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Posts Tagged: Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility
Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
It was a gorgeous day to be out in an almond orchard.
Staff research associate Billy Synk of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, University of California, Davis was out tending the research bees earlier placed in two Dixon almond orchards.
Volunteer Randall Cass, who is seeking his master's degree in international agricultural development at UC Davis, accompanied Synk on his rounds. Cass has previous experience working with beekeepers in Chile. And the Laidlaw bees? The 49 bee boxes are part of a research project launched by Brian Johnson, assistant professor of entomology.
The almond blossoms perfumed the air as bees buzzed back and forth carrying their loads of pollen to feed the offspring. They're gearing up for the big spring build-up. Soon the queen bee will be laying 2000 eggs a day.
The grass looked exceptionally green and the almond blossoms exceptionally delicate. You could almost hear the quiet and the excitement of spring.
Billy Synk (left) shows Randall Cass a frame. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Beekeeper Billy Synk checks the productivity. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Checking out the bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of the Laidlaw research bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Symphony in the Almonds
Symphony in the almond blossoms...
There's a wild almond tree planted in a field off Bee Biology Road at the University of California, Davis, that's incredibly beautiful.
Honey bees from the nearby apiary at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility reunite on the blossoms, each bee seemingly vying for the best pollen to take back to her hive.
The tree is not quite in full bloom, but don't tell that to the bees. We captured a few images of them in flight, a moving symphony performance in the almonds.
Honey bee heading toward almonds blossoms on Bee Biology Road, UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Honey bee, packing pollen, in mid-flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A blur of bee wings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Bee Sting Felt Around the World
Chris saw it first.
This morning Chris Mussen of Davis contacted his father, Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, and told him that the photo of him being stung by a honey bee made the Sacramento Bee's list of top 15 2012 stories.
Well, a son should recognize his father's wrist anywhere, right?
The story behind the photo: Eric Mussen and I were walking in the apiary of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility when he noticed that a bee was about to sting him.
He told me to get my camera ready. My Nikon D700, equipped with a 105 macro lens and a motor drive), was strapped around my neck, where a camera ought to be.
I caught the image (actually four of them as my camera shoots eight frames a second) and the rest is history. The photo initially won the first-place (gold) award in a feature photo contest sponsored by the international Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences.
The Sacramento Bee featured it, and later it was selected one of the Huffington Post's most amazing photos of 2012 and "Picture of the Day" on a number of websites.
It depicts a Carniolan bee reared by bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey. At the time the image was taken, the bee was defending its hive.
Which is what bees do.
Usually a bee sting results in a clean break, Mussen said. This one shows the bee trailing its abdominal tissue, aka guts.
I earlier wrote about "The Sting" in a Bug Squad blog.
The thing is, people are still saying that I must have spent the day torturing bees to get that shot.
Not true. (Fact is, I've never killed a bee in my life except for the one I stepped on in Hawaii.)
Now folks are jokingly telling me I was torturing Eric Mussen.
Not true, either. He's been stung countless times, and each time, he simply scrapes off the sting with his fingernail.
Which is what beekeepers do.
Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen being stung by a bee in an unexpected encounter at the Harry H. Laidalw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Going for the Roses
Just call it going for the roses.
Or a hot spot.
In between the showers and the sunshine, the bees at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road, University of California, Davis, emerge from their hives to forage.
They buzz over to the nearby Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a half-acre garden with year-around blooms.
One bee on a rose.
Two bees on a rose.
Three bees on a rose.
Four bees on a rose.
It's not often you see four honey bees sharing the same blossom.
In his poem, "Ode to the West Wind," English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) asked: "...if Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?"
Yes, especially on a December day that looks and feels like spring.
The garden, a year-around food resource for bees that also functions as a demonstration garden, is open from dawn to dusk for free, self-guided tours. Come spring, plans call for guided tours in a project headed by Christine "Chris" Casey (email@example.com) of the UC Davis Department of Entomology. There will be a small fee for guided tours.
Bring your camera!
ONE: A sole honey bee visits a rose. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
TWO: Two bees visit a rose. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
THREE: Three bees visit a rose. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
FOUR: Four bees visit a rose. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
'A' Is for Almonds; 'B' is for Bees
It's the Big 4-0 for the Almond Board of California's annual almond industry conference this week.
Some 1000 convention-goers are gathering in the Sacramento Convention Center. The 40th annual conference opened Tuesday, Dec. 11 and runs through Thursday, Dec. 13.
A contingent from the Department of Entomology at the University of California, Davis, is there--including some from chemical ecologist Walter Leal's lab and some from the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility.
Many came to hear U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
After all, almonds are California's biggest export. With some 750,000 acres of almonds in production in the state, the National Agricultural Statistics Service is forecasting a record-breaking 2.10 billion meat pounds this year, valued at approximately $3 billion. Eighty-percent of the global supply of almonds is grown in California, and about 70 percent of California's crop is marketed overseas.
Over at the Laidlaw facility, you can't help but notice the sign that graces the entrance. The work of self-described "rock artist" Donna Billick of Davis, it shows a skep, honey bees, DNA strands, and almond blossoms.
Then if you walk a few steps east of the facility to the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, you'll run into the gigantic worker bee sculpture, also the work of Donna Billick. It's a six-foot-long morphologically correct worker bee, right down to the wax glands.
If it appears to be on a pedestal, that's the way it should be. Honey bees, those tiny agricultural workers, pollinate one-third of the food we eat.
As for the almonds, the pollination season begins around Valentine's Day. The orchards will be buzzing. It takes two hives per acre to pollinate California's almond crop.
Sign at the entrance to the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis depicts honey bees, a skep, DNA and almond blossoms. It is the work of Donna Billick of Davis (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Fog shrouds the bee sculpture in the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. It is the work of Donna Billick of Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bee working an almond blossom. She's packing her pollen load. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)


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Local News A dozen Santa Fe High School students stood in front of the state Public Education Department today, calling for a meeting with Public Education Department Secretary Hanna Skandera over testing that they say goes too far. ... More

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Dhaka factory collapse: Owner Rana faces anger at court
The owner of a building that collapsed in Bangladesh killing hundreds faced an angry crowd when he appeared in court.
Mohammed Sohel Rana, wearing a police helmet and bullet-proof jacket for the hearing, was remanded in custody for 15 days to face questioning by police.
Officials say there is little hope any more survivors will be found in the rubble of the devastated building.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has defended its decision not to accept foreign help with the disaster.
Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir told the BBC his government was confident it could handle the situation and said the local authorities had done a good job.
Both the UK government and the United Nations have said they had teams of experts ready to head out to Bangladesh, but their offer of help was turned down.
It's unusual for countries to decline help when disaster strikes - whether they are rich or poor.
Hundreds of rescuers converged on Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, for example. They performed similar work to that needed in Bangladesh.
Japan, a far richer country, also accepted substantial help following its earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
Bangladesh's Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir said no help was needed because the local emergency services were well equipped.
This would appear to have been contradicted by the sometimes poorly-equipped volunteers scrabbling through the rubble and the apparent starting of a fire by people trying to cut their way through the building.
A senior diplomat with the UN's International Search and Rescue Advisory Group said an offer of help was made to Bangladesh very early on "because the lifesaving window of opportunity is in the first few days".
But, according to the diplomat, the Bangladesh government said it would manage the situation through domestic means.
Rescue work at the site of the Rana Plaza garment factory continued for a sixth day on Monday, but army spokesman Shahinul Islam said "there is little hope of finding anyone alive".
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the site and some of the victims in hospital, assuring them they would receive help from the government.
However, some relatives of those missing complained that she did not speak to them during her visit.
'No-one seen alive'Mohammed Sohel Rana was arrested on Sunday near the Indian border, having been on the run since the collapse of his eight-storey building on 24 April.
A local leader of the youth wing of the prime minister's Awami League party, he was filmed in handcuffs after being flown back to Dhaka by helicopter on Sunday.
Surrounded by police, and shouted at by the crowd, Mr Rana was led into court wearing protective clothing, to hear a magistrate grant a police request to hold him for 15 days for questioning.
He faces allegations of negligence, illegal construction and persuading workers to enter a dangerous building.
Mr Rana is one of eight people arrested. His father Abdul Khalek and four factory bosses are among the others detained.
At least 3,000 people are estimated to have been in the Rana Plaza building when it collapsed. About 2,430 are now known to have survived but hundreds are dead or missing.
On Sunday night, rescuers working deep inside the rubble were told to leave, as cranes were brought in to begin lifting the heavy blocks of fallen concrete.
Bangladesh's economy
- A total population of some 150.4 million, 88% under the age of 55.
- GDP in 2012 was around $110bn - the ready-made garment (RMG) industry makes up 80% of all exports, totalling more than $15bn in 2012-13 financial year.
- About four million people are directly employed in the RMG industry, most of them women, earning an average monthly salary of roughly $40.
Rescue co-ordinators said that work with heavy-lifting gear would be done carefully to avoid further collapses and to protect bodies trapped under the debris as much as possible.
Fire brigade chief Brig Gen Ali Ahmed Khan said crews had seen bodies lying on the ground inside, but that "no-one was seen alive".
Anger at the building's collapse has triggered days of violent protests in Dhaka demanding those responsible be punished and for an improvement in factory conditions.
Garment industry workers across the country were given the weekend off, in the hope that the anger would fade.
But on Monday, thousands of workers walked out of factories in the Ashulia and Gazipur industrial districts shortly after they opened, and staged a protest march, reportedly setting fire to an ambulance.
Bangladesh has one of the largest garment industries in the world, providing cheap clothing for major Western retailers that benefit from its widespread low-cost labour.
But the industry has been widely criticised for its low pay and limited rights given to workers and for the often dangerous working conditions in garment factories.
Primark, whose supplier was based in the building, said on Monday that it was helping to provide emergency food aid to the families affected and planned to "pay compensation to the victims of this disaster who worked for its supplier".
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Hot, dry year as Hays closes in on records
By MIKE CORN
It wasn't enough to shatter records, but 2012 won't be forgotten easily.
Here's why:
* With an average temperature of 57.39 degrees, it was the third warmest year on record. Temperatures have been recorded since 1902, spanning 111 years.
* With only 14.39 inches of precipitation, it was the sixth driest year on record. Only 1956, 1894, 1895, 1952 and 1988, in that order, were drier.
* Temperatures during 2012 never fell below zero, the first time since 1899 when those records first started being maintained. Normally, below-zero readings would be seen at least seven times in a year.
* Precipitation from snow amounted to just 0.44 of an inch. While it's no record, it is sharply below the average of 3.11 inches.
* Snowfall during 2012 amounted to just 3.8 inches. That's less than the long-term average for December alone, and 15.37 inches below the annual average of 19.17 inches.
That's just a sampling of the treasure trove of weather data collected each year at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center. Some of it hearkens back to the days when Fort Hays was an active military fort.
It is an official weather observation site for the National Weather Service, although it's not a station that provides live data.
Weather information also is maintained at Goodland, where the National Weather Service is located, and at Hill City.
Goodland came perilously close to setting a new all-time record for dryness, but a light shower and snow at the end of the year broke that possibility.
Instead, 2012 ended with 9.59 inches of precipitation, 0.4 of an inch more than the all-time record set in 1956. It was the third driest year on record, falling 10.07 of an inch below normal.
With an average temperature of 54.8 degrees, it was the fourth warmest year on record. Only 1934, 1938 and 1939 were warmer.
At Hill City, normal rainfall would amount to 22.92 inches. This year, only 10.48 inches were recorded -- 46 percent of normal.
At the Northwest Kansas Research and Extension Service near Colby, total precipitation last year hit 12.27 inches. That's well below the normal of 20.65 inches.
The average high temperature in Colby stood at 71.3 degrees, sharply higher than the normal of 65.6 degrees.
It's the Hays weather data that's most elaborate, however.
There were just 61 precipitation events, days with measurable moisture. Only 10 of those were a half-inch or more.
November was the driest month, with nothing at all recorded. Still, that's not the first time, as there have been five other Novembers without any precipitation.
Where Hays excelled -- if you can call it that -- came from record high temperatures in 2012.
There were 12 days when daytime highs matched or exceeded previous highs.
They are: March 12, a new high of 84 degrees; March 13, a high of 87; March 16, a new high of 85; May 4, a high of 93, tying a record set in 1943; June 23, a high of 107, matching the previous record from 1952; May 26, a high of 99, tying the previous high in 1912; June 26, a high of 113, matching that set in 1936; June 27, a new high of 114; June 28, a new high of 111; July 29, a high of 108, matching a high set in 1940; July 30, a new high of 110 and Nov. 25, a new high of 75.
For comparison, the highest temperature ever recorded in Hays was 117 degrees, set on July 13, 1934.
Even as warm as it was, there were two new record lows set in 2012.
The first was Aug. 17, when temperatures dipped to 51 degrees. The second was Aug. 20, when the temperature dropped to 48 degrees.


