue' s intuitive user interface provides full editing capabilities with access to its three oscillators, powerful multi-mode filter, four envelopes, two LFOs, a powerful modulation matrix, and onboard effects. And because Prologue is polyphonic with up to 128 voices, you'll (probably) never run out of creative space.06 YC-3B Tone Wheel Organ VSTYC-3B is a VST Instrument that reproduces the classic sound of tone wheel organs. It offers 64 different preset sound programs that you can also use to create your own original sounds, which you can then save as VST presets.Playability and UsabilityEasy operation and comprehensive controlsCategory search mode features 16 different instrument categories, each with its own sub-categories, so getting the sound you need is a fast and intuitive process. With Performance Creator you can easily build up layer or split performances with a single button press. Start with a voice you like, and then press LAYER to have the MOXF choose a suitable layer sound. Press SPLIT to call up a left hand bass sound automatically, and then go to DRUM ASSIGN to access the huge variety of built-in rhythm patterns available.88-key Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action and 61-key semi-weighted actionThe MOXF8 features an 88-key GHS keyboard that provides authentic, realistic keyboard response—much like the playing feel of an acoustic piano—with a heavy touch in the bass register that changes to a lighter one in the treble, and a natural gradation of touch in between. Mobility - Light and easy to carryA lightweight body (MOXF8: 14.9kg (32.9lbs)) means that carrying the MOXF to rehearsals or gigs is easy— pound-for-pound these are the most powerful workstations Yamaha has ever made. Both models are 50% lighter than comparable MOTIF models.
Please note: If you purchase Yamaha from an un-authorized seller then you are taking a big risk. You will not have any manufacturers warranty, and there is no guarantee that the item is authentic, brand new, or even working.
Audiosavings can only ship Yamaha products to addresses located in the 50 United States.
Audiosavings always try to be the lowest price on the internet! We also offer the best product descriptions, customer service, and warranty. However, we still want to offer the best possible price over our competition.
We will gladly beat our competitor's prices, as long as it follows the below guidelines:
E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com with the URL, and model number you want us to match the price on, and we will email you a one-time-use custom coupon code to match any price that meets the above criteria. Please note, on most items we are already the cheapest, or within 2 or 3 dollars of the cheapest price on the entire internet! We work on low profit margins.


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Homemade Gum Drops have been on my list since before Christmas, and I simply ran out of time. When I was thinking about Valentine's Day treats, I remembered these and knew they would be perfect. Just like Homemade Marshmallows, they are lots easier than you would think, and of course taste better too.
These Gum Drops are soft and sweet but not too sweet. I started with a Taste of Home recipe, and the secret…applesauce. Who would have known?
The beauty of this recipe is that you can change the flavor simply by changing the flavor of the Jello. To make them special for Valentine's Day treats, I cut them into heart shapes using the mini cookie cutter from the Romance Set, the same ones I used for the Valentine's Cupcakes with the Hearts in the center.
After the Gum Drops set up in the refrigerator, loosen sides from pan with a spatula and turn them onto a cutting board. I found it easiest to cut them this way.
Won't these be perfect for teacher gifts? Or even as classroom treats? I found these little treat boxes in the dollar section at Target, there were maybe 4 or 5 in a package. Another fun classroom treat are the Valentine's Day Cookie Pops that I shared, did you see them?
I always loved helping out in the classroom for parties? Are you sending in Valentine's Day treats with your kiddos? Or maybe the office?
- 2 cups sugar {plus a little for rolling gum drops}
- 1⅓ cups applesauce, unsweetened
- 2 small (3 oz) boxes Jello, any flavor {I used cherry for Valentine's Day}
- 2 envelopes (4 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin {like Knox}
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Spray 13x9 pan with non-stick cooking spray
- In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients, let stand 1 minute
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, boil for 1 minute
- Immediately pour into prepared 13x9 pan
- Place in refrigerator for 3 hours or until firm
- Loosen sides from pan with a spatula
- Turn Gum Drops onto a cutting board
- Dip cookie cutter in sugar and cut out gum drops {you can also use a knife dipped in hot water to cut squares}
- Roll Gum Drops in extra sugar, set onto wax paper until slightly dry
- Store in an airtight container
Follow HoosierHomemade for your Valentine's Day inspiration
Linking to…Gooseberry Patch