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I like to think we do secularism reasonably well in the UK, despite the obvious disadvantage of it not being a legal requirement. We're not over run by religious crazies wanting to drag us back to the stone age. Fundamentalism is almost unheard of and those that do exist are largely ignored or mocked. The official state religion, the Church of England, is in a period of terminal decline. Creationism, religious objection to gay marriage and the defence of religious privilege are considered extreme views. And yet one thing remains, one thing that we share with just one other nation on this earth. It's not a little club that we should be proud of either – the right of religious leaders to sit, unelected, in the House of Lords. This constitutional disgrace is shared only by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Being the official state religion, The Church of England enjoys state subsidy to maintain all it's buildings and run most of its civic duties including hundreds of thousands of schools. However, despite being the largest religion in the UK, only 20% people identify as Anglican. A good proportion of those probably only attend church a few times a year, in fact 48% of those who identify as Anglican admit to never going to church. And yet, here we are in the 21st century with 26 unelected, unaccountable Lords Spiritual enjoying power beyond their right. Within my lifetime those 26 lords maybe the only members of their church left. Just two weeks ago the church published a report on attendance and habits of its flock, along with a stern warning for the future. The Rev Dr Patrick Richmond believes the church will cease to have any meaning or possibly even exist in 20 years time if it cannot muster a serious recruitment drive. The average age of its congregation now stands at 61, over 65 in more rural parishes. Once this generation has died there is unlikely to be anyone to replace them. Adult attendance has halved in the last 40 years and childhood attendance has seen an incredible decrease of 80%. Why then do we still tolerate their presence in the House of Lords?
The argument most often cited as to why the Bishops should remain is because they supposedly offer 'a unique ethical stance' when deliberating bills which pass through the Lords. I'm sure they do use their ethical standards during debates, its just the standards are outdated and unrepresentative of the population. Any group of people who claim ethical superiority, whilst being against gay rights, women's rights and anti-science, cannot, and do not, deserve to be taken seriously. All three main political parties promised Lords reform in their election manifestos two years ago. I welcome most of this reform, it just doesn't go anywhere near far enough. The size of the second chamber will be reduced from 800 lords down to 300, but 60 of those with be appointed and not elected. The number of Bishops will be gradually reduced from 26 down to 12 but will take several years to even get this far. 1 is too many. There will come a time when Lords Spiritual no longer have a role in British political life, but that day cannot come quickly enough.


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Caption It: Shopping Woes
by Maria Russo in Food Network Star, June 29, 2012On Sunday night the eight remaining finalists leave their home-away-from-home in the Big Apple and head south for the sunny skies of Miami. This trip, however, won't exactly be a tropical vacation — they're challenged to cook for and present in front of Food Network superstar Paula Deen and her son Bobby Deen.
Team Bobby's Nikki was among the bottom three last week, having failed to impress the press with her uncharacteristic "delicate and sophisticated" POV and dish of grilled scallops, which Bob Tuschman called "sour and bitter." She did manage to redeem herself, though, in the Producers' Challenge with a solid camera presentation and tasty classic burger. Will the "Grill Next Door" have what it takes to withstand the heat of South Beach, or will she melt under the pressure of paradise?
In this sneak-peek shot, Nikki's patience seems to be tested as she indulges in a little retail therapy at Target. Is she ready to scream into a pillow or will she be able to keep her composure in the housewares aisle?
Before you tune in this Sunday at 9pm/8c, we're challenging you, Star fans, to write your best captions (tastefully appropriate, please) for this meltdown moment in the comments below.
Similar Posts
A Letter to Lenny, from the Rebel
Dear Lenny, Out of all the seasons of Food Network Star, I can think of only one other winner who has a personality as big as yours. Congratulations a...Comments (
97 )-
Where's the beef?!?!
Please somebody....I love the Food Network Star competition........but pleeeeeeezzzeee get CUPCAKE WARS off the air!!! What a waste of air time!!! I keep my TV on FN for the most part. I'm sick of reruns of Triple D, Restaurant Impossible, and Chopped!! Lordy, Lordy.........Please pick us an interesting host with a different outlook about food.
You did better tonite......NO...noone likes your arrogant attitude!!!
Why is nikki still on????? i can't stand her!
I am so sorry to see Malcom go. Once again the producers are sending home those I would watch. Since the first year Next Food Network Star has become more and more of a service to the northeast and leaving out the large number of viewers in rurual America. Maybe next year they will just change the name to New York Food Network Star.
Wow, I was so disappointed to see Malcolm go when he put so much effort into a really original drink. Being from Nantucket, I COULD NOT believe what Michelle did with her drink. First of all, she called it a "Mantuck Mystery" - wrong! There was a famous drink here served at a restaurant/bar called the Westender (she did not mention that) and it was called a "Madaket Mystery" because that restaurant was located in a section of the island called Madaket, known for it's beautiful sunsets. She totally ripped off their recipe. That is not being original at all. Mispronouncing it shows she really didn't care enough about it to even get the name right, yet she says she loved that drink and loves Nantucket. Hmmmmm....... OK, if that's what you say. Where she got the name she came up with, who knows, but she really didn't get it right. And to be honest, each bar on the island has a signature drink they're known for. The Madaket Mystery was served in a tall glass shaped like a naked woman, too - she didn't mention that either! Many people would steal the glasses because they were so unique and the Westender couldn't keep them in stock so they eventually had to serve them in just a generic tall glass. The cranberry and orange juices mimicked the sunset colors Madaket is known for, too. So much info that Michelle could have mentioned to make it seem more meaningful and more interesting of a story about this drink she loves so much when giving her presentation. All she said is that Nantucket is about fishing and sailing - well, sort of. It is an island. But we are so much more! I feel you made a mistake here and that Malcolm had a much better drink and serves food that was delicious - not full of shells either.
Being from Baltimore, I don't understand how Michelle could have had so much CLAW shell in her dish. I've never had Stone Crab before but I can't believe the claw would be that much different from our Chesapeake Bay Blues. With the time constraint, I could half understand it if she were using the main body of the crab. Taking that into account, Michelle should have gone home tonight. As far as winners, I predict either Justin or Yvan will win. I would watch either one of them.
So, is that your caption idea?
WOW First time I've been this disappointed in a long time by Food network. I thought this was about original drinks not makeovers sad to say I liked both contestants and didn't want either to go , but the judges sure did not seem to follow their own rules as stated! I guess it really does not matter the winner seems predetermine anyway.
Bummer!!! Malcolm created an original drink, and Michelle copied a drink. And her food couldn't be served -- had to be sent back for safety reasons --- and she gets to stay. She's been around the FN block several times, never winning. I've got a sinking feeling in my gut she's going to win, or Matatita the airhead will win --- UGH either way.
Caption: "I can't believe I'm still here."


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High density beech, full wood core from tip to tail, provides maximum precision and rebound. More than 50% beech.
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Original Slalom Worldcup RACE plate. Enourmous powertransmission for a great grip and quick edge to edge play. Full Flex to allow a natural flex of the ski for perfect carving turns. Perfectly distributed power transmission under the feed plus anti virbrations rubber inserts allow a precise carving.
Mid level sandwich construction, places a thin layer of ABS along the entire length of the skis to enhance progressive edging on super aggressive piste conditions found on the world cup
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148Apps Review Summary
Our Rating: :: SAFE :: Read Our Full Review >>Fruit Tumble echoes Zuma and Luxor but throws a barrel full of monkeys into the equation.
App Description
Let's get ready to tumble…Put your color combining skills to the test in this bright and colorful match-three game. Put the fruit in matching groups of three or more to knock them off the vine. Match more than three, or engineer combos for a points boost that could make the difference in getting all of the elusive three stars.
Oh, did we mention you do all of this while by controlling a group of monkeys? Oh yeah.
• MONKEY MATCH
Each of your monkeys holds a different fruit, simply drag them down to the vine to place the fruit among others of the same kind. Use your elastic tail and maneuver between the vines to find the right spot.
• FRUIT SALAD
Mix your matches to get big combo scores and knock tons of fruit from the vine at once! You will need to master these combos as the fruit keeps coming, taking up more and more space on your vine!
• WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
Fruit Tumble includes 45 levels spread over three worlds; Jungle, Rocks and Temple. Each world also has 5 bonus levels that will truly test your speed of thought and reactions! Can you beat them all and become the king of the jungle?
For more information or support, please visit www.chillingo.com
App Changes
May 21, 2012 Price Decrease: $0.99 -> FREE!
December 08, 2011 Initial Release


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App Description
Enjoy a unique experience in HD with this shoot 'em up game that anyone can play.Experience moments of hard'n'fast action, take on your enemies, build up your weaponry and combat the bosses at the end of the levels.
Enjoy 60 frames/second HD and exclusive music for each level.
There are several levels of difficulty. Children will enjoy the graphics created especially for them and thirty-somethings will draw on the reflexes they acquired in gaming arcades
- Tilt your iPad to move the figure
- Keep your finger on the screen to shoot
- Get the red diamond to be able to triple your rate of fire
- Get the green diamond to be able to shoot from the rear
- Get the yellow diamond to be able to use the mega-bomb
- Get the heart to win an extra life
- Get the shield to protect yourself from enemies
App Changes
February 24, 2013 Price Decrease: $0.99 -> FREE!
February 11, 2013 Initial Release


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Download the Code of Federal Regulations in XML.
The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) is a regularly updated, unofficial editorial compilation of CFR material and Federal Register amendments produced by the National Archives and Records Administration's Office of the Federal Register (OFR) and the Government Publishing Office.
Parallel Table of Authorities and Rules for the Code of Federal Regulations and the United States Code
Text | PDF
Find, review, and submit comments on Federal rules that are open for comment and published in the Federal Register using Regulations.gov.
Purchase individual CFR titles from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore.
Find issues of the CFR (including issues prior to 1996) at a local Federal depository library.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
Title 43: Public Lands: Interior
§10.17 Dispute resolution.(a) Formal and informal resolutions. Any person who wishes to contest actions taken by museums, Federal agencies, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations with respect to the repatriation and disposition of human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony is encouraged to do so through informal negotiations to achieve a fair resolution of the matter. The Review Committee may aid in this regard as described below. In addition, the United States District Courts have jurisdiction over any action brought that alleges a violation of the Act. (b) Review Committee Role. The Review Committee may facilitate the informal resolution of disputes relating to these regulations among interested parties that are not resolved by good faith negotiations. Review Committee actions may include convening meetings between parties to disputes, making advisory findings as to contested facts, and making recommendations to the disputing parties or to the Secretary as to the proper resolution of disputes consistent with these regulations and the Act.


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As part of a busy offseason so far for the Pittsburgh Pirates, their latest moved involved a trade between NL central rival Milwaukee Brewers.
After the Brewers recently acquired third basemen Aramis Ramirez from the Chicago Cubs, there was little room for former Brewers third basemen Casey McGehee on the roster.
Going into the season 2011 McGehee was supposed to be a valuable part of the Brewers offense providing protection behind the one-two punch of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder.
McGehee had a less than stellar year statistics wise in 2011. In 155 games played, McGehee recorded 122 hits with 24 doubles, two triples and 13 home runs.
McGehee also drove in 67 runs which is relatively low considering the number of opportunities he encountered with the top of the order being on base.
He finished the year with a .223 batting average and saw limited playing time in the postseason. McGehee batted .200 in the playoffs only going 1-5 in six games.
With the trade the Pirates are receiving a potential power threat and an average fielder. The Pirates organization expects McGehee to fight for playing at third base with Pedro Alvarez as well as at first base with Garrett Jones.
On the other side of the trade, the Brewers got a reliable veteran to add to their bullpen. Jose Veras was the setup man to closer Joel Hanrahan last year and put up decent numbers.
Veras went 2-4 with a 3.80 ERA with one save in eight opportunities. He also struck out 79 batters while only walking 34 and allowing 32 runs.
With Veras out of the picture, the Pirates will be looking to Evan Meek, who was injured the majority of the 2011 season, to step into the setup role in the bullpen.
This is nowhere near a blockbuster trade in baseball but instead a trade between two players looking for the right fit.
On paper it is easy to say the Brewers go the better end of the deal, but that is why you have to play the games.


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Gold Coast Helicopter Flight and Jet Boat Ride
See the sights of the Gold Coast from the sea and air on this combo helicopter flight and jet boat ride package. Jump aboard a powerful Gold Coast jet boat for ... More info
- Location: Gold Coast, Australia
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Hot Air Ballooning including Champagne Breakfast from the Gold Coast or Brisbane
View a sunrise with a difference, whilst floating in a hot air balloon over the Hinterland. Breathe in the wide-open spaces and be amazed at the colorful ... More info
- Location: Gold Coast or Brisbane, Australia
- Duration: 4 hours (approx.)
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text: Jump+ gamesBookmark the permalink. Release date: Aug 21st, 2012 Price: Free Version: 1.1 Seller: Antonov Dmitry Buy Now STP SCORE: Not yet reviewed Description Screenshots Line Jumper =) There is another jumpers. Hit blue jumpers and avoid red ones. Related Games Fallen Lords Dream Quest Naval Tactics: Captains of the Spanish Main Talisman Hitman Go Joe Danger Infinity Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Lords of Waterdeep Angry Birds Go Asphalt 8: Airborne


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Re: HDFS DataNode daily log growing really high and fast
On Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 12:59 AM, Ronen Itkin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > For instance, yesterday's daily log: > "/var/log/hadoop/hadoop-hadoop-datanode-ip-10-10-10-4.log" > on the problematic Node03 was in the size of 1.1 GB while on other Nodes > the same log was in the size of 87 MB. > > Again, nothing is being run specifically on Node03, I have 3 nodes, with > replication of 3 - means that all the data is being saved on every node, > All nodes are connected to the same switch (and on the same subnet) - so no > advantages to Node03 in any Job. > > I am being suspicious regarding HBase... Does that servers regionserver have more regions assigned to it? Check the HBase GUI. Also, you can turn that message off with: log4j.logger.org.apache.hadoop.hdfs.server.datanode.DataNode.clienttrace=WARN Brock |


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First off, there were no idle food trucks which eliminates the whole smell of rubber and breathing in exhaust factor. And no one was serving you from their tire perched truck. In my mind, BWAYBITES couldn't have picked a more perfect food event to inaugurate our food blogging adventures. When the three of us walked into that gated off lot on the coast of the East River filled with cozily packed food stands, we felt like we were welcomed into a community of food lovers, people passionately bound by matters of the mouth and the tummy. Bean sellers, picklers, gourmet food shops, local farmers uniting to celebrate the art of eating. And BWAYBITES could not have been more honored to be participating.
Blue Bottle Coffee Company |
Matt, how'd you like the single drip? How'd it compare to something like a french press cup of coffee?
"French press is a bit grittier, allowing tiny pieces of grounds to settle into the bottom of the cup which can on occasion lead to a very thick, syrupy feel, an homage in my mind to a Turkish coffee which leaves a sludge like consistency at the very bottom. Single drip, using an unbleached paper filter (a must if you're a coffee drinker who uses paper filters [Go Green!]), has a much smoother, cleaner taste and texture. More on chicory when I get my hands on some begniets!"
We continued our walk, Matt wanted to buy everything, Andy was glued to his camera phone, documenting our reactions, and I was in a daze, overstimulated. We decided to get a bunch of things and share bites, a style of eating that these kind of events were designed for. We had a delicious empanada from Victor's Famous Empanda, really mild and delicate, filled with ground local beef, potatoes, peas and spices. Some turkey chili, from the bean seller, which wasn't my favorite and tasted like it hadn't really developed yet. The highlight for me was Mighty Quinn's beef brisket sandwich. A small potato bread bun filled with fall apart tender brisket, cucumber, and harissa mayo. A real knock out bite: well seasoned, satisfyingly savory, simple and fresh as can be.
On our way out, we stopped by the doughnut stand, aptly named 'Dough,' and grabbed a sweet treat for the road, Blood Orange iced doughnut. I was really intrigued by the sound of the icing, and was equally interested by it's flavor, but I've been spoiled by the best doughnut shop in NYC a few blocks away from me in Brooklyn, PETER PAN Bakery on Manhattan Ave between Meserole and Norman. Maybe BWAYBITES'll be back in Brooklyn soon..
Fresh Fruit Jams from "Anarchy Jams" and Butternut Squash Soup by "Sunday Gravy." |
Adam and Andy take a bite or Victor's Famous Empanadas. |
Andy, what was the prettiest bite you snagged on your camera?
"The prettiest bite? Definitely Mighty Quinn's brisket and pork belly sandwich. Definitely delicious. But I must say I was equally distracted with the crowd. Beautiful men and women left and right. As much as I wanted to grab a picture of the beautiful Porchetta Sandwich, I also wanted to snag the Sexy Hipster that was eating it. I found Smorgasburg to be a definite feast of ALL senses!"
Our Smorgasburg favorite, "Mighty Quinn's" Pork Belly and Brisket Sandwiches. |