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Altogether Different
Kind of Company
FIN is a family owned and operated company in the United States. The principles and commitments we hold are those we have held for decades in other businesses. We believe in providing unique and quality products that satisfy real consumer needs. We are built on a strong tradition of customer service, responding to requests and issues quickly as they arise. We hope you are fully satisfied with our products, and look forward to serving you in an ongoing way. We started this company with a goal of earning the trust of our customers, and built it from the ground up with a commitment to quality and responsibility.
FIN exists to provide a better alternative to smoking through integrity and responsible business practices. We are committed to the ethical marketing of our e-cigarette products and our brand. We believe in the fair treatment and compensation of our employees and vendors. We have extremely strict policies regarding ethical sourcing, and we perform regular factory audits. All of which contribute to the quality of our operations and products. We are also committed to the experience of both our direct customer, and to the experiences of those around our customer.
FIN electronic cigarette products are marketed to existing adult smokers only. We take all necessary precautions to ensure our customer is an existing smoker of traditional cigarettes. We strongly believe that if you don't smoke, you shouldn't smoke FIN.
Interested in distributing FIN premium e-cigarette products?
Call 855-693-4648 or complete and submit the contact form. A FIN representative will contact you to discuss your needs.


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Tue, Oct 15, 13 at 19:42
I received two small rose plants that were coming up from an old spreading rose today. I have dug roses growing like this from around my Therese Bugnet in the Spring and planted them with good success but these are small with very little root and its October. I would like to see them make it. The lady who gave them to me just took a small pair of pruners and dug around them a little bit and cut them off the root as far as she could reach. One shoot has a piece of brown root extending vertically about 6 inches from the stem. The other one has about 1 inch of pink stem followed by 1 inch of brown root stem which is connected to a horizontal piece of root stem about 3 inches long. There are no hairs on the roots. Can I keep them in the house for winter? Thanks! BTW the lady who gave them to me thinks they are St. Nicholas, an old type rose probably a Damask. |
Follow-Up Postings:
They may be better off planted in the ground than in the house. Roses hate being inside and will likely die. The other thing you could do is pot them and then sink those pots in the ground deeply in the most protected place in your yard. |
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Lou Patten was elected chairman of the Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority Friday during its monthly meeting at the Cleveland Municipal Building.
Lynn DeVault, who has chaired the board since its formation in 2004, nominated Patten. LeRoy Rymer, Verrill Norwood and DeVault voted unanimously. Mike McCoy was absent.
DeVault has one more year remaining on her appointment, which she plans to fulfill.
"I hope to be helpful in marketing and fundraising, Hardwick Field disposal and anything else you need me to do, but I'm ready to gavel out of here," she said.
Patten congratulated DeVault for her superb job.
"We wouldn't have a new airport had it not been for Lynn's leadership and being chairman of this authority," he said. "Everybody has worked very, very hard through the years, but we still wouldn't be where we are without your leadership."
DeVault said she always likes to leave with people thinking nice things of her, "but if it hadn't been for LeRoy's design, Lou building the terminal and Verrill doing all the things he's done, including buying up all of the excess property and managing the disposal of Hardwick Field, I don't think we would be here. It is an honor to serve with these guys."
Norwood was elected vice chairman and DeVault will serve her final year on the authority as secretary-treasurer.
Rick Hudgens, who recently retired from his position of senior project specialist in the aviation division of Tennessee Department of Transportation, now works for airport engineering firm PDC Consultants LLC, of Franklin.
He reported concrete work was continuing on the T-hangars. The pads are ready. They are awaiting the arrival of the buildings on about Oct. 8. The scheduled completion date is sometime in December.
Under new business, authority members signed an agreement with TDOT for financial assistance in the form of a matching grant of $166,667 for T-hangar construction. The airport authority is using $150,000 of Non-Primary Entitlement Funds. The state and local shares are $8,333 and $8,334 each.
The airport authority also approved a lease agreement with Tony Raspa.
A World War II era biplane was one of the visitors to Cleveland Regional Jetport earlier in the month as part of the Ageless Aviation Dreams, Dream Flight Tour of the United States.
The Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit organization built on the philosophy of "Giving Back To Those Who Have Given." The foundation and its supporters honor senior military heroes living in long-term care communities by giving them a Dream Flight in a 1942 Boeing Stearman, the airplane used to train many military aviators in the late 30s and early 40s.