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Gym Class Heroes, 'The Quilt' (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen)
- SPIN Rating:6 of 10
These dudes from upstate New York are the black Eyed Peas of the Warped tour set. When Gym Class Heroes started making underground waves in the early '00s, they were true-school hip-hop defenders. Yet, like the Peas' Fergie-featuring Elephunk, 2006's As Cruel as School Children unveiled a flair for radio fare that has since come to define the band; that disc's Supertramp-biting "Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast in America" could've been subtitled "Here Is the Love." As with the Peas, the conversion has cost them some old fans. But it has resulted in music that's much more entertaining than their early efforts.
On The Quilt -- which features production by hip-hop A-listers Cool & Dre and The-Dream, as well as Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy -- the Heroes don't phunk with what worked last time: "Blinded by the Sun" swipes a bridge from another cheesy golden oldie ("Sunglasses at Night"), while frontman Travis McCoy lays out his girl troubles in "Drnk Txt Rmeo" over a bouncy reggae groove. Busta rhymes shows up for a left-field cameo in "Peace Sign/Index Down," and that's actually less random than Daryl Hall's appearance in "Live Forever (Fly With Me)."
Sometimes the Heroes lay it on too thick, as in "Cookie Jar," where McCoy's philandering metaphor is so obvious it might not exist. Mostly, though, they demonstrate that pop trumps piety.


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Products made with genuine leathers may contain variations in color and grain. These natural characteristics help enhance the beauty and uniqueness of Perlina handbags and small leather goods.
To help extend the life of your Perlina leather products:
Spray your new handbag with a light and even coating of silicon spray to protect from dirt
and stains.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight and moisture may cause damage to the leather, so store your
Perlina handbag out of direct sunlight and in a dry place. Light color leathers may be
marked by dark fabric.
Enjoy and exercise care when wearing your new purchase.


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Oolong or Wu Long means "Black Dragon". Oolongs are half-fermented (or semi-oxidized) teas that are in the specialty tea family. Half-fermented because the processing of Oolong tea requires only a partial fermentation (oxidation) of the leaves. Oolongs occupy an intermediate position between non-fermented green teas and fully fermented black teas and are the most diverse and interesting loose leaf teas. Oolongs can have varying degrees of oxidation that ranges somewhere between 10-35% in classic Chinese Oolongs to 60-70% in classic Taiwanese (Formosa) Oolongs. Oolong specialty tea is often made from mature leaves, collected from older tea trees.Processing Oolong is considered the art of tea, where the character of tea is created. Tea masters participate in Oolong tea processing competitions to demonstrate their professional skills at this fine art.Let's take a look at Oolong manufacturing process.There are no standard recipes on how to manufacture oolong tea; it is up to the discretion of each tea garden or tea master to decide on processing and the level of oxidation. Immediately after gathering, the tea leaves are spread in a thin layer on special bamboo mats under direct sunlight for withering that will let most of water evaporate. The withering process time varies depending on the ambient temperature. The next step of processing is very peculiar, withered leaves are placed in a large bamboo basket and put in a shady area. Approximately every hour, the tea leaves are shacked and gently tumbled in order to bruise the edges of the leaves to start an oxidation, at the same time avoiding breaking or crushing them. This procedure has to be done several times, until following effect will be reached: bruised up edges of the leaves due to the fermentation become brown blush (like 'rusty'), while veins and parts of the leaves should remain green.Once the desired level of fermentation is reached, the oxidation process should be stopped immediately. This is achieved through the heat drying phase of raw materials in scorching air called "panning". The pan roasting of the leaves requires extensive experience in Oolong tea processing.Most Oolongs are dried in two stages: first is partially, primary drying and rolling of tea leaves, then a final finish drying. Some highly fermented Oolongs undergo an additional stage of wetting and softening.The partially drying process is carried out manually. This stage is necessary to stop the fermentation. Partially drying can be done in 2-4 steps, when the raw material is taken out of the oven, quickly cooled, then rolled. Then again dried in the oven, rapidly cooled, then rolled again, and so on. Afterwards, the leaves go through a final drying phase, ending oxidation and often followed by baking (roasting). Several kinds of Oolong are not rolled just dried after panning. With such a "multistage" technology, taste and degree of fermentation of Oolongs differentiate. Although, manufacturing Oolong is very intensive and meticulous process, unique aroma and flavor profile of this specialty tea makes this tea worth the trouble.Good quality Oolongs are only loose leaf teas, not tea bags!The most widely known and actively exported Oolongs are Chinese (Fujian and Yunnan) and Taiwanese (Formosa). Among the most well-known are Formosa Oolongs. Grown and manufactured in Taiwan, named after the province in which grown, these teas are considered the best in quality and affordability among Oolong the loose leaf tea family. Taiwanese Oolongs are often called "Champagne of Teas". Typically Taiwanese Oolongs are specifically labeled that indicates the quality of tea:1. Fanciest or Extra Fancy2. Fancy3. Extra Choice or Extra Fine4. Fine5. Fully Superior6. Superior7. Good8. StandardChinese Oolongs are famous for the fact that are used in a Chinese traditional procedure named Gongfu Cha and withstand up to 7 steepings.Brewing Oolong is a very delicate process because it strongly depends on the type of oolong, more precisely, the degree of its fermentation. A lightly fermented Oolong is closest to the brewing of green tea with 190-195 degrees water and the brewing time 1-3 minutes. More fermented Oolong (such as Formosa) is brewing a little longer 4-5 min in hotter water 203-212. After brewing a quality Oolong has pronounced specific characteristics that cannot be mixed with any other kinds of tea. The best quality Oolongs expresses a strong and rich floral aroma and a remarkable peachy flavor with a honey-sweet aftertaste. Oolongs that closer in oxidation to black teas, have a nutty, toasted flavor. Color of brew is very diverse: from light yellow with green notes (like green tea) to a dark red. Oolong specialty teas contribute 2% of tea consumption of all the teas all over the world.Enjoy a great cup of Oolong, happy drinking!
Tags: aroma, art, bamboo, black, brewing, chinese, classic, degree, depends, diverse, dried, drying, extra, family, fancy, fermentation, final, fine, flavor, formosa, fully, green, half-fermented, leaf, leaves, level, loose, manufacturing, named, oolong, oxidation, panning, partially, phase, procedure, process, quality, raw, reached, roasting, rolled, several, specialty, specific, stage, taiwanese, tea, varies, water, withering
Loose Tea | Oolong
Every profound, self-respecting tea connoisseur has a collection consistent of several teas, where each type is brewed depending on time of the day, occasion, company or just the mood. Typically such a collection of teas includes:
- Teas for breakfast
- Afternoon teas
- Evening teas
In addition, during each occassion, several varieties of teas can be served.
Tea for breakfast - This tea should invigorate and tone the body and mind. The taste of this drink should be rich and strong. In addition, tea for breakfast is often served with muffins, scones, sweet breads, therefore it should be perfectly balanced with flavors. The most popular teas for breakfast are:
English Breakfast Black Tea Blend with a marvellously dark infusion and malty spiciness, best when slightly sweetened with a dash of milk or cream.
Irish Breakfast Black Tea Blend with a deep dark infusion and character spice. A definite "must have" for each tea lover.
Afternoon tea - Such a beverage is usually drank after a good lunch without milk or sugar, so it will help digestion and vigilance. The selection of afternoon tea should be approached with particular care because this social beverage prompts friendly conversations. If we generalize the basic properties and characteristics of mid-day tea, then the tea will have the following form:
Not too strong, must have a rich flavor, with exquisite and delicate aroma, but the main thing it is understandable and enjoyable not only for the host, but also for every guest. The most popular afternoon teas:
Earl Grey ( black or green tea blend) lightly flavored with fine bergamot oil that forms a harmonious basis for the popular, fruity, hot drink.
Caramel Black Tea Blend comes up to the highest expectations with its tempting creamy caramel pieces and the sweet, full caramel flavor with an unforgettable vanilla note.
Cinnamon Roll Black Tea Blend with perfectly balanced taste of expressive cinnamon flavor. Quite simple and perfect.
Jasmine Green Tea with intense bouquet of jasmine and delicate taste.
Oolong, White tea, Green tea…pure and flavored, regular and decafeinated… The list of choices are endless, the world of tea is infinite!
Evening tea - This tea is usually chosen using special blends, which include different varieties of teas, they are mostly with little or no caffeine content, not very strong and have a pleasant, delicate taste and aroma. Rooibos, Honeybush, Ayurvedic, Herbal and Fruit blends are the most popular evening teas. Evening teas offer soothing aroma and taste to relax the body and mind for a better night sleep.
Tags: addition, afternoon, aroma, balanced, better, beverage, black, blend, body, breads, breakfast, caramel, choices, cinnamon, collection, dark, deep, delicate, depending, earl grey, english breakfast, evening, expressive, exquisite, fine, flavor, form, green, include, infusion, irish breakfast, jasmine, milk, mind, night, occassion, perfectly, popular, properties, rich, served, several, strong, sweet, taste, tea, tempting, tone, usually, varietiesroyal, royal, rose
Loose Tea | Preparation
People drink tea, to forget the hustle and bustle of the world. Tan Yen
Welcome to the world of unique, vibrant essence that forms an environment for communication to the world of green tea. Apart from the fact that tea is simple to prepare and pleasant to taste, it is a unique plant which includes a huge amount of different substances that provide a favorable effect on the human body. For some reason, only when we visit museums, we draw attention to the achievements of human race in various fields. Once inside the museum, we may explore the aircraft industry, we begin to admire the progress when standing next to the first wooden airplane, then stroll over to find a super modern fighter jet, both man-made within the last one hundred years. In museums of fine art, we are surprised to learn about the enormous changes in the technique of writing that occurred in just a few centuries, at each stage giving the world priceless masterpieces. However, once among the remarkable and infinitely fragrant teas, we rarely think about the historic characters and events, some of which dates back to antiquity. In ancient times, people discovered wild tea trees, the leaves are plucked from the trees were just chewed or boiled in water. Century's later people learned how to make pressed tea and then loose leaf tea. They gradually discovered many other variations throughout several millenniums, revealing all of its secret benefits. As a result, countless assortments of tea are on store shelves, readily available to all that desire this great treasure. Despite the tremendous diversity of over 350 tea trees, each plant providing distinctive attributes within the glorious green leaves. Sky-high peaks, misty cliffs and green valleys only help these leaves to absorb a unique "spirit". The magical transformation of the collected tea leaves, from white to black, happens because of the improvements past down from ancient times. We hope that while you are exploring our website and blog, you will assimilate many new and interesting things about the culture of tea, the types of tea brewing methods, the countless benefits of loose leaf tea and the secrets of making an exquisite cup of tea.
Tags: airplane, ancient, art, attention, benefits, century, characters, collected, countless, discovered, draw, events, explore, exquisite, fields, fine, forms, green, hope, human, jet, later, leaf, learn, leaves, loose, man-made, museums, people, plant, pressed, progress, provide, secret, several, shelves, spirit, super, surprised, tea, technique, think, times, treasure, trees, tremendous, unique, various, wild, world
History | Loose Tea | Traditions
Copyright 2010 © ESP Emporium.com. All rights reserved.


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Methodology ARCHITECT advertised the ARCHITECT 50 program in the magazine and on the website, and sent invitations to firms that requested entries as well as to firms that had been invited in previous years. In all, 152 firms qualified to participate in the ranking.
All data was from the 2012 fiscal year and was self-reported. Projects completed or in progress during the calendar year were included. Data was checked for consistency, and outliers were identified and fact checked. Karlin Associates LLC, a third-party research firm based in New York City, compiled the ranking and assured the confidentiality of the data.
Scoring the ARCHITECT 50 ranking is based on scores in three separate categories:
Business Net revenue per employee (counting only architecture and design-related revenue and staff), which counted for 65 percent of the total category score Profitability (positive change in net revenue from 2011): 8 percent The percentage of profits invested in research (a discretionary score was also awarded based on a firm's research work): 12 percent A firm's commitment to pro bono work, measured by participation in Public Architecture's 1% program and the percentage of a firm's billable hours that were dedicated to pro bono work: 15 percent
Design Excellence For the first time this year, the architect 50 survey included the submission of a design portfolio. A panel of judges, chosen by architect, graded each anonymous portfolio individually to create an overall portfolio score, which counted for 60 percent of the design excellence score. The category also measured design awards won, including awards granted by architect, the AIA, and ASLA, as well as other urban design and historic preservation awards: 15 percent The percentage of total employees who were licensed architects: 10 percent A discretionary score for the number and type of teaching positions that a firm's employees held at architecture schools: 15 percent
Total Score Each data point in the three categories was assigned a weight, formulated after consulting with architects and other industry experts. After the scores were tabulated in each of the three categories, they were rescaled so that the top ranking firm in each category was assigned a score of 100, with the rest of the firms' scores then recalculated as a percentage of the top score.
Finally, a firm's scores in each of the three categories were added together to create the overall ranking. Those scores were also normalized, with the top firm given an overall total of 300, and all the other firms' scores calculated as a percentage of the top score.
Each firm's performance was calculated relative to the performance of other firms. A firm with an overall score of 300, for example, did not necessarily top out on every indicator and category; it accumulated the highest composite score.
See all the ARCHITECT 50 results here.
Eric Wills
Karlin Associates
Architect 50
Please read our Content Guidelines before posting.


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What wine goes best with a nice hot shower? Red, of course, when the Alfred Hitchcock classic "Psycho" plays the Summer Film Festival at St. Francis Winery on Thursday, July 25. The free outdoor screening starts at dusk, with a pre-curtain concert by Tumbao. (The Norman Bates Band was booked).
Sommelier and noted wine personality Christopher Sawyer will introduce the film and suggest parings of St Francis' wines. Featured wines will be offered by the glass, and food and sweets will be available for purchase. Bring a picnic and blanket for the lawn. No outside alcohol allowed. The festival runs five consecutive Thursdays, starting June 18 with "Dirty Dancing."


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Lyrics Depot | |
Lyrics » Nana Mouskouri Lyrics » As Time Goes By Lyrics |
Lyrics Depot is your source of lyrics to As Time Goes By by Nana Mouskouri. Please check back for more Nana Mouskouri lyrics. |
As Time Goes By LyricsArtist: Nana MouskouriAlbum: Falling in Love Again: Great Songs from the Movies You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss,' A sigh is just a sigh, The fundamental things apply, as time goes by. And when two lovers woo, they still say "I love you," on that you can rely, No matter what the future brings, as time goes by. Moonlight and love songs, never out of date, Hearts full of passion, jealousy and hate, Woman needs man, and man must have his mate, there's no one can deny. It's still the same old story, a fight for love and glory, A case of do or die, The world will always welcome lovers, as time goes by.
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All lyrics are the property of their respective authors, artists and labels. |


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Photography is a great medium for social documentation. Think of nineteenth-century French photographer Eugène Atget, who produced... More >>
For those who find it difficult what to make of some of the art being shown today, here's a solution: Suspend judgment. Concepts need time to grow... More >>
My art chronicle begins on a rainy Friday night, on my way to Ambrosino Gallery in North Miami. Upon arrival I don't find too many people, but... More >>
The still life is probably most famous in its nineteenth-century form: assorted fruits on a plate, next to a wine bottle, and a terra cotta... More >>
In The Medium Is the Message: An Inventory of Effects (1967), Marshall McLuhan envisioned the Global Village, a synchronized world where... More >>
Oscar Wilde, that astute observer of the late Nineteenth Century, said that controversy reveals a favorable condition for change. It's applicable... More >>
What's in a name? In Vivian Marthell's work, quite a lot -- of imagery and humor. While checking out "Intimate Addictions: Living Large in... More >>
Primitive iconography is dramatic and seductive, but it also can be trite and manipulative. How to tell the difference is the key: In general look... More >>
If you're into fresh and original events, check out Sound Art Workshops (SAW) at the new South Florida Composers Alliance venue in North Miami.... More >>
Robert Thiele's exhibition at the Barbara Gillman Gallery makes me think of the end of the world. Not in a paranoid way -- I'm not... More >>
Fernando Garcia's paintings are crafty enough to bring to mind Plato's distrust of art. For the Greek philosopher, by attempting to become... More >>
Social alienation seems to be an underlying theme of postmodern urban America. The separation of labor and leisure has created a social... More >>
Miami is getting the vibe of a bigger city. April's bunch of openings was a good example, keeping many of us happily busy. And this time around it... More >>
Pop art brings to mind those extraordinary images from the cold-war and civil-rights era of the Sixties: a startling moment when the United... More >>
In the best of all possible worlds, a veteran art teacher would decide to shake up the inertia of the system with the quixotic idea of recruiting... More >>
The House, the latest in a series of alternative art spaces popping up around Miami, seems to reflect a generational trend. Martin Oppel, Bhakti... More >>
The very notion of "modern" in art rests on a historical fallacy. At the height of European colonialism, the movements of fauvism and Cubism... More >>
Little has been said about the ubiquitous effect of irony in much of today's art. Irony allows detachment, a trend that may have started with... More >>
Beauty, once one of the most desired terms in the art lexicon, might be on the verge of extinction. We don't describe things as beautiful anymore.... More >>
The Green Door Gallery used to be a derelict construction spot among a monotonous row of secondhand stores on North Miami Avenue. It came to life... More >>
The Museum of Contemporary Art's "Making Art in Miami: Travels in Hyperreality," featuring 22 emerging local artists, is a timely... More >>


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More than 700 people die in the U.S. each year in residential electrical fires, and there are an estimated 550 electrocution deaths nationwide. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), many of these accidents could have been prevented by taking a few electrical safety precautions.
Remember the four R's of electrical safety:
For additions or repairs to your property such as building additions, remodeling or upgrading of your electric service, or installing customer-owned generation, always ensure that you use qualified licensed contractors and have obtained proper permits. In addition, make sure you are aware of all interconnection requirements of any customer-owned generation in the City of Mesa's Electric service territory.
Check out the website for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) at www.esfi.org for additional information on home and work safety.
Energy Resources Home Page
Address:PO Box 1466 Mesa, AZ 85211 Email a Question or Comment
Non-Emergency: 480-644-4444
Gas Emergency or Odor 480-644-4277 (GASS) or 911 (24 hours/7 days)
Electric Emergency 480-644-2266 or 911 (24 hours/7 days)
Service Area Maps
My Utility Account
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Frank McRae, Director Email