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Sho-Chu Authority
Carretta Shiodome B2F
Tokyo, 105-0021, Japan
A distilled spirit made from potatoes, rice, wheat, or barley, shochu originated in Kyushu (in southwestern Japan), but is now produced all over the country. The Sho-Chu Authority carries over 3000 varieties of the liquor, which differs from sake in that sake is fermented rather than distilled. At this Shodome location, staff experts offer shochu tastings and can guide the uninitiated in understanding the different varieties available. The store also stocks other Japanese spirits such as awamori (from Okinawa) and sake.
Insider Tip:
Ask about the sweet potato variety of shochu, once maligned and now considered a top-shelf selection.


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My Profile
Scottish girl
renton, Washington
Member since May 2008
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Reviewed Roquamole
Oct 10, 2010 in Food Network Community Toolbox on Food Network
"It's not guacamole I tell everyone that before they try it. It's different but good even better IMHO. It's so easy to prepare and the heat the jalapeno gives it -sends it over the edge. I having experimented a bit with this recipe add the juice of a whole lime - it needs the acid, and it also helps with keeping the discolouration of the avocado (it..."


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Student Agricultural Law Symposium
On November 7, 2014. our section held its Student Agricultural Law Symposium at Michigan State University College of Law. Below are the four top research articles submitted by the students.
2014 Farm Bill
By Kristiana Coutu
The most recent farm bill, formally known as the Agricultural Act of 2014, has been several years in the making. When I decided to write this article, my idea was to articulate how the 2014 farm bill impacts Michigan agriculture. As I dug into the almost 1,000 pages of legislation, and poured over the more than 450 provisions relating to the various agricultural sectors, I was reminded of the vast diversity of Michigan's agricultural landscape in that virtually every provision of the Agricultural Act of 2014 impacts Michigan agriculture in some way. So, I adjusted the scope of my article and decided to touch on a few of the important provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill and provide links to resources that provide more detail. Read Article
Critical Cases to Watch: Township of Richmond v. Rondigo, LLC
By Sally D. Babbitt
While all of us enjoy our work and have a passion for the areas in which we practice, the fact is that we need to pay the bills. The Rondigo case is not only an important case in protecting our ability to be paid for our services, but even more important in protecting farmers from nuisance cases that they usually could not afford to defend. Read Article
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Quotes & Info
PXD > SEC Filings for PXD > Form 8-K on 23-Jan-2014 | All Recent SEC Filings |
Results of Operations and Financial Condition, Regulation FD Disclos
Explanatory note: Pioneer Natural Resources Company and its subsidiaries ("Pioneer" or the "Company") presents in this Item 2.02 certain information regarding the impact of changes in the fair values of derivative instruments on its results of operations for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and certain other information regarding its derivative instruments.
The following table summarizes net derivative gains and losses that Pioneer expects to record in its earnings for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013:
DERIVATIVE GAINS, NET (in thousands) Three Months Ended December Twelve Months Ended 31, 2013 December 31, 2013 Noncash changes in fair value: Oil derivative gains (losses) $ 39,766 $ (18,855 ) NGL derivative losses (1,428 ) (616 ) Gas derivative losses (73,601 ) (153,993 ) Marketing derivative gains - 22 Interest rate derivative gains (losses) (6,790 ) 9,321 Total noncash derivative losses, net (42,053 ) (164,121 ) Net cash receipts (payments) on settled derivative instruments: Oil derivative receipts 5,329 11,579 NGL derivative receipts 352 1,224 Gas derivative receipts 40,715 155,014 Marketing derivative payments - (168 ) Interest rate derivative receipts - 482 Total cash receipts on settled derivative instruments, net 46,396 168,131 Total derivative gains, net $ 4,343 $ 4,010 |
Oil, NGL and gas price derivatives. The following table presents Pioneer's open commodity oil, NGL and gas derivative positions as of January 20, 2014:
Twelve Months Ending December 31, 2014 2015 2016 Average Daily Oil Production Associated with Derivatives (Bbl): Collar contracts with short puts: Volume 69,000 85,000 25,000 NYMEX Price: Ceiling $ 114.05 $ 98.98 $ 93.30 Floor $ 93.70 $ 88.06 $ 85.00 Short put $ 77.61 $ 73.06 $ 70.00 Swap contracts: Volume 10,000 - - NYMEX Price $ 93.87 $ - $ - Rollfactor swap contracts: Volume 4,192 - - NYMEX roll price (a) $ 0.82 $ - $ - Average Daily NGL Production Associated with Derivatives (Bbl): Collar contracts with short puts (b): Volume 1,000 - - Index Price: Ceiling $ 109.50 $ - $ - Floor $ 95.00 $ - $ - Short put $ 80.00 $ - $ - Collar contracts (c): Volume 3,000 - - Index Price: Ceiling $ 13.72 $ - $ - Floor $ 10.78 $ - $ - Swap contracts (d): Volume 838 - - Price $ 47.57 $ - $ - Average Daily Gas Production Associated with Derivatives (MMBtu): Collar contracts with short puts: Volume 115,000 285,000 20,000 NYMEX Price: Ceiling $ 4.70 $ 5.07 $ 5.36 Floor $ 4.00 $ 4.00 $ 4.00 Short put $ 3.00 $ 3.00 $ 3.00 Swap contracts: Volume 195,000 20,000 - NYMEX Price (e) $ 4.04 $ 4.31 $ - Basis swap contracts: Permian Basin index swap volume (f) 10,000 10,000 - Price differential ($/MMBtu) $ (0.15 ) $ (0.13 ) $ - Mid-Continent index swap volume (f) 75,082 20,000 - Price differential ($/MMBtu) $ (0.20 ) $ (0.21 ) $ - __________ |
(b) Represent collar contracts with short puts that reduce the price volatility of natural gasoline forecasted for sale by the Company at Mont Belvieu, Texas-posted prices.
(c) Represent collar contracts that reduce the price volatility of ethane forecasted for sale by the Company at Mont Belvieu, Texas-posted prices.
(d) Represent swap contracts that reduce the price volatility of propane forecasted for sale by the Company at Mont Belvieu, Texas-posted prices.
(e) Represents the NYMEX Henry Hub ("NYMEX HH") index price on the derivative trade date.
(f) Represent swaps that fix the basis differentials between the index prices at which the Company sells its Permian Basin and Mid-Continent gas and the NYMEX HH index price used in gas swap and collar contracts.
Interest rate derivatives. As of January 20, 2014, the Company was a party to interest rate derivative contracts with terms that provide for semiannual cash settlements during January and July of each year, whereby the Company will receive a fixed interest rate of 3.95 percent in exchange for paying a floating interest rate comprised of the three-month LIBOR plus an average rate of 1.11 percent on a notional amount of $400 million through July 15, 2022.
Marketing and basis transfer derivatives. Periodically, the Company enters into buy and sell marketing arrangements to fulfill firm pipeline transportation commitments. Associated with these marketing arrangements, the Company may enter into index swaps to mitigate price risk. As of January 20, 2014, the Company had marketing derivative index swap contracts outstanding for 20,000 MMBtu of April through December 2014 volumes with a price differential of $0.26 per MMBtu.
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements and the business prospects of the Company are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, volatility of commodity prices, product supply and demand, competition, the ability to obtain environmental and other permits and the timing thereof, other government regulation or action, the ability to obtain approvals from third parties and negotiate agreements with third parties on mutually acceptable terms, litigation, the costs and results of drilling and operations, availability of equipment, services, resources and personnel required to complete the Company's operating activities, access to and availability of transportation, processing and refining facilities, Pioneer's ability to replace reserves, implement its business plans (including plans to complete asset divestments) or complete its development activities as scheduled, access to and cost of capital, the financial strength of counterparties to Pioneer's credit facility, derivative contracts and joint ventures and the purchasers of Pioneer's oil, NGL and gas production, uncertainties about estimates of reserves and the ability to add proved reserves in the future, the assumptions underlying production forecasts, quality of technical data, environmental and weather risks, including the possible impacts of climate change, the risks associated with the ownership and operation of the Company's industrial sand mining and oilfield services business and acts of war or terrorism. These and other risks are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company may be subject to currently unforeseen risks that may have a materially adverse impact on it. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that the actual events and results will not be materially different than the anticipated results described in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no duty to publicly update these statements except as required by law.