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- Heartless_
- http://hgamer.blogspot.com
- Member Since Feb 21st, 2006
Recent Comments:
Rumor: The Old Republic to have player housing? {Massively}
Sep 6th 2009 9:51AM You can't have iconic Star Wars without the ability to win the Millennium Falcon in a card game.
The Daily Grind: Guild Wars 2 for you? {Massively}
Aug 23rd 2009 9:25AM They will need to do something different than whats out there. I think Aion is about the last AAA game the market can hold as a quality Diku-inspired MMOG. If anymore AAA games want to succeed they will have to differentiate quite substantially. This doesn't mean they have to innovate, but they will need something very different or deliver the same in a very different manor that makes it feel fresh.
This includes GW2 and Star Wars:ToR. SW:ToR is going to fall flat if all they have is voice acting over a Diku-inpsired Star Wars MMOG.
Chronicles of Spellborn now completely free while in re-development {Massively}
Aug 19th 2009 10:42PM The thing that annoyed me was that the tutorial never explained how to use the damn combat roll thingy.
The Daily Grind: Does a game need PvP to be successful? {Massively}
Apr 12th 2009 9:18AM There really is two questions here.
1. Can a PvP-centered MMO be successful? Yes, Darkfall is successful (albeit in a way that still makes me want to LOL about the game). WAR is quasi-successful (albeit well below expectations for many). EVE is extremely successful (albeit taking years to do so).
None of them are WoW-successful and that's the Internet's arguement against PvP.
2. Does a game need PvP servers to be successful? A great example is Runes of Magic. Does it really need its PvP server? Probably not, and if you ask me, it actually hurts the game. The Grimdal PvP serer is horrible and I would of loved to have seen the development for that server be re-focused into the main PvE game. Funnily enough, that PvE includes Guild vs Guild Castle fights and /duel, which are PvP, but completely aside from the game.
I really don't think you can ask if an MMO simply needs "PvP", because basic player interaction breeds Player vs. Player, regardless of whether someone is smashing face or not.
Its a question of whether an MMO needs a completely seperate rules set and secondary PvP server type to have success. IMHO, they don't and its a detriment for a lot of MMOs.
Warhammer role-play servers: And then there was one {Massively}
Mar 31st 2009 8:08PM I think anyone stating that WAR has a gear grind or that gear makes a character was sadly mistaken. WARs gear system was NOT one of the issues for me playing the game. I was able to compete easily with the basics gained at level 40.
The "gear grind" was only if one chose to advance in PvE progression. Gear from RvR was very capable.
With that said, the actual random loot system needs work, but that can be said about every Diku-inspired MMO since MUD1.
GDC09: Runes of Magic has lots more in store {Massively}
Mar 30th 2009 1:59PM RoM PvE = good, because it is easily done for free.
RoM PvP = destroyed by the fact it will cost easily $400 to compete.
The Daily Grind: Is it luck? {Massively}
Mar 29th 2009 10:54AM I think you need to watch Zero Punctuation's review of EVE Online and tell me that EVE and WoW are not the same:
He makes some good points. But yes, the controls are vastly different and EVE tends to be more virtual world. Past that, they are the same combat-heavy, kill and loot games.
Chronicles of Spellborn opens up beta, shows off new armor {Massively}
Mar 27th 2009 3:08PM I'm mixed on it. The combat seems to have some potential to it, but I just can't get into it yet. Also the whole new character introduction, there is a whole lot that isn't covered.
For example: the game never explains to you that you have over half a dozen skills waiting to be used out of the gate. Instead it makes it look like you simply have a single Melee or Ranged attack.
Another example: there is no explanation of the rotating skill block and how to add to it or take from it.
I found the game very rough around the edges and there isn't much guidance in game for what to do once off the newb ship.
The questing is standard kill x or y, which is disappointing since TCoS has some uniqueness to it. At the end of the day I will not be paying to play TCoS as it really feels to be another Diku-inspired MMO masked under a different combat system.
Runes of Magic: Not just another pretty game {Massively}
Mar 3rd 2009 8:03PM WINE support? Sorry, that isn't on the game developers. That is on the WINE community. The more popular a game, the more support it gets.
ArenaNet will not show Guild Wars 2 at PAX {Massively}
Jul 29th 2008 9:34PM "With recent news of other games opting to release "on time" with minimal content, we can't help but scratch our heads at this type of situation. It's been asked a million times before, but we'll ask it again: would you rather have a partial game released now, or a complete game released later?"
Sir, screw your biased news. I am so sick of Massively's "news" with such uninformed drivel constantly tacked on. I'm done with the site. Sorry to the posters that actually take care when posting news.


text: The new Srixon 2013 Z-Star Series golf ball is the most technically advanced tour performance golf ball Srixon has ever developed. The new Z-Star has been redesigned, recalculated and reformulated to produce the best balance of tour performance across all clubs in the bag. Driven to improve greenside spin without sacrificing distance and tee to green control. The proprietary Spin Skin coating improves friction between the golf ball and club surface by 20% resulting in unmatched greenside performance offered by a tour ball.


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Open April - September, 10am - 5pm daily
tel: 01856 731255
Museum admission charges (entry to the cafe and gift shop is free)
Adults - £4.00 Concessions & children under 16 - £2.50 Children under five - Free
A major project to develop new exhibitions at the Fossil & Heritage Centre has recently been completed. Visit the brand new Building the Barriers exhibition and the local heritage galleries, which tell the story of 20th century life in Orkney through day-to-day objects. See 385 million year old Orkney fish fossils brought to life as never before. Marvel at exquisitely preserved fossils of long-extinct sea creatures and find out about rocks, crystals and how the Earth works.
The Community Café, run by local volunteers, offers a range of hearty soups, local produce and delicious home-bakes in a warm and friendly environment with lovely views.
The Gift Shop has a wide range of arts and crafts, jewellery, traditional toys, gemstones, books, cards and CDs. Take your time to browse the unusual and extensive range of goods on offer.
" Exceptional! Absolutely fantastic - better than any museum we've been to."
Visitor, June 2014
© Orkney Fossil & Heritage Centre Web site by Flagstone Creative with Redkite Internet.
Orkney Fossil & Heritage Centre is a registered Scottish charity number SCO30671
Viewforth, Burray, Orkney KW17 2SY


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- Prison Planet.com - http://www.prisonplanet.com -
China police blockading Tibetan monastery, say exiles
Posted By admin On April 18, 2011 @ 3:40 am In Prison Planet | Comments Disabled
Tania Branigan
London Guardian [1]
April 18, 2011
Chinese state media have confirmed reports of clashes between monks and police at a Tibetan monastery in Sichuan province, but deny it has been blockaded.
The Global Times said "Chinese police intervened to control lamas that had stirred up trouble" at Kirti monastery in Aba county, western China.
Tibetan exiles said armed police surrounded the complex last Tuesday and refused to allow monks to enter or leave. The Dalai Lama warned late last week that the situation could turn "explosive".
An article released by the Xinhua state news agency on its news wire this weekend – but not, apparently, on its website – said believers and vehicles were freely entering and monks could be seen outside.
Stock up with Fresh Food that lasts with eFoodsDirect (AD) [2]
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[1] London Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/18/china-police-blockade-tibetan-monastery
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[4] Tibetan Monk Shot by Chinese Police After Burning Self: http://www.prisonplanet.com/tibetan-monk-shot-by-chinese-police-after-burning-self.html
[5] Dalai Lama Says Last Year's Riots Staged by CCP Police: http://www.prisonplanet.com/dalai-lama-says-last-year%e2%80%99s-riots-staged-by-ccp-police.html
[6] 59 arrested in Tibet for 'spreading of rumors': http://www.prisonplanet.com/59-arrested-in-tibet-for-spreading-of-rumors.html
[7] China warns Sarkozy over Tibet: http://www.prisonplanet.com/china-warns-sarkozy-over-tibet.html
[8] New video of torture exposes Chinese brutality in Tibet: http://www.prisonplanet.com/new-video-of-torture-exposes-chinese-brutality-in-tibet.html
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Could it be some entity has anticipated the warming and water shortage and syphoned much of the missing water to a private aquifer? People will try to store water in underground reservoirs when they realise warming is serious and water supplies are in danger...Just a thought
Image courtesy NASA Earth Observatory
Published August 16, 2013
A "No Fishing" sign sits improbably along a dry desert road in Nevada. The largest man-made reservoir in the U.S., Lake Mead, once extended this far—but the watery destination of anglers and boaters has shrunk so much that the lakeshore now is about a half-mile away. (View an interactive map of the region.)
The recession of the massive lake that straddles Nevada and Arizona is symbolic of a long-standing problem that just got a lot worse: The Colorado River's record-low flows and the shrunken reservoirs of lakes Mead and Powell (pictured above) for the first time have triggered big cuts in the amount of water allowed to flow downstream. The loss has prompted one alarmed official to float the idea that Western states ask for federal aid.
A new report has brought a sense of urgency to the slow-moving disaster represented by the shrinking Colorado River.
For days and weeks, water officials fretted that the federal Bureau of Reclamation's anticipated 24-month study would deliver bad news, and it did. The agency—a division of the Department of Interior that provides water and power in the West—announced today it would cut water released from Lake Powell's Glen Canyon Dam by 750,000 acre-feet next year. That's about enough water to serve 1.5 million homes.
"Unprecedented," said Scott Huntley, spokesperson for the Las Vegas-based Southern Nevada Water Authority, whose chief, Pat Mulroy, has mentioned the idea of seeking federal aid.
A business coalition warned of an "unprecedented water crisis within the next few years," thanks to the situation in lakes Mead and Powell, the latter of which straddles Arizona and Utah.
It's the first time in the history of the nearly 50-year-old Glen Canyon Dam that water going downstream would be cut. "This is the worst 14-year drought period in the last hundred years," said Upper Colorado regional director Larry Walkoviak in a press release.
Among the effects, said Gary Wockner of SavetheColorado.org, are negative impacts on fish, wildlife, and the ecosystem in the Grand Canyon. "The river is already severely endangered due to way too many dams and diversions," said Wockner. "The impact on the health of the Colorado River is unsustainable."
(Learn more about issues affecting the Colorado River.)
The Race for Water Is On
Las Vegas effectively has two straws into Lake Mead, which is roughly 300 miles (480 kilometers) downstream of Lake Powell, to get its water. One of those straws could stop working once the lake drops too far—somewhere between 1,050 feet (320 meters) and 1,075 feet (328 meters) above sea level, it's thought. Perhaps as early as autumn 2014, Lake Mead is expected to drop to 1,075 feet (down 25 feet from the current level).
Anticipating trouble earlier, the city's water authority has been busy installing a third straw to reach a deeper part of Lake Mead.
"It's essentially a race for us," Huntley said, as the lake "is going to drop more precipitously than seen in the past."
If things continue to worsen as climate change brings more evaporation and less rain over time, other issues will come into focus for the seven states and part of Mexico that rely on the Colorado River. Power production at Hoover Dam would stop if the water's elevation drops enough, for example.
"You won't be able to put water through the turbines," Huntley said. "You don't have enough really to be much more than a river at that point, as opposed to a storage reservoir."
(Related: "8 Rivers Run Dry.")
What the Report Means
"It's a kick in the pants or a blow to the head to make us pay attention to both short-term and long-term projections of supply and demand imbalances," Brad Udall said of the Bureau of Reclamation report. Udall is the director of the University of Colorado Law School's Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment.
Record drought and overuse of water from the meager Colorado River have taken a toll. Tree-ring reconstructions of stream flow suggest the past 14 years rank among the lowest stream-flow periods in 1,200 years, according to Udall and Michael Connor, commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation.
"Something very, very unusual is going on," said Udall, who suspects climate change is playing a part.
It's as if a giant sucked up an astonishing amount of water with a straw. Some 8.23 million acre-feet of water is supposed to flow each year into Lake Mead from Lake Powell to serve Nevada, Arizona, California, and Mexico, per long-standing interstate and international agreements. But the past 14 years have been tough.
"Basically, Mead has lost the equivalent of one entire year's worth of flow," Udall said. "It's missing 8 million acre-feet of water." (An acre-foot of water is equivalent to one acre with 12 inches of water on it.)
Lake Powell also is missing a year's worth (about 15 million acre-feet). Drought is the main culprit for Lake Powell, Udall said, while Lake Mead's issue is overuse.
The Colorado River Basin "is one of the most critical sources of water in the West," Connor said in written comments submitted to a Senate subcommittee hearing in July. The river and its tributaries quench the thirsts of 40 million people and nearly 5.5 million acres of farmland, plus seven national wildlife refuges, four national recreation areas, and 11 national parks.
Good News, Bad News
The good news is if big snows and rains come in the next year, the feared short-term crisis would be averted—dams could end up delivering normal amounts of water downstream. And even if the dreaded cuts in water do occur, it probably won't be so bad short term, Udall predicts. That's because Arizona has been banking water underground.
"There would be a belt-tightening by a small group of water users in Arizona and Nevada, a price increase for a larger group in Arizona...and water use would likely remain constant," thanks to groundwater pumping, the website CircleofBlue.org reports. At least for a while.
The bad news is if the water shortage drags on for years, people in Nevada, Arizona, and California "would have to answer some very difficult questions," Udall said.
By current river law, Lake Mead must deliver a certain amount of water downstream, but the lake is draining faster than it's refilling. At some point, if the situation doesn't improve, the fear is it may come to deciding this: Do we cut off water supply to Las Vegas to two million people because the reservoir has dropped too low? Or does someone else pay?
"The [logical] answer is you keep supplying water to Las Vegas and you short someone else," Udall said. But the complicated and often controversial "law of the river" that governs who gets the water from the Colorado isn't always straightforward, and can cause "angst," as Udall puts it.
The law currently says Arizona would have to bear the brunt of any reductions in flow, while Las Vegas could see some more modest restrictions. California, on the other hand, "escapes scot free," said Udall, meaning farmers there would be the last to see any restrictions.
According to a shortage-sharing agreement signed in 2007, if Lake Mead drops below 1075 feet (328 meters), automatic water cuts will kick in for Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico.
(See how water is "embedded" in things we use every day and see how the world's river basins stack up.)
Agriculture...and Climate Change
Most Colorado River water is used for agriculture. That's good in the view of Tina Shields, who manages Colorado River resources for the Imperial Irrigation District in southern California, which mostly serves farmers in a region just above where the Colorado flows into Mexico. (See a series on the Colorado River Delta.)
Shields says people from cities are greedily eyeing farmers' water. "We shouldn't be jeopardizing our food supply to allow urban growth to occur," Shields counters.
To some degree it may feel like the same old fights will wage on. But Udall says water stress may eventually force major changes. He said there are warning signs that climate change is already steering the fight to where it's never been before.
"Climate change has the potential to throw curveballs—to throw extreme events at us the likes of which we've never seen and we're not prepared to deal with," said Udall.
Pictured is Lake Powell in 1999 and 2013, Image courtesy NASA Earth Observatory
The World's Water
The world's increasing population and development of agricultural land are putting pressure on the Earth's limited freshwater supplies. Find out what's at stake and how you can help.
Why Should You Care?
Learn more about the world's water challenge with photos, stories, videos, and more.
Visualizing Our Water Footprint
You might be surprised to see how the daily choices you make affect critical watersheds around the world.
Water Currents, by Sandra Postel and Others
Smarter Irrigation Returns Water to River
Arizona's Verde River gets a boost from an innovative partnership.
Arizona Irrigators Share Water
Farmers in the Verde River Basin employ new technology to benefit a desert environment.
Life Without Water Is Awkward
Funny viral video series hopes to get people thinking about the importance of water.
The Future of Food
Why Food Matters
How do we feed nine billion people by 2050, and how do we do so sustainably?
Download: Free iPad App
We've made our magazine's best stories about the future of food available in a free iPad app.
Stories From Experts in the Field
Why We Shouldn't Dam the Mekong
National Geographic Fellow Zeb Hogan tells us what needs to happen in order to save the region's giant fish.
Rainwater Harvesting in India
Sunita Narain tells us how one remote village is setting an example for the rest of the country—and world.
Boston Water Conservation
National Geographic Freshwater Fellow Sandra Postel describes one of the biggest success stories in urban water management.


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Adults inhabit sandy to muddy bottoms (Ref. 7251). Prefer depths of 37 to 82 m at temperatures of 3-5°C (Ref. 6263). Feed mainly on polychaete worms and amphipods, shrimps, isopods and other crustaceans and occasionally small fish such as sand lance and capelin (Ref. 12232). Batch spawner (Ref. 51846). Marketed fresh or frozen; eaten steamed, fried, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).
- Cooper, J.A. and F. Chapleau 1998 Monophyly and intrarelationships of the family Pleuronectidae (Pleuronectiformes), with a revised classification. Fish. Bull. 96(4):686-726. (Ref. 30193)


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A man struggles with his rain cover as he walks up Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans as Hurricane Isaac makes landfall on Aug. 29, 2012.
Photo taken in New Orleans shows sandbags protecting a storefront on Canal Street in preparation for Hurricane Isaac on August 28.
Nathan Archer, 21, of New Orleans walks along a quiet Bourbon Street Tuesday morning in the French Quarter of New Orleans before Isaac makes his way into the area.
By Steve Kelley, The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Creators Syndicate
The implosion of the former Pallas Hotel is seen in New Orleans, Sunday, July 22, 2012. The building was taken down to make room for a future medical center.
New Orleans, pictured in 2010, was the fastest-growing large city, according to Census data.
At the Saint Hotel in the French Quarter, guest rooms are done in white and indigo blue and have exposed brick wall and white lacquered furniture. The ceilings are also painted indigo blue for an unusual touch.
The newly opened Saint Hotel in New Orleans has a billiards table in the lobby.
The newly opened, eclectic Saint Hotel in New Orleans has joined Marriott''s Autograph Collection of independent luxury hotels.
The updated Club Lounge at Windsor Court offers dedicated concierge and services such as extended continental breakfast and afternoon tea.
The Windsor Court hotel in New Orleans is completing a $22 million renovation, which includes an update to Le Salon, where afternoon tea is served.
A newly updated guest room with double queen beds at the Windsor Court in New Orleans. Beds are covered with Frette linens.
New Orleans has had 4.8 million visitors in the first half of 2011, up 7.7% over the same period in 2010.
Left to right, Willie Andrews, Revert Andrews, and Revon Andrews, of the New Life Brass Band, perform in the French Quarter section of New Orleans, Nov. 11.
A horse-drawn carried gives a guided tour in the French Quarter in New Orleans.
File photo of Hotel Monteleone taken July 29, 2011 after the wedding ceremony of Former Governor Edwin Edwards, then 83, and his new bride, Trina Grimes Scott, then 32.
New Orleans police arrest a man after a scuffle during the Krewe of Rex parade on Canal Street in New Orleans on March 8. There were 655 illegal drinking citations and five arrests during the Mardi Gras season in the New Orleans area. Nearly 400 of those citations were in the French Quarter.
Crowds congregate on Bourbon Street for festivities outside the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras in New Orleans on March 8.
Orleans Shoring employees set a dollie under a home on Palmyra Street in New Orleans as they prepare to remove the home and restore it at another location. The founder of Builders of Hope estimates that her group will have diverted 11 million pounds of debris from landfills by the end of this year.
Construction workers build piers for a home that was just moved from the Lower Mid-City neighbood in New Orleans. "Where there's a will there's a way," says Scott Hutcheson, and advisor to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who is using $3.2 million of the city's Recovery Act funds to buy and relocate the homes that would have otherwise been demolished.
U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry answers questions during a news conference about the operations surrounding the Deepwater Horizon explosion in New Orleans on April 22. Adrian Rose, left, Transocean's vice president for quality, health, safety and the environment, and David Hayes, deputy secretary of the Interior, listen.
New Orleans quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees announces the 32nd and final pick of the night - former Florida State DB Patrick Robinson to the Saints.
Kentucky freshman John Wall, top, and Eric Bledsoe celebrate at the end their second-round victory over Wake Forest in New Orleans. Wall tallied 14 points and seven assists, while Bledsoe, coming off a record performance in which he converted eight three-pointers, contributed with 13.
The Notre Dame Leprechaun mascot and the Fighting Irish cheerleaders watch during first-round action in New Orleans.
Kentucky guard John Wall, left, watches as DeMarcus Cousins, grabs a teammate before practice in New Orleans.
Texas forward Alexis Wangmene picks up student trainer Chris Quinn during practice in New Orleans.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, MVP of Super Bowl XLIV, holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Saints beat the Colts 31-17 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
New Orleans' Na'Shan Goddard bench presses a reporter from the floor.