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Trips to San Juan Islands
1 - 3 of 3 Results
Mini Guide to Off-season on San Juan Island, WA
- 1 Hotel
- 2 Restaurants
- 2 Activities
Even Heathcliff and Cathy would agree: dramatically gray and misty days are even more romantic when watched from a window seat in a cozy hotel room. If a beach stroll is on the agenda, bring a wate... More
Natural Wonder in the Pacific Northwest
- 4 Hotels
- 3 Restaurants
- 8 Activities
A string of interconnected waterways and islands, Washington's Puget Sound provides instant access to the majestic side of the Pacific Northwest. Eagles and whales are frequent sights; on clear day... More
Whidbey Island's Waterfront Retreat
- 2 Restaurants
- 2 Activities
Though it's only a 20-minute ferry ride from Seattle, Whidbey Island feels like the Pacific Northwest's last frontier—a lost-in-time place of towering redwoods and sparkling coves overlooking Puget... More
1 - 3 of 3 Results


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Francisco Calvillo-rodriguez Sentenced in U.S. District Cour
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula, on November 19, 2009, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, FRANCISCO CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ, a 22-year-old resident of Belgrade, appeared for sentencing. CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 12 months and 1 day
- Special Assessment: $200
- Supervised Release: 3 years
CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to distribution of cocaine and illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On March 31, 2009, officers from the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration monitored a controlled purchase of 1.5 ounces of cocaine from CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ for $3,000. The deal was arranged as part of an ongoing investigation into a cocaine-trafficking organization in the Bozeman area. The investigating officers monitored the sale by placing a body wire on a confidential informant. The informant drove to a trailer house in Gallatin County, met CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ, counted out the money, and received the cocaine. The substance was analyzed and found to contain cocaine and weighed 41.5 grams.
Following the drug deal on March 31, 2009, agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attempted to identify CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ and determine whether he was legally in the United States. They discovered that he is a citizen of Mexico and that he was deported from the United States on January 7, 2008, through Nogales, Arizona. There is no evidence in CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ'S immigration file that he applied for or received permission to reenter the United States following his 2008 removal.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, CALVILLO-RODRIGUEZ does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Missouri River Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


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Company Description (as filed with the SEC)
We provide high performance network security solutions that are designed to address the fundamental problems of an increasingly bandwidth-intensive network environment and a more sophisticated information technology ("IT") threat landscape. Through our products and subscription services, we provide broad and integrated protection against dynamic security threats while simplifying the IT security infrastructure for enterprises, service providers and governmental entities worldwide. Our flagship integrated network security solution consists of our FortiGate physical and virtual appliance products that provide a broad array of security and networking functions to protect data, applications, and users from network- and content-level security threats. ... More ...
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Analyst Info
Annual EPS Est: | $0.26 |
Quarterly EPS Est: | 0.08 |
PEG Ratio: | 7.20 |
Mean Recommendation: |
1.48 |


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Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,
This was a GREAT presentation (Do Loveland parents have questions about student drug use?). Very informative and informal. It was sad, however, that there were not many parents or administration there. If you have a child in middle school or high school, you should be concerned about drugs. They are everywhere and it's only getting worse. If this is offered again, I would encourage any parent of a middle school or high school child to attend.
Terry Schrader


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The SA Military History Society is a non-profit society of enthusiasts dedicated to the study, recording and dissemination of military aspects of South Africa's history.
Temporary survey section
PhD Research into Heritage Tourism in South Africa
Have you visited any of the battlefields in South Africa between 2008 to 2013? Your opinion and input would be valued. Please participate in a quick 15 minute online survey - use this site:
Thank you for your time and interest.
Clinton van der Merwe PhD Student - UJ (082) 4553239 909807007
Items from non-Society sources: the story of the Last Post; Bill Millin - Piping in D-Day. Le Petit Journal - French cartoons about the Anglo-Boer War
South African Military History Society P.O.Box 59227, Kengray 2100,South Africa Telephone(Johannesburg Lecture co-ordinator) 011-784-6232 Telephone(Secretary/Treasurer): 010-237-0676 Fax(Sec/Treas.): 086 617 8002
This site is located at http://samilitaryhistory.org


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Our TV deal's in the bag
THE SPL was last night on the brink of clinching a new £13million-a-season broadcast deal.
But it won't be officially signed until just 24 hours before Saturday's big kick-off. Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell was in London yesterday with SPL counterpart Neil Doncaster putting the finishing touches to the contract with Sky and ESPN bosses.