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This my real life story. I used to fear to tell people who I am, but now I have decided to write it in a book so... : Memoir » Read
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Taking handheld gaming to new heights, the graphically intense Infinity Blade features adrenaline-fueled sword battles and epic boss fights set in the realm of a fully 3D castle. The game's robust single-player mode features an intuitive combat interface and simple touch controls which enable hardcore and casual gamers alike to engage in fun, furious battles. As play progresses, players gain experience, build stats and earn more powerful items to prepare their knight for the final encounter with the game's nemesis, the God-King.
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Action RPG
Epic Games
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Posted on Feb 3rd 2015 3:30PM
Posted on Feb 3rd 2015 2:15PM
Posted on Feb 3rd 2015 1:45PM


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Relevant offers
Primary goods and raw material suppliers selling into Japan are likely to face stiff headwinds in the year ahead after New Zealand's fourth-biggest trading partner started making moves to weaken the yen.
The Japanese currency recently rose to a 4 -year high of 70 yen to the kiwi after Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week called on the Bank of Japan to double its inflation target to 2 per cent, giving his new government the room it needs to dramatically weaken the yen.
The announcement came after Abe and his LDP Party won a landslide victory earlier this month on the promise to reinvigorate the export-heavy Japanese economy through stimulus.
Mike Jones, a currency strategist at BNZ, said that while the yen was already hovering at depressed levels, Abe's election had forced the market to lift their trading range from 60 to 70 yen in 2012 to 68 yen to 78 yen in 2013.
That has the potential to dent demand for New Zealand-produced goods in the world's third biggest economy as they become relatively more expensive.
According to official figures, New Zealand exported $3.4 billion worth of fruit, dairy, meat and fish as well as raw and processed wood products to Japan in 2011, about $520m more than it imported.
Jones said exchange rate movements would certainly make it more difficult for exporters selling into Japan, but the volatile cross offered numerous opportunities for them to hedge their currency exposure.
"One thing Kiwi exporters are good at is waiting for shakeouts in the [Japanese] cross to buy hedging," he said.
Head of the Tourism Export Council Lesley Immink said the currency did not appear to have a great impact on the number of tourists visiting from Japan, which was only now starting to recover from the March 2011 tsunami.
However, Japan is only the country's fifth biggest tourism market after Australia, China, the United States and Britain, with 69,968 visitors landing in the country in the year to the end of November.
The flipside of the weaker yen is that it should improve the buying power for importers of Japanese goods.
Certainly consumers have been enjoying the overall strength of the New Zealand dollar, with home electronics such as televisions selling at record low prices, a position that's likely to improve as the yen slides further.
The yen's impact on vehicles, which make up about 40 per cent of imports from Japan, is likely to be more subdued.
Chris Nichols, a director who heads up offshore buying for Christchurch car dealership Metro, said high demand for cars in the wake of the Japanese tsunami had resulted in a shortage of secondhand vehicles for export, keeping prices high.
In addition, the weaker currency was also bringing more international car buyers to the Japanese market, increasing competition for vehicles. Similarly, he saw little movement in new vehicle prices.
The good news is that the effects of the weaker Japanese yen are only expected to be felt in the near term, according to BNZ economist Doug Steel. He said that if the stimulus measures were successful, the Japanese economy would grow and export volumes should rise, making up for lower prices. Fairfax NZ
- Fairfax Media
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Science takes one student around the world


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The design elements of each Gaulzetti are based upon traditional Italian racing geometry with regard to fit and function, but updated for the rigors of modern racing conditions as well as for the ergonomic demands of contemporary components. Gaulzetti Cicli produces a nimble, fast and balanced bicycle. The frames are designed to excel under all potential race conditions, especially technical courses where constant hard cornering and rapid changes in tempo are encountered.
All frames are built by hand in Medford, Massachusetts from the finest materials we are able to source.
We hold to the belief that bicycles are tools and should be optimized for their intended function. We come from a background of racing and hard training. It's what we know and our desire is to make not just race bikes, but the best race bikes we possibly can - the best tools for the job if that job is riding hard, riding long and doing so in all conditions. We've sourced our materials, devised our geometry and optimized our production process to achieve this goal. Our aesthetics flow from our original product goals; form is a direct result of function and we appreciate the beauty of a machine based on how purposefully functional it is - how well it purports to work as a tool.
We also believe in the preeminence of American manufacturing as the method of choice for producing our products. In our facility, we focus on small batch operations and can rapidly introduce improvements, address quality control issues and experiment with new materials and designs. This would be impossible to achieve with overseas production and extended supply lines. There's also the all-important but intangible element of knowing personally and sharing values and background with those who make your specialty goods.
The prices of our bicycles are not determined by the market. We charge what we need charge for our products in order to build with the materials we want, in the location we want, with the labor and skill that we need and to do so sustainably, in a fashion that allows us to stand behind our product for the long-term and continue to improve our products and processes.
Gaulzetti bikes aren't for everyone. They're for those who share our philosophy and our passions.
Not all materials are created the same. There are high, medium and low quality versions of every material used for bicycle construction. We currently make frames from steel and aluminum and we have sourced tubes and other materials that are the best, highest end materials currently available for bicycle construction.
Our aluminum tubes for the Corsa and Chunder frames are produced by Dedacciai in Italy. We have designed a custom version of their 7005 butted alloy tubeset in oversized shapes perfect for producing the stiff, reactive race bikes that are our specialty. Compared to some other aluminum tubes used in high end bicycle construction, our tubes are wider diameter and thicker walled. This increased thickness not only improves the durability and alignment of our frames, but also provides a smoother, more damped ride compared to highly machined and relieved tubesets used in ultra-light frame production.
This 7005 material is also perfect for the small batch and custom operations of a specialty shop like ours. It allows us flexibility in the production process to create custom geometries and easily allows us to constantly upgrade frame features as new technologies and designs become available and possible. It also allows us to utilize our own machined pieces, like our new dropouts, bottom brackets, head tubes and bridges, without encountering difficulty in combining different alloys into a single frame or the need for extensive heat treating.
In short, we searched the industry and chose the best aluminum tubing we could find given our performance and ride quality goals for our bicycles and our commitment to small batch, custom operations. It's expensive and can be difficult to source at times, but it's been well worth the cost and occasional headaches.
When we decided to make a steel bike, we experimented with several different tubesets and alloys before we settled on the PegoRichie UOS version of the Columbus Niobium Spirit tubeset for the Cazzo. It's unnecessary to discuss all of the tubes we sampled and discarded, but suffice it to say, the UOS was a clear winner once we threw a leg over the first prototype. Our goal with the Cazzo was to make a steel bike that retained most of the ride quality elements of the Corsa but rendered in steel, with its own subtle but unmistakably steel-like character.
The UOS is a version of Columbus's top-tier chromoly tubeset that was co-designed by Richard Sachs and Dario Pegoretti. It was made to help usher in a new era of steel bicycle production - one in which the modern demands for low weight and high stiffness could be achieved without sacrificing the ride characteristics and construction methods that have been the heart of steel bicycles for nearly a century.
We procure the UOS tubesets from Richard Sachs, who, in turn, imports them from Columbus in Italy. We pair these tubes with Richard's custom cast steel dropouts.
We build all of our bicycles in Medford, Massachusetts in a facility that is part custom bicycle shop and part machine shop with impressive capabilities for such a relatively small operation. We currently build bicycles one at a time, each one treated as a custom bike built on a per-order basis.
Each frame, whether it's one of our many stock sizes or a complete custom frame, begins life as a CAD file that has been completed for each bicycle. These CAD files are labeled with serial numbers and the design elements follow each frame through the production process.
Each order starts with the tubes and stays, selected and moved to the production process, where each tube and stay is mitered - cut to ensure proper fitment.
Tubes are placed in the frame jig, which is set up for each individual frame's unique geometry. Fitment of the tubes is checked and double-checked before welding begins.
We work in steel and aluminum, which are very different materials in terms of welding. They behave differently when welded and each requires a different preparation, gas mixture and approach to weld speed and pattern. We use a welding system that is fully purged with Argon, an inert gas that displaces atmospheric gasses and ensures clean welds free from outside contamination.


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Ashanti Hairstyles
Credit: © Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Feb 27 2008
Fun splashes of blond add depth and movement to Ashanti's curly, bodified bob.
Styling Tip
Step 1: Distribute a dollop of mousse onto damp hair and blow dry two-inch sections at a time with a large round brush. Lift slightly at the root for volume and then roll the ends under.
Step 2: Mist a two-inch piece of dry hair from roots to ends with styling spray. Place a large hot roller at the bottom, roll it up to the roots and clip in place. Repeat all over and let the rollers cool for about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Remove clips and run your fingers through the curls to create fullness and body.


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Premiere Date:Wednesday, September 13, 2006
American urban planners are using zoning laws to redevelop downtowns and Alabamas Capital City is one place where "It" is happening. Well talk with the head of the Florida firm leading that effort and a longtime North Alabama planner about saving deteriorating downtowns in Alabama cities.